Inside the first-class cabin of the plane heading to Linglong City, Xia Huna stood leaning against the seat, eyes closed, with large sunglasses perched on his head and a mask on his face. It was clear he intended to conceal his identity. However, one couldn't blame him, as Xia Huna, the esteemed Boss Xia, had become so well-known throughout Minglong Country after this competition that he wouldn't dare step out without some disguise.
Not far behind Xia Huna, a flight attendant, though outwardly impassive, was inwardly in turmoil, her eyes fixed on Xia Huna. "So, this is Xia Huna. Should I go up and ask for an autograph or a photo?"
In the first-class cabin, apart from this pretty flight attendant, there was only Xia Huna's girlfriend, Shen Yu, who was observing Xia Huna with a scrutinizing gaze. Even though Xia Huna was almost asleep with his sunglasses on, the intense stare of a living person directed at him did elicit a reaction.
Xia Huna, with his eyes closed, spoke, "Xiao Yu, you've been staring at me like this since I got on the plane. Is there something on my face? Or do you just want to look at me?"
Shen Yu directly placed a straw hat on Xia Huna's face. "What are you talking about? I'm just wondering what it is you want me to go and see."
Hearing that Shen Yu wanted to know what trouble he was getting into again, Xia Huna simply stopped talking, adjusted the position of his hat, and continued his attempt to sleep.
Since Xia Huna remained silent, Shen Yu didn't press further, and the first-class cabin fell silent once more. Only Yu Longdu, looking at the empty first-class cabin with no one else present except their small group, felt a pang of longing. "It's so good. They booked out the entire first-class cabin. When I have money, I'll do the same."
Yu Longdu grew increasingly disheartened and eventually turned his head to look at Xia Huna. Xia Huna could no longer sleep; their gazes felt like needles on his back. More importantly, Xia Huna's overly active mind was conjuring all sorts of wild scenarios.
With his sleepiness gone, Xia Huna sat up straight, his mind occupied with thoughts unknown. The plane continued northward, and soon, Xia Huna and the flight attendant were the only two people awake in the first-class cabin.
After a few more hours, the plane slowly landed at Linglong City International Airport. Xia Huna woke the others, and they disembarked one by one.
As the saying goes, hesitation leads to defeat, and decisiveness leads to a complete loss. The moment Xia Huna and the others stepped off the plane, the flight attendant sat in Xia Huna's seat. "What a missed opportunity! He was the only one awake just now. Why didn't I seize the moment to do something?"
Xia Huna would likely never know the flight attendant's inner thoughts. He was busy leading his companions to find Mu Zhishui. Although none of them were new to the city, they were somewhat disoriented as Xia Huna guided them through streets and alleys.
Yu Longdu asked, "Where else are you taking us? I feel like these roads look so unfamiliar."
Xia Huna didn't reply, pushing open a door and walking into a shop called Qise Chen. Behind the shop's counter, a young woman in a maid outfit looked up at Xia Huna. "You're here. The car will be here soon."
The group entered the shop one after another. Upon seeing the furnishings inside, they asked, "Didn't you say we were going to find Mu Zhishui? Why did you bring us here?"
"Didn't you see the sign at the entrance? Qise Chen is Rainbow Star. This is just one of Zhishui's branches here. We're waiting for a car here, and then we'll head to Zhishui's laboratory."
Zhang Hong clicked his tongue. "Look at them. This is what a Pokémon scientist should look like. Unlike me, I can only work in my dilapidated place."
Yu Longdu shot him a glare. "I'm telling you, if you dare to extort money from my sister, you're dead."
The group chatted for a bit, and then a horn sounded from outside. Xia Huna waved goodbye to the maid and, along with the others, got into a car to continue their journey.
Several more hours passed, and Xia Huna and his group arrived at the entrance of a laboratory in an unknown location. Yu Longdu stroked his chin, "This place, looking at it... T/"
Xia Huna shot him a look. "Are you trying to die? Can't you recognize whose voice that is? Su Xiaojiu was your teammate for several months, after all. How can you forget her so easily? It doesn't make sense."
Yu Longdu slapped his thigh. "Right, right, it's Su Xiaojiu's voice. But I didn't expect her to be here helping out after the competition ended."
As they were speaking, the laboratory's tightly shut door opened, and Su Xiaojiu welcomed them in. "Everyone, please have a seat. Zhishui is out right now. I'll go find him. Please don't touch the equipment in the laboratory; it's particularly dangerous."
After giving her instructions, Su Xiaojiu went to find Mu Zhishui. The others looked around at the strange and peculiar instruments in the laboratory. Yu Longdu approached Xia Huna and lowered his voice. "Is everything alright?"
Xia Huna turned to look at him. "Alright? What's alright, or rather, what's not alright?"
Yu Longdu glanced in the direction Su Xiaojiu had left. "What do you think? Do you really think I know nothing?"