"Mr. He, I understand what you mean. Xi Xi always makes her own decisions about these kinds of things. Please leave your contact information and I will pass it on to Xi Xi. It will be entirely up to her what decision she makes," He Qingchen said politely.
Wang Jian'an was a little surprised. He had expected to have to do a lot more persuading, but He Qingchen was being so "understanding" and not at all like his reputation.
He took out his personal business card and handed it to He Qingchen, saying gratefully, "Thank you so much, Mr. He. This is my card with my contact information."
He Qingchen reached out and took it with an indifferent "Mm," and said nothing more.
Wang Jian'an didn't mind. He still had a smile on his face, though he couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. "Well, I won't disturb your work any longer, Mr. He!"
He Qingchen nodded and saw Wang Jian'an out of his office.
After the door closed, He Qingchen glanced down at the business card in his hand, and the corners of his lips turned up slightly. He knew Jian Xi - even if she couldn't officially join, she would probably go and help out whenever needed.
After all, she had always treated things like this as her own responsibility!
The meeting was over, so He Qingchen went directly home from the company.
When he got home, Jian Xi was still in the little cabin, studying the martial arts manuals left behind by their ancestors.
Formations were something that most metaphysicians would have known a hundred years ago, but nowadays when metaphysics had declined, there were hardly any who still knew formations.
What's more, formation masters now held a very high position in metaphysical circles!
Her senior brother Zhang Luoyu had specialized in studying formations. After leaving the mountain, he had gone into the funeral and cemetery business, which was why when she had gone to save He Jiaxu last time, she had felt the aura of his formations in that cemetery which had once been Zhang Luoyu's territory.
Jian Xi practiced as usual with pebbles instead of talisman paper, because the formation she was learning today was an attacking one!
She was very serious about everything she did, and didn't even notice when He Qingchen came home.
He Qingchen was in no hurry either, and just sat there waiting for her.
The housekeeper Auntie Zhao had made dinner and sent Jian Xi a message, which finally pulled her out of her focused learning state.
Studying formations took a lot of mental effort, so when Jian Xi put away the manual in her bracelet, her stomach was already growling loudly.
He Qingchen chuckled softly at the sounds.
His laughter gave Jian Xi a shock. "Brother? When did you get back? You scared me!"
"I've been back for a while. You were too focused and didn't even notice me sitting here this whole time." He Qingchen said as he got up from the chair and headed outside. "Let's go, you're hungry right?"
Jian Xi grinned and followed him. "Brother, I figured out the last formation in the manual today, the Ghost Binding Formation, and even made some improvements to it. It can trap ghosts over a thousand years old for at least an hour now. Aren't I amazing?"
He Qingchen smiled and praised, "Mm, our Xi Xi is a genius, amazing!"
Ever since she was little, He Qingchen had never stinted on praising her whenever she learned something new, and it had become a habit between them over the years. By now, Jian Xi would always seek praise!
It wasn't that she was arrogant, just a matter of habit!
The two chatted as they returned to the main building, where Auntie Zhao had already laid out the dishes on the dining table.
He Qingchen ladled her a bowl of soup first. "Eat slowly, have some soup first. If you eat too quickly you'll get a stomachache again."
When she was eight and training in martial arts, she would wolf down every meal, and then always end up with a stomachache. He Qingchen had been quite young himself back then and couldn't always look after her properly. It was only after noticing her habit that he started correcting it!
Jian Xi took the soup. "I know, I know, Mama He!" She quickly finished the entire bowl. Then she started on the rice, and after two bowls she finally set down her chopsticks.
After the meal, He Qingchen gave Jian Xi the business card that Wang Jian'an had left him and told her about Wang Jian'an's visit.
Seeing her turn the card over in her hands again and again, He Qingchen pushed an apple in front of her and asked, "What do you think? Do you want to go?"
Jian Xi pushed the apple away. "No thanks, I'm full."
She put the card down on the coffee table. "I do want to go, since getting a national job would make things more convenient in the future. But if I join their department, wouldn't I have to be at the office all the time, like the employees at your company?"
"If that's the case, then I wouldn't have time to do fortune telling and earn money. That won't work!" Her goals were very clear - rebuilding the Taoist temple was still her top priority!
Seeing her regret, He Qingchen ruffled her hair. "For departments like theirs, there are probably consultant positions. You can ask first."
Jian Xi thought about it. "Alright, I'll call Bureau Chief Wang later. Even if I don't go, I should still give him a reply."
"Mm, no rush. Sleep first and call him after you wake up, it won't be too late." He Qingchen said.
"Brother, I just finished eating, do you think I'm a pig?" Sleep right after eating?
He Qingchen glanced at her sideways. "Hmm, a little white pig."
Jian Xi's foot mercilessly kicked his shin, though not too hard, just to show her displeasure at being called a little white pig!
After joking around for a bit, Jian Xi went to call Wang Jian'an.
The call was picked up after the first ring, catching Jian Xi by surprise. She paused briefly before speaking first. "Hello, this is Jian Xi. Is this Bureau Chief Wang from the Special Security Bureau?"
Wang Jian'an had been waiting with his phone in hand ever since returning from He Group, even taking it with him when eating and using the bathroom.
He'd thought Jian Xi wouldn't call until nighttime, so getting her call in the afternoon excited him greatly. "Yes, yes it's me! Miss Jian, hello!"
"Hello, Bureau Chief Wang." Jian Xi greeted him politely in return.
Wang Jian'an wasn't one to beat around the bush either, and got right to the point. "Miss Jian, first let me thank you on behalf of the Bureau for your help the other day. Secondly, I'd like to invite you to join our Special Security Bureau. Would you be interested? We're part of the same system as the police, so salary and benefits will not be an issue if you join us as a national civil servant. And it would be an official government position..."
