On Li Ye's second day in Shanghai, the sky still had not cleared. A fine drizzle fell on and off, its pattering rain sounding like the perfect weather for sleeping.
Unfortunately, today was the exhibition's opening day, so sleeping in was out of the question.
The First Branch Factory people were highly disciplined. By eight in the morning, they had all finished breakfast and gathered, ready to head over.
Quite a few people had come from the First Branch Factory this time—sixteen or seventeen in total from marketing, sales, and the Technical Department.
It was said that not only dozens of domestic companies would be attending this exhibition, but quite a few foreign manufacturers as well. Everyone took it very seriously, because in this era, opportunities to learn about industry technology were rare and precious.
When they reached the venue, there really were plenty of visitors, though the endless drizzle was rather irritating.
So the habitual grumbling of the technical men never stopped.
"Hey, what do you think Shanghai's leaders were thinking? Such an important exhibition, and they didn't arrange artificial rain removal?"
"Tch. We think this exhibition is important, but they might not. Artificial rain removal? What a grand spectacle."
"How is it not important? I heard lots of foreigners are coming later, and the leaders will be giving speeches. If everyone gets drenched like drowned rats, won't people laugh at us?"
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But when the exhibition began, Li Ye and the others from the capital realized that Shanghai's style really was different.
Several leaders took the stage with umbrellas and gave their speeches. They barely said any nonsense; from start to finish, it took only a few minutes. Their whole approach was clearly: practical first, considerate of everyone's time.
Li Ye liked that very much. Everyone had come