Chapter 1193: Attending the Meeting

"Huh? Mr. Sun!""Good morning, Mr. Sun!"While lost in thought on his way to the Mid-Hill Hotel, Sun Bumian suddenly heard voices nearby. He turned to see several young figures, also carrying Wu Mountain Conference briefcases, hurrying towards him.

Sun Bumian found these faces somewhat familiar; they were also guests at the Wu Mountain Conference. At the dinner last night, some had even approached him to chat, but Sun Bumian was busy earnestly pouring drinks for Han Xiang at the time and hadn't really engaged in a proper conversation.

"Mr. Sun, you're going to the Mid-Hill Hotel too, right? We're going the same way!""Yes, Mr. Sun, what a coincidence.""Have you had breakfast, Mr. Sun? I brought some bread..."

As a distinguished guest of Bureau 749, Sun Bumian was an enigmatic figure, and it was impossible for the younger generation not to be interested in him. Although after last night's events, everyone vaguely sensed that Mr. Sun had a very difficult temper and was hard to get along with, some still wanted to strike up a conversation.

However, Sun Bumian's mind was preoccupied with other matters and he wasn't interested in small talk. He responded curtly with "Mm," "Oh," and "No need." The young people, however, remained enthusiastic. Despite Sun Bumian's aloofness, they paid no attention and continued to laugh and joke, making a lively commotion the whole way.

Although Sun Bumian was preoccupied, he didn't dislike the lively atmosphere, so he didn't drive the young people away and continued walking with them towards the Mid-Hill Hotel.

"Huh? It doesn't seem like a holiday today, does it? Why are there colorful lanterns everywhere on the street?"

As soon as this question was asked, it triggered Sun Bumian's deeply ingrained festive instinct.He immediately looked up ahead, seeing colorful ribbons already hung above the street, fluttering like rolling waves in the wind and making rustling sounds. Most of the residential areas on both sides were also adorned with beautiful lanterns, reminiscent of the Lantern Festival. Even the pedestrians on the street were noticeably more numerous than yesterday, with groups of children running together, full of life and vitality.

For Sun Bumian, this atmosphere was like a refreshing fine wine; merely taking a sip made him feel utterly relaxed.

"It seems to be a traditional festival in Wushan, what's it called... the Colorful Lantern Festival? It looks quite lively.""I saw a market over there. We could go check it out after the meeting. Yesterday, the hotel receptionist said there would even be dragon and lion dance performances!""That's great... you don't see scenes like this in the city anymore, there's no vibrancy at all, sigh..."

Upon hearing the words "lion dance performance," Sun Bumian's eyes immediately lit up.

"Wushan is great," Sun Bumian nodded repeatedly. "Wushan... I must come often."

"It seems Mr. Sun also likes a lively atmosphere, ha ha ha ha...""Mr. Sun, remember to call me next time you visit."

Just as those around him were echoing his sentiments, Sun Bumian's gaze suddenly fell on a spot by the street...

At the entrance of a small house facing the street, several young figures in ill-fitting suits were huddled together, each holding a string of colorful lanterns, talking animatedly.

"These lights have to go on the door, how can they look good on the wall?""How can you put them on the door? Won't they get caught when you close it? Hang the ribbons on the door! The lanterns go on the wall!""You, you, you... let Sister Xiaoyu judge! Let's see who's right!""Alright, whoever's wrong will be the loser later!""Xiao Pao! Xiao Pao!! Hand over the glue!!""Coming, godfathers!"

Brother Pao grinned as he brought the glue and scissors to the doorway. Just as he was about to speak, his peripheral vision caught sight of Sun Bumian and the others passing by the entrance, and his eyes immediately lit up!

"Look! It's Big Brother!!"

As soon as he spoke, everyone spun their heads to look behind them. Upon spotting Sun Bumian in the crowd, they immediately began waving enthusiastically!

Even Xiaoyu came out of the house, leaning on a crutch. After Shen Nan's Disaster Dispelling Nuo Dance, her complexion had improved significantly in just one day, and she no longer needed her wheelchair.

Seeing Brother Pao and the others looking their way, Sun Bumian also smiled and waved back.

"Is Big Brother going to a meeting?""Looks like it, he's carrying a briefcase..."

Brother Pao stepped to the front, cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone, and shouted loudly:"Big Brother!! Remember to come for dinner tonight!!!"

Seeing this, Sun Bumian smiled somewhat helplessly but still raised his hand to make an "okay" gesture.

"Mr. Sun actually has followers?""Are you crazy? It's normal for Mr. Sun to have not just followers, but students, even disciples, right?""But they look like ordinary people...""What's wrong with ordinary people? Who wasn't an ordinary person at some point?""That's true..."

Amidst the chatter of the people around him, Sun Bumian gradually moved away from Wushan Town. A continuous drizzle enveloped the mountains ahead, and a hotel on the hillside appeared faintly through the mist.

From this point, the road became rugged and difficult, as if they were truly beginning a mountain climb.

"By the way, why would Bureau 749 choose a place like this for the meeting...? The Huixian Guesthouse, though dilapidated, at least doesn't require climbing a mountain, right?""Who knows? Maybe it's a form of cultural immersion? Part of the conference?"

The meeting time mentioned by Sun Zhongliang was approaching rapidly. As expected, Sun Bumian and the others were the last group of guests to arrive. They reached the entrance of the Mid-Hill Hotel almost exactly on time. Over a dozen staff members had been waiting for a long while, and outside the hotel perimeter, a large number of military personnel stood guard.

"The hotel is ordinary, but the display of force is quite something," a young man remarked, seeing the orderly figures lined up at the entrance.

"Please come over here to register first, then wait for instructions to enter."As everyone entered the hotel lobby, the welcoming staff member spoke with a smile.

After the group signed their names on the form, the staff member counted the number of people, motioned for some to follow him, and asked the others to wait where they were.

"What does that mean? We have to enter in two groups?""I apologize, but due to the limited capacity of the elevator, the rest of you will have to wait for a moment...""Mr. Sun, please go first.""No need, I'll be the last," Sun Bumian said, waving his hand.

Sun Bumian stood in the lobby, watching a group of young figures depart amidst laughter. Soon, the entire hotel fell silent.

Sun Bumian picked up the sign-in sheet; except for "Fu Kun," which remained blank, almost all the other guests had arrived.

Misty vapor drifted around Wushan, turning the view outside the Mid-Hill Hotel's windows into a vast white expanse, as if completely isolated from the world. No one walked around casually, no one chatted. Rather than a hotel venue, it felt more like a solemn military base. This deathly quiet atmosphere filled Sun Bumian with an ominous premonition.

Finally, a staff member approached from the rear."Mr. Sun, please follow me."