The train had originally been scheduled to arrive at eight in the evening.
After all the trouble over that incident, it was now almost ten.
Although it had only been an unpleasant little episode, it had ruined their plans to meet that friend.
After taking Song Ning to the Guesthouse, Zhou Yuanhang said:
"It's late. Get some rest first! I'll arrange another time with my friend tomorrow!"
The next morning, just as Song Ning finished washing up, Zhou Yuanhang came to find her.
A middle-aged man wearing glasses followed behind him.
Both men looked anxious.
"Song Ning! This is my doctor friend, Yan Chengzhi. Just call him Dr. Yan!"
Yan Chengzhi dispensed with the pleasantries and went straight to the point:
"Comrade Song Ning, here's the situation! We just heard that the foreign company has suddenly decided to hold the final round of negotiations with Professor Qi and the others at nine this morning. What's the earliest your expert friend can arrive? Will they... miss the negotiations?"
Song Ning looked up at the clock hanging on the Guesthouse wall. It was already past seven.
"If we head over now, can we make it in time for the negotiations?" she asked.
"They're at the Bund Red House Hotel. It'll take us over an hour to get there from here, so we can just about make it," Dr. Yan answered.
"Then let's get going!"
"But the expert..."
"Don't worry! If we can get there, so can the expert!"
Although they doubted Song Ning's words, time was short. Without wasting another moment, they got into the car and headed for the Bund.
Shanghai City in 1979 was already showing the first signs of prosperity.
Despite hurrying as much as they could, it was already eight fifty-five when they reached the Red House Hotel.