Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 2914 So many common topics!
"coming!"

Yang Xiaotao spoke softly in the car.

Tong Xiaolong and Yu Zecheng both saw the plane getting closer and closer through the window.

"It's finally here."

"I thought I was going to miss lunch."

As Yang Xiaotao spoke, he reached out and touched his stomach, and the other two exchanged a smile.

A short while later, guided by ground personnel, the plane slowly descended.

As the plane taxied down the runway, it finally came to a stop in the designated area.

Then the airport staff got busy.

Yang Xiaotao and his two companions got out of the car and waited at the back of the crowd for the other party to appear.

About ten minutes later, the plane door opened.

The first person to come out was a kind-looking middle-aged man.

Then more than ten people walked out from behind.

Most of them were wearing black suits, white shirts, and ties.

It must be this freezing weather.
Anyway, Yang Xiaotao saw that many people were shivering from the cold.

With a smile on his face, Tong Xiaolong gave Yang Xiaotao a thumbs up.

Yang Xiaotao had told us before he came that we should prepare a coat, and now we're using it.

As the other party disembarked from the plane, General Manager Ye quickly stepped forward to greet them, extending his right hand warmly.

"Hello, Mr. Ye."

"Hello, Dr. Alfred."

The two hands were clenched tightly together.

The accompanying staff took out their cameras and captured the scene before them.

Without exchanging many words, Mr. Ye directly invited the other party to get into the car, and then the convoy set off.

Yang Xiaotao followed the other car in his car, but his mind was absorbed in the information Xiao Wei had gathered.

However, the other party seemed to be wary of the driver, as they only talked about the scenery along the way and did not discuss any sensitive topics.

Yang Xiaotao was not surprised by this.

Although during the group discussion, Qing Lao had said that no 'tactics' should be used during this meeting.

Yang Xiaotao guessed that he was afraid that if the other party found out, it would have a bad impact.

But Xiaowei isn't included.

If Xiaowei wants to hide, you won't be able to see her even if she's right in front of you.

So Yang Xiaotao released Xiaowei.

Soon, the convoy arrived at the hotel. As the gate closed, Elder Qing and his men went forward to greet them.

After getting out of the car, Yang Xiaotao nodded to Tong Xiaolong, then straightened his clothes and walked behind Qing Lao, standing with Tang Mingyue.

He will accompany him throughout the rest of the trip.

Upon meeting, the other party eagerly extended his right hand, and Elder Qing smiled and shook hands with him.

Then came a round of polite greetings, no different from how strangers greet each other, except that the wording was a bit more formal.

Of course, this also requires a strong command of the language.

At the very least, you can't just say "hello" and end the conversation after the other person has been rambling on for a long time.

In this respect, Tang Mingyue's performance was significantly better than the other party's translation.

After a brief meeting, as planned, the other party was led to the hotel, and then the formal introductions began.

Mr. Qing first introduced his own people, with Yang Xiaotao at the end. Mr. Qing said that Yang was a person from the Ministry of Industry.

The other party then explained the accompanying personnel, but when introducing a middle-aged man named Kate, the man smiled at Yang Xiaotao and seemed very kind.

Yang Xiaotao smiled back, but inwardly he was on guard.

After both sides finished introducing themselves, they went into the restaurant to eat.

The meal included steak, foie gras, red wine, roast duck, and Moutai liquor.

The conversation at the dinner table revolved around food, and the relaxed atmosphere eased the tension between them.

Gradually, the atmosphere at the dinner table became much more relaxed.

However, most of the conversations were between Qing Lao and the other party's 'doctor' in hushed tones, while the others exchanged a few words with their own people. Some even looked at Qing Lao and his companion with a somewhat reserved expression.

"Hello, Mr. Yang."

Suddenly, a voice came from beside me.

Yang Xiaotao looked over and saw the middle-aged man standing beside him.

Yang Xiaotao quickly stood up. "Hello, Mr. Kate."

The other person was holding a glass of red wine, while Yang Xiaotao was holding a glass of white wine.

This scene surprised everyone at the table.

Even Qing Lao glanced up, then continued chatting with the doctor, both with smiles on their faces.

“Mr. Yang, Dawson and I are very good friends. He has mentioned you many times and speaks highly of you.”

"By the way, he took your suggestion and decided to make the movie about people trapped in the mud, saying he wants to submit it to the Venice Film Festival!"

Kate was clearly very talkative, and knowing that Yang Xiaotao spoke English, she gently moved her wine glass forward.

Yang Xiaotao was not intimidated at all. He raised his glass and gently clinked it with his own. "I just had an immature idea and told him about it. I didn't expect him to be such a pragmatist."

They each took a sip.

"By the way, he gave me a projector and a lot of film last time. I've always been grateful, but I left in a bit of a hurry and never got a chance to properly express my thanks."

“If he can come this time, I would be very happy to give him a gift.”

Yang Xiaotao said with a smile, "Let's go climb the Great Wall together and help him lose some weight."

Kate laughed along, "I think he'll refuse."

After saying that, they both laughed.

"Does Mr. Yang also enjoy watching movies?"

"Yes, I really like it. I often go to the cinema with my family."

"By the way, I've read the Roman Diary that Dawson gave me several times. It's very well made and very meaningful."

"It's a pity that lovers can't be together."

Next, Yang Xiaotao started talking to the other person about movies.

The fact that the other party took the initiative to greet Yang Xiaotao clearly indicated that they were prepared to chat idly.

Since the topic of movies had come up, the two started chatting about all sorts of things.

One person mentioned participating in various film festivals over the years.

One person, based on his extensive film viewing experience in later generations, discussed the future development trends of film.

The two became more and more engrossed in their conversation, so much so that everyone in the room was drawn in. Old Ye even brought his wine glass to Old Qing's side and joined in the chat.

Meanwhile, the doctor's entourage began to try making roast duck pancakes under the friendly gazes of the people opposite them.

Then, amidst satisfied glances, he pushed aside the roast meat he was tired of eating and focused on learning how to eat roast duck.

"Personally, I think that Japanese 'show films' and 'pink films' are a desecration of the film industry."

Kate had finished her glass of red wine, and Yang Xiaotao was pouring her a bottle of Moutai. Hearing what she said, Yang Xiaotao looked blank and then shook his head, saying, "Although I don't know what you mean by 'show movie'."

"But I feel that the entire Japanese island nation, from top to bottom, is petty and always does things they consider 'special'." "Anyway, whatever 'special' things they do, I think it's normal."

Kate took a while to process this before laughing, "That's right. Just like back then, they attacked the powerful United States like madmen. What a foolish decision."

Yang Xiaotao smiled and said, "Yes, just like Kosaka Castle this time. He clearly didn't have the ability but insisted on doing it, and now he's turned out like this."

Kate laughed outwardly, but inwardly sighed, thinking that this guy was really troublesome.

When we talk about Kosaka Castle, isn't it just about the dishonorable role they played in it?

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Kate, how is Kosaka Castle doing these days?"

Yang Xiaotao asked again, and Kate looked sad, then said with a sigh, "It's very bad."

"Although international organizations have sent experts to form a disaster response task force, the Japanese islands are unwilling to adopt their suggestions, so there has been little progress."

"Oh? What suggestions did you make?"

Seeing Yang Xiaotao's curiosity, Kate also became interested. "Experts from Canada suggested evacuating all the people inside, then collecting the contaminated soil, and using it again after 300 years when there is absolutely no harm done."

Yang Xiaotao nodded, "This method addresses both the symptoms and the root cause, so it can be used."

Kate shook her head. "The Japanese islands think that this would be too costly and involve too much work. Most importantly, they also want to develop real estate in Kosaka Castle."

"Real estate? Who would buy a house in a place like this?"

"Are they crazy?"

Kate shrugged. "Yes, they really are crazy."

"The Japanese islands are now preparing to lift restrictions. It is estimated that once the key sources of pollution are brought under control, they will be opened up."

"Moreover, because this 'unique landscape' will become a characteristic of Kosaka Castle in the future, housing prices will only go up, not down."

Yang Xiaotao was speechless. "They've really gone mad."

Kate smiled and continued, "Professor Alexander from the Alliance came up with an even better idea."

"What's the idea?"

Yang Xiaotao took a sip of his wine, and then the two of them unconsciously walked to the window and chatted like old friends.

You would never guess.

Kate took a sip of Moutai, found it a bit hard to get used to, but it also gave her a slight buzz. She took another sip before saying, "Professor Alexander's proposal to use a hydrogen bomb to eliminate nuclear radiation has shocked the entire working group."

Yang Xiaotao almost burst out laughing when he heard this, because a brave 'warrior' had made the same suggestion in later generations.

Looking at it now, this can be considered a continuation of the same lineage.

"His idea was to neutralize the existing substances with the radioactive material from the explosion, which is theoretically feasible."

"Let's put it into practice."

Kate shook her head, while Yang Xiaotao nodded. "I understand the difficulties the alliance has faced for many years in not being able to experiment on the Japanese islands."

"After all, the alliance is a superpower. You guys threw two, it would be unreasonable for them not to throw any."

"But I personally think this plan is somewhat inappropriate and inhumane."

Kate was taken aback. What did Yang Xiaotao mean by that?
What do you mean that if we throw away two, he has to throw away one?
This thing even has a competition?
Since you all have one, shouldn't you also have one according to the rules?
And what about Britain, which was driven like a dog in the south back then? Wouldn't it be a bit strange if he didn't come along?

So, France?
They are unrestrained, so it's normal for one of them to come along.

Do you want to listen to the voices of the people of Japan?

Is it easy for them?
Thinking this, Kate suddenly felt that the other person's way of thinking was somewhat novel.

However, it's not impossible.

Suddenly, they both burst out laughing.

"cheers."

"cheers!"

The two glasses clinked together; Kate took a small sip, while Yang Xiaotao drank it all in one gulp.

Kate blinked, trying to make sure the other person wasn't drinking alcohol.

But the next second, Yang Xiaotao refilled his glass and said in a serious tone, "We always remember the helping hand extended by your country's flight team during the most difficult time. Although there were some misunderstandings, we are united in fighting the epidemic."

"We have always been a nation that clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, and a country that knows how to be grateful and can tell right from wrong."

"This glass of wine is to thank the Americans who have helped us."

Kate listened to Yang Xiaotao's words and suddenly laughed.

Because his father was a member of the Flying Tigers.

"Yang, you must know about my past, you must have investigated my background, right?"

This left Yang Xiaotao inexplicably stunned.

Kate smiled and raised her glass, saying, "Thank you for remembering them."

"cheers."

Ding!
The bottles clinked together, making a crisp sound, and then, to Yang Xiaotao's surprise, Kate downed the drink in one gulp.

Cough
Kate coughed twice, and two tears rolled down her cheeks.

Yang Xiaotao laughed and finished his drink amidst the other person's awkward expression.

Kate leaned against the radiator and gestured in the air, "My father once flew over the highest mountain."

"I know, the Hump route is also known as the aerial hell!"

"There's also a place called 'Aluminum Valley,' which is the light reflected from the wreckage of an airplane, and it later became a navigation landmark."

"That is, using life to guide the way forward."

“Kate, your father is a hero.”

Yang Xiaotao poured the other person another bottle of wine, then waved to the staff member next to him and picked up another bottle to fill his own.

"My great-grandfather."

"These are all damn little days."

Upon hearing this, Kate also exclaimed, "Damn life!"

The next moment, the two clinked glasses again.

At this moment, many people in the conference room turned their attention to the window, especially when they saw the two of them drinking together like old friends, which immediately piqued their curiosity.

Qing Lao also looked over, then exchanged a glance with the doctor beside him; both of them were puzzled.

After a while, the doctor vaguely heard the two talking about the Japanese island, and suddenly laughed, "This is Kate's father."

After listening to Tang Mingyue finish explaining the situation, Qing Lao's expression first became serious, then softened, and he smiled as he said to the doctor, "Look, we once fought side by side, and now we still have so much in common."

The doctor nodded in agreement, “Yes, but this is the first time we’ve sat down together and talked about something we all have in common.”

Old Qing smiled and said, "Yes, more than twenty years have passed, and today we are finally sitting together."

The doctor looked at Kate, who had her arm around Yang Xiaotao by the window, and suddenly laughed, "If the picture of us sitting together were released, the whole world would be shocked."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hotel erupted in laughter.

Yang Xiaotao was discussing some ideas for the film with Kate, who was amazed by his fresh ideas. Just as they were getting into the conversation, they heard bursts of laughter from inside the room, followed by applause.

Both of them were taken aback, and then, seeing that someone was watching them, they both raised their glasses.

Qing Lao stood up, raised his wine glass, and everyone else stood up as well.

"Let us pay tribute to the friendships we have shared."

"A tribute to future friendships."

"cheers!"

Cheers!