Chapter 576: Escape (2)

Fortunately, Zhu Yansong had alerted the aircraft crew beforehand and kept them from turning him in.

Thanks to everyone’s help, he managed to escape capture this time.

After clearing the suspicions, it wasn’t long before the aircraft finally received the control tower’s permission to take off.

As the plane ascended, Ling Chen finally felt a weight lift off his chest.

Returning to Beijing, he didn’t expect to stir up so much trouble. To help him, the General, Han Bing, and Tang Yuan all broke the rules, and he didn’t know what kind of punishment they would face.

Although he had escaped from Beijing, the HZ1 was still on him; he couldn’t shake off the label of a fugitive for the time being.

Ah! What a headache.

Ling Chen sighed inwardly. Nanrong Wanqing and Hu Fei’s fate were uncertain, still waiting for him to rescue them, and then this problem arose, truly troubling.

"Ling, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing Tang Shiyun bring her head closer, Ling Chen pulled his thoughts back and smiled, shaking his head, "Nothing."

"That..." Tang Shiyun looked at Ling Chen, hesitating as if she wanted to say something.

Ling Chen smiled slightly; he well understood what Tang Shiyun wanted to ask. However, even if he told Tang Shiyun, she wouldn’t understand.

"Don’t worry about me, it’s just a misunderstanding; I will prove my innocence soon."

Hearing this, Tang Shiyun tactfully didn’t ask further.

"What have you been busy with recently in Beijing?" Ling Chen diverted the subject.

"I attended several performances, and with the New Year coming up, everywhere is recording programs. I’ve been running around outside every day this month, barely had any rest."

"Don’t tire yourself out too much, take care of your health," Ling Chen said with concern.

Tang Shiyun helplessly said, "I know, but sometimes I can’t help it. Before, I thought stars were glamorous, only now do I realize that the glamour is superficial, and in reality, it’s tough. After these two days, I plan to go home and spend the New Year with my parents. Ling, why don’t you join us?"

"Me?" Ling Chen chuckled bitterly and politely declined: "I’d better not. Your mom sees me like an enemy; if I went, your family wouldn’t have a peaceful New Year."

"That’s true." Tang Shiyun sighed helplessly, pouting, "My mom is just like that, nobody can change her. Thankfully, she has toned it down a bit; she’s not like she used to be."

"Regardless, she is your mom; you should treat her well." After saying this, Ling Chen turned his head to look out the window at the blue sky and white clouds, his lips curving into a bitter smile.

He had promised Nanrong Wanqing they would spend the New Year together at home; little did he know such a thing would happen.

At the moment, all he could hope for was to safely rescue everyone.

...

East Sea City.

Criminal Investigation Headquarters.

"Captain Xia."

A uniformed male officer hurriedly ran into Xia Mutong’s office, handing over a document, and said, "Captain Xia, this is a new order we just received, instructing us to immediately lock down the airport and look for an escaped inmate."

"An escaped inmate?" Xia Mutong asked without looking up. "Which escaped inmate?"

"According to the superiors, the escaped inmate stole government property and is an extremely dangerous person. Two hours ago, this inmate escaped from Beijing, and the superiors believe he is likely to come to East Sea City."

"What’s the inmate’s name?"

"Ling Chen!"

Upon hearing the name Ling Chen, Xia Mutong abruptly lifted her head and stared at her colleague, pausing between words to ask, "Who did you say? Say it again."

"Ling Chen."

After confirming the name of the fugitive again, Xia Mutong quickly flipped open the file. Seeing the familiar photo on it, Xia Mutong was completely stunned.

How did he become a wanted criminal in just a few days?

Such an unreliable bastard! Xia Mutong thought to herself.

"Captain Xia, the higher-ups want us to take action quickly; what do you think...?"

"Alright, I know. Notify everyone, head to the airport immediately," Xia Mutong commanded, suppressing the doubts in her heart.

"Yes." The colleague saluted and immediately left the office.

After he left, Xia Mutong thought for a moment, then picked up the phone on her desk and dialed her own mobile number.

When she had broken up with Ling Chen, he still had her mobile phone. If nothing went wrong, this number should be able to reach Ling Chen.

As the call connected, it immediately started ringing.

Connected!

A few seconds later, the call was answered, and a familiar voice came through, "Hello! Who is this?"

Hearing Ling Chen’s voice, for some reason, Xia Mutong felt inexplicably irritated and spoke in a displeased tone, "Guess who."

"It’s Officer Xia," Ling Chen chuckled awkwardly and asked, "Officer Xia, do you need something from me? Oh, right! I’m borrowing your phone for a few days; I’ll return it when I get back."

"Stop beating around the bush, what did you steal?"

"I... how did you know?"

Xia Mutong snorted softly, "How could I not know? Your warrant has already been sent to my desk. Ling, I’m telling you, you’d better surrender willingly; don’t make me come and arrest you."

"No way!" Ling Chen’s tone suddenly became serious. "Officer Xia, once I settle my matters, I will definitely come to you and surrender. Until then, I hope you can help me."

"Are you asking me to break the rules?"

"You’re in charge of the entire unit, they all follow your orders. Just turn a blind eye this time; I’ll handle the rest."

"Don’t even think about it; I will never show favoritism. The moment you step into East Sea City, I’ll definitely arrest you." With that said, without waiting for Ling Chen to say anything more, Xia Mutong immediately hung up the phone.

Leaving the office, Xia Mutong went directly to the technical surveillance department and handed over a note, "Track this mobile phone’s signal and report its location to me at all times."

"Yes, Captain Xia!"

Ten minutes later, the plane finally landed at East Sea City Airport.

Ling Chen, blending in with Tang Shiyun’s group, walked through the VIP entrance and reached the airport exit. Before he could exit the main door, Ling Chen saw more than a dozen policemen stationed at the door, checking each passing traveler.

"Miss, you go ahead; I have something else to do."

Tang Shiyun glanced at the policemen at the door and immediately understood. Still, she couldn’t help but say worriedly, "Ling, be careful."

"I know. I’ll visit you another day, goodbye!"

Ling Chen waved his hand, then blended into the crowd and disappeared in an instant.

The police were stationed at all exits of the airport, but this was no obstacle for Ling Chen. Soon, he found an opportunity, and while the police were not looking, he slipped away with the flow of people exiting the airport.

Once outside the airport, Ling Chen stood by the roadside, raising his right hand, ready to hail a taxi.

But at that moment, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and rested on his shoulder.