Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

Florida airport.

Flight 528 cargo hold.

Zhong Lizhen groaned as she woke behind a few large wooden cargo boxes.

“Huh?”

“Shh….”

“Ah?”

“Lower your voice.”

Zhong Lizhen was about to shout when her mouth was covered by a hand. She turned and saw it was Dong Xuebing. She looked around and was stunned. She did not know what happened and tried to recall. She remembered Xiao Dong hitting her on the back of her neck, and she fainted. Her face changed, and she looked at her clothes.

Why were my clothes changed!?

Where am I?!

Zhong Lizhen could only think of the worst situation she could be in.

Dong Xuebing knew what she was thinking and peeped at the few airport staff loading the luggage into the cargo hold. They stood further away, and he whispered to Zhong Lizhen. “I had no choice earlier. I had warned you, and I did not change your clothes. Your gown is over there, and I had put a shirt over you. Our photos should be sent to the airport, and they are looking for us.”

Zhong Lizhen looked at her clothes and noticed she was still wearing her blouse and skirt under the shirt. She looked at Dong Xuebing and noticed he had changed too.

Zhong Lizhen nodded. “I understand. But why did you knock me out?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I cannot let you see what I did. That’s why….”

“It would be harder for us to leave the country if I fainted. It will attract more attention.”

“Huh? It’s my secret, and I cannot tell you.”

Zhong Lizhen did not ask further. “Then where are we now? What is the noise outside of this warehouse?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “We are on the plane.”

“Plane?!” Zhong Lizhen was surprised. “We are on a plane?”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “We are in the cargo hold of a plane. They are still loading the luggage.”

Zhong Lizhen gasped. “How is this possible? How did you enter the airport?”

Zhong Lizhen felt this is impossible. The security at the airport is tight. Besides the soldiers, they must still produce documents and pass security checks. How can they get on the plane? Moreover, she was knocked out, and Xiao Dong got to carry her.

“Did you kill people again?”

“Of course not. If I do that, all the flights will be canceled, and we cannot leave.”

“No one in the airport noticed us?!”

“No.”

“There’s only one way to the plane from the airport. How did you….”

Dong Xuebing did not explain. “I cannot explain this. We are on the plane, and it will take off soon. We should be going home without any troubles.”

Zhong Lizhen took a deep breath. “I am more curious about you. Who exactly are you?”

Dong Xuebing was speechless. “The more curious you are, the more awkward I am to tell you. Err… let’s talk about it when we are back. This is the last part of our journey, and we don’t know what will happen next. We cannot let our guard down. We must hide and not be discovered.”

“I understand.”

“Someone is here. Shh….”

Footsteps got nearer. A few airport staff were walking toward them.

There were some noises, and the staff seemed to be securing the cargo.

Zhong Lizhen seemed to be nervous. They had reached this stage, and she did not want to fail. However, Dong Xuebing remained calm and composed. He squatted behind some crates and luggage and was prepared to move if they were discovered. The airport staff checked the cargo and left.

Five minutes….

Ten minutes….

Clank…. The cargo hold door closed.

The cargo hold became darker, and they were in total darkness in a few seconds.

“Xiao Dong.”

“I am here.”

“What’s going on?”

“They had closed the door. We should be safe now.”

“We are lucky.”

“Hold on to the crates. The plane should be taking off soon.”

The moment Dong Xuebing finished saying that, they felt the plane moving. The cargo hold was noisy, and they could feel the plane moving on the runway. About five to six minutes later, they felt their bodies getting heavier and the air pressure in their ears. The plane had taken off.

Ten meters….

One hundred meters….

One thousand meters….

The plane had reached a high altitude.

The cargo hold was in total darkness, and they could not see anything.

Although they were in a plane, the cargo hold conditions cannot be compared to the cabin. It was noisy, and there was no air conditioner. The temperature dropped drastically.

“Professor Zhong.”

“Huh?”

“This flight should be around ten hours.”

“I know. We should reach Beijing Airport tomorrow morning.”

“Yes. Take a nap if you are tired.”

“It’s so noisy here. How can I sleep? You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Ok. I will take a short nap. Call me if you need anything. I am beside you.”

“Go ahead. Thanks for everything today.”

“Don’t mention it. This is what I should do.”

“We are unrelated, and this is not something you should do.”

“Err…. I will sleep for a while.

The cargo hold got colder, and Dong Xuebing curled up.

Dong Xuebing could not change the conditions and only wanted to get home. He had no problems with the conditions and leaned against the wooden crate. He checked his remaining time and had slightly more than ten minutes left. He got to use it cautiously. He still has to bring Zhong Lizhen from the airport as they do not have documents and air tickets. Although they will be in China, he must be cautious not to leave any evidence. He does not want to be noticed or suspected by other countries. He kept his sunglasses on until now.

Dong Xuebing was exhausted and fell asleep quickly.

One hour….

Three hours….

Time passed.

Dong Xuebing was shivering and woke up suddenly. His hands and feet were cold, and it felt like winter.

Is this zero degree or sub-zero degree?

Dong Xuebing did not know the temperature in the cargo hold, but he could not stand it. He was still wearing spring clothes. They did not have an air conditioner in the cargo hold, which was freezing. He stood up and started moving.

“Xiao Dong.”

“Ah? I am here.”

“Are you cold?”

“Yes. What about you?”

“I am fine.”

Although it was dark, Dong Xuebing could tell Zhong Lizhen was not doing well. Her voice was trembling. After loosening his joints, he reached over. He touched Zhong Lizhen, frightening her. He sat beside her to be nearer to her. Sitting near each other will warm them up slightly.

“Har….”

Zhong Lizhen was breathing heavily and seemed to be in bad shape.

Dong Xuebing’s body was much better, unlike Zhong Lizhen's. He could still withstand the cold.

“Where is your white gown?”

“I… I am wearing it.”

“Then wear my clothes too.”

“No…. I am fine.”

Dong Xuebing ignored her and took off his jacket. “Just wear it. I feel terrible to see you suffering.”

After a while, Dong Xuebing felt a cold hand taking his jacket from him.

“Have you worn it?”

“Yes.”

“How long more before we reach?”

“We still got seven to eight hours.”

“Still so long?”

“Yes. It’s night now, and the temperature will drop further.”

Zhong Lizhen did not reply. She was rubbing her palms together to warm herself. But her movements seemed to be getting slower.

Dong Xuebing knew this could not carry on. “Professor Zhong, sit closer to me if you don’t mind. I can warm your hands for you.”

“Hiss…. I am fine.”

“How are you fine?”

“I can still take it.”

“It’s still early. How am I going to answer if anything happens to you?”

Zhong Lizhen’s body will not take such low temperatures and might die.

Zhong Lizhen did not reply to him.

Dong Xuebing reached over and found her hands. He breathed into her hands and started rubbing them.

The pair of cold hands tried to pull back away from him.

Dong Xuebing grabbed her hands and continued to warm them. “Stop moving.”