"Can you help me check someone’s flight information?"
Jiang Chen got straight to the point.
"I can’t. I’m just a flight attendant; I don’t have that authority."
"Tong Dan, can you think of a way for me? This is very important to me; the person is an important client of mine."
He, of course, knew Tong Dan was just a flight attendant and was very clear about a flight attendant’s authority, but as an internal employee of an airline company, one usually has some connections.
Being so young, Tong Dan managed to work in the first-class cabin. Jiang Chen certainly didn’t believe it was solely due to her outstanding work ability. At least within the airline company, she must have good relations with some high-level executives.
The only problem was that Jiang Chen couldn’t be sure if Lan Peizhi was actually on a flight with Tong Dan’s airline.
However, whether she was or wasn’t, he had to try.
"Jiang Chen. You’re putting me in a tough spot. If I’m discovered, I’ll be fired."
"I will absolutely not betray you. We’ve known each other for so long; don’t you trust my character?"
Jiang Chen was completely unaware of himself.
As expected, a cold laugh came quickly from the other end.
"Ha, I really don’t trust you."
Jiang Chen turned a deaf ear.
"Tong Dan, just this once."
There was silence on the other end.
"Send me her name, and I’ll try. But I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to find anything."
"Okay, she’s currently in Capital City and should be leaving tomorrow; the destination is Jinguancheng."
After that, Jiang Chen sent the name Lan Peizhi over again.
Naturally, Tong Dan wouldn’t be aware of the significance hidden within this name.
This time, Jiang Chen waited a long time, about more than an hour before his cell phone rang again.
"This person isn’t on our company’s flight. I asked a friend from another airline to find her information. They took a big risk to help me with this favor; you have to remember not to disclose it."
"I’ll send you her flight information later."
That girl still hadn’t changed—sharp-tongued but with a heart of tofu.
"Don’t thank me. You should know who you really should be thanking, you ungrateful wretch."
After hurling another insult, Tong Dan hung up with an audio message.
The flight information was sent over.
There was no response from the other side.
Then Jiang Chen opened up his chat with Fang Qing, typed a few characters, then deleted them all. Staring at the name above the chat box, he didn’t disturb her rest.
Two o’clock in the afternoon.
Flight JN136 took off on time from Capital City, bound for Jinguancheng in Bashu.
Lan Peizhi sat by the window, gazing at the rolling clouds, when suddenly an unexpected voice sounded from beside her.
"Miss Lan? What a coincidence!"
Although a scriptless life is always full of various surprises, some people are averse to the word "surprise," or rather, they will do everything possible to prevent "surprises" from happening.
But at that moment, when she turned her head and saw the young man who had stopped in the aisle, seemingly heading to the bathroom, Lan Peizhi inevitably felt a tinge of what could be called surprise.
Her ethereal brows tightened briefly as she watched him for while before speaking, "What are you doing here?"
"Last night, when Miss Lan mentioned Jinguancheng, I thought I’d fulfill a long-standing wish of mine to visit Bashu. So, I changed flights at the last minute and it turned out to be the same one as yours."
Jiang Chen’s expression was perfectly natural, without the slightest flaw.
"It seems I’m really fated to meet Miss Lan."
Their encounter in Las Vegas, and now this unexpected meeting, indeed seemed like fate.
Even if Lan Peizhi was powerful, she could not foresee everything; how could she have known that he would go to such lengths?
Looking at his sincerely surprised smiling face, her heart also involuntarily harbored a subtle feeling.
"Indeed, quite a coincidence."
Jiang Chen managed to look unfazed, but he silently heaved a sigh of relief, knowing he should have muddled through this hurdle for the time being.
After exchanging greetings, he didn’t foolishly pester her further and wisely headed to the restroom.
During the entire flight, he didn’t bother her again.
In contrast, Lan Peizhi occasionally glanced over at his seat.
From Capital City to Jinguancheng, it was only about three hours.
"Is Miss Lan visiting relatives in Jinguancheng this time?"
Jiang Chen naturally deplaned along with Lan Peizhi as if it were expected.
How should I put it—by now, we can be considered friends with an adequate level of rapport, and we’re about to become business partners as well. Jiang Chen doesn’t believe that the other party would be so indifferent.
Lan Peizhi hails from Bashu.
Now that we have arrived in Bashu, shouldn’t we fulfill the duties of a host?
At such a juncture, it’s time to test the thickness of one’s skin.
From deplaning to exiting the airport, even though Lan Peizhi seldom responded, Jiang Chen tirelessly tried every means to strike up a conversation.
Outside the airport, a black car was parked there.
In a place like Capital City, it was hardly noticeable, not to mention for someone like Lan Peizhi.
In Jiang Chen’s imagination, Lan Peizhi’s return to Capital City should involve fanfare, fireworks, leaders crowding around to receive her—at the very least, a grand fleet of vehicles, right?
Isn’t this too low-key?
Moreover, after handing over the car keys to Lan Peizhi, the driver turned and left.
"Miss Lan, how about we have a meal together?"
Jiang Chen suppressed the doubts in his heart and extended the invitation logically and appropriately.
The flight went smoothly and was punctual. It was just past five in the afternoon, which was the perfect time for dinner.
Apart from the principles of hospitality, seeing Jiang Chen all alone and isolated, any person would likely find it difficult to decline.
She had just generously agreed to take over the Apang Palace project.
Standing by the car, Lan Peizhi remained silent for a long moment.
Jiang Chen didn’t know what she was thinking.
Is having a meal together really that difficult? Does it warrant such hesitation?
"I’m afraid I don’t have the time."
Upon hearing this, even if not utterly disheartened, Jiang Chen couldn’t help feeling somewhat choked up.
He had been so dedicated, having managed to create a seamless coincidence; was he really going to have to turn back home now?
However, Jiang Chen also understood very well that with someone like Lan Peizhi, one must not act rashly or advance recklessly, but move step by step with caution.
"... Since Miss Lan has urgent matters, then never mind."
He showed a genuine expression of disappointment; he was truly acting this time, appearing understanding while also looking somewhat—
He stood by the roadside alone, forcing a smile: "Since Miss Lan has important matters, you should go ahead."
"You don’t have friends in Capital City?"
Jiang Chen shook his head, "It’s my first time visiting Capital City. I don’t know anyone here. It’s alright; I will just look around by myself."
He might have been better off not mentioning it; the more he said, the more it seemed to make it difficult for the other person to disregard.
If it were not for the Apang Palace project, Lan Peizhi would likely not have any hesitation and would have probably just driven away, but the higher people stand, the more they value relationships.
That’s why they say that debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay.
"If it’s just simple and plain food, would you mind?"
Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned upon hearing her words, then quickly responded, hurrying to say, "Not at all, I’m not picky about food."
Lan Peizhi opened the car door, "Get in."
Jiang Chen’s mood took a turn for the better, and he graciously offered, "Miss Lan, let me drive."
"Do you know the way?"
A simple question left him speechless.
Lan Peizhi had already taken the driver’s seat.
Jiang Chen no longer hesitated, quickly caught up, opened the door, and got into the passenger seat.
The black BMW 3 Series left the airport.
How many men have had the privilege of being driven by the Blood Guanyin? And.
It was a true two-person world.
Even Jiang Chen, at this moment, couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion, unable to stay calm.
"It might take over an hour."
Lan Peizhi’s voice was light and indifferent.
Going for a meal, is that so far away?
Jiang Chen was puzzled, but he didn’t ask further, and said with a casual smile, "No problem, I’m not too hungry actually, no rush."
Lan Peizhi didn’t speak again.
Indeed, Jiang Chen didn’t know the way and it was his first time in Capital City, but he gradually sensed something amiss.
It seemed that they were not heading toward the city center?
He couldn’t help but glance at the Blood Guanyin who was driving, and his unusual mood became slightly anxious.
Besides being a target of his schemes, this woman was also a godfather-level figure.
She couldn’t possibly be plotting against him after seeing an opportunity for profit, could she?