Embers Ad Infinitum

Jiang Baimian glanced at Shang Jianyao and told Long Yuehong:

"Since there are corresponding concerns, you must be skillful when asking questions and avoid making people suspicious."

"Yes." Long Yuehong nodded heavily.

Shang Jianyao looked "uneasy":

"I'm not too confident in your speaking skills. Do you really have no problem handling this kind of thing?"

Long Yuehong was a little hesitant and didn't dare to make any promises. After all, in the dusty world, he was not required to be responsible for external negotiations most of the time.

To put it mildly, he ranks fifth in the "Old Dialogue Group"'s external negotiations.

Shang Jianyao smiled:

"I have two methods to ensure nothing goes wrong."

Although Long Yuehong didn't quite believe in this guy's method, she still took the initiative to ask with the mentality of "it won't hurt to listen, just in case there is any enlightenment":

"any solution?"

Shang Jianyao looked at Bai Chen beside him:

"One, you take Xiaobai with you and let her be your external brain to help you negotiate."

Jiang Baimian, who was drinking water, almost choked.

Long Yuehong carefully considered the feasibility of this method, slowly shook his head and said:

"not too good.

"It's not very good to rush Xiaobai to my house without informing me in advance. Anyway, we have already decided on the weekend, let's talk about it then."

He felt that the first meeting between Bai Chen and his parents had to be formal enough, and he could not change the plan rashly, which would affect Bai Chen's image in the eyes of his parents.

"Then you can wait until the weekend to ask." Bai Chen gave his own suggestion.

Long Yuehong was silent for a few seconds and said:

"If there is really a problem with this matter, it will be more troublesome if it is delayed for a long time."

Bang bang bang, Shang Jianyao clapped his hands:

"Not bad, I have my own opinion!"

Your words seem to be inciting other people's feelings... Jiang Baimian muttered, planning to hold Shang Jianyao down if he continued to say this.

Just as Long Yuehong was about to explain, Shang Jianyao had already changed the subject:

"The second method is to implant in you a set of thinking about foreign negotiations. The reference object is..."

He paused and said:

"Dang-dang-dang, me!"

"Forget it then." Long Yuehong answered without hesitation, "Even if you implant the corresponding thinking in me, I can't use the 'reasoning clown'."

"What about Dabai?" Shang Jianyao enthusiastically promoted.

Long Yuehong's heart was moved, and Bai Chen also nodded slightly.

Jiang Baimian said "ha":

"Can you weave together my entire set of thoughts when negotiating with foreign countries?"

I can’t even do it myself!

"No." Shang Jianyao shook his head calmly.

He then sighed:

"It would be great if Lao Ge is here. He has established corresponding models and databases."

Long Yuehong took an inconspicuous deep breath:

"I'll do it myself. I'll be careful and observe the environment and reactions. If the scene is really inappropriate, I'll leave it until the weekend."

Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen were about to nod when Shang Jianyao's eyes suddenly lit up:

"How about we change our thinking?"

"What other ideas?" Long Yuehong always knew that Shang Jianyao's ideas were wild and unconstrained, and there was no way to guess.

Shang Jianyao's smile brightened:

"I'll ask directly on your behalf."

"Don't be joking." Long Yuehong reacted instinctively.

Shang Jianyao added:

"I will use 'thought guidance' to make your grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters and other relatives think that I am you.

"Isn't this equivalent to you asking?"

He spread his palms with a "believe me right" expression on his face.

Long Yuehong subconsciously began to analyze and found that it was really feasible. However, when she thought about the scene where her family, relatives, and friends all regarded Shang Jianyao as herself and were chatting and joking with him, she felt that it was extremely scary, and she hurriedly shook it. Head:

"No, no, no."

Shang Jianyao tried to persuade:

“Life is short, why not give it a try?”

Bang, Jiang Baimian slapped his arm with his right hand:

"Stop bullying Xiao Hong and go about your own business."

Seeing her standing up, Shang Jianyao changed his focus:

"Where are you going?"

"Minister Xiyu came to me to report on the work and talk about the areas that were not so detailed in the report." Jiang Baimian replied casually.

According to the process, this is the penultimate step, after which the contributions are calculated and rewards are distributed.

"Oh." Shang Jianyao asked, "Do you want me to lead the way?"

Jiang Baimian was furious:

"Isn't it the Deputy Minister's Office on the 646th floor?

"I can find it!"

Walk slower and think more, it’s not a big problem!

With that said, she walked through the office and out of the room.

After walking a few dozen meters, she met a former comrade and chatted for a few words.

After chatting, she didn't pay attention to anyone and got lost.

Looking at the familiar rooms around him, Jiang Baimian thought about it and observed the house number.

She is quite good at counting.

After walking back to the place where he lost his way along the house number, Jiang Baimian saw Shang Jianyao standing there with his hands in his pockets.

"What are you doing here?" Jiang Baimian asked first.

Shang Jianyao looked innocent:

"Come out and use the bathroom."

He pointed casually in the direction he came from.

Jiang Baimian got the "hint", made a slight identification, and confirmed the correct path, so he waved his hand and said:

"Go ahead."

She turned around and walked towards the correct stairwell.

While waiting for the elevator, she went through the layout of the 647th floor in her mind.

It seems that the bathroom closest to us is not at that intersection... Jiang Baimian suddenly said "uh".

At this time, at the door of Room 14, Long Yuehong looked at Shang Jianyao walking back and asked in confusion:

"What are you doing there?"

"Lost." Shang Jianyao smiled with a look on his face.

Long Yuehong could only say, "Fortunately, the team leader is not here."

…………

On the 646th floor, in the office of Vice Minister Xi Yu.

After knocking on the wrong door once, Jiang Baimian finally found the right place.

Xiyu, who had long chestnut hair and appeared to be in his thirties, did not politely let Jiang Baimian sit on the sofa area. Instead, he pointed to the chair opposite the desk and said:

"sit down."

"Minister, is there anything else you want to ask? The report is very detailed." Jiang Baimian struck preemptively.

Xiyu picked up the azure ceramic teacup and took a sip:

“The main thing is to take care of your body.

“How many islands have you passed in the ‘Sea of ​​Origin’?”

"Three." Jiang Baimian did not hide anything, "We are on the way to find the fourth one."

Xiyu showed an expression of approval:

"Your psychological quality has always been good, so it is unexpected and reasonable that your progress is so fast.

"Well, don't be too hasty. As the number of islands you visit increases, your negative costs will become more and more serious. Taking more time to adapt will be more friendly to your daily life."

"I understand." Jiang Baimian knew the priorities.

Xi Yu turned to ask:

"What's your next plan?"

Jiang Baimian said seriously:

"The first is to find Linhe Village in Dajiang City, the only remaining village in the Five Holy Lands. The second is to go to the ice field again and try to locate the specific location of the Eighth Research Institute. On the way, we will stop by the quilt where Shang Jianyao's father last appeared. Look for clues in the city destroyed by 'unintentional' disease."

Xiyu pondered for a few seconds and said:

"It doesn't mean that if you go to the ice field once or twice, you will definitely find where the Eighth Research Institute is hidden. Collecting information and extracting clues in advance is a very important step.

"Also, in this season, the ice sheet is not suitable for human survival. It is best for you to wait until spring before setting off."

"In this season, we won't go even if you ask us to go." Jiang Baimian responded with a smile.

She had no objection to staying within the company for a few months. Ever since she revealed that she wouldn't have to go out frequently after the next mission, her parents told her that it was okay, and they even skipped the routine introduction.

Xiyu asked again about the situation of the four holy places, focusing on some relatively detailed matters, such as whether there were traces of human entry and exit in the frozen warehouse of the Holm Reproductive Medical Center in recent years.

At the end of the conversation, Jiang Baimian took the initiative to mention:

"Minister, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen from our team have become a couple. They are planning to register recently. Can they be transferred to the back office later?"

Xi Yu smiled and said:

"With your contribution, there will definitely be no problem. Besides, newlyweds are not suitable for going on field trips."

"I feel relieved now." Jiang Baimian smiled.

What she wants is such a promise.

…………

Floor 495, Area C, No. 11.

Long Yuehong had dinner with her parents and sister while chatting about various things.

He seemed to mention casually:

"Mom, the talisman of many children and grandchildren you gave me doesn't look like an old one."

"What old one?" Gu Hong didn't understand.

Long Yuehong explained simply:

"I thought it was the talisman of many children and grandchildren used by my grandparents, but it turns out it's quite new."

Gu Hong thought about it:

"I didn't pay attention. You can go back and ask your grandma."

"Maybe they found someone to paint again." Long Dayong guessed.

"Who are you looking for?" Long Yuehong tried her best to make it look like she was chatting.

Long Dayong replied nonchalantly:

"Some ancestors painted this and passed down the skills. Many people also seek good luck during holidays."

"That's it..." Although Long Yuehong didn't think there was anything wrong with this, she felt that it was too simple an answer.

After dinner, he picked up a bag of fruit that he had exchanged for donation points and headed to the 417th floor where his grandparents lived.