Chapter 87

The plane landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport, and after the delegation got off, they were greeted by a counselor from the Chinese Embassy in Paris.

The delegation was then arranged to stay at a hotel near Avenue George V in the 8th arrondissement, not far from the Chinese Embassy in France.

The first impression of the hotel for the delegation members was that it was expensive. Since it wasn't peak tourist season, the room rate was only $11 per night, but even $11 a day was considered expensive!

The counselor Liu from the embassy smiled and said, "This is considered cheap, and the environment is quite nice!"

He said to the team leader Gong and deputy leader Song, "Everyone rest today. Tomorrow at 10 a.m., the French Minister of Industry will meet with the delegation, followed by a tour and visit arranged by them."

Team leader Gong and deputy leader Song nodded in understanding, knowing it wouldn't be reasonable to request a meeting right after landing. The French sending a minister to meet them was already a sign of respect, and the reception level was slightly higher than expected.

Team leader Gong and deputy leader Song felt quite good about it. Gong instructed everyone, "We'll have a meeting at 2 p.m.! Those who want to go out must get approval first! Comrade Lin, please take care of everyone!"

Lin Qiangsheng was taken aback for a moment. Seeing Team Leader Gong's kind look, he smiled bitterly.

The delegation only had one translator, and these people would be lost without him. The leaders, seeing Lin Qiangsheng's good command of foreign languages, naturally thought of him.

Lin Qiangsheng thought to himself, "Isn't this self-inflicted?"

It was nearly 1 p.m., and everyone quickly got their rooms. To save money, they mostly shared rooms, with three or four people in each. Two people slept on the bed, and two on the floor. This way, the room fees were more manageable.

The plump French landlady looked at the group of Chinese people crowding into the guest rooms with disdain, shook her head, and shouted a string of curses.

Lin Qiangsheng had just finished washing up when someone knocked on the door. It was a family member of the delegation, who suggested going out for a walk.

One of the family members from the industrial department said to Xu Hongmei with a smile, "Sister, let's go for a walk! Bring your child. You see, none of us know any foreign languages!"

"Exactly! Let's go out for a walk! Those who need to attend the meeting can do so, and the rest of us can have some free time. We might as well enjoy it while we're here!" the others chimed in.

There were about seven or eight family members in the delegation, most of whom were on a public-funded trip. Their round-trip expenses were reimbursed, but whether their expenses abroad would be reimbursed was unknown. Being in a foreign country for the first time, everyone was extremely excited. They also didn't want to waste the opportunity to travel abroad, so they were eager to see as much as possible.

Xu Hongmei, seeing everyone, couldn't refuse and said to Lin Qiangsheng, "Son, why don't you go out with everyone?"

Lin Qiangsheng nodded and smiled, "Sure! Coming to Paris and not visiting the Champs-Élysées or seeing the Eiffel Tower would be a waste! Let's go!"

The family members, seeing the young man's willingness, immediately became happy and went back to get ready.

Xu Hongmei and Lin Xiangrong looked at each other. Lin Xiangrong said to his wife, "Why don't you go too? It's not easy to come out, don't waste time. I have a meeting this afternoon, and staying here would be boring."

Xu Hongmei thought for a moment, smiled, and nodded, "Okay! I'll go out and see what this foreign place is like!"

Soon, the family members gathered in the corridor. There were many other Chinese people staying at the hotel, and they also came out to watch.

Team leader Gong and deputy leader Song also arrived, followed by Gong Ya and Song's wife.

Team leader Gong spoke to Lin Qiangsheng for a moment. Lin Qiangsheng assured him he wouldn't lose anyone. Gong nodded hesitantly and instructed, "Deputy leader Song's wife also knows English! You should take care of everyone and call the embassy from a phone booth if anything happens. Here's the number and some coins!"

Song's wife, who was around 50, smiled and waved her hands, "I know, but I've forgotten it all, returned it to my teacher!"

Everyone laughed, of course, they couldn't trouble her to take care of everyone, given her position.

Lin Qiangsheng took the phone number and pushed the coins back, smiling, "Team leader Gong, I have coins!"

Gong nodded, turned to look at his granddaughter, and Gong Ya also walked over to Lin Qiangsheng.

"Take me too! I want to go out!" Gong Ya said with a smile.

Lin Qiangsheng nodded and said, "Sure! Don't worry, I'll take care of everything, I won't lose you!"

After everyone was ready, they set off with the delegation's farewell.

Walking down the street, they marveled at the exotic architecture on both sides, carefully observing everything they saw. They quickly dodged any foreigners they encountered and commented on their appearance. Of course, their old-fashioned attire also drew many curious glances from foreigners.

Lin Qiangsheng said to everyone as they walked, "We'll take the bus to Boulevard Haussmann, where there are several world-famous department stores like Printemps. Those who want to buy electronics can check it out. It's also close to the Paris Opera."

"Great! Young man, you decide! It's our first time abroad, just don't lose us!" a middle-aged aunt said with a smile.

Lin Qiangsheng also smiled and led everyone to the nearby bus stop. Paris taxis were said to be expensive, so they decided to take the bus.

"Everyone, get ready with loose change, cash or coins, 1 franc for the bus fare," Lin Qiangsheng said.

Everyone took out their prepared loose change and waited at the bus stop.

The bus arrived, and the driver watched as a group of strangely dressed Asians got on. Lin Qiangsheng, walking last, smiled and greeted the driver, asking for directions.

Although Lin Qiangsheng greeted in French and asked in English, the driver warmly told him the route in French.

Lin Qiangsheng nodded and, guessing and deducing, figured out that they would arrive after a few stops.

After about 10 minutes, they indeed arrived at Boulevard Haussmann.

Lin Qiangsheng breathed a sigh of relief and led everyone to the crowded area.

From December to mid-February, it was the discount season at Galeries Lafayette, so there were many tourists from around the world shopping here.

Lin Qiangsheng called out to everyone, reminding them not to get separated.

The luxurious palace-like decor, the Byzantine-style gilded domes, and the elegant figures passing by made shopping here a true pleasure.

The family members, entering this world-class department store, were immediately awed by the luxurious and high-end atmosphere.

They truly felt like country bumpkins!

The luxurious decor, the high-end and stylish products displayed in the vast hall, the enthusiastic smiles of the sales staff, and the generous spending of customers all left them amazed and shocked!

They realized that stores could be like this! Compared to this, the department stores in their country seemed like old warehouses!

The family members didn't dare to look at the cosmetics and women's clothing in the main building. Although they were envious, they needed to save every penny to buy household appliances. So, they glanced around and went upstairs to find the electronics section.

In the electronics section, Lin Qiangsheng spent nearly $3000 on a Leica M4 camera with a good lens. He also bought four or five rolls of Kodak film. The family members were looking at other household appliances, comparing prices, and discussing when to buy and how to take them back.

Lin Qiangsheng walked over to his mother. Gong Ya was by Xu Hongmei's side, and the two were chatting quietly, arms linked.

"Qiangsheng, what did you buy?" Xu Hongmei asked in surprise, seeing the camera in her son's hand.

Lin Qiangsheng smiled, "A Leica camera, I've wanted it for a long time!"

Xu Hongmei was surprised, "We already have one at home! Why buy another? It's a waste of money! How much did it cost?"

Gong Ya was secretly smiling beside her, her finger scratching her round cheek.

Lin Qiangsheng said, "About $3000."

Xu Hongmei immediately became anxious, "So expensive! Can you return it?"

Lin Qiangsheng shook his head firmly, "No, I can't! I bought it myself, it's what I wanted! How can I return it?!"

Xu Hongmei was about to say more when suddenly there was a commotion at the TV section, and loud voices of Chinese people could be heard.