The morning work concluded, and perhaps because the research institute had also realized that there was an issue with the translator’s character, the translator was not part of the team at lunch. It was only then that He Zhilan, the replacement translator, was called into use. It was also at this point that Zhilan realized how important what she had learned in the past half month after the summer vacation was.
By the time they left the research institute, it was already evening. He Zhilan, Lihua, Bono, and two others got into a taxi together. After Bono got in the car, the first thing he did was to commend He Zhilan, saying, "When I first heard about your age, I was somewhat concerned. But you turned out to be much more excellent than I had imagined!"
Zhilan smiled, knowing that Bono was referring to her patience with the previous translator that morning. After all, she was also a translator, and in the same profession as that translator. The translated invited by the research institute had constantly interrupted her, which was a kind of ostracization. If she had run into an arrogant one, a dispute would have been inevitable. It was a mark of professionalism that they hadn’t come to blows.
Dealing with such people, the professor had given Zhilan some advice: her indifference would be enough to highlight their incompetence. So, Zhilan was truly grateful to the professor for teaching her how to handle things and treat people after the vacation.
This was Zhilan’s first actual performance, and the effect was obvious. Without saying much, she was able to make the other party change their translator.
"Let’s find a place to eat, and then we’ll have a small meeting in my room tonight," Bono gestured a thumbs up to He Zhilan. Turning his head as the taxi happened to pass by Pacific Department Store, Bono asked the driver to stop, saying, "The hotel staff told me the food next door is fantastic. Let’s try it tonight. We work during the day and enjoy the local delicacies at night. We can do both."
Bono was their boss, led by example, and got off the car first. He courteously opened the car door for He Zhilan and Lihua, and then the five of them waited at the roadside for their colleagues arriving by another car.
"Zhilan, do you city?" Lihua, holding onto Zhilan’s hand, asked as she looked around, saying, "Though this city is smaller than the capital, I love it. Here, away from the commercial district, many places exude the ancient cultural atmosphere of this country. Just like the many scenic views we saw along the way to the research institute: compound houses with deep courtyards and large vermilion doors. That’s ’deep mansion’, right? I’ve read about such houses in books about your country. Seeing them this time, I think they are beautiful."
"I can’t really say whether I like it or not; deep courtyards and large houses can be found in the capital too," Zhilan’s gaze rested upon a ragged beggar not far away. Despite the summer heat, his hair reached his shoulders and was matted, resembling a bird’s nest. He lowered his head, occasionally raising his hand to tap on the broken bowl in front of him to solicit alms from passersby or moved his foot to reveal an empty trouser leg in an attempt to evoke sympathy and solicit more money.
Zhilan remembered that in her childhood, this place was considered a rich area of the city. Consequently, where she was standing now, just across from her house, beggars would also beg for alms. However, most of the beggars at that time were children, and Zhilan would often give them some spare change or share snacks with them as she passed by.