Legendary Captain

Chapter 355 Are you going to be a deserter?

"Where's my uncle?" Xu Xian, having returned from his mission, handed in his equipment and headed straight for the restaurant in the reception area. But when he arrived, the restaurant was completely empty. Xu Xian was stunned. It hadn't been that long; why couldn't he wait any longer?

Xu Xian glanced around, then looked at the food serving window. Seeing that there were still people inside, he asked, "Auntie, where did that person go?"

The aunt who was tidying up glanced at the seat Xu Xian was pointing to and said, "Oh! He answered a phone call and then went out."

"He went out, and then... he never came back?"

"Yes, he hasn't come back yet. It's been almost half an hour," the aunt said.

"Half an hour." Didn't Xu Qing disappear so quickly after he left? He just took a phone call and went out; could something have happened?

Xu Xian was still too naive. His first thought was whether Xu Qing had encountered some trouble, which was why he hadn't waited for him. After thinking for a moment, Xu Xian called Xu Qing, but the phone was switched off.

"What's going on?" Xu Xian thought for a moment and then called Mei Tingting, but Mei Tingting's phone was also switched off, which made things particularly strange.

Xu Xian put away his phone. No matter what, he needed to check on Wen Jingshu's condition first. Everything else could wait until he had seen Wen Jingshu.

Just then, two people entered the restaurant; it was Ye Qing and Wang Chenchen. They had gone straight to the hangar after Xu Xian landed, but when they arrived, the plane was empty, so they decided to try looking for Xu Xian.

"What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?" Xu Xian took a glass of juice and casually found a place to sit down. He hadn't had a drop of water since boarding the plane, and his throat felt like it was on fire.

Wang Chenchen sat down next to Xu Xian: "You're quite composed. You took on ten men single-handedly and wiped out the entire Sixth Division of the Guangdong Air Force. Did you really not have the slightest emotional fluctuation?"

Xu Xian's current state is no different from usual, as if his performance of frightening gods and ghosts in the sky just now was nothing out of the ordinary.

"What kind of emotional fluctuation do we need? Raise your hands and celebrate? Is that interesting?" Xu Xian calmly downed his juice in one gulp, perhaps because he drank it too fast, and choked on it.

After a fit of violent coughing, Xu Xian grabbed the paper cup, threw it into the trash can, and glanced at Wang Chenchen and Ye Qing, who were staring at him: "You two come and watch me. If you have something to say, say it quickly!"

"The division commander wants to see you!" Wang Chenchen said directly.

"Commander? What do you want to see me for?" Xu Xian shifted his gaze to Ye Qing: "I've kept my promise. You'd better remember what you said."

Ye Qing: "Don't worry, I always keep my word. I'll send more people over there tomorrow, and we'll definitely get it done within three months."

"Alright!" Xu Xian stood up, rubbing his fingers a few times; they were sticky. The aerial battle hadn't actually made him seem as relaxed as he appeared. His right hand, gripping the control stick, was constantly sweating, making him feel quite uncomfortable.

After getting up, Xu Xian clearly ignored Wang Chenchen's presence and prepared to leave the restaurant. Wang Chenchen couldn't hold back any longer and immediately grabbed Xu Xian's arm: "Where are you going? Aren't you going to the division headquarters later? The division commander wants to see you, now!"

Xu Xian gave Wang Chenchen a deep look, then suddenly smiled: "I have to go to Changfeng for something."

"Changfeng? I'll make arrangements for you after you go to the division headquarters," Wang Chenchen said.

Xu Xian shook his head, his attitude extremely firm: "I mean now! I'll go back to the dorm, take a shower, change my clothes, and then I'm going out."

Xu Xian's inner lining was soaked with sweat, so he definitely needed to go back and take a shower and change his clothes, otherwise the smell would become too strong after a while.

"Now! Impossible! Change your clothes and go straight to the division headquarters. The shuttle bus is waiting downstairs in the dormitory." Wang Chenchen was equally unyielding. Wang Zhaoxin had just contacted him directly, asking him to bring Xu Xian to the division headquarters. The division commander had specifically requested him; how could Wang Chenchen disobey?

"Captain?" Xu Xian laid it all out: "Do you really think someone like me is suited for the military? Before boarding the plane, I was haggling over the mission, and just now you wouldn't let me pursue them, so I disobeyed orders on the battlefield! Is someone like me really suited for the military? Captain, please don't make things difficult for me."

When Xu Xian first received the assignment, he explicitly stated his intention to slack off. It was only after Ye Qing offered to send additional personnel to repair the flight data recorder that Xu Xian agreed to do his best. Isn't this just haggling? But is such haggling allowed in the military or in a semi-military organization like the Luohang fleet?

The military is not a vegetable market!

As for disobeying orders on the battlefield, that was even more obvious. Wang Chenchen clearly stated over the radio that Xu Xian was not to pursue enemy aircraft, but Xu Xian completely ignored this and continued to do as he pleased. Although the final outcome was good, the disobedience on the battlefield was undeniable.

Honestly, Xu Xian's overly strong individualism makes him unsuitable for the collective life of the military. Even Xu Xian himself felt this way after all these events. So why make things difficult for each other? Wouldn't it be better for everyone to go their own way?

"Are you absolutely determined to leave?" Wang Chenchen frowned. "However, whether you leave or not still depends on what the higher-ups think."

"Huh?" Xu Xian was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Ye Qing behind Wang Chenchen: "What's going on?"

Judging from Wang Chenchen's words, it seemed that leaving wouldn't be a simple matter, which was different from what Xu Xian had expected.

"What's going on? The Luohang fleet belongs to the Third Division. If you want to retire early, of course you need approval from above. What's so surprising?" Ye Qing spread his hands: "You seem to misunderstand, don't you?"

"Early retirement?" Xu Xian stared, speechless for a long time. "Didn't they say that the Luoyang Airlines fleet wasn't part of the military establishment? When I joined the Luoyang Airlines fleet, I wasn't even considered a full-time employee, so how can you say I'm retiring early?"

At this point, Xu Xian realized that things seemed to be getting complicated. Early retirement is generally only applicable to cases of serious disciplinary violations during military service or major family upheavals.

The latter situation, where a major family crisis leads to a shortage of labor, forcing them to return home early, is relatively better, as it's due to objective reasons. In such cases, early retirement will not affect their future life.

However, it is not easy to deal with cases where serious disciplinary violations during service lead to early discharge. One such situation not only affects the individual but also has a negative impact on future generations: desertion!

Military service is not child's play. Once you've come, you have to serve the minimum required number of years. If you subjectively refuse or resist military service, you will be treated as a deserter.

This is a very serious outcome; basically, he can forget about passing the political review within three generations.

Xu Xian had initially assumed that joining the Luoyang Airlines fleet wouldn't count as military service since it wasn't part of the military's organizational structure. However, it now seemed that wasn't the case. If joining the Luoyang Airlines fleet did count as military service, then things would be very serious. His voluntary decision to withdraw would be a classic case of refusing to serve, and he would be treated as a deserter.

"Xu Xian, think back to what we said back then? You said you'd stay in the Luoyang Airlines fleet for a year and win the title of Pilot of the Year. Have you completed that year?" Ye Qing sighed, "The Luoyang Airlines fleet is indeed not part of the normal military organization. Do you know what the minimum service period is for a normal military organization?"

Xu Xian frowned: "Two years."

"Yes, two years! Due to the special nature of the Luohang fleet, the minimum tenure is one year, which perfectly matches our agreement. You didn't say you would retire early! If you can keep your promise to me, there won't be any issue of early retirement." Ye Qing shook his head repeatedly: "Honestly, Xu Xian, you're putting me in a really difficult position. You said you would stay with Luohang for a year, but you didn't! You said you would win the Pilot of the Year award, but you didn't! Tell me, who should be apologizing?"

Ye Qing laid out the facts, reasoned with him, and delivered a tearful "accusation" that completely fooled Xu Xian. At this moment, Xu Xian didn't even know what to say. In Ye Qing's rant, he was portrayed as a complete liar, and it seemed that once he joined Luohang, he was truly serving in the military.

If what Ye Qing said is true, and the minimum service period for the Luohang fleet is one year, then his current proposal to withdraw is nothing short of desertion.

Xu Xianren was numb. If this happened, wouldn't he be unable to leave?

He asked Wang Chenchen tremblingly, "Captain, does joining Luohang really mean serving in the military?"

"Xu Xian, isn't your work ID showing that you belong to the Third Division? Don't you understand?" Wang Chenchen sighed. "I just overheard your conversation with Ye Qing. This really isn't Ye Qing's fault. You agreed to come to Luohang for a year. As long as you kept your promise, there wouldn't be any problems. So, the problem lies with you."

"I..." Xu Xian opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time. Not long ago, he was still arrogantly insisting on withdrawing, but now he was as humble as a lackey, as if he were a despicable and untrustworthy villain. Xu Xian suddenly lost his confidence.

Ye Qing and Wang Chenchen both looked at Xu Xian with kind eyes, but Xu Xian felt that if he mentioned quitting again, they would immediately report him as a deserter.

Ye Qing chuckled and put his arm around Xu Xian's shoulder, acting like they were best buddies: "How about we make a deal?"

"What are you doing?" Xu Xian looked at Ye Qing's face warily. He felt that he was still too naive and could not outsmart this old fox, Ye Qing.

"Don't look at me like that," Ye Qing laughed. "I'll definitely keep my promise about sending more people to repair the flight data recorder. But... why don't you stay? What would you do if you left? Go back to flying commercial airliners. What's the point of those stable commercial airliners? Flying fighter jets is so much more interesting!"

Xu Xian shoved Ye Qing's arm away from his shoulder, his face full of disgust: "Who said I'm going back to fly commercial airlines? Can't I have my wife, kids, and a warm bed?"

"You still need to make money to support your wife, kids, and a warm bed! If you don't fly commercial airlines when you go back, how will you earn money to support your family? You need to have something to do. The pay here at Luoyang Airlines is no worse than in commercial airlines," Wang Chenchen advised.

Civil aviation pilots do receive better pay than military pilots, but Luoyang Airlines' fleet offers the same level of personal benefits as civil aviation pilots, which is a significant advantage.

Ye Qing knew Xu Xian's background well, and winked at Wang Chenchen. If it were anyone else, saying this might have some effect, but talking to Xu Xian about compensation? Did he think he was going to accept that?

It can only be said that their vision was too narrow.

"Speaking of money, Captain Wang, I have something to tell you about." Xu Xian patted Wang Chenchen's shoulder warmly and winked, saying, "Do you know Chimelong Airlines?"

"I know, I've even flown on their planes. What's wrong?" Wang Chenchen asked curiously.

Xu Xian patted his chest proudly: "It's from my wife's family."

"Huh?" Wang Chenchen's eyes widened, and her mouth opened so wide that an egg could fit inside.

Before they even started playing, Xu Xian patted Wang Chenchen again: "Do you know Shenggong Construction?"

"I know!" The second tallest building in Rongfu was built by Shenggong Construction, so as a local resident of Rongfu, I know that.

Xu Xian raised his chin: "They belong to my wife's family too."

Wang Chenchen was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped. He glanced at Ye Qing and gave her a questioning look, but Ye Qing just nodded slightly.

Xu Xian, already smug and self-satisfied, gave a thumbs-up, exuding an air of arrogance: "Renxin Hospital."

"Is it also from your wife's family?" Wang Chenchen asked helplessly.

"Wow, she's even answering questions first!" Xu Xian was very satisfied with Wang Chenchen's reaction, looking at her with an expression that said, "She's a promising student."

Wang Chenchen sighed: "You've never been one to live off a woman like this before."

"Captain Wang, I don't like what you're saying. What do you mean by 'living off a woman'? This is called ability!" Xu Xian wasn't ashamed at all; on the contrary, he was proud. His father, Xu Jingyang, had once said that being able to live off a woman was also a manifestation of ability, and Xu Xian understood this principle well.

There's no point in arguing when you can't see eye to eye. Wang Chenchen, a traditional man, and Xu Xianzhen simply don't share the same values. He waved his hand and said, "We can't continue this conversation. Pack your things and come with me to the division headquarters."

Xu Xian grabbed Wang Chenchen's wrist: "Captain Wang, we can discuss other things later. Let me go today, I have something urgent, very urgent!"

"Family matters?" Ye Qing raised an eyebrow.

"Yes!" Xu Xian nodded.

"Then you can go!" Ye Qing said directly, "I'll talk to the division commander. Also, there's the matter of early retirement."

"Let's forget about that." Xu Xian really didn't dare to treat himself like a deserter, as that would harm his descendants.

"Hmm!" Ye Qing pursed her lips, hummed in response, and tilted her head. "Let's go, you seem pretty busy."

"Are you really capable of handling the division commander?" Xu Xian asked with some concern. If he wanted to stay with the Luohang fleet, he would have to consider his relationship with the Third Division.

Ye Qing smiled and said, "It's alright, let's go, don't worry."

Seeing that Ye Qing had said so, Xu Xian felt relieved: "Thank you!"

Just as Xu Xian was about to leave, he remembered something: "Where did that man and woman go?"

"A man and a woman?" Ye Qing was taken aback. "You mean Meng Ziyang and Ying Ruoqing? They're gone? What happened?"

For some reason, Ying Ruoqing canceled the rest of today's plans and postponed them to tomorrow, which puzzled Ye Qing.

Xu Xian pondered the name "Ying Ruoqing" with a complex expression, lost in thought.

"Oh right! I almost forgot. What do you mean by 'young master'? Ying Ruoqing is calling you 'young master'? What era is this? People still call each other 'young master'?" Ye Qing said with a strange expression.

Xu Xian snorted: "You'll have to ask her grandfather, who's full of feudal remnants!"

After saying that, Xu Xian didn't linger and ran away in a flash.

Once Xu Xian had completely disappeared from their sight, Wang Chenchen clicked her tongue and said, "What an innocent and pitiful kid! You've completely fooled him without him even realizing it."

"How could I lie to him?" Ye Qing couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.

"Although there is a one-year service limit for our Luohang, there is no penalty for early retirement. Why don't you say so?" Wang Chenchen glanced at Ye Qing.

The primary task of the Los Angeles Airlines fleet is to collect extreme data on various aircraft types, which places extremely high demands on the pilots' skills. Often, when a pilot's performance dips below the required level, they can no longer meet the fleet's technical requirements. Consequently, those who cannot meet the skill standards cannot continue working for Los Angeles Airlines and must retire early. However, in many cases, this has little to do with the pilot's own abilities; it's mainly due to the extremely high standards of the Los Angeles Airlines fleet. Performance is inherently difficult to control, and if a fluctuation in performance leads to early retirement, it's a huge loss. What excellent pilot would want to join in the future?

Therefore, the Los Angeles Airlines fleet does indeed have a minimum service period of one year. If you can complete the full service, you'll benefit greatly when you return to your original unit. If you retire early from the Los Angeles Airlines fleet due to other circumstances, there will be no penalty; you'll simply be returned to your original unit. Not to mention failing the third-generation political review! These are all things Xu Xian is just scaring himself with.

However, Ye Qing's deliberate concealment was also an important reason.

Ye Qing laughed loudly: "Don't you know too? Why don't you say so? Aren't we all thinking the same thing?"

"The title of Pilot of the Year? Ye Qing, I didn't expect you to be so shameless. Saying such a shameless thing without even blushing or panting."

Ye Qing touched his nose with a hint of shame: "The truth is, we agreed on the title of best pilot of the year."

"Why did you want him to win the Pilot of the Year award? To gain respect! If you want Xu Xian to fly your fighter jet, you have to make Xu Xian respect the masses. The Pilot of the Year award is just a means for him to gain respect. But this time, Xu Xian turned the tide; who dares to disagree with him? Now that the goal has been achieved, does the method still matter?" Wang Chenchen bluntly exposed Ye Qing's ulterior motives: "What a good kid! He believes everything you say!"

Although Xu Xian was a bit willful, Wang Chenchen could see that he was good at heart. Otherwise, Wang Chenchen wouldn't have wanted to keep him around. No matter how talented someone is, if they have inherent character flaws, Wang Chenchen wouldn't approve. Such a person, possessing talent, could potentially cause even greater damage.

"Don't pretend to be some saint with me. Aren't you in on the same thing, lying to him too?" Ye Qing said disdainfully, curling his lip.

Wang Chenchen declared righteously, "I'm just appropriately guiding a lost youth. What do you know? He's just a child. How can we let him have his way with everything?"

"A child?" Ye Qing shook his head helplessly, truly unsure of what to say.

"By the way, didn't the division commander just see Xu Xian a while ago? Why is he sending him to the division headquarters again? Does he like him that much? Can he see something special in him?" A few days ago, on the day Xu Xian took his induction test, Division Commander Wang Zhaoxin came from the division headquarters and happened to run into Xu Xian who was returning. It's only been a few days.

Ye Qing patted Wang Chenchen on the shoulder: "You really think it's the division commander who wants to see Xu Xian?"

"Huh? Who else could it be but the division commander?" Wang Chenchen was taken aback.

"There are only a handful of people in the entire Western Air Force who can have a division commander act as an intermediary. Unexpected, isn't it?"

Wang Chenchen looked incredulous: "You're not talking about the commander, are you?"

(End of this chapter)