Chapter 32 of 100

Chapter 32

14 min read3,601 words

Chapter Thirty-Two: The Grim Reaper Arrives

At the Hai Du City International Airport, several Boeing aircraft, like gentle ladies, were parked on the runway. Under the sunlight, they emitted a dazzling and brilliant light.

The sky was a clear blue, washed clean, with a bright red sun hanging in the middle, and not a cloud in sight.

A pilot shaded his eyes and looked at the sky, smiling contentedly: "What a fine day! This kind of weather is perfect for high-altitude flying."

A maintenance worker ran over and said to him, "Xiao Wu, we just received a temporary notice. You have to fly an additional trip."

Xiao Wu frowned and said, "What's going on? I've already taken leave, and my girlfriend is waiting for me to go to her place! This is my first time going to her place; I can't break my promise, can I?"

The maintenance worker shrugged helplessly, "I heard there's a special mission! Who else would they call but the best pilot in our company? Who else would they ask?"

"Is there another big shot going abroad?" Xiao Wu asked.

"Yes, I heard it's the Party Secretary of Hai Du City!"

Hai Du City is a municipality and one of the top economic cities in the country. The Party Secretary is a ministerial-level official, concurrently serving as a member of the Central Political Bureau. Many former Party Secretaries have later become national leaders. For such a prominent figure to travel, the best pilots are always chosen.

Xiao Wu nodded helplessly, "I'll go tell my girlfriend."

Xiao Wu was a retired excellent pilot, once a top ace in the Air Force. After transitioning to civilian life, he joined the Hai Du City International Airport as a pilot and found a beautiful and gentle flight attendant as his girlfriend.

"Xiao Qian, you mustn't blame me, and you must wait for me to come back!" Xiao Wu thought to himself as he quickly ran to the office.

At this moment, a group of people slowly walked into the airport entrance. A dozen plainclothes guards were dispersed around, providing security.

The leader of the group, with a commanding presence and an aura of authority, was Lin Guorong, a member of the Central Political Bureau and the Party Secretary of Hai Du City. Behind him were the relevant leaders and advisors for this visit to the United States.

The airport's director led a group to greet them, smiling from a distance, "Secretary Lin, you've arrived! Everything is ready, and we will depart at twelve o'clock. We've arranged the best pilot for you, a former ace in the military. For the crew, we've selected only the best and most experienced, ensuring your safety and comfort."

Lin Guorong nodded slightly, acknowledging his work.

The director walked alongside Lin Guorong, neither too close nor too far, and said, "Secretary Lin, should we arrange a special aircraft to escort you? This flight is about 70-80% full, which might be a bit chaotic."

Lin Guorong stopped and glared at him, "What kind of person do you think I am? Do I need a special aircraft just to go abroad?"

The director, having flattered the wrong person, inwardly cursed but kept his smile, "Hehe, Secretary Lin, you're right. How about this: we issue a notice to have the passengers on this flight transfer to the next one..."

"Ridiculous!" Lin Guorong was displeased, "This is just fine! No need to change anything. Why are we visiting? Isn't it to learn advanced technology from abroad and improve the living standards of the people? How can we affect the normal lives of the people because of our visit? That would be counterproductive!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" The director still smiled, knowing that although the leader was upset, he wasn't truly annoyed by his actions. In the political arena, leaders often don't care if you do things right or wrong; they only care if you do them and how you do them. In short, the attitude is the most important.

The group walked through the waiting hall toward the VIP room.

In the waiting hall, people waiting to board were anxiously looking at their watches and the boarding gates.

A breathtakingly beautiful girl sat among the crowd. She sat quietly, as if a refreshing fragrance was spreading around her. Men and women around her all stared at her, but she seemed to be in a vast, empty wilderness, so detached and independent, like a snow lotus on the Tianshan Mountains, blooming alone in a secluded valley, exuding a free and romantic aura.

Her large, expressive eyes seemed to have ripples of water in them. If you accidentally met her gaze, you could feel her silently telling you something, like a long-lost lover. Her soft, cherry lips were like a transparent red gemstone, set on her delicate face. Her long, lustrous black hair flowed like a waterfall, perfectly draped over her slightly sloping shoulders.

Beside her sat a man and a woman, seemingly her parents.

Watching Lin Guorong and his group walk by, the man sighed softly, "Guorong probably won't recognize me! In just a few years, he's achieved so much! It's not impossible for him to govern the central government in the future!"

The girl blinked her beautiful eyes, "Dad, you know that big official?"

The woman laughed, "He's your father's college classmate! Comparing people, it's just too much!"

The girl giggled, "My dad is pretty good too! Mom, you should be content!"

The man suddenly said, "Let's go back! We won't go to the United States today, we'll go another day!"

The woman frowned, "Chu Mingyue, are you afraid to see Lin Guorong?"

Chu Mingyue chuckled, "How could that be! Alright, alright, let's go!"

The woman proudly linked arms with him, "Don't worry, my heart is only for you!"

Chu Mingyue patted his wife's hand and smiled happily.

Through the transparent glass wall, one could see the tarmac and the runway, where the crew of Flight H308 was conducting the final security checks on the aircraft.

Several plainclothes guards boarded the plane for the final safety confirmation.

Several neatly dressed flight attendants stood in a row, receiving special instructions from their superiors before the flight. Next to them were uniformly styled suitcases.

Ground crew and flight attendants moved back and forth, making the final preparations before takeoff.

The director walked to Lin Guorong's side, bent down, and smiled, "Secretary Lin, it's time to board."

Lin Guorong hummed in acknowledgment, straightened his tie, and stood up.

His entourage followed his steps, led by the staff through a special passage to the tarmac.

Five minutes later, the airport's public address system began announcing the boarding of Flight H308.

The security gate in the waiting room finally opened, and the crowd surged toward the gate, forming a long line.

A man raised his passport and ticket, laughing triumphantly, "America, here I come!"

A foreign couple embraced, making their final goodbyes. The man lifted the woman's face and kissed her deeply in public.

A couple with a ten-year-old boy was instructing him on how to adapt to the learning environment in the United States.

Everything was so harmonious and joyful.

A bored airport security guard yawned: This day was no different from any other, just as boring and drowsy.

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