Vice President Bennett's eyes flickered briefly before he laughed. "Ji, you have a sense of humor. I like making friends with people who have a sense of humor."
He assumed an air of magnanimity, as though he regarded their exchange as nothing more than a minor diversion.
But the moment he returned to his quarters after touring Shili, the mask the vice president had maintained fell away.
Ji Yanzhi's sarcastic remark still rankled with Bennett, who even considered it a provocation. But the two countries were at a critical stage in their negotiations, and he could not openly retaliate or damage their relations over a single remark.
Just then, his chief of staff brought over the schedule for the following day. Bennett's gaze swept over "award ceremony," and a cold smile crept across his lips.
This was an excellent opportunity. He would subtly put Ji Yanzhi in his place in a refined, dignified, yet deeply humiliating manner-one that even Huaguo could not object to.
"Ask Professor Bergman to come over."
At 10:30 the next morning, Ji Yanzhi arrived at the venue half an hour before the award ceremony began.
He actually considered the whole thing a waste of time, because the medal meant nothing to Ji Ting, who did not want it at all. In the end, Director Feng had persuaded him, saying that the U.S. side loved making an issue out of anything they could, so he might as well attend and go through the motions.
After Ji Yanzhi entered, an usher led him to a seat in the front row. About fifteen minutes later, Lu Yongkang, the official in charge of this state visit, took the seat to his right.
"Little Ji, how are you feeling today?"
"So-so."
Lu Yongkang chuckled. "I've noticed something you brothers have