Chapter 53
Chapter 53
“Why do I suddenly feel a chill down my back…” Lin Xiaoxue looked at Wei Sen, on the verge of tears.
Wei Sen silently reached up and shut the air-conditioning vent above her head. Only then did she say, “Stop scaring Xiaoxue. If there really were one more person, there would be something about it in the group chat.”
“So that’s why it suddenly got cold…” Lin Xiaoxue gave the vent an awkward smile.
“Hahaha!” Xu You couldn’t help laughing too. “Six it is, then. It’s not like it affects anything.”
Just then, another message came in the group chat.
[Zhu Zhaoyang: So you’ve been a group of 6 this whole time?]
This guy was quick on the uptake. No wonder he’d survived so many Instances until now.
Wei Sen thought for a moment, then replied.
[Wei Sen: We’ve been six people since the Trial.
Zhu Zhaoyang: I don’t get it. First time I’ve seen something like this. I’m still half a newbie myself, so there’s still a lot I don’t understand.
Wei Sen: Do you have a Guide?
Zhu Zhaoyang: A Guide? No. I somehow ended up in the Eerie World, then started clearing Instances every night.
Xu You: Then have you met God before?
Zhu Zhaoyang: Aren’t all Order Keepers personally chosen by God?
Zhu Zhaoyang: @Wei Sen, what’s a Guide?
Wei Sen: Come to 43F after the plane levels out. We’ll talk in person.
Zhu Zhaoyang: Sure.
Huang Xinze: Susu and I can only come over later when we’re delivering water and meals…
Wei Sen: Got it.
Huang Xinze: Sister Sen /thumbs up//thumbs up//thumbs up/]
A voice came over the intercom. “Dear passengers, the aircraft has reached cruising altitude. You may unfasten your seat belts and move about the cabin, but we recommend keeping your seat belt fastened whenever you are seated. The lavatories are now open for use.”
Wei Sen observed the passengers in the cabin. Group B still had seven Order Keepers, but so far, none of them had spoken in the main group chat.
However, people in rows one, two, and five near the front of the plane were all looking around.
If she wasn’t mistaken, those people were Order Keepers too, and they were currently scouting out the situation.
Several people up front also stood, but Wei Sen had no idea which one was Zhu Zhaoyang. It was also possible that Group B’s Order Keepers had gotten up to look for clues.
At the same time, a flight attendant in a dark blue uniform walked straight toward Wei Sen.
“Hello, sorry to disturb you. I am Ah Lan, the purser for this flight.” The flight attendant reached Wei Sen’s side first, but her gaze landed on Lin Xiaoxue.
“You’re looking for me?” Lin Xiaoxue pointed at herself in confusion.
“Yes. Please come with me. You need to undergo an Extra Check.” As the flight attendant spoke, her red lips stretched toward both sides, and her eyes looked as if she were staring at a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
Lin Xiaoxue remembered the second rule: No matter when or where, for your safety and the safety of other passengers, please be sure to follow the flight attendant’s instructions.
But that rule also had a hidden second half: provided you have confirmed that she is wearing this airline’s uniform. Otherwise, please ignore any of his requests and do not answer.
“Sister Sen, she’s a normal staff member, right?” Lin Xiaoxue asked uncertainly.
“Yes,” Wei Sen replied, her expression grave.
Although she was a normal staff member, this “Extra Check” was probably nothing good.
“What’s going on? Why should my Xiaoxue have to undergo your Extra Check?!” Mother’s voice rose as she glared viciously at Ah Lan.
Neither Wei Sen nor Lin Xiaoxue had expected “Mother” to step forward at a time like this.
The flight attendant’s gaze snapped toward Mother, her eyes turning even colder. “Madam, your daughter has violated this airline’s Passenger Code and must undergo an Extra Check. Please cooperate!”
“Impossible! My daughter is so well-behaved!” Mother grabbed Lin Xiaoxue’s hand and refused to let her leave.
Lin Xiaoxue looked at Mother in gratitude, but Wei Sen’s expression grew even more serious.
At first glance, it seemed like Mother was protecting Lin Xiaoxue. But if Lin Xiaoxue refused to go with the flight attendant and undergo the “Extra Check” because of this, then she would be violating the second rule!
“It’s the Third Rule: carrying contraband! If you are carrying contraband, please hand it over to the crew immediately for disposal. Do not attempt to hide it, or you may be subjected to an ‘Extra Check’!” Wei Sen said.
Lin Xiaoxue searched herself all over, but there was nothing else on her.
Wei Sen quickly unbuckled her seat belt, stood up, and opened the overhead bin. There were so many bags up there that she had no idea which one belonged to Lin Xiaoxue.
“Mom, which one is my little sister’s bag?” Wei Sen looked at their mother.
“The pink backpack!” Mom said hurriedly.
Wei Sen hesitated for a single second, then swiftly took down the pink backpack.
At a time like this, she could only choose to trust what Mom said.
“Please cooperate with the Extra Check! Please cooperate with the Extra Check! Please cooperate with the Extra Check!” The flight attendant’s voice began to turn mechanical, repeating the same words over and over as that smiling face leaned closer and closer to Lin Xiaoxue’s seat.
“Waaah, Sister Sen!!!” Lin Xiaoxue looked to Wei Sen for help.
Mom pulled Lin Xiaoxue protectively into her arms. “Don’t be scared. Mom’s here!”
Watching that pseudo-human smiling face draw nearer and nearer, Lin Xiaoxue truly wanted to throw herself into Mom’s embrace.
But this was an Instance, after all. Even if she was “Mom,” that didn’t necessarily mean she was a good person!
Should I use the Substitute Paper Figurine?
Lin Xiaoxue thought to herself, her hand already feeling for the paper figurine in her pocket.
At the same time, Wei Sen dumped everything from the pink bag onto her own seat. At a glance, she spotted a bottle of strawberry juice among the pile. It looked to be over two hundred milliliters, already exceeding the Third Rule’s limit of one hundred milliliters of red liquid!
“Hello, I found this. Please dispose of it,” Wei Sen said, handing the strawberry juice to the flight attendant.
The flight attendant’s body froze. The corners of her mouth gradually drooped, and she stared resentfully at the strawberry juice in Wei Sen’s hand, her body stiff.
“Of course. I am happy to be of service.” The flight attendant’s tone and demeanor returned to normal once again. She took the strawberry juice and left their row.
“Phew…” Lin Xiaoxue let out a long breath.
“You child! Why would you bring strawberry juice of all things?” Mom shook her head, unbuckled her seat belt, and stood up. “Sensen, I’m going to the restroom. Keep an eye on your sister.”
“I’m eighteen, not a kid,” Lin Xiaoxue muttered.
Mom stepped into the aisle, then looked back at her. “Whether you’re eighteen or eighty, you’ll always be a child in my eyes.”
Lin Xiaoxue saw the affection in Mom’s eyes, and the corners of her mouth lifted unconsciously.
After Mom left, Wei Sen and Lin Xiaoxue packed everything on the seat back into the bag.
“Sister Sen, thank goodness you reacted so fast. Otherwise, I would’ve been dragged off for an Extra Check!” Lin Xiaoxue was still sighing in relief.
Wei Sen sat back down, her gaze following the direction Mom had gone. But Mom stopped before she reached the restroom.
“Sister Sen, look!”
Hearing her, Wei Sen turned back. Lin Xiaoxue had found a notebook among the personal items.
“It looks like the little sister’s diary!” Lin Xiaoxue said in surprise.
“Let’s take a look.”
The two of them flipped through the diary, but unfortunately, it was a new notebook. Only the first page had anything written on it:
[I never thought Mom would actually make my eighteenth birthday wish come true. I finally get to have a trip where we can just pack up and go!
But I know that for this trip, Mom secretly stayed up late for ages making travel plans. And this entire year, she couldn’t even bear to buy herself a single new piece of clothing. Every bit of money she saved was for this trip.
Thank you, Mom. This is the best birthday gift I’ve ever received, and it will become an unforgettable memory.
Mom loves white carnations the most. When we get home, I want to give Mom her favorite gift too.]
“What are you two looking at?”
Just as the two of them were reading intently, a low child’s voice suddenly sounded beside them.