The car arrived quickly, and there were many institutions there to participate in the welcome party, not just their Medical College. On the tarmac, this area had already been specifically put under martial law, and every student and teacher entering was subject to strict inspection! They weren’t even allowed to bring in any items on their person.
Bai Xiao’s acupuncture kit was confiscated, as the security regulations required, and Bai Xiao knew there was no alternative. When it involved the Head of State, especially at such receptions for dignitaries, even the slightest potential harm had to be nipped in the bud.
Students from various colleges gathered together, and Director Liu carried a bouquet of flowers, though it wasn’t yet apparent that a student representative was needed to present the flowers to the Head of State.
This task would surely bring someone into the limelight, possibly leaving an impression in the eyes of the national leaders—an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime.
Furthermore, with every major television station’s cameras present, the whole nation would be able to see it.
One after another, the students were visibly excited, casting eager glances at Director Liu, wondering who would be lucky enough to receive this honor.
Qiang Xinran already wore a smile of joy on her face.
Her pride was barely concealed, for who else would her uncle give the bouquet to?
Especially since he was walking towards her with that kindly smile, it must surely be her.
As Liu Hongmin approached her, she reached out to take the flowers.
"Thank you for your trust, leader."
How like her uncle, always preferring to be low-key, forcing her to speak so formally in return.
How marvelous it would have been to say, "Thank you, Uncle!" and shock everyone at that moment.
But it didn’t matter, after all, he was her uncle.
"Bai Xiao, this is for you. Later, you and Zhang Zhaoyuan will go together to present flowers to our Head of State and the foreign leaders. Don’t be nervous. Be courteous, neither servile nor overbearing. The teachers are entrusting you two with an important task." This time, the flower presentation required a male and female pair.
This combination made sense.
Liu Hongmin did intend to give the flowers to Qiang Xinran.
Who wouldn’t wish for their niece to stand out?
But if he gave the flowers to Qiang Xinran this time, all the previous efforts would have been in vain.
Weighing the pros and cons, Liu Hongmin made an unexpected move.
Qiang Xinran watched as her outstretched arm came up empty, not just empty.
It hung awkwardly in mid-air, and already some nearby couldn’t suppress snickers at the sight.
Qiang Xinran’s face flushed red, then white, then green, then purple.
As Bai Xiao gracefully accepted the flowers, her delicate beauty even further enhanced by the bright bouquet.
By comparison, she wanted to crawl into a hole from shame.
It was so damn embarrassing.
Qiang Xinran had never been so humiliated in her entire life.
Staring at her empty hands, Qiang Xinran’s gaze was murderous. If she could, she would have flayed Bai Xiao a thousand times over and still find it insufficient.
Meng Han stuffed a corner of the banner bearing the welcome message into Qiang Xinran’s hands, providing her some relief, but deep down she fully realized that Bai Xiao was truly in a different league.
Liu Hongmin, regardless of his status, had been making this kind of move over and over again!
Apart from ingratiating himself, what else could it be?
It seemed she should try to mend her relationship with Bai Xiao. The reason Director Liu was behaving this way couldn’t be for an insignificant, small-time character.
Butting heads had no advantages; she wasn’t Qiang Xinran, without the political backing to protect her. The path she needed to follow couldn’t deviate.