Since this was an industry forum between the two countries, local hosts had arranged to receive the Huaxia delegation upon their arrival in the United States.
The Huaxia attendees were a distinguished group. Almost all were the heads of their companies, and even the lowest-ranking among them was a vice president.
The American hosts did not dare slight them. Mr. Rick, Microsoft's executive vice president, came to meet them at the airport. He held a master's degree in computer science from Harvard University as well as an MBA from the same institution. The former was not the point; the latter was the truly impressive qualification.
Accompanying Rick was an official from the Seattle City Government, a middle-aged woman named Shirley who did not make much of an impression.
Several coaches took Shen Bing and his party to a local Five-Star Hotel.
Everyone was tired after the long journey. As soon as they arrived at the Hotel, the company bosses went to their rooms to rest, leaving their secretaries or assistants to handle the remaining arrangements.
Shen Bing left Li Xiao behind and went with Mo Ban to a presidential suite on the Top Floor.
Of course, Shen Bing had not booked this room himself. The hosts had arranged it.
There was a clear hierarchy governing which guests stayed in which rooms. After all, no Hotel could have dozens of presidential suites, and not everyone could stay in its most luxurious accommodations.
Without a doubt, the hosts regarded Shen Bing as one of their most honored guests, giving him the same treatment as the heads of Huaxia's BAT companies.
His suite had three bedrooms. It had probably been prepared specifically for him, since he had brought exactly two attendants.
"This really is luxurious!" Shen Bing said as he entered the presidential