Chapter 48: A Mission Arrives

Watching her father drive away, Bai Xian felt an immense sense of relief. Standing at the entrance of the villa, she couldn’t help but make a cheerful gesture before turning around and heading back inside.

"That girl is quite adorable," remarked a woman sitting in the second row of a slowly passing community vehicle, her gaze lingering on the vibrant girl by Villa Number Six.

The sales manager driving the car quickly chimed in, "Director Lin, that’s Miss Bai from Number Six. She moved in almost half a month ago."

Director Lin pressed her red lips together thoughtfully. "I heard rumors that this area is haunted..."

"Just gossip, really. The reason Zone Three hasn’t opened yet is simply because the infrastructure isn’t finished. You saw Miss Bai just now—she’s living here perfectly well," the manager explained.

Lin nodded, seemingly reassured.

The manager cautiously asked, "Director Lin, is there a villa you’re interested in? I could show you around the interior."

"Alright, let’s look at the one next to that young lady’s," Lin replied.

The sales agent was overjoyed to hear this. "Certainly."

Ding-dong.

Gao Sheng adjusted his black-framed glasses and stepped back after pressing the doorbell.

The door opened, revealing Bai Xian in casual homewear, her youthful aura immediately filling the space.

Gao Sheng smiled. "Miss Bai, it’s been a while."

Inside the living room, Bai Xian tossed a bottle of cola toward him before settling onto the sofa, eyeing this unexpected guest warily.

Gao Sheng was one of the “Special Investigation Division” officers who had previously come to register Bai Xian’s information. His sudden visit could hardly mean anything good.

"No need to be nervous, Miss Bai," Gao Sheng said, sensing her guardedness. He smiled disarmingly. "I’m just here for a routine follow-up. Have you found a job recently?"

Bai Xian shook her head.

Given her current situation, finding a regular full-time job was out of the question. Like most people with supernatural abilities, after encountering demons and ghosts and facing life and death, it was nearly impossible to reintegrate into ordinary society. That was precisely why the state had established the Special Investigation Division to manage people like her.

Gao Sheng wasn’t surprised by her answer. He asked a few more routine questions about her recent circumstances and any difficulties she might be facing.

At last, he revealed the true purpose of his visit.

"The main reason I’m here is that the organization has a task they’d like to entrust to you. Of course, you’re free to refuse."

During her initial registration, Bai Xian had said she was willing to take on government assignments as long as there was compensation.

She hadn’t expected a task to come so soon.

Instantly, she perked up. "How much does it pay? What’s the job?"

Although she still had the 150,000 yuan that Li Jianguo had transferred as a reward, money was never too much, especially with a long road ahead.

"The budget for this assignment is fifty thousand yuan. The task is to protect an archaeological team during their expedition to the mountains. It should last about half a month."

Fifty thousand for half a month!

Bai Xian skimmed the documents Gao Sheng handed her, murmuring as she read, "Southern Sichuan, Warring States, 439 AD..."

Gao Sheng nodded. "Half a month ago, Professor Guan from Sichuan University’s Archaeology Department submitted an application to the government. The target is an ancient site in Yibing District, Changning County—a relic believed to date from the late Jin to early Sui dynasties, likely the domain of a regional warlord and of significant archaeological value."

"After review, the authorities approved the dig and reported it to our division, requesting we assign someone for protection."

The division did have its own field agents, but for temporary, low-risk assignments like this, they usually sent people with special abilities.

"Why does an archaeological dig need protection?" Bai Xian asked, somewhat skeptically.

"Better safe than sorry," Gao Sheng replied with a smile.

After all, if the department didn’t use up its budget, next year’s funding would be reduced.

Not privy to these internal matters, Bai Xian considered the not-so-thick packet of documents.

"Alright, I’ll take the job."

Gao Sheng stood up with a smile and took a small black booklet from his briefcase. "This is a temporary Special Investigation Division ID. It grants you access to certain sensitive areas and allows for limited cooperation from local law enforcement. Half the payment will be transferred to you now; you’ll receive the rest upon completion."

Bai Xian accepted the black booklet, which contained her photo and the words "National Security Bureau," along with a plane ticket for the next morning.

Clearly, Gao Sheng had never expected her to refuse.

"Don’t forget to keep receipts for any additional expenses—those can be reimbursed. Best of luck on your assignment, Miss Bai."

Bai Xian shook his hand. "Thank you for your kind wishes."

Bai Xian’s flight from Jiangbei to Shuangliu Airport took only about half an hour. Exiting the arrival gate, she immediately spotted a sign reading "Sichuan University Archaeology" and pulled her suitcase over.

Miao Hui had gotten the call that morning while researching in the lab. Associate Professor Ma asked him to pick up an escort sent by the authorities at Shuangliu Airport before eleven o’clock.

Taking Professor Ma’s old Santana to the airport, Miao Hui waited at the arrivals gate, holding up the sign through several waves of passengers, but still no sign of the escort.

Another group of passengers emerged, and Miao Hui, by habit, lowered his sign. That’s when he noticed a girl standing in front of him, wearing a baseball cap, a black T-shirt, and gray utility pants. A faint, fresh fragrance reached his nose, making the usually shy Miao Hui blush.

"Um... little sister, can I help you?" he managed, gathering his courage.

The girl took off her cap, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face, with long ebony hair tied back by a red ribbon. Several loose strands framed her face with a playful, breezy charm.

He could swear even the campus beauty at Sichuan University paled in comparison—especially since this girl was completely makeup-free.

Bai Xian pointed at his sign and said calmly, "I’m the one you’re here to pick up."

Miao Hui looked from the sign to Bai Xian and back again. "Huh?!"

Half an hour later—Sichuan University Archaeology Institute Laboratory, small meeting room.

"Miao Hui, come here," called a fellow lab member as soon as he had dropped Bai Xian at the office. The tone brooked no refusal.

A fleeting look of annoyance crossed his face, but he quickly replaced it with a smile and walked over.

"Wu Hao, Diao Tingting, you’re both here too?"

Wu Hao scowled. "Obviously. Where else would we be?"

"We’re leaving first thing tomorrow, and Professor Guan asked us to check the lab and make sure we haven’t forgotten anything," he continued irritably.

In contrast, the girl named Diao Tingting, busy sorting archaeological tools, explained with a gentle smile, her delicate makeup enhancing her soft expression. Miao Hui nearly stared in a daze.

Suddenly, a wad of tissue hit him in the face.

"Stop daydreaming. She’s not yours, no matter how much you stare."

Miao Hui’s face instantly went crimson. "I wasn’t... I wasn’t staring..."

Wu Hao sneered, "We called you over to ask something, not to watch you act like this."

"So, who was that girl you just brought in? She’s really something."

Miao Hui glanced nervously at Diao Tingting, relieved to see she didn’t seem to mind.

"She’s the security escort sent by the authorities—or so I heard..."