The slight return of the bow wasn't missed on Mingmei, but it was an important part to this interview. If she won Tess over by the end of the interview, their bows would be more equal when she left, or Tess would offer the bow first. It wasn't as traditional any more, but as Mingmei's father was heir to the Song dynasty, she had been brought up in the traditional sense of the words. The Songs were no longer in power, but China lived off hierarchy so their family name still held some power, depending on where she was.
"Thank you," she remarked, sliding gracefully into the seat that was offered to her. "We are neighbors, that is true; however, that is not the only reason why I am interested in interviewing you." She used the word "I" intentionally, separating herself from the Daily Planet. She had been placed there coming into this world, after all, having just been assigned a position in the company. "If I may, it is amazing that you are very successful, Miss Mercer. It must be very rewarding to run a business such as this one."
It was an old Chinese trap. Provide someone with a positive compliment and get them off guard, then they would open up with more information without the questioner ever having to say anything. She hadn't yet turned on the iPad that she'd brought with her to record parts of the interview. That would come after the initial greetings were over. And no, Mingmei hadn't accepted the offer of something to drink just yet. Though she was interviewing Tess, Tess was still a foreigner in her mind. She wouldn't do her the honor of accepting a drink just yet. Perhaps later in the interview she might acknowledge that offer, but at the moment, that was still power in her hands.