Fang Hao originally thought the mishap with Flight 3536 heading the wrong way would just pass. However, when he arrived at the control room the next day, he realized it wasn’t going to be that easy. Yan Xiong, the Deputy Director of Daxing Air Traffic Control, called him in and immediately demanded an explanation of what exactly had happened yesterday.
The Deputy Director and he had a bit of a difficult relationship. This was clear not only to Fang Hao but also Wang Zhanbo, who had just joined as an intern a few months ago. The root of their discord probably started during a meeting about regulations, where Fang Hao pointed out that some rules didn’t make sense in practice. Most of the leaders had never worked as frontline controllers. When questioned, their first reaction was to defend the regulations. But Fang Hao firmly disagreed on the spot and proposed changes to the regulations right there and then. This greatly embarrassed the supervisors and put them in an awkward spot. As a senior official, Yan Xiong was meant to mediate between the Civil Aviation Administration and the controllers. His role was to represent the controller’s view and encourage proper communication with the supervisors. However, since the supervision provided his salary and bonuses, he naturally preferred to keep the peace and avoid stirring the pot. Yan Xiong had been displeased with Fang Hao’s attitude for a long time.
If Fang Hao hadn’t been so competent in his job, with his exceptional skill in handling emergencies and setting records for the most flights directed within a single hour at Daxing Airport, Yan Xiong probably would have had him transferred out long ago.
After that incident, Lu Yan asked him why he insisted on his stance so publicly, in front of more than twenty people and putting the leaders in a tough spot. Could they really be expected to change the rules on the fly? What could the administration possibly say? Agree and change immediately? Disagree and fire him? No matter how you look at it, there’s no easy way out.
But Fang Hao simply said that the purpose of the regulation meeting was to discuss changes to the regulations. If not brought up there, then when? Aviation rules should continually be updated. Why wait for an accident to happen before making a change?
This stubbornness was just part of who Fang Hao was, and Lu Yan found herself at a loss on how to handle him.
Yan Xiong once again criticized Fang Hao, “You are usually very careful. But if this kind of situation happens during an approach, and if things are even busier, it could lead to serious problems. Reflect on this.” Fang Hao listened quietly. In truth, he had already said these words to himself. But this time, ninety percent of the blame lay with the crew, who couldn’t read the charts correctly. He knew Director Yan was just looking to vent, so he held his tongue and didn’t respond.
Yan Xiong then changed the subject: “You’re aware that after Lu Yan left, we’re short-handed during approach, right? Guo Jie is also about to go on maternity leave. During this period, you’ll need to step up. It’s your time to be tested.”
Guo Zhifang, thirty-five this year, is a secondary controller at Beijing Approach and the most experienced one there. She’s meticulous and reliable, and Fang Hao feels more at ease when she’s around. However, they often had opposite shifts, and the opportunities to work directly together were limited. In recent years, several senior controllers have left the profession, viewing it as high-pressure, low-paying, and monotonous. Those who stay beyond five years are in the minority.
Feeling a bit down after his talk with Yan Xiong, Fang Hao decided to call home once he got off work. By “home,” he meant his mom and younger brother. His father had passed away from a sudden heart attack five years ago at the age of fifty-four. It was a shock for everyone. His mother had only recently begun to recover from the loss of her partner, even starting to date again in the past few months. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Shengjie, who was ten years younger than him, was studying in the UK. Currently, he is wrapping up an internship at a bank in Shenzhen during his summer break.
He chatted briefly with his mom about what she’d been busy with lately. They lived in Chaoyang, and he only returned there for a few days on or off weekends. The rest of the time, he stayed in his apartment in Daxing. But before he could say much, his mom turned the tables on him: “How have you been? Have you been on any dates?
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Come on, tell us anything new.” His brother chimed in too.
Mjcu Ljb tjv ab jvwla, “Rbatlcu wemt ab rtjgf…” Coafg j wbwfca, tf vfmlvfv ab yf tbcfra: “Qfii, atfgf’r bcf, P uefrr.”
At that, his mom perked up, eager for details: “Who are they? What do they look like? Show us some pictures!”
Mjcu Ljb aglfv ab afwqfg atflg fzqfmajalbcr, “Pa’r ralii mjreji. P’ii olii sbe lc lo atlcur ufa rfglber.” Lf vlvc’a kjca tlr ojwlis ab kbggs jybea tlr ijmx bo j rbmlji ilof bg ojmf wbgf jkxkjgv rfaeqr ogbw tlr wbw. Ktbrf rfaeqr tjv ifv ab rbwf mglcuf-kbgats wbwfcar jcv jiwbra jikjsr fcvfv jkxkjgvis—tf flatfg ofia qgfrregfv lcab la bg fcvfv eq tegalcu rbwfbcf firf’r offilcur.
“Why haven’t you let me visit your place recently? Is it because you work overtime and don’t have time to clean up? Is the house very messy?”
Fang Hao lifted his phone to show her around, “Not at all. Look, it’s quite tidy. I spend my days off doing housework. Isn’t Shengjie coming back to Beijing soon? He can stay with me for a few days.”
Fang Hao’s mom, Fan Ruolan, teased him, “What plans do you two brothers have? Don’t just keep taking Shengjie to the airport every day.”
Fang Hao laughed, “Shengjie can do whatever he wants. I’ll take him to a movie and enjoy some good food when I’m off. We won’t be going to the airport this time.”
Shengjie, not even eighteen yet but already very sensible, quickly said, “Brother, you’ve been so busy with work lately. I’m fine on my own. You don’t need to keep me company.”
Fan Ruolan felt a bit sorry for Fang Hao, “Your workplace… sigh. Couldn’t they find someone else to cover when the boss goes on maternity leave?”
Fang Hao said helplessly, “I’m just thankful she didn’t take her leave during peak season in summer .”
“Take a break when you’re tired. I know you want to do your best, but some things are beyond your control.” Fan Ruolan tried to comfort him.
Fang Hao acknowledged with a “Hmm,” noticing someone calling for Fan Ruolan on her end. He smiled, lips pursed—seems like his mom’s love life was quite lively these days. He truly felt pleased for her.
After Fan Ruolan left, Fang Hao and Fang Shengjie were the only ones left on the phone. Fang Hao remembered to ask, “Shengjie, when is your flight back, and which airport are you landing at? Have you brought a ticket yet?”
“Already got it, landing at your airport, hehe.”
Fang Hao grabbed a pen, “Give me your flight number and arrival time.” Despite his young age, Shengjie had been studying abroad and frequently took long international flights. Fang Hao always asked for the flight details, tracking the journey silently on his phone until the plane landed—a habit formed over many years.
Flipping through his phone, Shengjie said, “CA 1462, arriving at Daxing on September 29th at 7:05 PM.”
Fang Hao jotted it down, then asked with some surprise, “You bought a ticket for your birthday? Not going to spend it with your friends from the internship in Shenzhen?”
His brother laughed, “I have a high school reunion in Beijing on the 30th, so I thought I’d come back a day early. I already celebrated a bit early with my friends in Shenzhen.” Then he quickly added, “Brother, don’t bother buying a cake or anything. I’m trying to cut down on fat.”
“Then…” Fang Hao paused, “what would you like?”
“I don’t need anything, really. I’m good. ”
Fang Hao sighed, “Okay, I’ll figure something out.”
The brothers chatted a bit more before hanging up, looking forward to seeing each other in less than a week.
—
Over the past two years, Fang Hao had clearly noticed how quickly his brother was growing up. Not only had he caught up in height, but he had also matured a lot in how he dealt with life. Studying finance and mathematics in the UK, Shengjie had built his own circle of friends and even secured an internship in Shenzhen on his own. He knew that at Shengjie’s age, the world opened up like a vast horizon seen from high above. Compared to his brother’s life, his own seemed like a slow-paced movie on repeat.
Fang Hao also knew that when his parents had him, their family’s economic status could only be considered ordinary middle class. His father was an accountant, and his mother was an English teacher at a high school. Within a decade, both his parents had changed jobs, especially Fan Ruolan, who took a management position at a newly opened international school, which brought considerable financial comfort to the family. So, when fifteen-year-old Shengjie dreamed of studying abroad, they had the means to support him. Once, deep into a late-night conversation, his mother asked Fang Hao, do you mind? Shengjie is the lucky one. Fang Hao thought for a while and said, my grades weren’t that good back then. I couldn’t go abroad even if I wanted to. He added, why would I mind? I’m the lucky one. I had Dad for ten more years than Shengjie.
In fact, there were many other reasons he felt fortunate that he hadn’t shared with his mother. For instance, even with the most laid-back parents, they would have expectations for their children. With Shengjie around, he felt no pressure and could just be himself, doing what he loved and loving who he wanted. And Shengjie was like a little ray of sunshine, warming everyone’s hearts. When he was stressed or down, Shengjie’s funny antics always lifted his spirits.
Fang Hao never shared the real reason behind his breakup with his ex-boyfriend, Lu Jiawei, with his mother, feeling too embarrassed about it. But he did confide in Shengjie—who, from that point on, refused to call Lu Jiawei anything but “the jerk.”
Fang Hao remembered telling Shengjie with a smile that things are not always that simple.
At that time, Shengjie had just graduated from middle school and had his first failed crush. But when Shengjie looked him in the eyes and asked, “If this guy is making you upset without explanation, isn’t he in the wrong?”
Fang Hao remembered being speechless. Maybe things really were that simple after all.
Translator notes: Happy Chinese year! My mom is still celebrating. 😀
Aww their family dynamics are so cute and adorable. I hope to see more of this family in future chapters.
Happy Chinese New Year to you too and thank you for the update!
+1! Chen Jiayu will have some loving in-laws. XD
And thank you! 🐉🏮🏮🏮
Ok, I love this little brat already (つ≧▽≦)つ
Thank You for the new chapter ♡(˃͈ દ ˂͈ ༶ ) Happy Lunar New Year!
I’m in Malaysia apparently some Chinese celebrates on a different day too? There’s nonstop fireworks a few days ago. Happy Chinese New Year to you and your family 🥰
Such a wonderful future in-laws! Thank you for the chapter dear.
Don’t see chapter 14 on Novel Updates.
Thank you! it’s been added now and should be updated within 24h on Novelupdates. 🙂
Great 👏💕🤗
What a lovely and supportive family 💗