After lunch, Li Long said goodbye to Factory Director Du and the others, handing the written materials to Factory Director Du while he was at it.
When he said goodbye to Daman and Kolpova, Daman showed little reaction, shaking Li Long's hand expressionlessly. But what Kolpova did next startled Li Long: she pressed her cheek against his!
Not only Li Long but everyone else froze. Only after standing on tiptoe to touch cheeks with Li Long did Kolpova notice their reactions, and she hurriedly explained:
"Where we come from, this is how we say goodbye. Please don't take offense. I haven't adjusted to the way things are done here..."
Fine, then. Li Long treated it as nothing. As he got into his car to leave, Liu Gaolou opened the passenger door and climbed in, saying:
"The truck's too bumpy. I'd rather ride with you."
Li Long naturally had no objection. He started the car and chatted with him as he drove.
Once they had turned out of Kui City, Liu Gaolou suddenly said:
"That Kolpova seems interested in you."
As if you needed to tell me, Li Long thought. I noticed it myself.
He felt rather pleased with himself, though naturally he wouldn't admit it aloud. Instead, he said:
"Aren't you reading too much into it? Maybe she's just a warm person. Their customs really might be different from ours."
"That's not what I meant. I'm saying that from the moment she saw you, there was something different about the way she looked at you."
"Maybe it's because I'm taller than you lot?" Li Long guessed casually. "Think about it. You're not even as tall as she is. Or most people from our side she's seen are either about her height or shorter. Then she suddenly sees someone like me,