Chapter 40 – I’ll Be Heartbroken for You

Being teased by his love interest, anyone would find it hard to resist. Fearing he might do something inappropriate if he stayed, Bian Ji found an excuse to head home early.

Due to his injury and sick leave, Bian Ji had flown less than fifty hours this month, resulting in low overnight fees and a performance that was financially disadvantageous. Consequently, Bian Ji’s upcoming schedules were packed, with him working four segments almost every week.

With more flights came more vexing situations.

During a layover in Beijing, Bian Ji encountered an aviation enthusiast who asked the crew to fill out a flight logbook. However, X Airlines had recently introduced a new policy stating that information regarding waypoints and fuel monitoring involved confidential details of civil aviation, thus the crew could decline such requests.

At the time, Bian Ji was preparing meals and, upon receiving the logbook, consulted the captain’s opinion.

The captain was busy and instructed Bian Ji to fill in the public information on behalf of him, such as the flight number, aircraft model, take-off and landing times.

After filling out the required information, Bian Ji returned the logbook to the passenger, apologizing for the inconvenience and even adding a complimentary message from the cabin crew at the back of the logbook as a gesture of goodwill.

However, the passenger was unsatisfied with the limited information provided, asking Bian Ji, “Why did you fill it out? Where is the captain? Only he can fill in these blanks, right?”

Bian Ji patiently explained, “I’m truly sorry, but the company has regulations that prevent us from disclosing additional data publicly. We have monthly open days for our passengers where you can learn more about these details. If you’re interested, you can check the app or mini-program for more information, and I can help you register.”

Despite hearing this, the passenger still appeared displeased but didn’t say much more, “Alright then. But why is it only your company with such rules? Other airlines allow me to fill out the entire logbook when I fly with them.”

Bian Ji continued to apologize, “I’m sorry, different airlines have different internal management policies and the specific data passengers require may also vary. Is there anything else you need?”

“No,” the passenger replied curtly.

In an attempt to soothe the passenger’s mood, Bian Ji offered him a small card and requested his understanding.

The passenger didn’t show further dissatisfaction, so Bian Ji assumed the matter was resolved.

Unexpectedly, the next day before takeoff, Bian Ji received notice that a passenger had filed a complaint against him. The complaint not only mentioned the incomplete flight log but also stated that, as a platinum member, he hadn’t received the expected warm greeting.

Speaking of which, it was even more frustrating. This route was well-known for its business travel, and there were over thirty platinum members on board during that flight. Given the short flight duration, it was unrealistic to greet each one individually. Moreover, to cut costs, the company had reduced the crew by one person, leaving only nine crew members to serve 330 passengers across four international segments. They were already stretched thin managing the food service and passenger needs, let alone finding time for personalized greetings.

Therefore, Bian Ji had no choice but to make a general announcement in the cabin to explain the situation and apologize. He didn’t expect this action to become a source of further complaint.

Looking at the notification on his phone, Bian Ji couldn’t help but laugh and cry simultaneously.

Although he had been flying for ten years and had encountered all sorts of unreasonable passengers, receiving a complaint right after returning to work was truly bad luck.

As soon as the flight ended, Bian Ji had to return to base to report the situation to the airline, detailing everything from the incident to the welcoming procedures, even recording the exact timing of the announcements.

In the end, the airline deemed the handling of the greeting through a broadcast insufficient and required Bian Ji to submit a corrective action report and apologize to the complaining passenger.

Though the issue wasn’t significant, it affected his mood nonetheless.

Leaving the company feeling troubled, Bian Ji coincidentally ran into Nie Hang and recounted the incident to him casually.

Nie Hang had also faced numerous headaches lately and could empathize deeply. Confused, he asked, “The management department is too unreasonable. With so many members on the plane, how could they expect you to greet each one individually? Should everyone stop flying then, and focus on nothing else?”

“Sigh, I should have sent handwritten letters to everyone after the broadcast. I got caught up with the flight log issue and forgot about it,” Bian Ji said, sitting down on a nearby bench after leaving the company, looking up into the distance, “I’m not complaining, it’s just that I didn’t handle it well. I just feel like I’ve been having bad luck lately, and wanted to talk it out with you.”

“You’re not a saint! You’ve already gone above and beyond, what more do they want? Writing two hundred letters?” Nie Hang grumbled angrily, “I can’t believe it, that passenger must be out of his mind! Filling out the flight log isn’t even part of your job, you helped him, and now he’s acting spoiled!”

“There’s nothing we can do, it’s our line of work,” Bian Ji said self-deprecatingly, “Service comes first, safety comes first.”

“Does the management department even care about safety first? I don’t understand what they’re thinking. The rules are made by them, yet you’re wrong for following them? And if you don’t follow them, will they punish you?”

Nie Hang ranted for nearly half an hour before calming down. Bian Ji felt much better after his rant and began to console him instead.

Nie Hang could empathize deeply, having encountered many bizarre incidents over the years of flying. Initially, he would argue with the company, feeling aggrieved, but later realized that it was a waste of time and effort, leading to no positive outcome. In the end, he could only persuade himself to let go and remember that passengers were always right.

Despite his advice, it was still hard for Nie Hang to calm down when his good friend encountered such issues. Putting his hands on his hips, he said, “Forget it, I’m speechless… Why don’t you come out with us this week to dispel your bad luck!”

“Sure, should I call Brother Yuan?” Bian Ji asked.

“Go ahead, he hasn’t found a new job yet, so he’s got plenty of free time,” Nie Hang said, immediately sending a message to Qiao Yuan to ask if he was available over the weekend.

Soon after, Bian Ji heard a notification sound.

Nie Hang glanced at Qiao Yuan’s reply, then looked up to relay the message, “Brother Yuan said he recently signed up for a hiking group and is wondering if you want to join.”

Feeling depressed, such high-intensity exercise was exactly what Bian Ji needed. Without hesitation, he agreed, “Yes! If I don’t get out and move around, I’m going to grow mushrooms.”

Nie Hang continued messaging Qiao Yuan online, halfway through their conversation when suddenly he looked up again, unsure if it was his own curiosity or someone on the other side of the phone asking, “By the way, what’s the progress between you and Attorney Yan?”

“…” Bian Ji was about to take a sip of water when the question almost made him choke, coughing as he wiped the corners of his mouth and laughed, “You change topics too quickly!”

“Brother Yuan said he wants to invite Attorney Yan,” Nie Hang pointed at his phone, “but he’s afraid you might not want to see him like last time, so he specifically asked me to check on the situation.”

Bian Ji couldn’t help but laugh and sigh, “Why wouldn’t I want to see him? We’re doing fine.”

“Huh?” Nie Hang became excited, “How well?”

Bian Ji gave him a light shove on the shoulder, “Brother Yuan is calling you again, hurry up and reply. Stop grinning here.”

Nie Hang finally stopped laughing and seriously replied to Qiao Yuan.

Seeing him typing carefully with a serious expression, Bian Ji couldn’t resist taking a photo and sending it to Qiao Yuan.

Bian Ji: [Brother Yuan, look at this guy, I wonder who he’s chatting with, his mouth is stretched to the back of his head.] It took Qiao Yuan half a minute to reply: [Who knows, certainly not with me.] Bian Ji clicked his tongue: [Then I’ll have to speak up for him, if not with you, then who?] Qiao Yuan replied helplessly: [Enough.] Bian Ji continued to stir things up: [Really, Brother Yuan. Whenever you chat with me, he stops smiling.] Qiao Yuan didn’t dwell on this topic, reminding Bian Ji: [Stop joking around, quickly check the group!] Bian Ji switched to the group chat and saw that Qiao Yuan had posted a message in the group that included Yan Ankuo.

Qiao Yuan: [@Yan Ankuo Attorney Yan, we’re planning to go hiking in Yuhang this weekend, do you have time? Would you like to join us? I’ll treat you to a two-day adventure.] Remembering something, Bian Ji asked Nie Hang, “By the way, how about Brother Yuan’s case? Has the verdict come out yet?”

“It came out yesterday. Qiao Yuan was busy taking care of his father at home and forgot to tell you.”

“Oh, he told you all this?”

Nie Hang proudly said, “Of course!”

Bian Ji looked at him with a smile, implying something as he asked, “Brother Yuan… he’s treating you a bit too well, isn’t he?”

“After all, we’ve been friends for so many years.” Nie Hang maintained his casual demeanor, but his tone wasn’t as relaxed as usual. Quickly, he shifted the topic, “The verdict was announced yesterday. Brother Yuan only needs to pay back the training fee of three hundred thousand yuan, and the company has to compensate him with over one hundred thousand yuan in benefits.”

Nie Hang let out a long breath, his tone becoming lighter, “This time, it was all thanks to Attorney Yan. Otherwise, we would have suffered a silent loss.”

Bian Ji wanted to ask more, but reconsidered, deciding not to involve himself in others’ affairs. He turned his attention back to the screen, “We should celebrate properly then.”

The message interface was empty, with no sign of a reply from Yan Ankuo. Bian Ji anxiously opened the group chat twice.

“So eager to talk to Attorney Yan?” When the topic turned to someone else, Nie Hang’s sarcasm returned.

Bian Ji retorted, telling him to “take a look in the mirror,” then lowered his head to take a screenshot of the group message and privately messaged Yan Ankuo: [Attorney Yan, remember to check the group, Brother Yuan is looking for you.]

Surprisingly, Yan Ankuo replied almost instantly: [I thought we weren’t friends anymore.]

Bian Ji: [?] Yan Ankuo: [It’s been over a week since I’ve seen you. I thought you deleted me.]

Bian Ji: [How could I! I’ve just been dealing with a complaint recently and have been busy with the investigation.]

Yan Ankuo: [What happened?] Bian Ji: [I mishandled the passenger relationship, but it’s okay, it’s already been resolved.]

Yan Ankuo’s response seemed to indicate he wasn’t in the best of moods: [Oh. You only tell me after it’s resolved.]

Bian Ji smiled bitterly: [If I told you while it was unresolved, wouldn’t I just be adding to your troubles?]

Yan Ankuo’s side showed that he was typing, but Bian Ji waited for a long time without receiving a reply. It wasn’t until a minute later that he received an emoji: [/sigh]

Bian Ji assumed he was also dealing with some troubling matters and asked: [Why are you sighing?]

Yan Ankuo said: [Bian Ji.]

After a moment, he sent another message: [Have you forgotten that you’re pursuing someone?]

Bian Ji suddenly became nervous and hurriedly apologized: [No, I haven’t forgotten, Brother. What’s wrong?]

Pleased with the honorific, Yan Ankuo replied with a smile: [If you haven’t forgotten, why didn’t you seize this opportunity?]

Bian Ji was quick-witted and soon understood that Yan Ankuo had an ulterior motive in his words. Instead of directly accepting the ball thrown to him, he took a step back and tossed it back: [I didn’t know how to use it.]

Yan Ankuo was clearly moved by this response and, following Bian Ji’s lead, taught him: [Next time you encounter such a situation, come straight to me and tell me honestly.]

Bian Ji was amused: [And then you’ll comfort me?]

Yan Ankuo said calmly: [I’ll be heartbroken for you.]