At this subtle detail, when the foreign guests looked at Lin Xiang, their deep blue pupils were filled with a joyful surprise, and they started babbling wildly at her.
Lin Xiang understood several foreign languages, and it happened that the foreign guests were speaking the one she was most familiar with, so it was not at all difficult for Lin Xiang to understand.
"Okay, I will convey your message to our leadership." Lin Xiang replied in fluent English.
This didn't just please the foreign guests; even the township leaders' eyes lit up.
"Comrade, you can understand what the foreign guests are saying?"
Lin Xiang hesitated, even wanting to slap herself.
Why did she have to respond so quickly, reflexively answering the foreign guests' question!
One must know that it was now the year '77, and the national notice for the resumption of college entrance examinations had just been issued, with the first exams not yet held; her openly showcasing her knowledge of foreign languages could easily cause trouble.
"I only know a little bit." Lin Xiang pinched her pinky nail and gestured, "The thing is, the way I learned foreign languages initially was a bit..."
"That doesn't matter!" The Township Party Secretary slapped the table, "As long as you can tell us what the foreign guests said and accurately convey our words to them, that's enough."
No matter how she had learned foreign languages in the past, such matters were no longer of concern to the state now; why should he, a township leader, still be bothered by it?
Moreover, Lin Xiang was now like a lifeline.
Who could find another person in all of Mianyang Town able to communicate smoothly with the foreign guests!
Upon hearing these words, Lin Xiang felt relieved.
"Leader, the foreign guests just expressed their desire to discuss cooperation with Mianyang Town. They want to purchase embroidery in large quantities."
"Embroidery? The double-sided embroidery I showed them just this morning?"
At the mention of double-sided embroidery, Lin Xiang was also taken aback.
That is indeed a non-heritage item!
Truth be told, the foreign guests did have a good eye.
The Township Party Secretary was in a bit of a dilemma.
He indeed wanted to reach a cooperation with the foreign guests.
Cooperation meant foreign exchange earnings, which would be immensely beneficial for both Mianyang Town and Ji City.
But double-sided embroidery was not feasible.
The Township Party Secretary's face wrinkled like a steamed bun, "It's not that we are unwilling to cooperate, but our craftsmen are few. Double-sided embroidery, though beautiful, has a complex and tedious creation process, taking at least half a year for one piece; all finished works are currently in the exhibition hall."
If the foreign guests liked it, a piece could be gifted in the name of the town government, but mass production of double-sided embroidery was simply impossible!
Lin Xiang suddenly recalled a plot from the book.
In the late seventies, the male protagonist had lived in Mianyang Town for twenty years and struck a cooperation with foreign guests. The foreign exchange earned from one order was equivalent to half a year's foreign exchange capacity for all of Ji City.
And the trade items were several specialty fabrics from Mianyang Town.
"Leader, I heard that our Mianyang Town's cotton spinning factory has several specialty fabrics that other textile factories cannot produce. Why don't we try to get the foreign guests to order fabric?"
"You mean the crepe and brocade satin? Comrade, can you persuade the foreign guests to agree to purchase the fabric?"
Lin Xiang hurriedly shook her head, "I can merely convey this idea to the foreign guests accurately, but I believe, good stuff fears no scrutiny; if they chose double-sided embroidery, they would likely be interested in the fabric too."
"Good!" The Township Party Secretary made a decisive decision, "It's up to you to communicate and negotiate this matter with the foreign guests. Comrade, this affair is of great significance for Mianyang Town; make sure you handle it cautiously."
"Of course, this wasn't originally your responsibility, so you needn't feel too pressured; do your best."
After receiving both reassurance and encouragement, Lin Xiang had no choice but to accept willingly.
After negotiating with the Township Party Secretary, she said to the foreign guests, "Mr. Wilson, double-sided embroidery is a treasure of Hua Country. While it's beautiful, it's not for mass production. We hope you can understand."
"However, the fabric from our Mianyang Town is also quite famous. How about we go have a look together after lunch?"
The foreign guests' gazes fell upon the clothes worn by Hua Country people in the private room.
It wasn't that their tastes were too high, but the dull colors were uninspiring.
"The simplicity ingrained in us Hua Country people makes us not very fond of vibrant colors, but that doesn't mean we can't produce beautiful fabrics. Why not wait until you've seen them?"
Lin Xiang's graceful demeanor left the foreign merchants unsure how to refuse, so they agreed to see the fabrics after their meal.
After the negotiations were settled, the foreign guests finally began to eat.
Previously, their attention was solely on the steak, but now looking at the table, they noticed that besides steak, the other dishes were also Western cuisine, presented beautifully, and different from the Western meals they had in the past few days.
Wilson took a bite of the steak, and it was not as dry as he had imagined; it was quite similar to what he would eat in his own country.
He tried a few more dishes, finding each one very much to his palate.
"I didn't expect to have such delicious Western food in Hua Country." Wilson's deep blue pupils were filled with admiration for Lin Xiang, "Lin, you are the most special girl I've met in Hua Country. Could you accompany us to see the fabrics later?"
"Of course, it's my pleasure."
The cotton spinning factory.
Director Chen was already waiting upon receiving the notice.
"Secretary, we've displayed the best fabrics according to your instructions. Shall we head directly to the showroom now?"
Lin Xiang walked beside the foreign guests, introducing each fabric as they went.
"Crepe and brocade satin are the specialties of the cotton spinning factory, and currently, only Mianyang Town's cotton spinning factory in Hua Country can produce these. No matter how simple the design, garments made from these fabrics will have a sense of sophistication."
"Of course, we are just seeing the types of fabric right now. If there's any color requirement, we can dye them to your specified colors. Garments and beddings made from these fabrics will be unique, whether in your country or sold to others."
"Mr. Wilson, aren't you tempted by them?"
How could Wilson not be tempted?
His family was involved in the clothing business, and he understood the uniqueness of these fabrics all too well.
But as a businessman, he couldn't let people easily see through his emotions.
"I'm sorry, I can't give you an answer right now. We need to discuss whether we will cooperate. Lin, thank you for today."
The Township Party Secretary had the driver send the foreign guests back to the foreign guesthouse.
"Comrade Lin, from what the foreign guests said just now, are they unwilling to cooperate?" The Township Party Secretary, who had been listening eagerly to Lin Xiang's communication with the foreign guests, couldn't wait to ask.