In that era, to attract foreign investment coupled with the nation's inherently hospitable traditions, the service given to foreign guests, especially the more important ones, was truly meticulous.
Someone like Mikhail definitely counted as a VIP!
Nevermind his official position, just the large groups under his name were enough to ensure he'd receive a warm welcome in any country he visited!
......
Seeing how anxious Mayor Zhang was, Wang Ye laughed heartily and said in a relaxed manner, "Sit down, let's talk. In this little restaurant right now, there are no Duma Speakers or Mayors, let's just chat as friends, without all that formality."
If he weren't the Duma Speaker and was instead an ordinary person, it would be quite improper for him to speak in such a manner because those were words typically reserved for those "above"...
Sure enough, hearing Wang Ye say this, Mayor Zhang's face lit up with delight.