I Run Away with the Earth to Save the World [Unlimited Flow] - Chapter 98

The Earth stopped keeping tabs on Wilcox, his cousin, and Caroline, but news from the police station quickly made its way back through David.

David, apparently still unaware of Caroline’s plans, looked at Jing Qizhen and Tang Song with some confusion and hesitancy. “Caroline just asked me if you could help her find some absolutely reliable crew members for a flight…”

Jing Qizhen thought to himself that Caroline’s concerns were quite valid. After all, being on a plane isn’t like being anywhere else. Usually, everything’s fine but if something does go wrong, the casualty rate is incredibly high.

Tang Song froze for a moment but his mind worked quickly. He instinctively asked, “Reliable crew members? Where are they planning to fly?”

Before David could turn to Caroline to ask for details, Jing Qizhen answered for him, “To our country.”

The others were momentarily stunned when they heard the answer.

Tang Song blinked. “Huh? That’s…”

Actually, he’d considered the idea before. Among their group, there was a significant number of non-combat personnel. While they excelled at thinking and strategizing within the erosion area, they weren’t equipped to handle attacks in the real world, especially from other humans.

Even though Gu Leshan and Lu Lingxi were dependable, they couldn’t be expected to protect everyone under constant attack. If they arranged for sufficient security, it would draw unnecessary attention, spark suspicion, and potentially create more trouble.

However, directly arranging for a private jet seemed like an overly conspicuous move to anyone paying attention. Plus, coordinating a commercial charter flight would take time, which is why Tang Song had shelved the idea for now.

Since Jing Qizhen already knew the full story from the Earth, he had a better grasp of the situation than David and continued to explain, “Wilcox wants to take his cousin, Joyce. Caroline wants to bring David along. And they’re suggesting we join them. A single private jet back to our country would save everyone a lot of trouble.”

Tang Song blinked again, trying to guess their reasoning before saying, “After all, the attacks on survivors here are frequent and relentless. Whether these are acts of revenge, frustration, or something more calculated, it’s hard to say for sure.”

Jing Qizhen nodded. “Exactly.”

Manman agreed wholeheartedly and added casually, “Right. It’s easy to be the thief for a thousand days but impossible to guard against one every day.”

David looked at Jing Qizhen in surprise, curious about how he knew all that.

But on second thought, Wilcox and Jing Qizhen clearly had each other’s contact information. If Caroline could inform David, then Wilcox could just as easily pass the news to Jing Qizhen.

Jing Qizhen turned to Tang Song and asked, “What do you think about this?”

Tang Song replied, “I think it’s doable. As for the crew members, there’s no need to look elsewhere.”

As he spoke, Tang Song pointed at Gu Leshan and said, “If it’s just about piloting the plane, Leshan can handle it. Plus, planes nowadays are equipped with autopilot systems. Once in the stratosphere, there’s basically no issue. As for having a full flight crew, I don’t think it’s necessary. The fewer people, the safer it is. At most, you’ll miss out on flight attendant services but it’s only a few hours of flying. You can pack some fruit, drinks, and fast food from the ground to bring on board.”

David looked at Gu Leshan in shock.

Gu Leshan deliberately blinked at him but remained calm and composed when Tang Song mentioned him by name.

Si Jiayang added, “There’s no full kitchen on the plane anyway. It’s basically just reheating pre-made meal boxes. I can manage that.”

Jing Qizhen, however, focused on something else Tang Song had said earlier, particularly after mentioning Gu Leshan as the pilot.

He paused for a moment, then looked at Tang Song and asked, “You’re not coming with us?”

Tang Song smiled slightly. “No. If the earlier attacks were just the victim’s relatives seeking revenge, I wouldn’t bother. But it’s clear there are other forces at play behind this and I need to figure out who they are.”

Back home, gun control and the handling of organized crime are widely recognized. Once they return, neither dark web black market operatives nor private armed forces operating globally would easily infiltrate the country.

To get in touch with them, someone still needs to stay abroad. And employing a steady strategy, disguising personnel, and re-establishing contact with those forces would leave a gap in operations. Tang Song didn’t want to switch people midway or wait too long.

Since he was already there and his false identity was watertight, it made sense for him to act as bait to lure out the masterminds behind the attacks.

After all, with his identity, it would be nearly impossible to interact with those hidden forces once he returned to the country.

After hearing this, Jing Qizhen didn’t say much.

Grandma Fang, Old Xiao, and others looked worried but also didn’t voice any objections.

Even Gu Leshan and Lu Lingxi remained calm, quietly sitting in their seats without interrupting Tang Song’s plans.

Tang Song smiled again and explained, “Little Lu and Leshan will go with you, while another part of the team stays with me. You’ll take the special items from the erosion area back to the country first.”

Then he turned to David and added, “Oh, by the way, give me your housemaid’s contact information.”

David: “…?”

Jing Qizhen suddenly understood. “Her ability to passively integrate with local forces within the erosion area is quite remarkable.”

Tang Song nodded. “Exactly!”

To be honest, among all the foreigners trapped in the Boston villa erosion area, the one Tang Song was most intrigued by was the seemingly unremarkable housemaid.

After all, the others’ skills stemmed from their knowledge and experience, things that could be learned. And Tang Song was excellent at providing targeted training!

But the housemaid’s unique ability to ‘blend in as an unnoticeable bystander’ was, in Tang Song’s view, somewhat analogous to Jing Qizhen’s talent for communicating with the Earth. Both were innate and irreplaceable.

Although David didn’t know exactly what Tang Song intended to do, he still shared the maid’s phone number with him.

Jing Qizhen remained silent but he thought to himself, ‘For safety reasons, David would definitely leave with them alongside Caroline. That gave Tang Song a perfect excuse when he later approached the maid to persuade her.’

The villa needs to be temporarily sealed. Your employer, David, is heading abroad for an extended stay and needs you to follow him for work.

As for the maid’s salary afterward, Tang Song would certainly handle it. Furthermore, given that so many survivors had been attacked, the maid was undoubtedly the most vulnerable among them. Out of concern for her own safety, she would find it nearly impossible to refuse Tang Song’s invitation…

Realizing that, Jing Qizhen let out a quiet sigh of relief, setting aside speculation about Tang Song’s upcoming plans and refocusing on the immediate priority; ensuring a safe return home.

Jing Qizhen asked, “If we can confirm the crew’s reliability, can Caroline ensure that the private jet being arranged is itself safe?”

David thought about it for a moment. “The plane will definitely go through a pre-flight safety inspection. But you’re right. We can’t rule out the possibility of someone tampering with it during the inspection process. I’ll remind Caroline about this immediately!”

Before he could finish speaking, David was already grabbing his phone to text Caroline.

Gu Leshan raised his hand proactively. “I can help with the inspection! But for the finer details, we’d still need professionals.”

Caroline responded quickly. In times like these, she showed remarkable decisiveness. [Then let’s not delay. We’ll aim to take off tomorrow. That way, no one has time to interfere!]

As long as she acted fast enough, even if there were leaks, no one would have time to sabotage her plans.

It was already late by now. Once Jing Qizhen and Caroline had reached a general consensus, everyone got up and prepared to rest.

The border collies, which had been dozing off, immediately opened their eyes at the sound of footsteps. Noticing that the group was scattering, the lead border collie jumped up and tried to herd everyone back together using its body.

Jin Guijuan reached out to pat its head and couldn’t help but ask, “What is it trying to do?”

Manman replied, “It’s trying to herd us into one group. It’s their natural instinct as herding dogs.”

Jin Guijuan looked surprised. “Really? They can do that?”

Manman smiled. “Yes. I’ve seen my friend’s border collie do the same thing at a birthday party. It rounded up a group of kindergarten kids, circling and keeping them together. The kids tried to run off to play but couldn’t outrun the dog. When the dog bumped them with its head, they’d trip and fall. The resulting cries and barking were chaotic but hilarious.”

Jin Guijuan: “…”

Before parting, Jin Guijuan quietly asked, “Should we tell the other survivors about the attacks?”

She spoke in Chinese, so David had no idea what was being said.

However, Lu Lingxi, speaking just as quietly, replied, “Judging by the current situation, neither Caroline, David, nor Joyce seems to have any intention of informing the others.”

Jing Qizhen remarked, “The tangled relationships among these people are just too complicated.”

Lu Lingxi and Jin Guijuan exchanged glances, recalling the relationship map Lu Lingxi had once drawn based on what Caroline revealed. The memory left them both silent.

The Earth entity curiously asked, “What sort of complicated relationships?”

After a moment of hesitation, Jing Qizhen briefly summarized it in his mind for the Earth, “Sean’s unrequited love for the playboy Williams is widely known.

“Williams was getting cozy with Sophia during the party that night.

“Sophia happens to be on good terms with Professor Jones.

“Angelina’s mentor has a grudge against Professor Jones.

“Caroline and McCain are openly at odds.

“Joyce doesn’t seem to be close to anyone.”

He concluded with, “And somehow, David managed to invite this entire group of peculiar people to a single gathering.”

The Earth felt dizzy from the information and managed to form a single conclusion, “…I think the most peculiar person here might actually be David!”

Jing Qizhen replied, “As the quintessential Ivy League social butterfly, David apparently only truly trusts Caroline.”

The Earth: “…”

After a pause, Jing Qizhen quipped to the Earth, “I even suspect their friendship deepened over the countless parties David hosted while Caroline quietly observed and enjoyed the drama.”

The Earth: “Hmm…” It didn’t know what else to say, being just a ball after all.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Jing Qizhen specifically sought out Tang Song to relay what he had discussed with the Earth the night before.

When they first escaped from the erosion area, they had only had time to report the unusual changes in the erosion area to Tang Song, who then forwarded the information to the think tank back home for strategy updates.

After hearing the new information, Tang Song maintained his composure, though his tone carried a hint of amused respect, “…The interpersonal dynamics of these elite graduates are truly something else.”

Jing Qizhen reminded him, “Lu Lingxi’s notebook should have a detailed record.”

Tang Song nodded. “Alright, I’ll get it from him later.”

Jing Qizhen: “By the way, you said you would give them a complete erosion area investigation report, right?”

Tang Song calmly replied, “No worry. Wait until you’re back in China, then send it to me. This is an after-sales project, anyway. No need to rush.”

Jing Qizhen: “…Makes sense.”

All morning, Tang Song seemed preoccupied with arrangements for what was to come.

Seeing this, Jing Qizhen naturally chose not to disturb him. Even Lu Lingxi and Gu Leshan stayed quietly with Jing Qizhen, waiting for instructions from Caroline and Wilcox.

By the afternoon, to avoid any leaks, Caroline, under Wilcox’s guidance, had David deliver just one sentence, [It’s all set. Details are inconvenient to share. Figure it out yourselves.]

After reading the message aloud, David was utterly baffled. “How are we supposed to figure this out?”

Jing Qizhen remained silent, instead addressing the Earth in his mind. “Your turn, Babyball.”

The Earth replied enthusiastically, “On it! Let me check!”

A few minutes later, the Earth relayed the information from the paper in front of Wilcox to Jing Qizhen.

Jing Qizhen stood up. “Alright, let’s go. Time to move.”

Tang Song, finally emerging from his work, gave them a wave. “See you when you’re back in the country. Stay safe.”

The Earth chirped confidently, “Don’t worry!”

Jing Qizhen added, “Keep an eye on Tang Song for me when we’re gone.”

The Earth responded eagerly, “Of course!”

David, still utterly confused, looked at them. “…???”

Someone explain this to him, please.