Chapter 978: Falling short of success
Snapped!
The car door closes.
Li Xiangnan had quietly moved from Ambassador Tan's car to the Song family's car in the back. As soon as he got in the car, Song Zimo picked up a bottle of soda and handed it to him.
"Brother Nan, cool down quickly, it's too hot today!"
Without having time to say thank you, Li Xiangnan grabbed the Arctic Ocean and started gulping it down.
"Slow down, no one is trying to snatch it from you! Don't be in a hurry! There's still time!" Song Yi took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the water stains from the corner of his mouth.
"Cough cough," Li Xiangnan felt a little itchy near his mouth. He reached out and touched Song Yi's slightly cold hand. He moved the soda bottle away and found that Song Yi was wiping his mouth. He coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment.
"I didn't see anything!"
Song Zimo turned away the rearview mirror out of gratitude.
"It's okay if you saw it!" Song Yi turned her head to look at her father outside the window, her face blushing.
Song Zimo chuckled twice and asked quickly, "Brother Nan, how long did they say we'll have to stay at the airport?"
Li Xiangnan looked at his watch and said, "We'll be back to Diaoyutai in ten minutes!"
"Are you nervous?" Song Yi turned around and looked at him and asked.
Li Xiangnan didn't say anything. At this moment, in such a high-pressure environment, it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous.
If he was not Li Xiangnan and Song Yi and her brother were not members of the Song family, they would have no chance to accompany the airport pick-up today.
Because at this moment, the dozen or so people standing outside are all the top people in the entire Dragon Country.
The high standards, lofty status and grand ceremony are simply unimaginable for ordinary people.
It can be seen that the country attaches great importance to the Duke of Winton’s visit to China.
"Hatch door open, all units on alert!"
Another reminder came, and the three people in the car couldn't help but turn their heads to look at the team Song Yingxin was in.
But the view was soon blocked by many TV and newspaper reporters.
On special media channels, quite a number of foreign journalists were holding various advanced cameras and taking pictures.
Two young pioneers, one male and one female, were led by the staff to stand in front of the red carpet.
Flowers, carpets and applause became the most beautiful scenery at the welcome ceremony.
An elderly foreign man with slightly gray hair came out of the cabin, holding the hand of his wife, and waved to the crowd below.
"Sister, has Mr. Tan gone up to greet them? I can't see from this angle, it's all blocked by that guy's gun!" Song Zimo asked in front.
"I can't see! There are reporters in front of me... Xiangnan, is that Xu Jiaxin? Are they from the Yanjing Evening News here too?" Song Yi also shook her head, but she saw an acquaintance.
Li Xiangnan pulled her and whispered, "Be careful. It's not a good thing to see acquaintances at this time. Although Xiao Xu is very tight-lipped..."
Hearing this, the two of them immediately shrank back into their seats.
Li Xiangnan also lowered his head slightly.
It’s right to be careful at this time!
Xu Jiaxin is a popular reporter for Yanjing Evening News. If she saw Li Xiangnan here, she would definitely be shocked, and her curiosity as a journalist would immediately explode.
If she wanted to dig something out, it would not be a good thing for Li Xiangnan's mission this time.
It is better to be careful to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Li Xiangnan estimated the time and looked at his watch from time to time.
Since we can’t see the situation outside now, we have to estimate based on the progress of the airport pick-up that we learned yesterday.
Normally, after getting off the plane, the Duke of Winton and his wife would chat with Mr. Tan about their recent situation and exchange a few pleasantries, then meet the leader and receive a simple welcome ceremony. Finally, he would be invited to go to Diaoyutai immediately for a simple reception. After a short rest, they would start the tour, and after lunch and a good rest, they would hold the meeting.
Of course, this is the normal process!
It better be this way!
Li Xiangnan kept reminding himself of this in his heart.
Now that time was passing by, he hoped that as soon as the ten-minute meeting was over, after the Duke of Winton's car followed the courtesy car away, he would let the Song family's car follow Mr. Tan's car and stop at the preset security checkpoint on the way back to Beijing from the airport.
Using those five minutes, we quickly gave acupuncture to Mr. Tan and continued the forty-minute interval.
This route has been calculated in detail, taking all the necessary factors into consideration.
Li Xiangnan read the urgent statement submitted by Foreign Minister Hong yesterday and had no objection to the arrangements.
As long as he can take care of Mr. Tan's health when picking him up at the airport, everything else is a small matter.
Of course, we can't let Duke Winton discover the flaw.
Once we get back to Diaoyutai, things will be more feasible as the higher-ups have reduced the meeting intervals to 30 minutes.
In other words, as long as nothing unexpected happens, Li Xiangnan and his team will quickly give Mr. Tan acupuncture once every thirty minutes. Including the time of the acupuncture, Mr. Tan can perfectly participate in all closed-door meetings.
"what time is it?"
Song Yi's voice came from the side.
Li Xiangnan withdrew his gaze from the ceiling of the car and looked at his watch, then frowned.
"Nine thirteen? It's been eight minutes?" Li Xiangnan was startled and quickly stood up to look out the window. He found that the crowd had not dispersed yet, so he asked in surprise: "Why are they still at the ceremony? Shouldn't they leave?"
Song Zimo rolled down the window a bit, leaned down and looked through the gap, "Fuck, that foreign old man is pulling Mr. Tan and talking happily, they... are pretty close, this..."
"This is a good thing!" Although Song Yi said this, her brows were deeply frowned.
The better the relationship between Duke Winton and Mr. Tan, the more likely it is that the upcoming talks will make the Chinese people feel more relaxed, the atmosphere will be more harmonious, and some things will be easier to say, rather than making things too awkward.
But in this way, Mr. Tan's freedom will be squeezed.
It would be good for big countries, but for Mr. Tan, it would be a bad thing!
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
Song Zimo shouted "Fuck" three times in a row from the front.
Li Xiangnan was just about to stretch his head and half squat to see what was happening over the heads of the reporters when he saw Song Zimo turned around in panic and said, "It's over. Duke Winton insisted on getting in the car with Mr. Tan!"
"What? They went together?"
Li Xiangnan himself cried out in surprise, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
In that case, how can I give acupuncture to Mr. Tan?
clap clap clap!
There were many door slamming sounds, and this time even Song Yi was not calm. She suddenly grabbed Li Xiangnan's hand and said quickly: "I'll go find my dad and think of a solution quickly!"
"No!" Li Xiangnan held her hand and pulled her back. "Don't do anything that might seem strange to the foreign journalists at this time. Calm down, calm down!"
He said this to Song Yi as well as to himself!
He closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down quickly.
Snapped!
There was another sound of door closing. Li Xiangnan opened his eyes and saw Jian Jingzhe got into their car in panic.
Even someone like Counselor Jian has this expression, which shows that this matter is really a big deal!
"Li Xiangnan, what should we do?"
There was a slight tremor in Jian Jingzhe's words.
"Don't be anxious, don't be anxious!" Li Xiangnan let go of Song Yi's hand and frowned.
"Brother Nan, have a cigarette!" Song Zimo was familiar with his expression and quickly took out a cigarette and handed it to him.
Song Yi and Jian Jingzhe didn't say anything. They knew that Li Xiangnan's mind must be in turmoil at this moment.
Not just him!
My current father, Minister Hong, Minister Shen, and even the big leader who received the news... none of them is not confused!
If Mr. Tan, who is sitting with Duke Winton, cannot accept Li Xiangnan's timely treatment, it will definitely affect the next meeting!
Moreover, since Duke Winton got into Mr. Tan’s car, it meant that Li Xiangnan could not get in the car to treat Mr. Tan!
All the budget plans previously made have been broken!
All the efforts in picking up the plane will be in vain!
How could he give Mr. Tan acupuncture within 35 minutes without letting Duke Winton find out, and without letting the accompanying reporters take pictures of Mr. Tan doing anything wrong?
"Give me the military radio! Quick!"
Li Xiangnan threw the cigarette into the wind and couldn't help but roar...