After she agreed, Wang Jian'an hurriedly said, "Good, then I'll put your name down."
"By the way, Chief Song, how long will the exchange conference last, and who else will be going with me?" Jian Xi asked.
"The exchange conference lasts three days in total. I've booked your tickets to leave one day earlier, on the 25th. Let me know when you want to return after it ends, and I'll book your return tickets. This business trip will cover all your food, accommodation, and transportation expenses. Xiu Jin and You will be going with you."
Considering that Jian Xi was a woman, he arranged for Tang Xingyou to accompany them as well, so the two of them could keep each other company and Jian Xi wouldn't feel bored.
The arrangements were settled. Today was only the 21st, with four days until departure. Jian Xi planned to call Xu Yan later and move up all her appointments for those few days, freeing up her schedule.
She didn't plan to tell Ye Ze about attending the exchange conference right away, intending to surprise him. She also hadn't told him about joining the Special Security Bureau.
Indeed, her senior martial brothers and sisters at the Xuantian Temple had recently learned about Jian Xi leaving the mountain.
Since they returned to the temple every two months, Su Yinghe reminded her, and she then called each of them to share the news, including that of Xuan Yi Daoist's passing.
When Xuan Yi Daoist was on his deathbed, he had told her not to specifically inform them of his passing, only to mention it when they met.
Her senior martial brothers and sisters understood Xuan Yi Daoist's character, so they didn't say much, only feeling sorry for Jian Xi having to endure it alone and regretting not noticing anything amiss during their last visit to the temple.
Before Jian Xi left the mountain, they had not formed a group chat, instead calling each other individually when needed. Even if they had a group, it would likely have been a ghost chat. But now, things were different. With their junior martial sister leaving the mountain, Huo Chengxi directly created a group chat for them, where they could discuss matters from then on.
Jian Xi named the group - "Xuantian Temple Family."
After she chose the name, the group fell silent for a while until the Eldest Senior Brother, known for being the most reserved, praised it as a good name. Only then did the chat come alive with messages.
Initially, when they learned that Jian Xi had left the mountain, she was overwhelmed by everyone wanting to drop their work and return to City B to see her.
She spent two full days persuading each of them, eventually resorting to adding He Qingchen to the group to finally put a stop to their impulsive intentions.
The group had quieted down these past few days since Jian Xi didn't want them abandoning their work to visit. They decided to complete their tasks first before returning, making it easier.
Coincidentally, just yesterday Ye Ze had mentioned in the group that he would be free by early next month and could then return to City B to see his junior martial sister. Today, Chief Song happened to call Jian Xi about attending the exchange conference!
How could she surprise her second senior martial brother?
Unable to figure it out by nightfall when He Qingchen returned, she asked him how to surprise her second senior brother.
"Your presence would itself be a surprise. You don't need anything else," he said.
Jian Xi blinked her large eyes and asked, "Really? But what if I suddenly appeared at your company's reception?"
"Hm." He Qingchen lowered his head and pecked her little mouth. "It would be the biggest surprise since I left the temple those four years ago."
The corners of Jian Xi's eyes curved up as her fair face flushed a rosy red, and she giggled.
He Qingchen asked her, "How many days will you be gone?"
"Leaving on the 25th, and the exchange conference is three days. Chief Song said if I want to stay and play in City H, he'll also reimburse me. The benefits at the Special Security Bureau are quite good, don't you think?" Jian Xi said excitedly.
"Heh Corp has a bid at the end of the month, an important one from higher up, though it's already decided. Still, we need to go through the motions. After your exchange conference ends, I'll come pick you up, and then we can spend a few days in City H. There's the sea there, and I'll take you to see it."
Upon hearing about the sea in City H, Jian Xi grew even more excited. "Yay, I haven't seen the ocean yet. I'll definitely have to go to the beach then!"
Seeing her happy expression, He Qingchen's lips curved up as well. He patted her head twice and planted a firm kiss on her lips.
After dinner, Jian Xi called Xu Yan and asked him to arrange for all her appointments over those few days to be moved up, clearing ten days in her schedule.
Ten days would certainly be enough for both work and play.
Over the next four days, Jian Xi was truly busy, with only the evenings left. Even then, He Qingchen kept pulling her into hugs and kisses, reasoning that since he wouldn't see her for several days, he needed to get his fix in advance.
Jian Xi laughingly asked if he couldn't just make up for it when she returned.
He firmly stated two words: "Not possible!"
He Qingchen didn't let Jian Xi take a commercial flight, telling her not to let Chief Song book tickets. Instead, he had Xu Yan file for a private flight route.
On the afternoon of the 25th, he personally saw Jian Xi onto his private plane.
On the plane, while Xiu Jin was still rather composed, You was incredibly excited, as this was her first time on a private jet.
In fact, compared to You, Jian Xi was quite thrilled too, since this was also her first private flight experience.
Worried that Jian Xi might not adjust well, He Qingchen had Xu Yan accompany them to City H before returning.
The flight from City B to City H took three and a half hours. Xiu Jin retreated to the small library to read a book, while Jian Xi listened to You explaining the exchange conference proceedings.
After a while, Jian Xi understood. "So it's just using the guise of an exchange to hold a competition?"
"Yeah, sort of. The top few ranks in the evaluation get significantly higher budgets for the next year. For each event, first place gets an extra million, second place gets eight hundred thousand, and third place gets five hundred thousand. The ranks after that don't receive any rewards."
"Actually, it's not about the rewards. The annual budgets provided are already more than enough, even with surplus left over. The rankings are just for the bureau chiefs to openly and secretly compete with one another. What are they vying for? Face, of course - who doesn't want their team to be the strongest?"
Jian Xi asked her, "Then why is it organized by the Metaphysics Association? Is it under orders from above?"
You shook her head. "No, the Metaphysics Association used to hold exchange conferences every year, just like the old Martial Arts Conventions. But as the Community of Mysticism declined and the number of Metaphysics Masters dwindled, only this tradition remained. Now, apart from the Metaphysics Association, the only other organization left is the official Special Security Bureau. So it evolved into this format, with the officials also participating."
