26-3：Navigating Berlin's Soundscape

The next morning, Rui Xiaodan waited as arranged outside 23 Buren Boulevard. Zheng Jianshi arrived punctually, and they drove to the Beijing Euro-China Import and Export Agency's Berlin office on Osweik Street to retrieve the remaining four sets of audio equipment.

In the car, Zheng Jianshi mentioned, "I spoke with Yuanying last night."

Xiaodan replied, "I know. I've already prepared the authorization letter for GeLuShi Company. Grebesen is consulting on the technical evaluation costs this morning and will call me with the details."

Zheng Jianshi said, "I'll handle the agency matters. Give me the company seal and the delivery documents for London and Paris. It should take about a week. You can wait for updates in Frankfurt. I'll coordinate directly with Yuanying if needed."

Xiaodan handed over a prepared file, placing it on the dashboard. "Everything you need is in here. The travel expenses are $3,000. If it's not enough, cover it, and we'll settle the rest later."

Zheng, focusing on driving, paused before casually saying, "Yuanying and I discussed his company's poverty alleviation efforts. He mentioned not to overstate it, saying it's like raising a pot of flowers—it's uncertain if they'll thrive. I said it's a noble act of giving, so I'll water the flowers too. You said you're handling this while visiting family, so why can't I mix in some community outreach? From my position, if I took advantage of this, I'd be less than a layman, let alone someone who's taken religious vows. So, leave me some dignity."

Xiaodan smiled and took out the $3,000 from the file, placing the file back. Zheng, now content, smiled.

At the agency office, Xiaodan went inside to handle the paperwork while Zheng stayed in the car, browsing through the documents. He focused on the price lists.

Beijing GeLuShi Company European Market Supply Prices (in USD):

GeLuShi Speakers (pair): $1460GeLuShi Ten-Slot Audio Cabinet (unit): $135GeLuShi Speaker Stands (pair): $105GeLuShi Finished Audio Signal Cable (set): $185GeLuShi Finished Speaker Cable (set): $115Srayther Preamp (unit): $190Srayther Power Amp (unit): $180Srayther Audio Power Supply (unit): $110Cerinda Signature CD Player (set): $785

Zheng mentally calculated the totals: $1460 + $135 + $105... two preamps at $380... four power amps at $720... two power supplies at $220... totaling $4105, roughly 8000 Marks, or 36,000 RMB. He then reviewed the European Market Designated Retail Prices.

Beijing GeLuShi Company European Market Designated Retail Prices (in USD):

GeLuShi Speakers (pair): $3600GeLuShi Ten-Slot Audio Cabinet (unit): $270GeLuShi Speaker Stands (pair): $210GeLuShi Finished Audio Signal Cable (set): $370GeLuShi Finished Speaker Cable (set): $230Srayther Preamp (unit): $320Srayther Power Amp (unit): $280Srayther Audio Power Supply (unit): $210Cerinda Signature CD Player (set): $785

The greatest price difference was in the speakers, with a markup of $2140. Zheng recalculated the retail totals: $3600 + $270 + $210... two preamps at $640... four power amps at $1120... two power supplies at $420... totaling $7645, roughly 14800 Marks, or nearly 70,000 RMB.

When Xiaodan returned with the customs documents for the six sets, they waited briefly for the truck with the four remaining sets. Zheng led the way to the China Garden Hotel, driving into the back lot where the workers unloaded the crates into a warehouse.

Standing at the warehouse entrance, Zheng asked, "I noticed the Cerinda CD player leaves no profit margin for retailers. Was that an oversight?"

Xiaodan explained, "Not an oversight, just unavoidable. The Cerinda CD player isn't domestically produced, so we can't get the primary wholesale price, only the secondary. The $785 is the global retail price set by Cerinda. GeLuShi buys at the secondary wholesale price, adding export fees and shipping, exceeding $785. If GeLuShi speakers gain market traction, retailers can recommend other CD player brands to customers."

Zheng understood.

With the crates stored, it was still not 10 AM. Xiaodan said, "If you have things to do, I won't keep you. I plan to visit the KaDeWe department store and then the Berlin Wall memorial, waiting for Grebesen's call."

Zheng offered, "I'll drop you off at KaDeWe."

He drove her to KaDeWe and then went on his way.

KaDeWe, one of Europe's most renowned department stores, offered everything from fashion to cosmetics, books to media. It was a shopping paradise and a showcase for new trends, attracting tourists from around the world. Xiaodan browsed leisurely, more interested in observing than buying. The dazzling array of goods and their high prices were astonishing.

From the ground floor to the top, she wandered, eventually finding herself in the famous food section. Seeing a long queue at a fast-food stall, she joined, discovering it was for currywurst burgers and fries, renowned for their unique flavor. She bought a combo meal, savoring it at a table—delicious.

After lunch, Xiaodan strolled down the street, visiting various shops. Hours passed, and she arrived at the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Germany's division and reunification, crowded with tourists. This was her second visit; the first was as a child when the Berlin Wall still stood, leaving a vague memory of two different worlds.

Years later, the Berlin Wall was a peaceful, beautiful site. Without a camera, she considered paying for a Polaroid photo but decided against it, preferring to return with her own camera for better quality shots.

At a Berlin Wall memorial site, she saw an old section of the wall covered in signatures, slogans, and themed murals. Flowers and crosses commemorated those who died trying to cross the wall. It was said over 5000 people escaped, with 255 dying in the attempt.

At a stall selling Berlin Wall fragments, each piece bearing the former East German emblem, Xiaodan picked up an egg-sized piece and asked the vendor, "What's the lowest you'll take for this?"

The vendor replied, "It's marked—25 Marks."

Xiaodan countered, "How about 5 Marks?"

The vendor, slightly offended, said, "The heavy, bloody Berlin Wall isn't worth more?"

Xiaodan responded, "Without the historical significance, who'd buy a piece of concrete? Alright, 10 Marks."

The vendor shook his head, dismissing her.

Just then, Xiaodan's phone rang. It was Grebesen.

Grebesen said, "Ms. Rui, the audio equipment is loaded and on its way. There's a change—Nico Institute isn't Berlin's top acoustic evaluation center. We're now using the Mihagen Electroacoustic Technology Lab, a highly reputable semi-commercial academic institution. Where are you? I'll pick you up."

Xiaodan replied, "I'm at a Berlin Wall memorial stall, near a video hall."

Grebesen said, "I know the place. Stay put; I'll be there shortly."

Xiaodan wondered whether to spend 25 Marks on the concrete piece but decided against it, thinking it better to buy documentary films on the Berlin Wall. As she walked towards the street, the vendor called out, "Miss, wait!"

She turned, asking, "Ready to sell?"

The vendor boxed the concrete piece, saying, "For you to remember this history, I'll sell it."

Xiaodan paid 10 Marks, thanked the vendor, and thought, "This is typical German meticulousness, even haggling over a piece of concrete must be precise."

After waiting by the road for about ten minutes, a white car pulled up. Grebesen waved her over, and she got in.

Grebesen explained, "Berlin has seven similar research institutes, including university acoustic departments. Mihagen Lab is prestigious in the global electroacoustic field. The two evaluations cost 2700 Marks, 900 more than Nico, but much more authoritative."

Xiaodan said, "That's excellent, thank you."