Flight Traces

Chapter 3: Save the Rush for Next Time

December 14, 2023, 15:14:29.

As the wails of fire trucks and ambulances sounded, all passengers had been evacuated.

Strangers embraced, weeping or laughing hysterically, applauding the crew, calling loved ones, taking pictures with people they'd never met before, and receiving basic medical checks. A cacophony of sobs, shouts, coughs, and shutter clicks filled the air.

Bian Ji followed the other crew members, leaving the plane last. He stood at a distance from the crowd, leaning against the vehicle railing, closing his eyes and taking a long, deep breath.

Eleven minutes and twenty seconds.

From the discovery of the fire to the complete evacuation, it took only eleven minutes and twenty seconds.

This was a rescue mission that seemed almost impossible. Without a doubt, this incident would soon grace the headlines of many media outlets. If the crew handled the situation correctly, they might even be hailed as company heroes.

But Bian Ji, overwhelmed by intense anxiety, felt nauseous.

He avoided the crowd, leaning against the wall to catch his breath, finally realizing he was safe on solid ground.

If the firefighting efforts had been delayed, or if calming the passengers failed, the one hundred sixty-plus individuals on the square today might not have survived. A wave of delayed fear washed over him, suffocating him.

Bian Ji stopped himself from dwelling on it, forcing himself to stand up straight. Suddenly, a hand holding a bottle of water appeared before him.

The fingers were long, the knuckles prominent, with some chaotic, protruding veins on the back of the hand, looking both sensual and powerful.

Bian Ji looked up, recognizing the man as Yan Ankuo thanks to his good memory.

Yan Ankuo didn't speak immediately, so Bian Ji mentally prepared his response. If Yan Ankuo thanked him, Bian Ji would happily reciprocate, acknowledging his assistance during the crisis. If Yan Ankuo asked about compensation, he would offer options for rescheduling, changing flights, or reimbursement for accommodation and meals.

However, Yan Ankuo remained silent, merely extending the water bottle further. Confused, Bian Ji accepted it, while Yan Ankuo turned around to continue his work call.

Bian Ji realized that Yan Ankuo simply noticed his condition and offered him a drink, nothing more.

The situation on the plane had been so urgent that Bian Ji hadn't noticed a small mole beneath Yan Ankuo's eye. Yan Ankuo had a sharp, serious appearance, with a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes, which contrasted with the playful mole.

Bian Ji stared for a bit longer than was polite, just as Yan Ankuo turned and caught his gaze.

Bian Ji subconsciously touched his chest, feeling an unusually rapid heartbeat, a sign of survival.

When Yan Ankuo hung up his call, Bian Ji greeted him first, "Mr. Yan — cough, sorry, my throat is still sore."

"Drink some water," Yan Ankuo raised his eyebrows, "Your memory is impressive."

The teasing undertone was clear, but Bian Ji didn't engage, sticking to his planned response. "After all, you assisted in the rescue effort, I'm truly grateful!"

"You're welcome," Yan Ankuo said, casually hanging his suit jacket with one hand. In doing so, he exposed the left side of his shirt.

Bian Ji couldn't help but notice that the left side of the white shirt had clear scratches, a button torn off by force, the collar open, revealing a defined collarbone.