50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 471 Sunglasses for Tea

"Yes, that's what I think too. Let's take a long-term approach, provide appropriate assistance, and wait for the right time."

"That's about it for the past few months." After reporting his general activities over the past few months, his main task for coming here was considered complete.

Xu Yimin put down his pen after recording Sun Zhiwei's itinerary report.

"Alright, I've noted it all down. I'll submit your report on your thoughts as well. You should go back and spend time with your wife and kids."

"I won't give you any tasks during this period in China. Just remember to come and attend the monthly life meeting."

"Okay, boss. But I have a personal matter to ask you for help."

"Speak, what private matter is it?"

"I came back in such a hurry this time that I didn't have time to bring back gifts for my wife and children."

"So, I thought I'd just exchange some foreign exchange certificates so they could buy whatever they wanted at the foreign exchange store, since they have a wider selection there."

Foreign exchange certificates were first issued last year, and these certificates can be used to purchase many foreign goods in foreign exchange stores.

However, to exchange for foreign exchange certificates, you have to go to a bank. The current exchange rate is 1 US dollar to 2.8 foreign exchange certificates.

However, he needs a certificate from his employer to exchange US dollars at the bank.

Xu Yimin knew that he had money outside, although he didn't know how much money, but it was normal for him to bring back some US dollars.

"That's simple. We each have an annual quota, and since you're often away from home, we can make an exception."

So he took out special paper from the drawer and prepared to issue a certificate to Sun Zhiwei proving that his US dollars were from legitimate sources.

"How much are you planning to exchange? I'll give you a certificate."

“Let’s make it $1.” Xu Yimin was writing a statement for him when he heard the figure of $1 and looked up at him in surprise.

Sun Zhiwei then realized that he had become too accustomed to spending money lavishly over the years and was no longer sensitive to the amount of money involved.

His monthly salary in China is only a little over 200 yuan, which is only a few dozen US dollars. Exchanging 1 US dollars this time is a bit ostentatious.

Xu Yimin thought for a moment before saying, "1 US dollars is a bit too much. It's too much of a target. I'll give you 2000 instead."

"Okay, whatever you say." Sun Zhiwei didn't dare to say anything more at this point.

Few people in China know he has money abroad, and he doesn't want it to become common knowledge. Luckily, Xu Yimin was there to oversee things this time, otherwise, things would definitely have gone wrong.

After receiving the certificate, Sun Zhiwei gratefully said to Xu Yimin, "Thank you, leader."

"By the way, I came back this time under a false identity, hitching a ride on Old M's military plane. During the stopover at Clark Air Base on Luzon Island, I captured quite a few spoils of war."

"Here, this is for you." Sun Zhiwei said, taking out a large box of Havana cigars from his bag and handing it to Xu Yimin.

Xu Yimin was about to refuse, but when he heard that it was a spoil of war, he accepted it without any qualms.

He certainly wouldn't accept gifts that were bought, but captured supplies were different; no matter how valuable they were, it was normal for comrades to exchange them.

Xu Yimin took the cigar box in his hand and examined it closely, immediately noticing the difference.

"Hey, these are Havana cigars, right? They're not cheap. Back in the day, top leaders loved smoking them." Having received such a nice gift from Sun Zhiwei, he couldn't pretend not to hear, so he gritted his teeth and said...

"Alright, I won't take your cigars for nothing. There's also half a jar of Guizhou melon seed tea on the back of the third shelf of the bookcase. You can take it all back and drink it."

Xu Yimin was used to being frugal. This half-can of tea was his ration, enough for him to drink for two months. He was a little heartbroken to give it all away this time.

Sun Zhiwei was not one to stand on ceremony with him. Upon hearing this, he immediately opened the space and scanned the office, quickly discovering where he had hidden the tea.

But it wasn't the half-empty can of melon seed tea on the third shelf of the bookcase; it was the whole can of bamboo leaf green tea hidden behind the books on the second shelf.

Taking advantage of Xu Yimin's inattention, he swiftly opened the second-floor bookcase, grabbed the can of Zhuyeqing liquor, and turned to leave.

Since everything is done, we can't stay here any longer.

When Xu Yimin looked up and saw the jar of Zhuyeqing in his hand, he almost had a heart attack.

"You bastard, my bamboo leaf green!" Xu Yimin quickly got up and chased after him.

“I know you’re upset. Here, I’ve also confiscated some sunglasses. I heard they’re all the rage among young people in Beijing these days. Here, I’ll give you a few pairs to your grandson. I guarantee they’ll love them.”

As Sun Zhiwei walked out, he placed several pilot sunglasses cases at the door, then opened the door and ran away.

Xu Yimin tried to catch up but couldn't, so he could only grab the glasses case by the door. He had traded a whole can of bamboo leaf green liquor for it, and he couldn't afford to lose it.

Back in his seat, Xu Yimin opened a glasses case, took out a pair of sunglasses, and looked at them.

These sunglasses are gradient-colored sun visors exclusive to M Army pilots. They are made of metal, of very high quality, and have a high-end design.

He knew that young people in Beijing liked sunglasses, and his eldest grandson had mentioned them to him a few times, but he hadn't been abroad recently and didn't have anywhere to get them.

Although he couldn't understand why his eldest grandson liked this thing, he knew that giving it to his eldest grandson would definitely be a good gift.

Thinking about it this way, exchanging a can of Zhuyeqing (a type of Chinese liquor) for the affection of my eldest grandson doesn't seem so painful anymore.

Sun Zhiwei, who had gone out, was also busy. He made a trip to the translation team and delivered some chocolates, coffee, and candy to acquaintances there.

This wasn't for his own sake; his rank was already quite high, so there was no need for him to curry favor with them.

However, Sun Hongying is about to start her internship this year, so it's always good to build good relationships beforehand; after all, a local official is more powerful than a distant one.

There are many new people in the ministry now, and this huge diplomatic building is almost full again, with people everywhere.

But he didn't know most people, and very few people knew him. Only his colleagues who received gifts would introduce Sun Zhiwei when others asked.

Back when he was in the translation team, he was quite a celebrity, and he even mentored a few young girls. Now, Ren Dongmei, Qi Miaomiao, and the others have become the backbone of the translation team and have started mentoring apprentices.

However, their information is now outdated. Sun Zhiwei was not in China during his two recent promotions, and none of these old acquaintances knew about it.

It's likely that his superiors didn't intentionally publicize it, since many of his achievements couldn't be made public, and he was too lazy to explain, nor could he explain it clearly anyway, given the confidentiality regulations.

After he had visited all the departments he had worked in before, and it was almost time to leave work, he remembered that he still had foreign exchange certificates to exchange.

So he quickly came out of the building and ran across the street, where there was a China Construction Bank.

(End of this chapter)