Will Our Responsibilities Allow It? (2)

Tomoe approached Du Xulan with a warm smile and extended his hand for a handshake. "Good afternoon, Professor Du. I hope you're enjoying your time here in Japan," he greeted him politely.

Du Xulan returned the smile and shook Tomoe's hand. "Thank you, Professor Tomoe. Yes, I am enjoying my time here. The medical collaboration has been quite fruitful so far, and the hospitality of the Japanese people has been wonderful," he replied.

"I'm glad to hear that. I believe building strong relationships among collaborators is just as important as the actual medical collaboration itself," Tomoe expressed. "I would like to take this opportunity to get to know you better before you return to China. It would be beneficial for our future cooperation."

Du Xulan nodded in agreement. "You are right, Professor Tomoe. I believe a strong personal bond can greatly enhance professional collaboration. I am more than happy to share more about myself and learn more about you as well."

They found a quiet corner in the conference venue and began their conversation. Du Xulan spoke about his background as a diplomat and his previous experiences in medical collaborations. Tomoe listened attentively, asking follow-up questions to deepen his understanding.

Tomoe, in turn, shared his own experiences and achievements in the field of medicine. He explained the specific areas where he saw the potential for collaboration with Du Xulan and his team in China.

As the conversation progressed, the initial formalities gave way to a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They discovered common interests outside of medicine and bonded over their shared love for Japanese cuisine and the beauty of the country's traditional art forms.

Before parting ways, they exchanged contact information and agreed to keep in touch regularly, even after Du Xulan returned to China. They both recognized the value of maintaining open lines of communication to foster long-lasting and successful collaboration.

Tomoe felt satisfied with their conversation. He knew that getting to know Du Xulan on a personal level would not only strengthen their working relationship but also create a foundation of trust and understanding that would benefit their entire team.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Tomoe was determined to make the medical collaboration a resounding success, with Du Xulan as a reliable partner by his side.

Note: The use of certain titles and the assumption of certain cultural norms may vary depending on the context and specific cultural references. The story above is purely fictional and serves as an example for the given prompt.