Chapter Twenty-Four: Conflict on the Plane

“All right, you rascal, always so unserious, flattering me now. Hurry up and make sure that student has a good meal, then send him off to catch his flight. The people from Bureau 49 will soon arrive to take away the corpse of that creature, and we’re getting ready to head back ourselves.”

“Captain, what’s the deal with Bureau 49? Are they just here to pick the fruit of our labor?” Jiang Ming said, clearly annoyed.

“What are you thinking? They have their own specialists, here to study the creature. Besides, if I handed the monster over to you, would you really be able to research it? Ah, I see, you’ve got a bias against Bureau 49, don’t you?” The captain scolded him again. “Ever since you failed to make it through their selection last year, you’ve had a chip on your shoulder about them.”

“Of course, Captain. Those people from Bureau 49 are cold-hearted. They allow a mortality rate in their selection process, and every one of them acts so arrogantly,” Jiang Ming replied.

“You don’t know a damn thing. They have every right to be proud. Did you know Bureau 49 has been around for nearly seventy years? Do you have any idea how many have sacrificed their lives there?” The captain’s face was grave. “Such harsh selection is meant to ensure that, when carrying out special missions, there won’t be needless losses. I’d rather you bleed a little in peacetime than die on the battlefield. If you fall in combat, there won’t even be anyone left to collect your body.”

Jiang Ming didn’t argue further. He avoided looking at the captain, unable to meet his gaze. He understood what the captain was saying, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to like the people from Bureau 49.

“Alright, go on now. See that the high school student gets something to eat, then send him to the airport so he can head home early,” the captain said when Jiang Ming fell silent.

Without another word, Jiang Ming stood up and left to make arrangements for the student. Once Jiang Ming exited the tent, the commanding center was left with only the captain.

The captain stared at the tent’s entrance for a long moment, then muttered to himself, “Jiang Ming, I know exactly what’s on your mind, but so many things aren’t as simple as they seem.”

…

An hour later, Feng Yisheng was sitting in the waiting lounge of Taishan Airport.

Though it was called Taishan Airport, it was in fact the largest airport in all of Ludong Province. Because it was close to Mount Tai, it borrowed the name. The ride from the scenic area to the airport had taken more than half an hour.

Holding his boarding pass, Feng Yisheng ran his fingers over it, thinking to himself, “The perks of privilege are truly enviable.”

He never expected that, as a mere high school student, he’d enjoy such special treatment. He didn’t even need his ID—Jiang Ming had taken care of everything. Because first-class tickets needed advance booking, Jiang Ming managed to secure an economy seat for him. Feng Yisheng didn’t mind; after all, it was his first time flying.

His parents often traveled for leisure, but they never took him along. Their reasoning: they didn’t want him to ‘eat dog food’—to witness their affection.

On the way to the airport, Jiang Ming’s excessive attentiveness unsettled Feng Yisheng. It was almost creepy; what kind of man keeps stroking another man’s hand? If it were a girl, he’d welcome it, but this was a man. The thought gave Feng Yisheng goosebumps, but at least he was finally going home.

Sitting in the waiting lounge, Feng Yisheng wondered if his parents were worried about his disappearance over the past few days. He had tried calling them from the military camp, but no one answered. Though worried, he decided not to dwell on it, giving himself a mental nudge. He’d find out why his parents hadn’t answered once he got back to Changnan City.

…

Less than ten minutes later, it was time to board. With nothing to carry, Feng Yisheng easily made his way onto the plane and quickly found his seat as indicated on the boarding pass. He closed his eyes, intending to rest.

“Excuse me, would you mind getting up? My seat is inside,” came a pleasant female voice.

Feng Yisheng looked up. It was a woman of about twenty-five or twenty-six, bearing a resemblance to a TV actress. She was stylishly dressed in a long white dress, her height—about one meter sixty-five—accentuating her excellent figure. She wore large sunglasses, concealing her eyes from everyone else, but Feng Yisheng was an exception. Through the lenses, he could clearly see her delicate, refined Eastern features.

Noticing her gesture, Feng Yisheng realized her seat was next to his, so he stood up without a word and let her pass. After sitting down, she thanked him.

Feng Yisheng returned what he hoped was a charming smile. Seeing she didn’t respond, he didn’t press the matter but closed his eyes again to rest.

…

“Ranran, no wonder I couldn’t find you. So this is where you are. But what are you doing in economy class, where only commoners sit?” A man’s voice came from behind.

His voice was loud enough to insult the entire economy cabin, prompting everyone to look up. The man, however, paid no heed to their stares, focusing only on the woman beside Feng Yisheng, as if Feng Yisheng didn’t exist.

“Fan Jian, call me Li Ran, okay? And since this is economy class, why don’t you return to your superior seat? I’d like to rest, so please don’t disturb me,” Li Ran said, closing her eyes.

Feng Yisheng overheard, finding the man’s name rather peculiar—did his parents have a grudge against him to name him so? The thought nearly made him laugh, but realizing it would be impolite, he forced himself to hold back, though it was difficult.

“Ranran, Auntie asked me to take good care of you. If you’re in economy class, how can I do that?” Despite Li Ran’s lack of courtesy, Fan Jian persisted, eager to please. “I even got you a first-class ticket; it’s a waste if you don’t use it.”

…

Fan Jian waited for less than half a minute. Seeing Li Ran still refused to acknowledge him, he glanced at Feng Yisheng and came up with an idea. “Hey, kid, let’s swap tickets—my first-class for your economy. Make it quick.”

“No, thank you,” Feng Yisheng replied without hesitation.