Chapter 35: Departure
Translator:EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor:EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhang Lisheng who had always been curious about his mothers anxiety that came out of nowhere asked carefully, Mother, actually, why do you
English! Speak English! Lili was shocked and shouted loudly.
Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a while with his eyes wide opened. He then asked with hesitation in English, Mother, areare you alright?
Im sorry, baby. Mother shouted at you, Im sorry.
After a moment of silence, Lili held her forehead then said with her shaky voice, Im alright. Its just that Im tired and Im in a rather bad mood due to the accident that happened.
Figuring that it was himself who brought such fear to his mother, Zhang Lisheng couldnt bear to ask further. He comforted her by saying, Take a rest now if youre tired, mother.
Were leaving this place tomorrow, arent we?
Yes, rest now. Ill bring you back to New York tomorrow. Good night, baby. Lili mumbled and switched off the wall lamp in the bedroom.
Both of them didnt speak at all that night.
Morning came. The phone on Zhang Lishengs bedside table rung and woke him up.
He turned around and realized that his mother was still sleeping so he picked up the phone immediately.
A young and sweet female voice came from the phone and greeted in English, Dear guest, good morning.
This is the Chengdu Golden Dragon Hotels wake-up call service. Its exactly 9 a.m. now and its three hours and thirty minutes before the departure of Flight A073 from Chengdu to New York.
Would you like us to send breakfast to your room after fifteen minutes?
Zhang Lisheng noticed the bright sky by looking at the window through the curtain, he then replied softly, Sure, you can send breakfast to us. Thank you.
Alright, sir, Bon appetite and safe journey.
Lili happened to wake up when Zhang Lisheng hung up the phone. She asked with her hoarse voice while smiling, Baby, youre awake. Who did you call? Were you saying goodbye to your friend?
No, mother. Its the hotels wake-up call service. Also, theyre sending us breakfast.
It was clear that this was Golden Dragon Hotels little compensation. Lili nodded without saying anything and got off the bed drowsily.
There were two bathrooms in Room B4507 double bedroom suite. Lili occupied one of them to take a hot shower and lifted her spirit by washing her face with cold water. She then began to contact Johnson who worked for the U.S. consulate in Chengdu.
Mr. Johnson, may I know if youve completed my sons passport application?
Maam Lili, were not applying passport for the young Zhang Lisheng but directly collecting
Okay Mr. Johnson, Im in a rush to board the plane. All I want to know now is if I can successfully leave China with my child today?
Of course you can. Since our consulate had made the promise, we would definitely make it happen.
In fact, Im holding your sons passport at the Golden Dragon Hotels lobby now. I would be the one contacting you if you called me a couple of seconds later.
Thats great. Lili said in relief, Thanks for coming all the way here.
You dont have to thank me, Maam Lili. This is my responsibility as an American citizen in a foreign country.
Im entering the elevator now, may I know which room are you staying in?
Room B4507 on the 45th floor.
Great, see you soon. Johnson hung up the call after saying that.
Lili walked towards the bathroom immediately and said to Zhang Lisheng that got freshened up after staying in the bathroom for too long, Baby, Mr. Johnson from the consulate has brought your passport here.
Ill meet him in the living room.
You can come out already after youre done washing up. Well go to the airport after breakfast.
Yes, mother. Zhang Lisheng said loudly while looking at his own reflection in front of a big and bright mirror in the bathroom.
All of a sudden, he felt all of his anxieties gush out of him because of the fact that he is going to leave tomorrow to face a brand new life.
With his wizard worm in his arms, Zhang Lisheng had finally calmed down after hours of overthinking. He patted his face and walked out of the bedroom after lifting his spirit.
The sunlight was shining brightly in the living room. Johnson who was just saying goodbye to Lili saw Zhang Lisheng who was walking out of the bedroom. He then smiled and said, Good morning, young man. Youre glowing with great spirit, seems like youre ready to embrace a brand new life.
Good morning, Mr. Johnson. Thank you for sending my passport here.
Youre welcome.
Alright, Im done with what Im supposed to do. Ill excuse myself now since both of you dont need me to send you to the airport.
I hope well have the chance to meet again in the future, Maam Lili.
Goodbye, young Mr. Zhang Lisheng.
The hotels breakfast happened to arrive as Johnson bid farewell. A bouquet of fragrant fresh flowers with water droplets on them came together with the breakfast.
The breakfast could be described as a sumptuous feast as there were many varieties of choices. After breakfast, Lili and Zhang Lisheng arrived at the hotel lobby to check out with their luggage.
What was unexpected was that the Golden Dragon Hotels customer service director Dong Qifeng had been waiting there for them.
He presented a genuine attitude and waived Lili and his sons room chargers for the past two days following Li Longhuas promise last night. He then asked politely, Maam Lili, should we go to the U.S. consulate first or would you like to go to Shuangliu International Airport directly?
Theres no need to trouble you any longer, Mr. Dong. The apology that you guys showed is enough.
I and my child will go to the airport by taxi.
Director Li had told me that my job today is to send the both of you to board your plane. If I failed to do this, he would surely demote me and reduce my salary. Dong Qifeng took the luggage in Lilis hand. He then said while smiling, Ill get the front desk to book the plane tickets now just in case.
Seems like Ive stayed in a really great hotel thats nothing less than Hiltons service.
Alright then, err
Dong Qifeng.
Alright then, Mr. Dong. Well go to the airport now.
As soon as they were out of the hotel, there was already a Mercedes-Benz limousine parked at the entrance waiting for them. Lili was surprised when she saw Dong Qifeng stepping forward and opening the backseat door himself, You guys are too nice, Mr. Dong. She then entered the car while holding Zhang Lishengs hand.
The limousine began to move. The car was quite like it was gliding as it drove to the airport directly.
The Chengdu Shungliu International Airport was the busiest civil aviation hub in central and western China as well as the most important passenger cargo distribution center in the southwest region. Its southwest air traffic control station held an outstanding position in China s aviation industry.
It had been expanded a couple of times during recent years. It no longer had the shabbiness that was exclusive in the Western China civil airport.
They had ample time when they arrived at the airport as there was still two hours before they board the plane.
After purchasing the plane tickets, Dong Qifeng looked at Zhang Lisheng who was curiously looking around in the airport hall. He turned to Lili and while smiling he said, Maam Lili, is there any more luggage that you would like to check in?
No, my luggage isnt overweight. I can carry it with me, thank you.
Im talking about the souvenirs that you bought, for instance, stuff like the wooden toad that your child likes very much. You might not be able to bring some of them onto the plane directly.
Zhang Lisheng who was beside them heard and asked immediately, Must I check it in?
Its best to check it in if you want to guarantee it to be delivered to America safely.
Sometimes stuff that is made with hard materials like this which you can easily swing around is difficult to be classified by the airport security personnel. They would be more casual when theyre handling such stuff as well.
Zhang Lishengs expression became solemn. He removed his backpack then opened it to show Dong Qifeng as he asked, Then how about these stone mask and sculptures?
Its best to check all of them in.
Actually the stone artifacts are still acceptable. Nowadays many of the ancient styled metalwares are even prohibited to be checked in if there are no Certificates of Authenticity.
Why?
Its a temporary local regulation. The artifact smuggling in Western Sichuan has been too rampant during recent years.
But dont worry, our hotel is considered a collaborative partner with Shuangliu Airport. Its very convenient if Im the one who is performing the check in. Dong Qifeng smiled and said while carrying everything himself.
Although he was unwilling to be away from his wizard worm, under such circumstances, Zhang Lisheng could only go to the airport check-in counter with Dong Qifeng helplessly. He then sealed Mountoad, stone grimace mask and stone figures in a box and checked them in.
After all the troublesome procedures were completed before boarding, Dong Qifeng sent Lili and her son to the security gate before bidding farewell, Maam Lili, we welcome you and your family to visit China and Western Sichuan again.
Were more than happy to welcome you to stay at our Chengdu Golden Dragon Hotel again.
Thanks for your help, Mr. Dong.
Lili who had sworn not to step into Western Sichuan again smiled as she said, Golden Dragon Hotel would definitely be my first pick if Im really coming to Chengdu again. Goodbye.
Zhang Lisheng who was beside Lili waved at Dong Qifeng while forcing a smile but his expression seemed to be extremely unnatural.
However, he was feeling very uneasy and there was nothing that he could rely on because his wizard worm was no longer with him. He had gotten used to the plenitude of mastering an extraordinary power during the past couple of days.
Lili misunderstood her sons source of anxiety so she hugged Zhang Lisheng and encouraged him, Baby, dont be nervous. Just walk directly through it with your boarding pass.
You dont have any metal items on you. Youll be able to pass the airport security personnel after allowing them to run a quick scan. Mothers right by you.
Okay. Zhang Lisheng didnt explain any further and nodded. After taking the boarding pass from his mothers hand, he walked through the airport security gate.
The procedure that only took less than a minute was successful. The mother and son passed the security check and arrived at the departure lounge.
As the airport had just been renovated, the departure hall was wide and bright. They could see many iron birds taking off and landing continuously clearly from the rows of floor to ceiling windows facing the runway.
Zhang Lisheng who had never seen a real airplane before was watching by the window in excitement for a long time. He stopped when he suddenly heard Lilis voice that spoke in an uncertain tone, Baby, were going to board the plane to America really soon.
Before that, theres something that I need to tell you.
Zhang Lisheng had a bad omen rose in him, he said in hesitation, Just tell me what you need to tell me, mother.