# 1771
Chapter 1771: I Love Work, Work Loves Me
Half an hour later.
Jia Shasha and Zhen Xiaoyi carried two heavy backpacks on their backs, watching Hongying enthusiastically bid them farewell at the train station. Their faces were written with expressions of barely containing tears.
"Shasha! Xiaoyi! Remember to find Qiye and bring the dumplings to him~~" Hongying shouted at the top of her lungs, "Bye~~ Call if anything happens~"
Jia Shasha: o╥﹏╥丿 (waving)
"Shasha-ge, what should we do?" The moment they walked into the station, the girl Zhen Xiaoyi spoke with a tearful voice, "That's the Commander-in-Chief of the Night Watch! We're... we're just two newbies who just graduated from training. Even if we go to the celebration, how are we supposed to meet him..."
"Sigh..." Jia Shasha lifted the backpack full of frozen dumplings, saying dejectedly, "Let's just take it one step at a time."
"In a bit, let's switch our backpacks. I'll keep the dumplings cold so they don't melt on the way." Zhen Xiaoyi seemed to have remembered something. She patted the backpack with her palm, and a chill seeped into it, maintaining the temperature of the frozen dumplings.
"Let's talk more after we get on the train. It's about to depart."
The two of them held their tickets and boarded the green train heading to Shangjing City. Only there could they catch a special boat to take them to the celebration venue at Sunken Dragon Pass.
Since it was a last-minute notification, they couldn't get seat tickets. They each held a bag and quietly sat on the ground by the train door.
Watching the swaying tree shadows flash past the window, the hearts of these two young people were filled with worry.
...
Commander-in-Chief's Office.
"...After preliminary discussion, our tentatively scheduled performance program includes: the dance 'Forest Language & Customs' presented by the 198th squad stationed in Xishuangbanna City; the recitation 'Me and My Shangjing' presented by the 006th squad stationed in Shangjing City; the grand chorus 'Shining Medals Guide My Way' presented by nine Night Watch squads from cities like Huaian, Gusu, Changxi, and others...
Additionally, the [Phoenix] squad will perform as the special squad representative, presenting the play 'The Life I Long For'."
Secretary Min Junliang seriously read through the program list and looked up at Lin Qiye behind the desk. "These are all the confirmed performance programs for now. Commander Lin, do you have anything to add?"
Lin Qiye sat behind the desk, rubbing the light stubble on his chin with his right hand, his brow slightly raised.
"The program that the [Phoenix] squad is performing... what was it called again?"
"'The Life I Long For.'"
"Mm... this theme isn't good. Have them change it."
"Alright, what should we change it to?"
"Just call it, 'I Love Work, Work Loves Me.'"
"No problem."
Min Junliang carefully noted down this theme and continued, "As per your instructions, most of the Night Watch personnel attending this event are newcomers who just graduated not long ago. Reception work has already begun."
"Mm, how are things on the Mist side?"
"We've communicated with the Oath Society and used their intelligence network to spread the news of our 'God Hunt Celebration.' I heard the outer gods hiding in the Mist were quite upset, but there haven't been many movements reported."
"Have the border defenses been withdrawn?"
"Withdrawn. Sunken Dragon Pass is located near the eastern border. As long as the celebration starts and fireworks and music are released, those in the Mist will surely hear it."
"That'll do then." Lin Qiye nodded slightly. After a moment, he added, "Before the celebration begins, loosen the verification checks on attendees a bit—just go through the motions. Spend more effort on the programs and venue arrangements. It must be festive and grand!"
"Yes, Commander."
Min Junliang noted down everything Lin Qiye said and turned to hurry off with the arrangements.
Lin Qiye stood up from his office chair and walked slowly to the window. In the glass reflection, the figure of Fate Monk with hands pressed together walked out from behind the screen in the office. Two identical faces overlapped in the reflection.
"The celebration... has begun..." he murmured to himself.
...
Shangjing City Train Station.
Zhen Xiaoyi walked out of the exit with her heavy backpack. Looking at the rushing crowd ahead, her small face turned pale. She quietly shrunk behind Jia Shasha.
Jia Shasha took her wrist to comfort her. "It's okay, it'll be fine once we get outside."
"...Mm."
Jia Shasha protected Zhen Xiaoyi as they squeezed through the crowd. When they finally made it to the outside plaza, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhen Xiaoyi wiped the sweat from her forehead, her gaze scanning the surroundings. Then she pointed to a tour bus with an advertisement for "Shangjing City Three Days Seven Nights Travel Group" and whispered, "Is it that one?"
Jia Shasha took out a photo from his chest and compared it carefully. "That's right. It matches the one in the notification. That's it."
The two of them quickened their pace and walked straight to the tour bus. A figure dressed as a tour guide was leaning against the door, glancing at them casually.
"Sorry, the travel group is already full."
"We're only attending the night session." Jia Shasha recited the code phrase from the notification.
The tour guide studied them carefully, then nodded slightly and took out a roster. "Which squad?"
"136th squad stationed in Cangnan City, Jia Shasha, Zhen Xiaoyi."
"Mm, get on."
The two of them boarded the bus and found five or six people already seated. They should all be Night Watch members from various parts of Great Xia attending this celebration, about the same age as them. The group exchanged glances and nodded subtly.
"I saw a training camp classmate of mine." After sitting down, Zhen Xiaoyi whispered to Jia Shasha.
"Then why don't you go say hello?"
"I... I don't dare... Back in training camp, I wasn't close to any of them..."
"...Then forget it. Less trouble is better."
"Have the dumplings in your bag melted?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't you check?"
"No way... there are so many people on this bus. If anyone sees us carrying two big bags of dumplings all the way from Cangnan, how embarrassing."
"Then, then give me the bag. I'll cool it down for you."
After hesitating for a moment, Jia Shasha still switched backpacks with Zhen Xiaoyi. As time passed, more and more Night Watch members boarded. Another half hour later, the vehicle slowly started and headed toward the end of the road.
"Jia Shasha, you came too?!" A surprised voice came from behind Jia Shasha.
Jia Shasha looked back. Sitting right behind him was a former training camp classmate. "Yeah, what a coincidence."
"I've run into so many familiar faces along the way... Hey, what's in your bag? It's so bulging."
"...Nothing much, just some daily necessities." Jia Shasha secretly hugged the backpack tighter. The icy cold air seeped out from inside the bag, making his whole body tremble slightly from the chill.