Chapter Forty-One: Furious Rage

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Even the head of a state, if intending to temporarily pass through another country's airspace, must notify them in advance—unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as being attacked or suffering a malfunction that necessitates an emergency landing. In the modern conception of national territory, airspace and territorial waters are just as sacred as the land itself. You might be able to reroute a taxi on a whim, but there’s no such thing as a spontaneous detour in an airplane. Yet, just because no one’s done it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

The Xiao family’s plane is registered globally. Unlike official state aircraft, which might belong to hostile nations, the Xiao family’s only allegiance is to wealth, nothing else. In this era where economic development is the ultimate truth, the Xiao family is treated as royalty no matter where they go.

This is especially true in third-world countries—less developed nations that tend to be situated south of the world’s major economic powers. The emergence of Meihua has brought them significant benefits, making them revere the Xiao family all the more; in many places, things are simply much easier for them.

Firsts always linger in memory, and the first time often hurts—don’t get the wrong idea. The first time seeing someone die in battle before your eyes, the first time experiencing such a scene, even with liquor to dull the senses, sleep comes fitfully.

There were many other guards on the plane; not all could always accompany the group. This time, two were lost, and the others suffered various injuries. It was only at the cremation that Xiao Tianci even learned the names of the two who had died.

The liquor was of the finest quality, but even the best drink is just drink to those who risk their lives to protect yours. Besides, the Xiao family had more than enough good wine to go around. Each person was given a bowl—because, as Xiao Tianci insisted, drinking from a bowl feels different from sipping from a cup, it changes the atmosphere. They introduced themselves one by one, seated at a special training ground prepared for the guards, surrounded by an array of foods laid out on the ground.

With each name announced, Xiao Tianci took a swig, not large but frequent, and by the time the roll was done, he was almost finished. To drink together with the boss was a rare honor for these guards, usually as stoic as machines, now as wild with excitement as if they’d taken a dose of adrenaline—shouting, singing, even dancing in the center. Xiao Tianci joined in a few steps, but dizziness soon overtook him, and Fang Meng had to help him sit down. If not for Fang Meng taking over the drinking, Xiao Tianci would have collapsed.

Fang Meng, though, drank far more than Xiao Tianci, yet seemed unaffected, as if it were just water.

In a drunken haze, Xiao Tianci had no idea how he got back. Watching the blurred figures before him, he slurred, “Now…where…are we going…?”

Seeing his boss so thoroughly drunk, Chief Steward Lin Jian replied, “Sir, you haven’t said where to go yet, so we’re just flying at random for now.”

“Wha…what…?” Though his limbs felt disconnected, his mind retained a spark of clarity. “Did you…just say…random…flying…? Do you…really think…I’m that drunk…? A plane…can’t…just fly…anywhere it pleases…ah…”

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“The Xiao family’s plane can,” Lin Jian answered respectfully, unshaken by Xiao Tianci’s drunken state.

Seeing Lin Jian’s demeanor, Xiao Tianci wobbled and gave a shaky thumbs up. “Ha…that’s…awesome…really…damn…awesome…I’m Xiao, I can fly wherever I please, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Bring me more wine…” Xiao Tianci reached for another bottle, which Lin Jian, anticipating this, handed over without hesitation. At this point, Xiao Tianci could no longer tell good wine from bad.

“Gulp, gulp—ah…” After two huge swigs, he felt the alcohol surge through him, numbing the ache in his heart, or perhaps finally letting it go.

He tipped his head back in thought, while Lin Jian waited for his orders.

“To…Las Vegas…”

“Yes, sir.”

The plane shifted course in midair, heading straight for Las Vegas, one of the world’s four great gambling cities.

Being too calm can be both a blessing and a curse; it often blinds one to underlying vulnerabilities. Those who are strong-willed can usually drink in moderation, keeping themselves in check. Xiao Tianci was such a man. In his first three years of college, he drank often and hard, seeking only the thrill of intoxication. Later, as responsibilities grew, he never let himself get drunk again—until today. At last, the burdens he carried seemed to lift, if only for a moment, and he felt free.

The plane was already close to Las Vegas, so when Xiao Tianci gave the order, it arrived shortly after.

Will, Zhou Ao, and Otel finally received word and watched as the plane landed, its engines’ deafening roar fading as it taxied to a stop. The guards disembarked first to secure the perimeter, followed by Fang Meng, and then Xiao Tianci just behind him.

“Mr. Xiao…” Will was the first to approach, only to freeze at the sight of a swaying, drunken Xiao Tianci, with Lin Jian hovering by his side, ready to support him.

The first time they met had been at a wedding, a mere formality. No one expected their next encounter to be like this. After a brief pause, Will still stepped forward to shake Xiao Tianci’s hand, who greeted them all in his drunken state.

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Oteni, having held back his anger for days, could no longer restrain himself at the sight before him. “Mr. Xiao, you summoned us here in a rush and made us wait all this time—just what is this urgent matter? We don’t have as much free time as you.”

Chief Steward Lin Jian and Fang Meng flanked Xiao Tianci, something flashing in their eyes. Xiao Tianci only laughed. “No…urgent…matter. Just…knew you’d had a hard time, so…invited you all…to relax, have some fun. Las Vegas is great…”

Will blinked rapidly, adjusting his glasses several times, while Zhou Ao forced a smile. Oteni’s fists clenched, his eyes reddened. He had never imagined that after waiting for more than two days, this was all it amounted to…

Oteni took a step forward, about to argue with Xiao Tianci, but Will stopped him, laying a hand on his shoulder. Though Oteni was seething, he had no choice but to hold it in, breathing heavily through his nose.

Will stepped up. “Mr. Xiao, the company has many matters to attend to. If there’s nothing important, we’ll take our leave and let you enjoy yourself in Las Vegas. What do you think?”

“So soon…ah…let’s…play a few rounds of mahjong…you play mahjong?”

Zhou Ao had been angry too—no one likes to be toyed with, and though even Xiao Lin had treated him well in the past, he had never been made a fool of like this. But now, he found it amusing—just what is Xiao Tianci up to?

“No, thank you…”

With that, he turned and left, Oteni right behind him. Zhou Ao approached with a smile, “Mr. Xiao, take care of yourself. There’s business at the company, so I won’t keep you company any longer. My father and the elders all hope you’ll visit; they’re eager to see you.”

Though the alcohol still clouded his mind, Xiao Tianci understood and nodded, shaking Zhou Ao’s hand several times before Zhou Ao finally left.

When they were gone, Lin Jian asked, “Boss, where to now?”

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