african diary

In the next few days, Xiao Hang was still adjusting the jet lag, and he was not in a good state, and the company was considerate and did not give any tasks.In fact, in the so-called Niger branch, apart from the engineering team, there are only three people, the manager, Tang Xi and him, and Tang Xi will return to China after Xiao Hang gets started.

Although the work has not officially started, Xiao Hang already knows the content of his work from Tang Xi's description. In the case of an extreme shortage of manpower, the so-called translators should undertake the work of procurement, diplomacy, and accounting. After all, the net annual salary is 15 Wan, all the expenses in Africa are not covered by the company for no reason.It’s just that now Xiao Hang finally understands why when he signed the contract, he agreed that the annual salary of 15 would be settled after returning to China after one year of work. If the translation fails in the middle, there will be no salary. .

"In recent years, more and more people are learning French, but it is becoming more and more difficult to find translators. In the past, the company only recruited men, but now it does not matter whether it is male or female." Thinking of the words of Manager Xu, who has been in Niger for five years, Xiao Hang couldn't help thinking, that is, although it is difficult for college students to find employment, under such conditions, even if the salary is high, not everyone is willing to come.

Tang Xi had nothing to do this evening, so he asked Xiao Hang to have dinner at a nearby French restaurant.The environment of this small restaurant looks quite elegant. At that time, Xiao Hang didn't know how expensive it was to eat in a restaurant like Niger.While eating authentic French dishes, while listening to Tang Xi's recounting of his experience in the past year, Xiao Hang was still grateful to his senior sister. Having never been to France, he never thought that his first French meal would be in Such a small backward country in Africa got it.Sure enough, as described by the predecessors, only when you go abroad can you feel the unity of the Chinese people, and everyone will help compatriots without reservation.

"Areyoufeellonely?" When Tang Xi went to the bathroom, a woman in bright clothes, with blood-red lips and huge gold earrings appeared beside Xiao Hang.

"What?" Xiao Hang, who was still in deep thought, was obviously taken aback by the sudden appearance of a black woman.

"May I have a word?" Tang Xi who appeared in time saved Xiao Hang's embarrassment.

Tang Xi and the woman went to the side and muttered a few words, and the woman turned around silently and left.

"This woman is not ordinary at first glance, so she can't be easily offended." Tang Xi, who returned to the dining table, explained to Xiao Hang.

"Oh, what did you tell her to make her go?"

"Hehe, secret." Tang Xi showed a mischievous expression, which made Xiao Hang startled. The woman in front of him had a lot of experience, and he unconsciously regarded her as a senior. In fact, she was just a young girl who was one year older than him.

"Thank you, senior sister, for the dinner. When I get the subsidy, I will definitely invite you back."

"It's a deal." Tang Xi smiled happily.

On this day, the African Union held a thank-you dinner in Niamey. As an important contractor for aiding Africa projects, the company was also invited.The dinner was sponsored by the richest man in Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Ouattara. The Ouattara family is considered a wealthy businessman in the entire African continent, and has some industries in the countries of the African Union.

Tang Xi had already dressed properly, looking at the beauties in long skirts in front of him, Xiao Hang thought to himself, all beauties are really made up.

"Standing like this is not a gentleman at all." Tang Xi smiled coquettishly and walked towards Xiao Hang.

Xiao Hang, who came back to his senses, quickly stretched out his hand to support Tang Xi, and said with a smile: "Senior Sister is so beautiful today, she will definitely be the focus of the dinner."

"Am I only beautiful today?" Tang Xi murmured softly, "If I knew that the new interpreter was you..."

"What did you say?" Tang Xi's voice was too low for him to hear clearly.

"It's nothing, I said hurry up and go, you're going to invite me to dance later, the boss of the manager never understands flair." Tang Xi paused, raised his eyebrows and looked at Xiao Hang, "You know how to dance, right?"

"Isn't it unreasonable that people in the French department can't dance?" Thinking of the head of the department's boast, repeatedly emphasizing how elegant French is, people in the French department must have taste, wine tasting, perfume, dancing, etc. In the classroom, Xiao Hang still feels quite speechless. Men really shouldn’t study this major. After studying for a long time, they will become sissy, but they are not elegant at all when they are working. They have to do all kinds of dirty work. , This is the gap between theory and reality.

The dinner party was held in an official villa in Niger. Most of the participants were important figures from various countries in Niger. People from the Chinese consulate also came. Manager Xu took Xiao Hang and Tang Xi with a few simple greetings and put the two of them together. After being dismissed, I continued to introduce the company's next project to the ambassador.

"Eat more fruits, these simple fruits are not necessarily available here even if you have money." After a while, Tang Xi brought over a large plate of fruits from the buffet table.

Nibbling on a small piece of apple, Xiao Hang had to admit that he hadn’t seen him for a few days. This simple taste of apple was quite nostalgic. There was a shortage of vegetables and fruits in Africa, and what the company could eat on weekdays were potatoes and cabbage. Although there are all kinds of meat, it is quite torturous for Chinese people whose plant-based food accounts for a large part of their diet.

There was a sudden commotion at the door, and a woman in bright clothes and heavy makeup was surrounded by several people as soon as she entered, talking loudly in French.

Tang Xi looked at the visitor thoughtfully.

"you recognize?"

"I don't know." Tang Xi turned around and continued to kill the fruit with Xiao Hang.There is no need to remind this stupid boy that this person is the woman who appeared in the French restaurant that day. This boy probably sees that all black people look the same, so he definitely doesn't remember.

After continuing to eat some steak and salad, and drank some drinks, Xiao Hang was a little tired of the banquet.The purpose of coming here is to have a full meal. Baobab sap tastes good. This kind of vigorous tree species unique to Africa is regarded as a "sacred tree" on this continent. You must see it with your own eyes when you have time.

Tang Xi went with the manager to discuss the final payment with the former French partner. Xiao Hang should have followed to learn, but seeing a bunch of people crowded together, he was a little hesitant. He knew that he should wear less, damn it The dean of the department always said that the French are the most particular about appearance, no matter how hot the weather is, they will never unbutton their suits. Under her guidance, I stupidly wear a long-sleeved shirt and a suit to the banquet, and the suits are all buttoned up. Up.Although there is air-conditioning in the room, the conditions in Niamey are just like this. The air-conditioning is not effective at all, and I am still sweating profusely from the heat, so it is best not to soak the suit.

Silently retreating to the corner, Xiao Hang took off his suit, unbuttoned the two buttons of his shirt, leaned against the wall to rest, anyway, the manager didn't call him, let's cool off here, so as not to ask for trouble.

"Sit down." A deep and pleasant voice came from beside him.

Xiao Hang turned his head and looked, and saw a tall white man sitting on the sofa in the corner, his black shirt was casually buttoned, revealing some chest muscles, and his trousers were also black, no wonder he didn't notice him in the dimly lit corner.

"Do you know Chinese?" The man spoke to himself in Chinese just now.

"Well. It's rare to see a beautiful person like you in this place."

Xiao Hang noticed that he used the word "beautiful", but maybe this foreigner's Chinese is not yet proficient, so he doesn't know that he should use "handsome" for men, so he should not be as knowledgeable as him.

"I'm here as an interpreter, how about you?"

"Me?" The man chuckled, "Let's do business."

Judging by the appearance of this person, he should be a businessman from Europe and the United States, but with such clothes, the attitude of such a person sitting in a corner is too casual. Businessmen should seize such banquets and have a good chat, Nuo——just like them same as the manager.

"Niger is really hot." I really don't know what to tell him, chatting with strangers is not Xiao Hang's forte, so he always thinks that he should study science.

"You don't need to wear something so formal, no one will mind." The man paused, "Besides, for a beauty like you, the host of the banquet will be very welcome in whatever you wear."

Hearing this, Xiao Hang felt a little displeased, there is no need to repeatedly emphasize his appearance, even if his Chinese is not very good, this kind of attitude is a little bit overstepping, close to frivolity.

"I went to find our manager, see you later." Xiao Hang put on his suit, left the corner and walked into the crowd.

Next, the banquet reached a critical point. After the speech by the President of Niger, it was the turn of the representative of the Ouattara family, the sponsor, to speak.Seeing the man in the corner walking up to the rostrum gracefully just now, Xiao Hang still couldn't believe it. Shouldn't the Ouattara family be black?What does this white man have to do with the Ouattara family?

"Thank you all distinguished guests for coming to today's dinner. On behalf of the Ouattara family, I would like to express my gratitude for your honor and reiterate that the Ouattara family will, as always, be committed to the construction of Niger and contribute to the development of the African Union."

What he said in pure French was perfect diplomatic rhetoric. This person should be deeply silent about this, and he is completely different from the frivolous words he said to himself just now.Thinking of this, Xiao Hang felt a little annoyed, even if he was the member of the Ouattara family who covered the sky with one hand, it would be too much to be so unreasonable to himself.

After the man finished speaking, he left the banquet. A black waiter walked up to Xiao Hang, handed him a note, and said respectfully, "This is from Mr. Ouattara."

The MSN contact information was written in beautiful font on the note, signed by Ted Watala.Damn man, I can't refute the face of the Ouattara family here, Xiao Hang resisted the urge to tear the piece of paper into pieces, and put it backhanded into the pocket of his suit.Because of such a small episode, coupled with wearing too much heat and being irritable, Xiao Hang suddenly lost interest in the dance, and went back to the company dormitory after talking to the manager.

It was still early to go back to the dormitory to sleep, so Xiao Hang simply opened his notebook and wrote an email to Yang Yue——

"Yueyue, I have been in Niger for a week. The company's original translator is senior sister Tang Xi from our department. She taught me a lot. Niger is very poor, there are many illiterates, and the locals have a strong accent. I even feel that the French they speak is not the same language as I learned. Sometimes it is easier to communicate with gestures and simple pictures, but these are not my forte. I think if you are the one who comes to Niger, you may be able to More qualified for the job than I am. I was at an official banquet today and met a rude person."

After thinking for a while, Xiao Hang deleted the last sentence again.The face of that arrogant man appeared in my mind. As expected, the poorer the place, the more serious the polarization, and the more unscrupulous the sense of privilege.