The Beginning of Growth: A 12-Day Journey Through France and Germany

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate, and no one can remain unaffected. By April 1, 2020, China's outbreak had been brought under control, while the Western powers that previously hurled accusations at us still see no turning point in sight.

As for me, stuck at home due to the pandemic, I can no longer travel to Europe for business. Spending all day in the office feels like an eternity for someone accustomed to constant travel. I miss the days of racing across Europe at breakneck speed. The days of chasing dreams are always filled with sunshine.

If the pandemic isn't contained by May and eliminated by July, Europe will inevitably face an economic downturn, and domestic export companies in China will be devastated, followed by other businesses, triggering a chain reaction.

Worse still, with global warming intensifying, viruses worldwide are becoming more active, including in the Arctic and Antarctic. As glaciers melt, viruses frozen for centuries are being released. Our future will be a constant struggle against pandemics.

What can ease such worries? Even alcohol is useless. Live in the present. Reduce the use of disposable items, take public transport whenever possible, sort your garbage—start with small, everyday actions.

That trip back in March 2016 didn't actually yield any clients—after all, I'd only been at the job for six months. But daring to travel Europe alone gave me invaluable experience, and being able to navigate Europe solo was already the beginning of success.

Now, when I look at the new colleagues I'm mentoring, they don't travel independently until two years later. Often, we need to push ourselves. Only by stepping out of our comfort zones can we truly grow.

A few days ago, when sharing insights with newcomers in the business, I told them I fully understand: starting out with no experience, no connections, and no clients, venturing out blindly inevitably leads to disappointment. Without guidance, you might even face dismissive attitudes. Anxiety strikes because you're alone, unsure if the path you've chosen is right or wrong. Worry sets in over lack of results and the gossip that follows. But none of this matters. What matters is that you must go through it. In three or five years, when you've reached a certain height and look back, your heart will be filled with gratitude and warmth.

By June 2016, I'd been with the company for a full year. This time, I planned a trip after securing some promising new clients. When I proposed another business trip, the boss was very supportive, saying that you always have to give before you receive. And with this trip, I officially stepped into the world of foreign trade.

I believe the most important thing in life isn't achieving a certain status by a certain age, but finding the direction you want to go and pursuing it with passion and persistence. The outcome may not be perfect, but if the journey brings you joy and meaning, that's enough.

I once read a passage: find a job you love, and you'll be happy from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; find someone you love, and you'll be happy from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. That's a successful and happy life.

Unfortunately, so simple a formula still eludes quite a few people. It's not bad luck, but an attitude toward life. Do you love someone with all your heart? Do you throw yourself fully into your work? If you're always hesitating, weighing every little gain and loss, how can you embrace happiness?

You just do your best, and God will do the rest. This is a motto I cherish, and I share it with you.

Okay, I've drifted off topic. Because of this job, my life gradually transformed completely.

Just like the previous trip, I set my visitation goals, planned the route, scheduled my time, booked hotels, bought a Eurail pass, and boarded the plane—all in one smooth process. Almost all the clients I had appointments with were new, so I set off full of hope. I was going after orders, and I knew I'd earn back the expenses. Moreover, because I had secured so many new clients in such a short time, my confidence soared. The future looked bright.

Although this was my second time in Paris, it was my first time alone.

The Paris airport is quite complicated, so I reluctantly spent 55 euros on a taxi to the hotel near the exhibition center I had booked (the fare from the airport to central Paris is a fixed 55 euros). When I arrived, the hotel told me I was too early and couldn't check in until 3 p.m. Well, with a few hours to kill, I dropped off my luggage and decided to explore Paris on foot.

After leaving the hotel, I took the metro a few stops toward the Eiffel Tower. Rental bikes were everywhere on the streets of Paris, and within two years, these would all be replaced by our charging stations—something I was really looking forward to.

The early June weather wasn't too hot, but the UV rays were strong. The tower was under renovation, so there weren't many tourists. I planned to walk through the tower area and head to the Arc de Triomphe.

Huang Xiaoming once took wedding photos here.

The center of Paris is packed with world-famous landmarks, drawing tour groups from all over. Solo wanderers like me were rare.

There was a large pond with lots of fish, where visitors from around the world sat soaking up the sun. Everywhere you went, there were crowds.

The Tower, the Ferris wheel, and the Louvre are actually aligned in a straight line.

If you go to Paris, try walking from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre—it's quite a distance. I actually hiked that whole route that day, ticking off landmarks to the point that on later visits to Paris, I lost all interest in seeing these sights again.

After the Louvre, I had considered visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral, but seeing how far it still was, I decided to head back to the hotel.

Europeans seem to have a special fondness for these love locks. You could tell the wire mesh had been recently replaced, and yet it was already covered in new declarations of love.

At that time, the Seine's water level was extremely high. Before I came, I'd seen news about flooding in Paris, with many areas submerged.

During the two-day exhibition, I saw many people with disabilities, which moved me deeply. It was the first time I realized there were so many disabled people in the world. I couldn't imagine being confined to a wheelchair for life. I felt deeply grateful for my able body, allowing me to travel the world—what a great treasure! Other than health, what else is there to fuss over? Still brooding over trivial annoyances? Come on.

In China, there are also many disabled people, but due to various constraints, they often have to stay cooped up at home, with no one to care for them, rarely venturing out alone. In Europe, there are many special accommodations for the disabled: designated parking spaces, government subsidies, free medical care—very comprehensive facilities and support.

I remember a wonderful Chinese-run dumpling shop near the hotel; I ate there several times.

A little side story: On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, I woke up to a flood of messages. Someone was impersonating me on QQ, trying to borrow money from people close to me—friends, my sister, and so on. The story was that I was in Germany, had lost my wallet, and needed money for a return ticket from Berlin to Suzhou.

I have to say, the scammer knew a fair bit about my situation. How did he learn my itinerary? If I had woken up a little later, some friends might have sent money. Unfortunately for him, he was a bit stupid—since when does Suzhou have an airport? Uneducated scammers are truly scary :-) Ha, without studying hard, you can't even be a con artist.

Let this story serve as a warning to everyone.

Leaving Paris, I took a high-speed train, transferred to a regular train, then a bus to a small town in France to visit a client. This turned out to be the most unforgettable experience.

On my way to the hotel after meeting the first client, while transferring to a bus, I accidentally lost my Xiaomi phone's data cable. The worst part was that Type-C cables were very rare at the time. The hotel front desk didn't have one, and the small shop downstairs was also out. I even checked a nearby supermarket—nothing. I was thoroughly annoyed with Lei Jun! I had a million furious thoughts racing through my mind. Without a charged phone, I was practically blind abroad. With no other option, I fully charged my MacBook and used it for maps to navigate.

The next day, I wanted to go to a big supermarket in the city. Without a phone, I couldn't navigate public transport, so I had to take a taxi. I asked the hotel front desk to call one, but the driver and I couldn't communicate in English—after all, this was the countryside, a complete language barrier. I drew a shopping cart, and he finally understood. For 120 euros, he took me to the city center.

At the supermarket, I spent over 30 euros on a data cable—30-odd euros! That's 250 Chinese yuan! Facepalm!

The key moment: I tried it, but it still wouldn't charge. I thought my phone was broken. Resigned, I used my laptop to guide my way and pressed on toward Heidelberg, Germany.

I rushed to the train station, only to find my train canceled. Later, I learned it was due to a French rail strike. After a three-hour wait, I finally departed around 3 p.m., but when I transferred in Lyon, the next train was also canceled. I had to spend the night in Lyon! WTF!

The hotel I'd booked in Heidelberg was now useless. Since then, I usually don't pre-book hotels for business trips; I book only one or two hours ahead.

Because in January I had stayed right at the hotel in front of Lyon's train station, I ended up enduring a forced return visit and reliving old times.

Standing at the hotel entrance, the high-rise opposite was a shopping center. I searched again but found no cable, and phone repair would take days. I had no choice. So, I decided to go without a phone. With a portable Wi-Fi device rented from China, as long as I could log into WeChat on my laptop, I could contact the office. In the hotel, I finally managed to log into WeChat on my computer.

What touched me was my boss telling me to buy an iPhone immediately and that the company would reimburse me. So, before the mall closed, I rushed over and swiped my card for my very first Apple phone, bidding farewell to Xiaomi forever. Sorry, Lei Jun.

But then came a new problem: my SIM card was too large to fit an iPhone!

I went to the hotel to borrow scissors, but they had none. So, with my exquisite craftsmanship, I used a nail clipper to trim the SIM card—perfect! And that SIM card has stayed with me to this day.

Feeling utterly relieved, I went down for breakfast and sat in the same spot as before, recalling the scene of three of us in Lyon five months earlier. I felt I had grown a lot through all these trials. Since then, on every business trip, I bring two phones and multiple data cables.

A casual snapshot—the photos from an iPhone really are different!

After all that hardship, I finally felt at ease. I boarded a high-speed train, found a good seat, and headed toward Heidelberg. I organized documents on my laptop while enjoying the scenery outside, accompanied by great music all the way.

There are a few songs I especially love for travel. For those who like Western music, don't mention it.

"Try" (Everyone is trying hard to be someone others like),

"Counting Stars" (On a quiet solo journey, when bored, just count the stars),

"Home" (Every time I hear it on a solo trip, I miss home),

"New Soul" (A cheerful, lively melody, a new spirit, much like my curiosity about the unknown world back then),

"Free to Be Me" (A truly beautiful melody, perfect for traveling in Europe, free and alone),

"I'm Yours" (A warm, cozy feel, comforting in moments of solitude),

"If I Die Young" (The first time I heard it, I thought, how could there be such a song title? I love life, and there's so much more to explore),

"Let Her Go" (I love the opening melody so much that I set it as my phone's ringtone),

"Traveling Light" (A song that fits the travel theme—drop all worries and travel light). That's about it.

On every business trip, I'd listen to these on repeat. Now, whenever I hear them, I'm transported back to those times: the red trains, the cloudless blue skies, the blazing sunshine, the vibrant flowers—all the beautiful things.

There are a few more very nice songs I came across on later travels; I'll keep them in my treasure chest for now and recommend them another time.

Compared to Paris, I love Heidelberg a hundred times more. In my mind, there are several romantic cities, but I've never thought of Paris as one. Within France, Colmar is the place I long for most—it's as wonderful as a fairy-tale world.

Right outside Heidelberg's central train station, you can see the hotel I booked. When traveling solo, try not to choose accommodations in remote areas for easier meals and safety. Hotels near European city centers are usually quite small but extremely clean.

Before coming, I'd done some research and knew Heidelberg was famous for its castle. It narrowly escaped bombing during World War II—supposedly because an air force commander had studied at Heidelberg, and thus the castle was spared.

The city is also known for Heidelberg University and Heidelberg printing presses (reputed to be so high-quality and durable that the company went out of business). This gives the city an academic aura: serene, peaceful, and unhurried. It's one of my favorite cities. If time permits, you must stay a few days to truly feel its unique atmosphere. I've been many times and climbed up to the castle three times, each time with a different mood.

It may not look very high, but walking up takes some effort. I walked from the hotel through the city, about an hour's journey.

European attractions have truly reasonable ticket prices.

The murky Neckar River was in flood, much like Paris—this is Europe's rainy season. Actually, when it doesn't rain, the water is very clear, and wild ducks paddle along the banks.

The castle is heavily damaged. Every time I visit, the government is slowly restoring it.

War is a barbaric scourge on any nation (though these walls are really incredibly thick!).

Einstein said, I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.

I chose a different path down the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, there's a Maria Market, bustling with activity.

Compared to the lively market, I much prefer the quiet alleyways, as if I were wandering through a fairy tale.

There's an old bridge in the photos, at the head of which sits a stone monkey. Rubbing it is said to bring good luck, attracting many visitors.

After hiking for hours, I was famished. Near the hotel, I found a sushi place and ordered plenty. The taste was excellent. On later visits to Heidelberg, I returned there.

The people in Heidelberg are very friendly, which is another reason I love it.

The next day, I dragged my luggage 2 km on foot to visit a client. Several people stopped along the way to ask if I needed help. Perhaps in their eyes, a foreigner laden with bags looked a bit like a homeless person :-) After all, on that wide road, I was the only one walking—a foreigner.

Saying goodbye to the client, I left Heidelberg for the next destination: train, then bus.

I arrived at my booked hotel, actually a converted guesthouse, as dusk fell. I needed a code to enter the building.

After circling around, I finally found the entrance, entered the code, and located my room. At 125 euros, it was really tiny. Meanwhile, in rural France, hotels three times the size with bathtubs cost only 40 to 50 euros.

Yet the room had a cozy style. I flopped onto the soft bed, rested a while, and used my phone to search for a nearby Chinese buffet restaurant. I decided to give it a try. By the time I went out, it was already dark. The quiet, still streets felt almost post-apocalyptic—a novel and delightful experience for someone used to the constant bustle of Chinese cities.

It was a large Chinese buffet, seating probably over a hundred people. I thought there must be some high-profile tourist attraction nearby to accommodate tour groups and such.

The owner was Chinese. I think it was 16 euros for all-you-can-eat—an incredible deal. The food was delicious, too. It was my first time trying such a buffet in Europe, with all kinds of dishes: fried, grilled, stir-fried, and even desserts. I ate until I was about to burst, and they only charged 16 euros. I worried I'd eat them out of business. For a Chinese person on long-term business travel, this was perfect.

But when I visited again later, the place had indeed closed down.

When I got up for breakfast, the landlord had already laid out a full spread. Everyone could help themselves. Although not as lavish as a hotel, the food was thoughtfully prepared and fresh. Only three of us were dining.

The client was only 2 km away, but the weather was too hot for walking—I didn't want to show up drenched in sweat. I asked the landlord to call a taxi. The ride cost 12 euros. Getting out, I was greeted by a beautiful scene: a washed-blue sky, strokes of white clouds, green hills, gleaming white walls, and red roofs, all with a gentle breeze—living in Europe truly is pleasant.

Quiet nights, quiet streets, a beautiful small town, a leisurely life: that's the impression Schorndorf left in my heart.

From Schorndorf to a border town south of Munich, I had to change trains several times. The weather alternated between sunshine and rain. Train travel is a slow life, one I can no longer return to. Perhaps that's why I miss it so much.

By train, I could visit at most one client a day, and I'd while away the extra time. Now, by car, I can visit three in a day, a packed schedule that's suffocating.

In the early days, I often posted scenic shots and travel moments on social media. My boss's wife thought Europe was all fun and games. Once, she insisted on tagging along with my boss. That rushed trip had me driving from the Netherlands to Paris, Lyon, and Switzerland, traveling day and night. Only if we didn't have to travel on weekends was there any freedom. She was exhausted, basically sleeping in the car and snapping photos when she got out. She never joined again. So, behind the seemingly glamorous facade, there's hard toil you don't see.

People see the beautiful scenery and delicious food in my posts, but they don't see me driving solo the entire way, pinching my thighs to stay awake, while also scheduling clients, booking hotels, finding restaurants, and searching for sights—living tenaciously like a cockroach :-)

Compared to driving, taking a train in the rain is incredibly relaxing and enjoyable. You can doze off to music, gaze out at the drizzling rain and daydream, while the tomorrow you yearn for waits around some bend ahead, as long as you never stop striving.

After the train, I took a bus to my booked hotel.

I remember the bus speeding down rural country roads, tossing everyone around violently.

When I woke the next day, the weather had completely changed. It was brilliantly sunny—you'd never guess it had been rainy and overcast the night before.

Dragging my suitcase, I walked about 1 km to the client's company, admiring the post-rain washed-blue sky.

The client was a semi-China hand, warm-hearted, and drove me to the train station when we finished. But his target price was too low to do business.

However, you'd never guess that after four years of follow-up, I finally won him over—all his orders now come to me. So, my takeaway is: many good things aren't yours at first, perhaps because you're not good enough yet. When you become good enough, good things will come.

When I shed my youthful naivety and matured into a more professional salesperson, trust and business began.

As the saying goes, if you bloom, the butterflies will come.

Persistence is one of the secrets to sales success. Believe that everything will turn out well in the end. If things aren't good now, it's because the end hasn't arrived yet.

I took a train to another city. Germans really do love reading, it seems. Actually, I was just photographing a pretty girl :-)

This is the city where I saw the most flowers in Europe—I didn't check if there's a story behind it.

From the hotel lobby, flowers adorned the tables in the lounge area.

After a passing shower, the sun blazed. I dropped off my luggage and set out to explore. The houses on the streets, set against the blue sky and white clouds, were almost unreal—snap a photo and it could be a postcard.

The residents' yards were full of climbing roses, glistening after the rain. I'd never seen such beautiful blossoms, and I couldn't bear to imagine them withering.

My phone didn't show any special attractions, so I headed to a nearby park. I started with no expectations, but it ended up giving me a huge surprise.

After walking a short way, I reached roughly the town center. Flowers were in full bloom everywhere.

Another casual snapshot, and here's another desktop-worthy picture.

This was the park entrance, still giving no hint of what lay inside, except a few people strolling in.

Once inside, everything opened up. Towering trees cast dense shade.

I remember a street performer with miniature instruments on a bridge—I tossed him a euro.

The scenery drew me onward, no concern for any endpoint.

I crossed railroad tracks at one point, wondering if anyone on a passing train would want to jump off and savor this pocket of paradise.

For the first time in my life, I experienced such serene, beautiful moments. In a corner of the world, alone, I hiked through a living painting.

Sitting on a bench by the park, I quietly soaked in the peaceful time. The world felt paused. A wedding was about to begin—surely the most beautiful one, and the one I dream of.

Such dense woods, like well-drilled soldiers standing in neat rows on either side, welcoming every visitor.

The sundial showed it was 5 p.m., yet the sun blazed as if it were 2 p.m. No wonder—in June, it stays light until nearly 11 p.m.

Hunger set in. Heading back, I crossed the tracks just as a train passed.

Returning to the square I'd passed earlier, I picked a restaurant and quietly savored the evening view. As for the food, haha, it didn't matter so much.

That afternoon's sunshine has continued to glow warmly in my heart ever since. That brilliantly sunny afternoon, a young man still ignorant of the world set foot in the unknown for the first time, full of hope and joy. Heaven blessed me with a sun-drenched afternoon.

Time is cruel, yet here, it felt exceptionally gentle and soft.

Four years later, I haven't been back, but I know one day I will return.

Back at the hotel, it was past 9 p.m. Looking out the window, the sun still shone brightly, reluctant to set—just like someone reluctant to part.

The next day, after meeting the client, I boarded a train to Frankfurt to meet my last client.

With the Eurail pass, you fill it in yourself each time: where you board, the time, where you alight, and the time. The pass is valid for trains, buses, and ferries. A few private ferries may not accept it, though they might offer a discount.

In June, the temperature differences are huge—when it rains, it gets cold enough to need a jacket.

I really can't recall which hotel I stayed at.

Since returning in January due to COVID-19, by mid-April I hadn't been to Europe in a while, and I was getting restless. Seeing the breakfast made my mouth water. I'd forgotten how, on my first trip to Europe, I struggled to adapt to the food.

After the meeting the next day, I took a train to Frankfurt city center. At the station, a sudden downpour was followed by blazing sun. The weather in Germany in June changes on a whim.

Well, in Frankfurt, you must check in at Römerberg Square. Then, following the same route as my March visit, on a whim I stood in the exact spot and snapped an identical photo—amazingly, it's almost exactly the same, isn't it? If the weather's good, this could be a "spot the difference" challenge :-)

Looking at these photos now, they feel like ages ago. I remember the gist, but many details are fuzzy. That's the purpose of writing them down. I travel eight or ten times a year, sometimes more. When I can no longer move, I'll curl up on the balcony, bask in the warm sun, and look back on the footprints of my life. So, I've resolved that from now on, I won't be lazy—I'll record these journeys.

The 12-day trip ended with six new clients—my first truly meaningful business trip. But this was only the beginning. All sorts of unexpected situations would unfold in the future.

Back then, I posted daily on WeChat Moments, eager to showcase Europe's beauty to my friends, though, admittedly, there was a bit of showing off. As I've matured, my business trips are now silent on social media. First, after growing up, the vast world no longer stirs turbulent emotions. When I encounter beautiful scenery, I quietly enjoy it, or privately share with close friends.

Another major reason: my profession requires me to keep my whereabouts confidential. With many industry insiders among my contacts, the fewer who know, the better. This is a life on track, I suppose.

At that time, everything about Europe was unfamiliar and fascinating. This state lasted about a year—my lack of industry knowledge, unfamiliarity with circles, ignorance of each country's markets and clients, and the strangeness of the environment. In truth, every trip carried a sense of drifting loneliness.

Now, going to Europe feels like traveling to another province in China. I grab my bag and go anytime, pick up a car upon landing, and navigate freely between countries, totally at ease. I know my clients and markets like the back of my hand, communicate to the point, and know exactly whether an order can be won.

The price of maturity is scrambling and falling, but never fearing a stumble. When you stand up again, you'll be stronger. Failure is just an appetizer.

Travelogue Index: 1. COVID-19 Pandemic 2. Looking Back 3. June 2016, Another Expedition 4. Three Days in Paris 5. Little Travel Anecdotes 6. Romantic City: Heidelberg 7. Beautiful County Town: Schorndorf 8. A German Border Town 9. The Most Beautiful Park: Bad Mergentheim 10. Back to Frankfurt 11. Closing Words

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