Chapter 0169
“Huanmei Airline?” Charlie was racking his brain. “Sounds so familiar. Which company is it again?”
Madison’s eyes fell, her fingers fidgeting with the bandage wrapped around them.
Shihua had gone to Huanmei?
That wasn’t important.
What mattered was how she got out
Logically, Shihua shouldn’t have been able to get out anytime soon unless someone helped her.
Huanmei…
Was it Lucas?
Madison closed her eyes briefly, her breathing growing a shade
heavier.
She couldn’t quite grasp why someone like Lucas, a real piece of work, always seemed to enjoy causing trouble, conjuring up actions more revolting than the last.
What’s more crucial, had the two of them actually joined forces?
Charlie noticed her labored breathing, “What’s wrong? Do you feel
unwell?”
“No.”
Madison’s gaze drifted towards the group led by Shihua, “Charlie, I don’t want her taking the lead.”
This was the first time Charlie had heard such a competitive, almost
combative tone from Madison.
Not just her, but the other Mukino Airline pilots nearby, including Henry and Brian, exchanged surprised glances.
Charlie was silent for a good five seconds before responding in a measured voice, “Alright. I’ll help you.”
Madison offered her a small smile in gratitude.
But the next second, Charlie leaned in to ask, “But isn’t this ranking thing about individual skills?”
How could they prevent Shihua from stealing the spotlight?
Unless they were more skilled than Shihua herself.
To be frank, Shihua’s professional prowess was formidable; even Brian had admitted she was an extraordinary talent.
Madison whispered, “The ranking happens in groups of five, performing pre-determined assessment tasks simultaneously.”
The five-person group format was designed to save time. With thousands of pilots to assess, a one-by-one approach would take until next year.
While they conversed, people had started arranging for pilots to draw lots for random grouping.
Pilots from the same country drew together.
Domestic pilots from China encountered those from Mukino
and treated them with marked courtesy.
After all, they were from a land of etiquette and were abroad-
everyone was polite, concealing any underlying disdain behind a veneer of civility.
“Pretentious pushing and shoving, isn’t it awkward?”
“Don’t waste time, please.”
“Is this what big company folks like to put on airs?”
These remarks came from various smaller domestic airlines, those yet to be acquired by Mukino International.
Though they spoke this way, their eyes were fixed on the Mukino Airline pilots.
They dared not offend the pilots from the National Airline.
As soon as these utterances surfaced, even the National Airline pilots exchanged puzzled looks, silent.
Why were they being targeted all of a sudden?
And by pilots from their own country?
“Dislike it, do you?” Normally formidable, Charlie suddenly snapped back, “Like their style so much? Why not change your nationality and
work with them instead?”
Her retort darkened the faces of the pilots who had spoken up.
Though they traded barbs, no one dared openly quarrel.
Both the domestic Civil Aviation Authority and the National Airline Authority had sent senior officials, and both deputy directors from the respective authorities made their way O their teams.
Deputy Director Ye frowned, “The atmosphere feels off. What’s go on?”
In Mukino Airline, Madison was a person of interest, and Charlie was known as someone not to be trifled with.
With her usual aloofness mixed with a hint of lethargy, Charlie stood behind Madison, “Someone complained about us dilly-dallying, that’s all.”
Deputy Director Ye glanced towards the National Airline’s team.
Charlie immediately blocked his line of sight, offering an official smile, “It was those in the back.”
The back?
Deputy Director Ye took a sweeping look.
Those at the rear were pilots from various smaller domestic airlines.
They should be buttering up the larger airlines; why would they make rude remarks?
Deputy Director Ye turned away, aligning himself with them, “Ignore it. Maintain a good mindset.”
“I hope the first S-tier pilot from our country comes from our civil aviation.”
His last statement placed enormous pressure on all Mukino Airline pilots.
They couldn’t help but glance towards Brian.
Brian practically panicked, his hair nearly turning white, “I’m old, why are all you young folks looking at me like that?”
Madison reassured, “Brian, you’re the professional among
professionals. You might be older, but you have more experience.”
Charlie maintained her polite smile, “You’re our senior, sho style.”
Henry nodded vigorously, agreeing with the female captains, as bunch of Mukino Airline pilots behind, who quietly clapped.
Brian looked like he was on the verge of tears, “Let me live a few more days. I’m too old for this competitive stuff. Show some respect for the elderly.”
The tension eased as laughter broke out, lightening the mood.
Madison took a few deep breaths to compose herself.
Suddenly, someone signaled their domestic pilots, uttering two words.
It meant male and female pilots should line up separately.
All pilots understood English, so they promptly formed orderly queues.
Charlie and Madison stood side by side.
“Hey!”
Both women turned towards the source of the call, then paused, momentarily forgetting to name the person.
With her ponytail swaying, Yu Lulei crossed her arms in mock indignation, “Do you really forget people that easily?”
Oh, right.
Yu Lulei, the female captain from Song Airline, the one who had competed with them in the international civil aviation competition.
Madison reached out her hand, “Long time no see.”
Charlie did the same.
Yu Lulei, all smiles, greeted them, then pulled forward another woman from behind her.
“Allow me to introduce Kou Mei, a pilot from the National Airline.”
Kou Mei had a pair of spirited single eyelids, not at all diminutive. Dressed in a crisp white captain’s uniform, she exuded vivacity.
Madison suddenly remembered; long ago, Ethan had highlighted two domestic female pilots not to be crossed: Yu Lulei and the woman before her, Kou Mei. However, Kou Mei hadn’t been with them during
that particular competition.
Madison extended her hand first, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Kou Mei raised an eyebrow, “It should be me saying that.”
With Yu Lulei present, the women quickly became acquainted.
Huddled together, Kou Mei leaned in and whispered, “I overheard
some chatter on my way here, from that group at the back… about you and…”
“Shihua.”
Kou Mei looked at Madison, “Is there some trouble between you two?”
Charlie was immediately displeased, “What were they saying?”
“What else? They were talking up Shihua, saying she’ll likely be the first female pilot to get an S-tier rank,” Kou Mei recounted
nonchalantly what she had heard.
