Chapter 2

  Didn't you say we'd go to my place and play for a few days first? Liu Junhao asked hastily.

  Go away! Isn't this going well? Shao Hui snorted in derision.

  The flight attendant finished demonstrating the actions, and the plane started climbing. Some passengers couldn't bear such stimulation and let out low cries. Shao Hui turned his head towards the window and quietly looked at the ground that was getting farther and farther away. The gray sky was filled with thickening snowflakes, and the plane roared as it pulled itself and its hometown closer. He imagined his parents' kind faces, tightened his coat, and a warm feeling arose in his heart.

  Sir, we have noodles and chicken fried rice, which one would you like? A flight attendant asked while pushing the meal cart.

  Forget it, let's have braised pork head instead! Liu Junhao replied very succinctly.

  I'm sorry sir, we only have noodles and chicken fried rice, which one would you like?

  Oh, I see, let's have chicken fried rice then. Liu Junhao was somewhat disappointed.

  The flight attendant handed over a box of rice and then asked Zuo Ming on the side, who had accepted the lesson earlier. He nodded at the rice very calmly, took the box of rice, opened it, and said without lifting his head: "Add more garlic for me later!"

  The flight attendant was taken aback: Sorry, garlic is not provided on the plane.

  After these two rounds of question and answer, the three people suddenly became the focus in the cabin. Many passengers around couldn't help but laugh out loud. Finally, Shao Hui said very gentlemanly to save face: Give me a bowl of noodles and that's it, thank you.

  The flight attendant smiled and handed the lunch box to Shao Hui, then quickly scanned the three of them with her eyes. Shao Hui understood this gaze, which was clearly distinguishing him from the two rustic-looking men in front of him. Thinking of this, he felt a little proud, and continued to show off his knowledge:

  Do you provide drinks?

  We have... The flight attendant was about to introduce her profession when Shao Hui waved his hand: That's good, bring two bottles of Er Guo Tou!

  As soon as the words fell, the cabin suddenly boiled over, and many passengers sprayed out the food they had just eaten. The flight attendant, who had seen countless people, was also stunned by this scene, standing there in a daze. Liu Junhao didn't know why everyone was like this, and urged the flight attendant: Stewardess, what are you staring at? Hurry up!

  This sentence was like adding fuel to the fire, and the passengers' laughter drowned out the roar of the plane's engines. The flight attendant, after realizing what had happened, replied with a mixture of tears and laughter: "I'm really sorry, we only provide halal food, your request is really impossible to fulfill." After finishing speaking, she quickly pushed the cart towards the rear passengers.

  It's all over, we've made total fools of ourselves! Zuo Ming whispered to them.

  Fortunately, I didn't wear a military uniform, or it would be even more embarrassing. Shao Hui said with his head down, staring at the noodles.

  Never mind, nobody knows each other anyway. Liu Junhao casually held a spoon to prepare for dinner and comforted his two comrades at the same time.

  Haha, they won't be the ones who were locked up for over a decade and just released, will they? A passenger in the back said to his companion. Liu Junhao heard this and excitedly turned his head: How did you know?

  Slap! Shao Hui slapped him on the head: You don't know good from bad! They're treating us like criminals!

  At this time, Zuo Ming, who was in a hurry, suddenly stood up and pointed at the passenger with his finger, saying: "What did you just say? Dare to say it again!"

  The aura emitted by a soldier with special experiences is completely different from that of ordinary people, especially when the former feels insulted and his eyes are filled with anger. Zuo Ming's angular face and murderous gaze greatly intimidated all the passengers, and the entire cabin suddenly fell silent. Zuo Ming stood up and glared at the passenger fiercely, then slowly sat down and took a sip of water. The air marshal, who was watching from afar, suddenly let out a sigh of relief and slowly sat down as well.

  The plane flew steadily, Shao Hui stretched out his right hand in the shape of an "eight" to measure the approximate speed outside the window, looked at his watch and said to Zuoming: We've been away from Beijing for a while now, it shouldn't take too long to get to Xiaohei's place.

  No, at most two and a half hours, let's not stay too long at Xiao Hei's house, they just got back home and need to reunite, besides we also need to hurry back home. Zuo Ming said softly to Shao Hui.

  I've got a number in mind, Xiao Hei's so enthusiastic about the invitation, if we don't go it would be too ungrateful. Let's stay for two days and hurry back, we should also return home to accompany our elders. Shao Hui lowered his body slightly and replied in a half-sitting, half-reclining position.

  "By the way, does your uncle and aunt at home know about the injury on your belly?" Left Ming asked with concern.

  I don't know, I'll drag it out as long as I can. Shao Hui covered his abdomen, with a look of confusion on his face.

  The cabin was silent, with only the sound of the engines roaring stubbornly. Shao Hui wrapped his towel tightly around him and prepared to take a short nap. The flight attendant in front was watching all the passengers, waiting to get up and serve at any time.

  Ladies and gentlemen, please note that due to special reasons, the plane needs to return. Sorry for the inconvenience caused to everyone.

  Attention all passengers... The sudden broadcast of the return notice three times in a row awakened the drowsy travelers, and everyone's eyes focused on the flight attendant's face to get a specific answer.

  What a joke! I have big business to discuss on my side, who's responsible if it affects my business? A passenger suddenly stood up and shouted at the flight attendant in Cantonese.

  It's all because we're taking a plane to save time, but now you've delayed our time, how are you going to take responsibility? All the passengers blew up and vented their dissatisfaction to the flight attendants. The flight attendants were at a loss for what to do, luckily the captain appeared in time to rescue her: Everyone, please don't get excited, we just received notification from the ground to return, as for the reason, I'm not clear either, everything will be clear when we arrive at the airport.

  "What nonsense are you talking about? You don't even know the reason and you're turning back for no reason? Is it because of the weather? A little snow and you're not willing to fly? What do you take us passengers as?! One passenger sitting in his seat stretched out his neck and shouted loudly at the flight attendants."

  Really! Don't know why you're turning back? Stop fooling us, is it out of fuel or has the plane been hijacked? Another passenger refused to show weakness and continued to be fierce.

  The captain, whose hair was slightly gray, pressed down with both hands: I'm really sorry to all the passengers. I don't know why the plane is returning. If it's hijacked, I probably won't be here either. We're just following orders. Hope everyone can bear with us a little longer. We'll arrive at the capital airport soon. The captain finished speaking and walked into the cockpit without looking back, ignoring the passengers' complaints.

  Shao Hui lay on the chair, coldly staring at these passengers. Next to him, Liu Junhao turned his head and said: Now it's all over, going back to Beijing and starting again, how long will it take to get back to my house?

  You've been through a decade of hellish life, what's this little time to you? Shao Hui's tone was abnormally cold, without any warmth.

  At that time, there was no hope of going home at all. Now it's almost possible to go home but can't go home, are you okay?

  Alas... Shao Hui relaxed his body a bit more, tightened the towel blanket and closed his eyes without saying another word.

  Not long after, the plane that had just left the airport flew back over Beijing and began to descend in preparation for landing. Shao Hui felt a slight jolt as he opened his eyes, and Li Ming and Liu Junhao did the same, quietly waiting for the airport to process things and take off again. After the plane landed safely, it taxied along the runway, with a layer of white snow already accumulated on either side. The plane slid smoothly through the snowy landscape like a jade belt, until it came to an abrupt stop amidst the swaying snowflakes. At this moment, the passengers inside the cabin became quiet and waited for the outcome. A long time passed, and the oppressive atmosphere in the cabin grew heavier, with passengers starting to complain again and even curse out loud. Shao Hui and his two companions remained still, lying motionless under their blankets with their eyes closed. Another long period of time passed, and then there was a sudden noise from the loudspeaker, which caused the cabin to fall silent momentarily. However, the loudspeaker only made one sound before falling silent again, leaving the passengers feeling deceived and getting up to find the captain to ask for an explanation. Li Ming looked at those passengers with disdain.

  I apologize for the delay and inconvenience caused to everyone's journey. Please return to your seats as the plane is about to take off.