There were no direct flights from Yunzhong City to Sokovia. The journey was quite a hassle, requiring a transfer in Shanghai, a flight to Frankfurt, and then one last transfer to Sokovia’s Capital City. To accommodate Hah’Er, Xiaoliu, and Maphario, Robin, the embassy staff member, arranged for them to rest for a night in Shanghai.
Early the next morning, the group returned to the airport and waited to board in the VIP lounge. Since the flight was headed to Frankfurt, about half the passengers in the lounge were European. They were all astonished to see Hah’Er and couldn’t stop calling out, "Panda!" After getting Shen Yibin’s permission, they flocked over to take photos with Hah’Er.
"Excuse me, is this panda being gifted to a European zoo?" a kind-faced woman asked. "Which country’s zoo? I’d love to take my children to see him!"
"Ma’am, Hah’Er is a guest of the Sokovian royal family," Robin replied, his face filled with pride. "Her Royal Highness the Princess and his owner are good friends, so she specially invited Mr. Shen to visit Sokovia with Hah’Er and his friends. He isn’t being sent to a zoo. If you’d like to see a panda, you could visit the one in Belgium."
Sokovia was a small country, its economic and political influence incomparable to major powers like the UK, France, or Germany. As a diplomat, Robin rarely had a chance to shine, but today, Hah’Er was a huge source of pride for him!
"I’m so envious! Sokovia has such a wonderful princess. Your people are incredibly lucky," the woman responded, her face full of envy. The other travelers from various countries all murmured in agreement, grumbling about their own kings and princes. ’Why the hell can’t you guys manage to bring a panda home for us to see?!’
After basking in the envious gazes, it was finally time to board. The crowd parted unanimously, letting Shen Yibin and Hah’Er go first. Shen Yibin and Robin hurriedly thanked them. Hah’Er also obediently raised a paw to wave, which made his fans even more smitten.
"Oh, by the way, the movie starring Hah’Er, *Panda Hero*, will have a simultaneous global release around Christmas," Shen Yibin added, taking the opportunity to plug the film. "You can take your children to the theaters to see it. You’ll definitely love it." ’After all, it’s the fruit of Hah’Er’s labor,’ he thought.
"*Panda Hero*? I’ll remember that name! I’ll keep an eye on the movie listings. When it’s released, I’ll definitely take my whole family to see it." The crowd all expressed their excitement for the film.
"We are so pleased to welcome this adorable panda aboard our Lufthansa Airlines flight." During boarding, a flight attendant welcomed Hah’Er. In Lufthansa Airlines’ long history, they had hosted countless celebrities and dignitaries, but opportunities to serve a panda were rare indeed.
Even the captain came out to personally greet Hah’Er. After the plane took off, the flight attendants took turns standing by Hah’Er’s side, giving him their undivided attention and care. Shen Yibin watched, green with envy. ’When will I ever get treatment this good?!’
The flight from Shanghai to Frankfurt was nearly twelve hours long. As soon as they boarded, Shen Yibin coaxed Hah’Er, Maphario, and Xiaoliu to sleep. They woke up once mid-flight for a snack, and by the second time they awoke, the plane had already entered German airspace.
Half an hour later, the plane landed smoothly at Frankfurt Airport. The thought of having to transfer yet again to get to Sokovia gave Shen Yibin a headache. He really didn’t want to get on another plane. Hah’Er, Xiaoliu, and Maphario felt the same way. Even though they were in first class, which was much more spacious and comfortable than economy, the space still felt confining. These active little guys, in particular, were going stir-crazy from being cooped up for so long.
’Sigh, we still have to go,’ Shen Yibin thought, ’It’s only two more hours at most. We can just bear with it.’ He stretched his arms and legs and asked Robin, "Which airline are we flying with next? How long until we can board?" He wondered if he could take the animals out for a bit if they had a long layover.
"We can leave right away," Robin replied with a smile. "His Majesty the King sent his private jet. It’s been waiting for us at Frankfurt Airport for some time. Her Royal Highness the Princess actually wanted to send the jet to pick you and Hah’Er up in Shanghai, but there wasn’t enough time, so we arranged for it to meet us in Frankfurt instead."
"I’ve never been on His Majesty the King’s private jet either, but I hear it’s very spacious inside. You’ll be able to let Mr. Hah’er and the others move around freely," Robin added thoughtfully. He was also feeling a bit stir-crazy.
’What are we waiting for then? I’ve never seen the inside of a private jet, let alone the King’s!’ Shen Yibin’s energy was instantly restored. He eagerly led the three little critters through a private corridor and onto the Sokovian royal jet. There, at the cabin door, he saw Sylvie.
"According to international law, a Sokovian aircraft is considered Sokovian territory, so..." Sylvie gestured for him to enter. "Welcome to Sokovia."
"I didn’t expect you to come pick us up yourself! I’m sorry for all the trouble," Shen Yibin said, a little embarrassed. ’I’m just here to find a pet. How did things get so out of hand?’
"Don’t feel bad. As I said on the phone, this is a good thing for us, too." With that, Sylvie knelt and opened her arms. "Hah’Er, come here and let me give you a hug! Let’s see if you’ve gotten any chubbier!"
"Nnngh!" Hah’Er recognized Sylvie and immediately waddled over on his short legs, leaping into her arms. The sound of camera shutters immediately began clicking nearby. It seemed this highly symbolic photograph would soon be spreading all over Sokovia.
Frankfurt Airport was one of the busiest in Europe, so they couldn’t stay on the tarmac for long. After a brief round of greetings, everyone boarded, and the captain promptly piloted the plane into the sky.
Once the flight stabilized, Sylvie gave Shen Yibin and the others a tour of the royal private jet. Before long, the plane entered Sokovian airspace.
Shen Yibin was enthusiastically admiring the oil paintings on the cabin walls when he suddenly saw a fighter jet streak past the window. He nearly peed his pants in fright. ’What the hell is going on?’
"Don’t worry," Sylvie explained with a smile. "That’s the Sokovian Royal Air Force. They’re here to escort Hah’Er!"
’Holy crap, a fighter jet escort? Hah’Er is getting the full state guest treatment, isn’t he?’