59 BLENDING IN (1/2)

Hu Lei chatted cheerfully with the girl beside her in the airplane from Aural Hills, laughing at her enthusiasm as she spoke about the humanitarian mission their group would be involved in. In the rest of the plane, there were similar conversations going on, with the passengers looking like they had known each other forever.

”So, have you been to South America before?” the girl, Ginny, asked Hu Lei.

”Yeah, it is a really beautiful place, and the people are so kind.” She replied brightly.

”What kind of work were you doing there?” the curious girl leaned closer.

”It was not anything much.” She responded modestly. ”My high school teacher talked about the culture there, and I was so touched about it. I joined a small group after graduating to fight against world hunger. It was a really great experience.”

”This is my first humanitarian project. I will be looking to you to help me out.” The girl giggled while leaning closer.

Hu Lei laughed lightly though she was uncomfortable.

”You are out of luck. I am actually using this lift for a different mission. I am going to check up on one of my mentor's projects.” The response sounded casual.

”So, you are a big shot in the organisation?” the girl's eyes widened like saucers.

”I wish. My mentor is the kind-of big shot. I am lucky to help him out with small matters.”

Ginny did not seem to find anything weird with her answer and continued to chat on about other things. Hu Lei talked in the usual upbeat fashion of a young girl with the passion to save the world. She had never forgotten the lessons she had learnt about the way of stealth.

Stealth was not only about walking silently or sneaking up on people. It was about being insignificant and blending in the crowd. Among the rich, she could be a classy miss. Among the poor, she could be a beggar. In this airplane full of young charitable people, she would be enthusiastic and bright, disappearing into the crowd of hopeful youth.

Eventually, Ginny got tired and fell asleep. With this moment of reprieve, Hu Lei had a moment to contemplate the information provided by Kim Han after his investigation.She frowned in deep thought and with concern for her father.