Chapter 6: Summit Guest

The International Steel Industry Annual Summit is the pinnacle forum of the steel industry. Giants and leaders from the global steel industry gather to discuss strategic development and investment in the steel supply chain. Steel is an indispensable material in the process of urban modernization. It can be said that it is steel that has built one city after another and produced one car after another. Therefore, this summit has a significant impact on the entire industry and the global economy. For the city that wins the right to host it, the significance is extraordinary.

In previous years, the summit was held in major cities of developed countries. This year, it is the first time it is being held in China. For the right to host the city, over a dozen first- and second-tier cities in the country fought fiercely. After months of intense competition, the final decision was made, and the honor went to Dujian City in Southern Province.

This result truly surprised many. Southern Province is a second-tier city with a not particularly developed economy and is located inland, lacking the advantages of coastal areas. Some even questioned whether Southern Province could successfully host this international steel summit.

The moment the decision was announced, people in Southern Province, from top to bottom, rejoiced. The provincial government issued a joint document, strictly ordering relevant departments to ensure the success of the steel summit. All levels of government treated it as a political task.

The summit was set to take place at the Xiangjiang Grand Hotel, where all participants would stay. The Xiangjiang Grand Hotel is the first five-star hotel in Dujian City, known for its security and service. As the summit approached, the municipal government dispatched hundreds of police and security personnel to provide multiple layers of protection.

On the day of the summit, traffic control was implemented on the road leading to the Xiangjiang Grand Hotel, and all vehicles entering and exiting had to undergo strict inspections.

Li Yi's bus was rerouted three stops away from the Xiangjiang Grand Hotel, forcing him to get off and walk. Although his leg was mostly healed, it still caused him some difficulty, and he limped like a disabled person.

Li Yi, carrying a drawing tube, walked and stopped, taking over half an hour to reach the Xiangjiang Grand Hotel.

"Hey! Move aside, this is not a place for begging."

A security guard in a red doorman uniform stepped forward to block Li Yi. He was a young man, probably younger than Li Yi, with a look of arrogance and disdain, clearly showing his superior position in front of Li Yi.

He was just a doorman, likely from a poor village, but once standing at the entrance of the luxurious hotel, he felt superior to others.

He wasn't the hotel owner, so where did he get his sense of superiority?

Li Yi naturally wouldn't argue with him and smiled lightly, "You're mistaken. I'm not begging; I'm here to attend the steel summit."

At this moment, a tall, older security guard quickly approached and fixed his eyes on Li Yi.

What a cold gaze! Li Yi couldn't help but shiver. If he hadn't lived two lives, he might have been frightened. This man was not ordinary. This was Li Yi's first impression.

The doorman immediately changed his attitude, nodding and bowing, "Captain Xiao, hello. There's a beggar here, I'll send him away right away."

"Um!" Captain Xiao's gaze softened, "Give him ten yuan and let him go. Don't make it difficult for him."

The doorman responded quickly.

Li Yi was inwardly angry. Does he really look like a beggar? He examined himself: a white short-sleeved shirt, yellowed from age, a blue suit pants, though clean but wrinkled, clearly from a market stall for less than ten yuan, and a pair of white sneakers, worn for at least two to three years, with a hole in the front of the left shoe, like a crocodile's open mouth.

Such attire was not uncommon in a university campus, and many students dressed similarly without anyone caring.

However, he was now standing in the most luxurious and expensive place in Southern Province! Located in the city center, with the highest land prices, the five-star hotel had the most expensive room rates. Thus, Li Yi's appearance seemed out of place. It's no wonder the doorman, who always judged people by their appearance, mistook him for a beggar. In his view, many beggars who came here were cleaner and more presentable than Li Yi.

Li Yi's rarely seen "old face" turned red, but he quickly regained his composure and said calmly, "I'm sorry, I'm here to attend the steel summit."

Li Yi's calmness surprised the experienced Captain Xiao, who sensed that this young man was different.

The doorman was about to scold him, but Captain Xiao stopped him and asked Li Yi, "Do you have an invitation?"

Li Yi shook his head, "No. I'm here to sell something."

Captain Xiao made a helpless gesture, "I'm sorry, without an invitation, we can't let you in."

Li Yi frowned. He had expected this outcome and wasn't particularly disappointed. He asked, "Can I sit in the lobby for a while? My leg is injured, and I walked a long way to get here."

Captain Xiao looked at Li Yi's eyes and mouth, and based on his experience, he guessed the young man wasn't lying. He nodded, "You can rest for half an hour, but please leave before the conference starts. Many provincial and city leaders are coming today."

The last sentence was clearly an explanation, meaning that his shabby appearance could offend the leaders, which would be serious.

Li Yi nodded in understanding, limping inside. As he passed Captain Xiao, he asked, "What's your name?"

Li Yi felt this man was unusual, not arrogant or snobbish, and could be a good friend, hence the question.

But to Captain Xiao, this question was a shock. The young man's tone was strange, almost like a leader's. Upon closer inspection, the young man, though shorter than him, stood straight, giving a sense of authority. Despite his ordinary clothes, he had a dignified and upright appearance, with a hint of unapproachable authority.

Captain Xiao was secretly amazed. He was also a sociable person and said, "Xiao Jianfei."

"Li Yi," Li Yi smiled faintly and walked into the lobby, his chin slightly raised, as if declaring to the world: "Li Yi is a great name, and it is a great honor to know it."

Li Yi sat on the sofa and looked around.

The conference was about to start, and the lobby was bustling with activity.

Foreign guests frequently entered and exited, all dressed in neat suits, with shiny shoes, standing tall and proud.

Li Yi's presence indeed seemed out of place.

The lobby manager had noticed him but, since he had passed the security check, he was likely not a random person. He might be an attendant or driver for a VIP, someone who couldn't be offended. Therefore, he didn't dare to drive him away casually.

Half an hour passed, and the man was still sitting quietly, not moving or being approached by anyone. The lobby manager frowned and beckoned a young female server, "Manager, what do you need?"

The manager pointed at Li Yi, "Go get that gentleman a glass of water and find out who he is."

The server nodded and quickly brought a cup of tea over.

Li Yi was deep in thought about what to do next when a sweet voice interrupted him, "Sir, hello, please have some tea."

Seeing the pretty server, Li Yi's mood improved, and he nodded with a smile, "Thank you. A cup of Mandheling coffee would be even better."

The server was taken aback but still politely replied, "Sure. Sir, are you here to meet someone?"

Li Yi pointed upstairs, "I'm here to do business."

The server said, "Please wait a moment," and turned to the manager, "Manager, he said he's here to do business."

The manager hummed, "What else did he say?"

"He asked for a cup of Mandheling coffee."

"Go ahead!" The manager felt relieved. Someone who likes Mandheling coffee shouldn't be a vagrant, right?

Li Yi had said it casually, as he was used to drinking Mandheling in his previous life. Little did he know that this simple request would help him greatly. Even more unexpectedly, the server actually brought him a cup of coffee. Li Yi took a sip and nodded in approval, "Not bad, though not very authentic, but it's clearly imported."

"Please enjoy." The server turned and rolled her eyes: This guy, really putting on a show!

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