Chapter 50: A Helicopter Ride Home

“If it’s possible, could I return home first? I still have some personal belongings there that I’d like to pack.”

After finishing the call, Liu Xingluo voiced her request to the woman in professional attire.

‘The contract with the government had already been signed, and she was officially part of their ranks now.’

‘Remaining here served no purpose, as orders from above wouldn’t arrive anytime soon.’

‘Moreover, she was slated for long-term work in another region, and she had no idea when she would next have the chance to return home.’

‘It seemed prudent to seize this opportunity to go back, not only to gather her personal effects but also to take a proper look at the home where she had lived for over a decade.’

“That will require the Minister’s permission.”

“No problem at all. Let’s go ask her now.”

‘Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Li Bai would likely let her go home, or so she hoped.’

‘After all, Liu Xingluo didn’t know Li Bai very well, even if she seemed approachable.’

Upon returning to Li Bai’s office and explaining her desire to go home, Li Bai readily agreed.

It was not the first time she had approved such a request, after all.

“Of course.”

“Most Superhumans (TL Note: 超能力者, individuals with supernatural abilities) make similar requests before being dispatched to other regions—wishing to bid farewell to their families or to bring along items of profound personal significance.”

“However, you probably can’t get back on your own, can you?”

“Would you like us to arrange transportation for you?”

Having appeared in this city through a rift, Liu Xingluo carried none of the essential items one might need: no phone, no wallet, no identification.

Under such circumstances, it would undoubtedly be exceedingly difficult for her to use public transport to return to her own city.

“You can do that?”

“Then I’d be very grateful for your trouble.”

Liu Xingluo knew full well that she couldn’t return home by herself in her current predicament.

Li Bai and her team offering assistance was truly a godsend.

“It’s no trouble at all; this sort of thing is quite normal for us.”

“Xiao He (TL Note: 小荷, a female staff member), I’ll trouble you to escort her to the Sawame City branch.”

“No problem. Please follow me.”

“Thank you.”

After expressing her gratitude to Li Bai, Liu Xingluo followed the woman named Xiao He into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.

“Aren’t we supposed to be going to Sawame City?”

“What are we doing on the top floor?”

Liu Xingluo was somewhat perplexed.

If they were sending her home, shouldn’t they be heading to the first floor or the underground garage?

“We are indeed going to the Sawame City branch, and coming to the top floor is precisely for that purpose.”

“Is that so? I understand.”

Liu Xingluo fell silent, waiting patiently.

Soon, the elevator reached the top floor, and the moment the doors parted to reveal something, Liu Xingluo’s eyes widened involuntarily.

“Wow, it’s a helicopter!”

“This is incredibly cool.”

Liu Xingluo had seen helicopters many times on television and in games.

However, this was her first time witnessing one in person.

And if she wasn’t mistaken, she was about to ride this very helicopter home.

‘[Damn it, why didn’t I bring my phone? If I had, I could have taken a picture as a souvenir.]’

To think she couldn’t capture this memorable sight because she hadn’t brought her phone—Liu Xingluo was utterly consumed by regret (TL Note: 肠子都青了, literally ‘her intestines turned green,’ an idiom meaning to be extremely regretful).

Had she known such unexpected events would unfold today, she would have brought her phone no matter what.

“Come aboard and buckle up.”

“Alright… wait, are you flying the helicopter?”

Watching Xiao He settle into the pilot’s seat, expertly don a helmet, and fasten her seatbelt, Liu Xingluo was astonished once more.

Typically, pilots were specially trained military personnel, yet Xiao He, by all appearances, hardly seemed like a woman capable of commanding a helicopter.

“Indeed.”

“There’s no need to doubt my piloting skills; Minister Li entrusted you to me with complete confidence.”

‘That made sense.’

‘Since Li Bai had chosen her to escort Liu Xingluo home, it implied her piloting abilities were highly trusted.’

‘Honestly, what was she even doubting?’

‘It would be better to quickly get in, settle down, and fasten her seatbelt.’

“Wow, the scenery is truly magnificent.”

This was her first time on a plane, albeit a helicopter.

Nevertheless, the city view from above was quite spectacular, especially now that Liu Xingluo’s enhanced vision allowed her to clearly discern every part of the cityscape.

She could see, for instance, a street where Evolved Beasts (TL Note: 异生兽, creatures that have undergone abnormal evolution) were being fought, a highway choked with traffic, and even a school where a physical education class was in session.

Having observed the sights throughout the journey, the helicopter finally reached their destination: the Sawame City branch.

Since prior communication had been established with the branch personnel, the helicopter was able to land smoothly on their helipad.

“I’ll only be taking you this far; the rest will be handled by the branch staff.”

“They will ensure you arrive home safely.”

“Understood, and thank you for the trouble.”

“You even went to the effort of flying a helicopter to bring me here.”

“Oh, I wonder if I’ll ever get such special treatment again.”

“If it were possible, I’d genuinely love to experience flying around in a helicopter every day; it would surely be fascinating.”

Listening to Liu Xingluo’s words, Xiao He simply offered a faint smile.

“Once, another Superhuman expressed similar sentiments to yours.”

“If he were to hear what you just said now, he would earnestly tell you, ‘When you genuinely have to commute by helicopter every single day, you won’t feel this way at all.'”

For Superhumans to require frequent helicopter travel, it invariably implied a gravely serious situation had arisen, or perhaps numerous incidents that only that particular Superhuman could resolve.

Moreover, helicopters were noisy, making it impossible for the passenger to rest properly.

Indeed, only a newcomer like Liu Xingluo, who had yet to experience such circumstances, could speak with such a beaming smile.

“Is that how it is? Hmm, you’re right.”

“The novelty of helicopter rides would wear off quickly, and it would naturally become uninteresting.”

Evidently, Liu Xingluo hadn’t fully grasped Xiao He’s meaning.

However, it didn’t matter; when she truly had the opportunity to experience it firsthand—spending an entire day shuttling between various locations by helicopter—she would naturally come to understand.

“Well then, I’ll be heading back now.”

“The rest is up to them.”

“Goodbye.”

“Alright, goodbye.”

Seeing that the branch personnel had already arrived to meet Liu Xingluo, Xiao He wasted no more time, piloting the helicopter away from the spot.

“You must be Miss Liu Xingluo, correct?”

“Guangyuan City Branch Minister Li Bai has already briefed us on the details, so please follow us.”

“We have a vehicle arranged to take you home.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“My apologies for troubling you to specifically arrange a car for my return.”

‘To think that an ordinary citizen like her would receive such esteemed treatment—not only a helicopter ride but also a dedicated car service to take her home!’

‘It seemed becoming a government Superhuman indeed came with quite a few perks.’