Liu Xiaojie stood ramrod straight, carrying a large tray holding several glasses of poured red wine and champagne. Whenever a guest waved him over, he would hurry up and let them choose what they wanted to drink before collecting the empty glasses...
That was his job for the day.
Looking at Mikhail, who was about his own age yet already held such a high position, Liu Xiaojie would have been lying if he said he was not envious.
Still, he knew his own place. He knew that he and Mikhail belonged to entirely different worlds, with nothing to compare.
All he could do was secretly envy him. He was too embarrassed to say it aloud.
When he saw Mikhail, surrounded like the moon among stars, making his way toward him, Liu Xiaojie straightened up and prepared to serve these important figures at any moment.
Sure enough, Mikhail soon waved at him. Liu Xiaojie was delighted. Finally, it was his turn!
Steadily holding the tray, he quickly stepped forward and asked in highly standard Russian, "Sir, red wine or champagne?"
After spending several years here, Liu Xiaojie's Russian really had become quite good.
Wang Ye turned his head, and their eyes met. Both froze for a moment.
Liu Xiaojie was stunned because he found the way Mikhail was looking at him somewhat... familiar.
He could not put his finger on it, but it did not feel unfamiliar.
Wang Ye's surprise was much easier to explain. He had not expected to see his former classmate Liu Xiaojie here at the embassy today!
But Wang Ye quickly recovered and replied with a calm smile, "Red wine, thank you."
This was clearly not the place to catch up, and Liu Xiaojie knew nothing about his situation. Wang Ye was even worried that he might