Chapter 44: Top-tier VIP

“Hello, please come with us.”

An officer approached the silent crowd and extended an invitation to Zhang Yuan.

“Everyone, wait for me a moment. I have something to attend to.”

It wasn't until Zhang Yuan stood up and walked away that Chen Kun finally snapped out of it, the light returning to his eyes.

“Hey... did Zhang Yuan just save our lives?”

As soon as he said it, the others also regained their senses.

It was true!

If Zhang Yuan hadn't noticed, if they had boarded the plane normally, wouldn't they all be finished!

They would likely have already met the King of Hell by now.

Liu Xiaoli held her daughter tightly, pressing the girl's head against her chest, her breathing heavy and ragged.

The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became!

Liu Qianqian, nestled in her mother's arms, had vacant eyes; she still hadn't fully processed what had happened.

After questioning and confirming that Zhang Yuan had no connection to the suspect—having discovered it by chance—the police searched his records. Once they confirmed he had no criminal record or any criminal intent, they allowed him to leave.

Zhang Yuan understood that such serious incidents required caution and was very cooperative.

“Do good deeds without asking about the future; at least I haven't lived a wasted life.”

“Hello, Mr. Zhang Yuan, please make your way to the VIP lounge. Our General Manager would like to see you.” Just as he stepped out, a well-presented woman in a uniform spoke to him softly in standard Mandarin with impeccable etiquette.

“I still have a group of friends with me...”

“They are already waiting for you there. Please follow me.”

Following her to a set of double doors, two young women in red pushed the doors open, revealing an exquisitely decorated VIP lounge before Zhang Yuan.

With wall-to-wall crimson carpets, a ten-meter-long traditional Chinese hanging scroll, and white porcelain teacups with lids, Zhang Yuan felt like a high-ranking official the moment he stepped inside, let alone sat down.

The entire room could be described in two words: grand.

Meanwhile, in the corridor outside, a staff member was pushing a wheelchair, upon which sat a man in a formal suit.

The wheelchair stopped just before the door, and the man sitting in it gripped the armrests firmly as he slowly stood up.

This man was named Song Jianguo, the former Deputy General Manager of Northern Airlines, and a native of Northeast China.

He had just been transferred to Beijing Airport last month to serve as its General Manager.

Just moments ago, his subordinates had rushed to him in a panic to report the emergency incident.

Upon hearing the news, Song Jianguo had nearly fainted on the spot.

*How did I end up with such a mess!*

*I've only been here for a month!*

His secretary rubbed his chest and patted his back, taking quite a while to help the middle-aged man catch his breath.

“What is the current situation?” Manager Song asked tremulously.

“The suspect was caught before boarding because someone smelled gasoline.”

*Phew...* Song Jianguo’s hands shook as he lit a cigarette. After taking several deep drags, he finally calmed down.

Why had he been transferred to Beijing Airport?

Because the aviation restructuring was approaching in October, and the three major civil aviation entities were about to be established. He had come here to "gild his resume"; once the international airline was officially inaugurated, he would become the General Manager of this industry giant.

The higher-ups had arranged it long ago, specifically sending him to Beijing ahead of time.

But if such a terrible aviation disaster occurred at this critical juncture, no matter how strong his background was, he would take the fall. Forget being General Manager—he’d be lucky if he didn't end up in prison.

Returning to the present, Song Jianguo stood up at the entrance of the VIP lounge.

His legs were perfectly fine; he had needed the wheelchair only because his knees had gone weak from fright.

No matter how much of a man one was or how powerful one's status, when faced with a moment that could ruin one's future, any human would lose their composure.

However, he was a General Manager after all. As he stood up, the previous aura of despondency vanished.

With his feet firmly on the ground, his sharp intellect reclaimed its territory.

He pushed open the door and headed straight for Zhang Yuan.

“A pleasure to meet you. You must be Zhang Yuan.”

With one glance, Zhang Yuan realized the man held a high position and hurried forward to shake his hand.

“We owe you so much today. If it weren't for your nose, our airport, our many passengers, would have...”

As Song Jianguo spoke, Chen Kun, Liu Xiaoli, and the others felt a chill run down their spines.

That lingering fear was truly terrifying!

“You are the lucky star of our airport.” Song Jianguo looked around. “Oh, I feel like I've seen these few people on television before.”

“Mr. Song, we are all actors,” Zhang Yuan said modestly.

“Oh, no wonder! You're all big stars!” Song Jianguo offered nothing but compliments.

His politeness was partly out of gratitude, but partly for another reason...

After greeting everyone individually, he sat down firmly, signaled his subordinates to close the door, and spoke in a low voice.

“Everyone, what happened today was a true accident. Our airport is deeply sorry, and we hope for your understanding.”

“At the same time, this matter is very sensitive. I hope you will not disclose any information to the outside world until our investigation is complete.”

He was there to silence them.

Zhang Yuan quickly interjected, “Don't worry, Manager Song. We only missed our flight.”

【Received gratitude from Song Jianguo: Acting +6, Observation +15, Endurance +5!】

*Holy crap, the attributes this guy provides are higher than those from average actors...* Zhang Yuan was surprised, but then he thought about it.

It made sense. Without some acting skills, how could someone manage to hold such a high position while maintaining different personas in public and private?

Actors have a time when they wrap up a shoot, but a manager might be acting for half a lifetime.

Seeing how cooperative Zhang Yuan was, Song Jianguo thought to himself that this young man was quite capable and had the potential to do great things.

“Like all passengers, you will receive compensation from our airport.”

The so-called compensation included points, ticket exchanges, and small gifts.

After chatting for a while, seeing that everyone had been sufficiently appeased, Song Jianguo pulled Zhang Yuan aside.

“Mr. Zhang, thank you for your help to me and our airport.”

“I won't say much else, but from this day forward, as long as I am around, you will be a top-tier VIP of our airline.”

Zhang Yuan thought for a moment. “Does this VIP status come with gold cards, black cards, or something like that?”

*I'll need some proof to show off when I go out in the future!*

“Hahaha...” Song Jianguo chuckled. “My word is more useful than any card.”

After this ordeal, even someone as thick-skinned as Liu Qianqian had completely lost interest in traveling or sightseeing.

The group made their way to the underground waiting area, where Manager Song arranged for vehicles to take them home.

At that moment, Liu Qianqian, who had been staring blankly, suddenly lunged toward Zhang Yuan, burying her head against his chest.

“Waaaaah!!!”

Only now did her tears finally burst forth.

Liu Qianqian's "startup time" had defeated 1.2% of the nation's computers...

Zhang Yuan was startled, and Liu Xiaoli was standing right there.

Seeing this, Liu Xiaoli gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to pull Qianqian away.

*He just saved us, mother and daughter... he just saved us...* she repeated to herself incessantly.

【Received gratitude from Liu Xiaoli: Appearance +6, Temperament +5, Dance Foundation +12, Dance Talent +8, Body Flexibility +6, Anti-aging +3, Confidence +2!】

Zhang Yuan was genuinely afraid of getting hit. Seeing that Liu Xiaoli hadn't raised her hand, he relaxed, but even so, he didn't dare hug her. He simply patted Qianqian's head like one would pet a cat.

“Just smoothing the fur, don't be scared...”

It took a long while before she looked up through her sobs, her whole body trembling.

Once she regained her composure, Qianqian realized just how narrow an escape they had made.

He helped her into the car and said goodbye to the mother and daughter.

Chen Kun and the others crowded around him.

“Zhang Yuan, you scared me to death.”

“Tell me about it, my palms are soaking wet.”

“I still have goosebumps.”

Shu Chang also approached him. “Brother Yuan, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here right now.”

“That's right!”

“It was all thanks to Yuan saving us.”

“If not for you, we'd be finished.”

【Received gratitude from Chen Kun: Acting +3, Appearance +5, Piano Foundation +9, Guitar Foundation +8, Spicy Food Tolerance +15!】

【Received gratitude from Qiao Zhenyu: Acting +2, Dance Foundation +6, Dance Skill +3 (Classical Dance), Swimming Technique +8!】

【Received gratitude from Shu Chang: Acting +6, Learning Ability +9, Language Talent +17, Appearance +4!】

...

In this round, Zhang Yuan's coffers were overflowing.

After this experience, the group could truly be called friends who had faced life and death together.

For a period afterward, Zhang Yuan remained shaken and rarely went out.

It wasn't until two weeks later that Yang Tao called.

*The filming for "Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" is about to start...*

(End of Chapter)