The Ministry, provincial, and municipal leaders were already waiting at the airport.
The man, accompanied by a group of followers, disembarked the plane. The minister-level dignitary greeted him with a smile, "Your Highness, welcome!"
"Minister Wu, it's been several years since we last met."
"Indeed, it has been five years, ha ha."
After brief pleasantries, everyone got into their respective cars and headed to the hotel. Along the way, the six custom Rolls-Royces from the sailing nation drew frequent gasps from the onlookers on both sides of the road.
Especially the leading car, which gleamed with golden light, adorned with gold and diamonds, appearing like a mobile treasury.
Bathed in sunlight, it emitted a dazzling radiance, utterly extravagant.
At the hotel, Murong Yanran and the others were also extremely nervous. They had initially thought that only a top-tier wealthy individual had booked the hotel, but now it had escalated into a national reception task, the pressure was immense.
A single mistake could potentially ruin the hotel, but if handled well, the rewards would be unimaginable.
"Ms. Yanran, we've received news that the guests are about to arrive."
"Alright, everyone, quickly get everything ready. There can be no oversights. Sister Lin, please distribute a bonus of 1000 to everyone from the finance department..."
Orders were issued one after another from Murong Yanran's lips. She was a completely different person from when she first took over, now a seasoned company owner.
A few minutes later, the motorcade arrived at the hotel entrance. Dozens of welcoming ladies, who had been waiting there, approached with trademark smiles and opened the car doors, holding the car roofs.
Their movements were graceful, their demeanor elegant, and their attire, a blend of ancient and modern, showcased Eastern feminine beauty.
This meticulous detail earned nods of satisfaction from the dignitaries. Had the welcoming ladies been wearing revealing, low-cut dresses, the hotel would likely have been shut down the next day.
Murong Yanran, dressed in a solemn and proper manner, stood in the inner hall, waiting with a hint of nervousness.
At this moment, a man resembling a secretary hurried in, placed a finger on his lips, and bowed his head to give instructions.
"Yes, we will cooperate fully."
"Mm, ensure there are no errors. I will handle the reception here. You go and prepare the meeting room."
The man's words were filled with a sense of hierarchy, and he somewhat presumptuously ordered Murong Yanran around with a condescending air.
Once the ministry leaders entered, the man immediately reverted to a humble and polite demeanor and walked over, speaking in a low voice, "Minister, everything is ready."
"Mm..."
Wu Yuanzheng nodded, then turned to Ham with a smile and said, "Your Highness, shall we proceed to the meeting room to discuss?"
"Alright..."
Half an hour later, Wu Yuanzheng and Ham shook hands and smiled at each other. It appeared that some form of cooperation had been agreed upon.
"Your Highness, I won't disturb you further. I wish you a pleasant holiday in China!"
"Zitao, you must attentively follow Your Highness Ham's itinerary during these days. Ensure all their needs are met. If you cannot resolve something, call me."
Jiang Zitao was overjoyed. This was a golden opportunity. If he handled it well, he would undoubtedly be given a chance to train at a grassroots level upon his return.
A short while later, a dozen or so people, including Liu Qinghe, walked up to the hotel entrance. After passing through several checks, they were allowed entry. Their smiles indicated their excitement and anticipation. Being invited by the sailing nation was bound to bring significant benefits.
Everyone was led into the banquet hall. Apart from busy service staff, there was no one else inside.
"Please, have a seat. Standing around is not appropriate," said a young man next to Liu Qinghe, with a look of arrogance.
"Cough, cough, let's sit down. Allow me to introduce everyone. Wu Junjie is one of the committee members of the Zhongdiao Association. He is responsible for all arrangements for our invitation this time."
Liu Qinghe's words caused everyone to fall silent. They quietly sipped their tea and scrolled through their phones, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Li Zhigang pulled Liu Qinghe aside and asked in a low voice, "Old Liu, what's going on here?"
"Sigh... just people looking for opportunities to take credit."
"Oh... I see!"
"By the way, why hasn't that guy Haochen arrived yet? He's in Binhai, so he shouldn't be late," Zhang Yuan asked with concern.
Upon hearing Li Haochen's name, Wu Junjie's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly covered it up with his teacup.
Liu Qinghe took out his phone and dialed. Thirty seconds later, a prompt sounded, "The number you have dialed cannot be connected at the moment..."
Two minutes later, he dialed again, and it was still the same robotic reply. Liu Qinghe shrugged, "No one is answering. I don't know if he's busy with something."
Zhang Yuan and the others also tried, and all their calls went unanswered.
Just then, Murong Yanran, accompanied by Jiang Zitao, walked in and approached Liu Qinghe and his group. Upon seeing her, Wu Junjie's heart leaped with joy, and he immediately stood up, bowed, and said with a smile, "Hello Secretary Jiang, do you have any instructions?"
"Oh, it's little Jie. No instructions, I'm just checking for any oversights, ha ha."
Jiang Zitao put on airs of a high-ranking official, hands behind his back, and smiled. As he turned to leave, he turned back again. "Oh, right, there will be an awards ceremony later. Everyone should get ready..."
With that, he left to check other areas. Just as Murong Yanran was about to follow, Liu Qinghe stopped her. "Hello Miss Murong, is something going on with Haochen? Why hasn't he shown up?"
"That's what I'm asking you. I haven't heard him mention receiving any notification of this invitation," Murong Yanran said with a hint of displeasure.
"That can't be right. Haochen is listed first on the guest list. How could that happen?" Liu Qinghe turned to Wu Junjie and asked, "Junjie, what's going on?"
Wu Junjie became somewhat guilty, his eyes darting around, but he feigned composure. "I called him, but no one answered. What does that have to do with me?"
"What? If no one answered, wouldn't you call a few more times?" Li Zhigang's anger flared up, and he stood up, glaring at Wu Junjie and shouting loudly.
"Zhigang, Zhigang, don't get agitated. The occasion is not right. The priority is to find Haochen," Liu Qinghe restrained Li Zhigang, who was about to erupt, and turned to Murong Yanran. "Miss Murong, I apologize. It was our oversight. Can you help us find him?"
Murong Yanran frowned and thought for a moment. "I'll go out for a bit."
Meanwhile, on the Starry Sea, Li Haochen was fast asleep, drool escaping the corner of his mouth, likely having a pleasant dream.
"Knock~ knock~ knock~"
In the middle of a crucial dream, he was disturbed by a few knocks, causing his temper to flare. He sat up abruptly and yelled angrily, "Who is it..."
Li Haochen quickly walked over and yanked open the cabin door. "Don't you know... uh, Yanran, why are you here?"
Seeing Li Haochen with bloodshot eyes and disheveled hair, Murong Yanran could no longer hold back. She threw herself at him, hugging him tightly, tears streaming down her face.