Chapter 7 – Have You Really Had a Romantic Encounter?

Bian Ji subconsciously pushed the fruit plate toward him, “Why would it take so long? Are you feeling unwell?”

Training a pilot requires enormous financial resources at the outset, and generally, except for technical failures, disciplinary issues, or health problems, the company wouldn’t easily ground someone.

“No. It’s embarrassing to talk about…” Qiao Yuan took a large gulp of tea, “Do you know Zhang Ji?”

Bian Ji searched his mind for this name, answering, “Your group’s big boss?”

“Yes.” Qiao Yuan looked troubled, unsure how to begin, “His son pursued me.”

Last year, when Zhang Ji’s eldest son saw Qiao Yuan on the plane, he fell in love at first sight and relentlessly pursued him. Qiao Yuan didn’t know who he was at first, initially spending some time interacting with him before realizing their personalities, consumption views, love philosophies, and more were incompatible. Thus, he made it clear they shouldn’t meet again. But the other party didn’t give up, sending shoes, models, even cards, all of which Qiao Yuan rejected, returning everything.

“One night, he suddenly transferred a sum of money to my account, saying nothing else. My father was undergoing surgery at the time, so I wasn’t paying attention. I only discovered the transfer several days later and promptly returned it,” Qiao Yuan regretted, “As a result, I received a notification of investigation, saying someone had complained about me receiving money and having a chaotic lifestyle.”

The company first asked Qiao Yuan to suspend work for investigation, dragging it out until half a year later, when Qiao Yuan unexpectedly received a notice of grounding for two years.

Pilots usually earn based on flight hours, so grounding meant only receiving a meager base salary. But Qiao Yuan’s family situation wasn’t good, with a father suffering from lung cancer to support, so he proposed a job transfer to the company.

“I originally wanted to transfer to the simulator center or training department, but they didn’t approve, saying I could only go to ground staff,” Qiao Yuan waved his hand, “Who would agree to that? I came here to hold this joystick. So I didn’t bother arguing with them and decided to resign directly.”

Bian Ji’s frown deepened as he listened, unable to resist asking, “Did you bring it up? What did HR say?”

Qiao Yuan laughed in frustration, “They said if I left before the service period ended, I’d need to compensate the company for training costs.”

The company invests huge training costs in pilots, so typically, there’s a lengthy service period specified. The party in breach pays the contractually stipulated compensation, an undisputed fact in the industry.

Perhaps seizing on this point, the airline dared to hold his resignation hostage.

Training fees ranged from hundreds of thousands to millions, with vast discretionary space. Bian Ji also felt the headache, “Just because you received twenty thousand yuan and didn’t return it promptly, they gave you a two-year grounding penalty? This is too much of a joke!”

Qiao Yuan mocked himself, “Mainly because someone complained, the penalty notice listed my offenses one by one, very seriously.”

“The one who sent you money wasn’t Zhang Ji’s son? He pursued you, didn’t succeed, right?”

“Yes.”

Bian Ji slammed the table in anger, “What is this! I can’t help but think there’s a conspiracy!”

Qiao Yuan shook his head, “I’ve suspected it too. But without evidence, it’s useless for me to guess blindly.”

Nie Hang’s face was grim, his tone heavy, “So, now you either continue to drag out your grounding period here or pay up and leave?”

“Yes,” Qiao Yuan smiled bitterly, “And even if I pay and leave, there’s a non-compete clause in the contract.”

— Meaning, after leaving, he couldn’t join a similar company recruiting pilots for three years.

“Damn.” Nie Hang swore, “Truly disgusting.”

Bian Ji thought for a moment, asking, “Have you gone through labor arbitration?”

Qiao Yuan said, “I tried. But because I initiated the resignation process during the service period, and the act of receiving money was real, so…the arbitration result was that I had to fully compensate the company one million one hundred thousand yuan.”

“Shit!” Bian Ji couldn’t hold back his curse, “This isn’t fair.”

All three fell silent, weighed down by their own concerns, not even hearing the timer for the mushroom pot go off. A waiter came over to ladle soup for them, kindly warning, “Be careful, it’s hot.”

Bian Ji didn’t drink the soup, instead fanning the air, shaking his head, “Definitely can’t follow the arbitration’s decision, are you preparing to appeal?”

Qiao Yuan spread his hands, resignedly saying, “Yes, recently I’ve been looking for lawyers. But you know, my circle is just so big, I don’t know many legally savvy people.”

The dishes were already full, but due to everyone’s worries, no one touched them. The table full of mushrooms sat lonely on their plates waiting for attention.

Seeing Qiao Yuan’s bewildered look, Nie Hang elbowed Bian Ji, “Attendant Bian has worldwide romantic encounters, surely he has a few ex-boyfriends who are lawyers?”

Bian Ji was already accustomed to Nie Hang’s unpredictable jabs, even able to play along, “They don’t understand the mainland legal system. Not suitable.”

Qiao Yuan widened his eyes, trying to discern the truth in Bian Ji’s lightly humorous tone.

Afraid he’d misunderstand, Bian Ji hurriedly explained, “Just kidding. I’ll think about it for you, don’t worry, there must be a way.”

Bian Ji’s gaze fell on the golden food in the bowl, his thoughts inexplicably drifting to the mango cake prepared for a certain passenger’s birthday half a month ago.

“Right, Brother Nie.” Without drinking any soup, Bian Ji suddenly called out, “Do you know Hengtian?”

“Hmm, a law firm, right? I’ve heard of it.” Realizing something, Nie Hang’s mouth formed a wide circle, “So, you really did have a romantic encounter?”

“…” Bian Ji said helplessly, “It was a passenger from the last flight.”

“Oh?” Nie Hang was skilled at grasping key points, “The one you chatted with?”

Bian Ji had to admit.

Nie Hang raised his eyebrows, “Didn’t you say you ‘didn’t know’ him?”

“I really didn’t.” Bian Ji repeated, “His workplace was something he mentioned unintentionally.”

Nie Hang understood clearly, saying nothing, just watching him with a smile.

Bian Ji didn’t want to dwell on this issue, turning to Qiao Yuan, “I checked Hengtian, the company is in Huangpu, well-known for handling labor and marital disputes, not far from you, maybe you could ask them?”

Nie Hang once again seized the key point, “You ‘didn’t notice’ that ‘passenger,’ yet you know his address and business direction.” Nie Hang raised his eyebrows, “Brother Yuan, do you believe that?”

“Don’t believe it.” Qiao Yuan was originally focused on his lawsuit, finding it challenging to navigate the context of three people with eight ulterior motives, but was amused by Nie Hang, “What’s the ‘passenger’s’ name, can I find him directly?”

Left speechless by their remarks, Bian Ji tried to remain serious, “Actually, there are other excellent lawyers in the law firm, you can consult them on site.”

No one present would take such a transparent denial seriously. Nie Hang was barely holding back laughter, imitating Bian Ji’s tone, “‘Consult on site?'”

Bian Ji was embarrassed by his antics, tsk-ing at him, calling him annoying.

Nie Hang finally burst out laughing, “Cut the crap, you take Brother Yuan there directly.”

“How?” Bian Ji pretended not to understand, “I’m not connected to them.”

“Won’t you be once you go?” Nie Hang winked at Qiao Yuan.

The latter picked up on the cue, repeating, “Yes, you could guide me.”

“…” Bian Ji was at a loss for words, not wanting to openly admit he’d been rejected by that senior lawyer, only citing regulations, “Doesn’t this count as privately harassing a passenger?”

“It’s not you doing it,” Nie Hang nudged Qiao Yuan with his elbow, “Brother Yuan is doing it.”

Qiao Yuan laughed, “That’s right, I am.”

Bian Ji couldn’t continue the conversation, feebly refusing, “But I’m flying the red-eye tomorrow, I can’t spare the time.”

Qiao Yuan couldn’t gauge if this statement was true, seeking help from Captain Nie.

Captain Nie was well-informed about colleagues’ schedules, smiling, “Don’t listen to him. He’s flying tonight, accompanying you in the morning would be on his way.”

Bian Ji was amused in anger, “How did you know that?”

“Of course!” Nie Hang was quite proud, “Your schedule has become a hot commodity, a new stewardess was asking about it in the group the other day.”

Similar incidents were common, previously, colleagues from different flights would deliberately choose Bian Ji’s working hours to coincidentally meet him in the cafeteria, but Bian Ji never took it seriously.

His eloquent tongue was utterly defeated tonight, blaming the golden soup. Without it, he wouldn’t have been cornered into speechlessness.

“Forget it,” Bian Ji said helplessly, “Ride with me tomorrow, Brother Yuan. Meet me at Century Hub.”