Chapter 48 - Going to China (4)
The plane Gun-Ho was on landed at Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, China.
Gun-Ho became busy looking at the surroundings such as buildings and business signs once he got off the plain.
“Is this your first time in China?”
“Huh? Oh, yes, it’s my first time.”
“This airport is an old airport like Gimpo International Airport in our country. There is a new airport in Pudong, just like Incheon International Airport in Korea. That’s why a flight leaving Incheon lands in Pudong, and a flight leaving Gimpo lands in Hongquio.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Since this airport has been here for a long time, you can find Korean restaurants and Korean consulate in this area. The branch offices of many Korean banks such as Industrial Bank of Korea and Kookmin Bank for Shanghai are all located here as well.”
Mr. Byeon showed Gun-Ho the Korean consulate and the Korean bank branch offices.
“I chose this flight route to this location for our trip because you might use this airport frequently in the future. We actually have an airport close to Hangzhou City where my restaurant is located and that would be the fastest route to get to the restaurant. However, I chose this airport for your future convenience.”
Gun-Ho didn’t pay too much attention to what Mr. Byeon had said. He was too busy looking at the people on the street and the buildings in the area.
“We can take an express bus here to Hangzhou City. It takes about two hours.”
Mr. Byeon took Gun-Ho to the express bus terminal. The terminal looked similar to the one in the province in Korea.
“Hangzhou City is like a state capital. You can think of it as a city where a provincial government is located. It could be Daegu City or Gwangju City in Korea.”
The express bus looked the same as the one in Korea. After passing by a huge Canola flower field, they arrived at Hangzhou City; it was already after sunset. Hangzhou was a big city like Shanghai. Gun-Ho and Mr. Byeon took a taxi after getting off the bus. Mr. Byeon was fluent in Chinese. He said something to the taxi driver, and the driver nodded his head.
“I told him we want to go to Mando Hotel located in Haebang road. My restaurant is located on the 8th floor in the same building.”
“8th floor?”
“Why don’t you unpack your luggage in your room and change clothes before dinner. I will meet you in the lobby after an hour. Let’s have dinner in the Chinese restaurant across the street.”
“That sounds great.”
The hotel was small but it had everything it needed. The room was as good as a newly constructed motel in a province in Korea. Gun-Ho took a shower and walked out of the bathroom.
“Oh, TV is here.”
Gun-Ho turned on the TV.
A Chinese news anchor was talking in Chinese on TV. Gun-Ho, of course, had no idea what that news anchor was talking about. There was a brochure on the table next to the TV. It was a hotel brochure and a map for tourists.
“They are all written in Chinese letters. I had learned Chinese letters but these look different from what I had learned.”
Gun-Ho studied Chinese writing and reading and obtained a level-3 certificate for it in addition to a certificate for Korean history. It was a part of the preparation process for government and private sector jobs. So he was supposed to be able to read Chinese letters, but he could recognize only a few letters from the brochure.
“I guess this part explains about the emergency exit, but all I can read is the word ‘safety’.”
Gun-Ho laid down on the bed while thinking.
“The restaurant is nice and neat but I’m not sure if I can make money with it.”
At that moment, the phone started to ring.
“Hello?”
Gun-Ho answered the phone in English; ‘hello’ was one of the few English words he knew.
“I’m Hee-Yeol Byeon. It’s almost time. Let’s meet in the lobby downstairs.”
Mr. Byeon took Gun-Ho to the restaurant across the street. There were two huge lights about the size of a desk hanging on the main entrance. The restaurant name was Seohochancheong.
“Wow, it is a very big restaurant.”
The restaurant’s serving staff were standing by at the entrance side like a guard before they assist their customers. One of them brought a menu book to Gun-Ho and Mr. Byeon. While Gun-Ho couldn’t read any of it, Mr. Byeon started placing orders proficiently pointing certain dishes listed on the menu book.
“How long should I stay in China to speak Chinese fluently like you?”
“I don’t speak Chinese fluently at all. I’ve been here for seven years, but you will learn very quickly since you are young.”
“You are so modest, Mr. Byeon. You have spent seven years in China. That’s amazing.”
“I’m not just saying it, but you would be able to speak Chinese probably within two years. Let’s have Chinese alcohol, Baijinwoo, the Kaoliang wine. I will talk to you more about my restaurant while we are eating.”