Flight to You Episode 9 Recap
> Flight to You Recap
Following the decision to transfer her, Mr. Dai, the Director of the Ground Handling Department, assigned Cheng Xiao to train under Qiao Zhengyu, a model employee. Qiao Zhengyu instructed Cheng Xiao to memorize all ground handling workflows and weekly flight schedules, emphasizing that thorough knowledge was essential for handling daily tasks smoothly and adapting to unexpected changes.
As passengers began boarding Luzhou Airlines flight XD853 to Bangkok, Qiao Zhengyu efficiently managed ticket checks while Cheng Xiao quietly assisted, learning to organize ticket stubs into stacks of twenty with alternating orientations for easy reference. She also learned the importance of keeping the desk tidy and turning off the computer before leaving. Cheng Xiao and Qiao Zhengyu worked late into the evening, too busy for dinner with another flight boarding in half an hour.
Observing their dedication from afar, Gu Nanting went to a nearby fast-food restaurant and ordered two takeaway meals. Meanwhile, Li Yuheng, on her day off, visited Gu Nanting's mother, Auntie Qin, at home. Noticing Auntie Qin limping, she learned she had fallen due to weakness from a cold. Concerned, Li Yuheng immediately called Gu Nanting. Gu Nanting asked the restaurant server to deliver the food to the staff at Gate 72, but was told they could not leave the premises.
Anxious about his mother, Gu Nanting abandoned the food and rushed home. Upon arriving, Gu Nanting was relieved to find his mother recovering under Li Yuheng’s attentive care. Li Yuheng had even carefully gathered the shards of a broken photo frame to prevent injury. Feeling she had let Nanting down, Auntie Qin recalled how he used to wait by the door for his father, a pilot, even long after he had passed away.
Gu Nanting suggested hiring a part-time cleaner to reduce her workload, but she firmly refused, especially concerning her important design drawings. She explained that their domestic aircraft project was at a critical stage and she was dedicated to making "imperfection get close to perfection." Li Yuheng offered to help whenever needed, noting Gu Nanting's busy schedule. When Auntie Qin hinted at a romance between him and Li Yuheng, Gu Nanting quickly clarified they were just old acquaintances.
Working late, Cheng Xiao told her colleague Qiao Zhengyu that she would sleep in the office. Her home was far from the airport, making a taxi for her early 5:30 AM flight too expensive. She mentioned she was used to it, having often slept in cargo cabins when she flew freighters. A week passed, and Cheng Xiao quickly adapted to the demanding work, becoming exhausted but proficient.
Having witnessed her dedication, Gu Nanting approached Mr. Jiang Tao to request her transfer back to the Flight Department. However, Mr. Jiang rebuffed the request, arguing that her assignment was for learning purposes and sending her back so soon would make their arrangements appear frivolous. He insisted she remain in Ground Handling for at least a full month. While directing transiting passengers, Cheng Xiao was surprised by the sudden appearance of her father.
To hide her situation, she vaguely explained she was engaged in "flexible learning" to exchange work experiences. She learned that both her parents were in town for a university reunion; her mother, who never flies, and her father, whose bad back couldn't handle a long high-speed rail journey, had traveled separately. Cheng Xiao gave her father the keys to her apartment and implored him not to tell her mother about her temporary post, as she didn't want to explain it.
Undeterred, Cheng Xiao directly asked Mr. Jiang Tao about returning to the Flight Department. Mr. Jiang deflected, suggesting she first address her concerns with Gu Nanting, her designated instructor, and dismissed her feeling that Gu Nanting was trying to embarrass her. Later, Song, while assisting Gu Nanting with new flight safety regulations, offered to become his official assistant. After Gu Nanting accepted, Song cautiously asked when Cheng Xiao could be transferred back.
Gu Nanting vaguely stated that the "company would arrange it" and quickly sent Song to deliver documents, sidestepping the issue. Cheng Xiao, waiting outside for news, was disheartened to learn her return was still not approved. Returning home dejected, Cheng Xiao found her mother, Xiaoyun, had discovered the ground service manual in her room and guessed she had been transferred.
A heated argument ensued, with Xiaoyun urging Cheng Xiao to quit and return to Qingdao to study for the bar exam. Cheng Xiao vehemently refused, asserting her independence. The argument escalated, causing Xiaoyun's blood pressure to spike. Though upset, Cheng Xiao gave her mother water and her medicine before retreating to her room without eating. When Gu Nanting called later, she ignored the call and deleted his contact. Her father then had a heart-to-heart with her.
Cheng Xiao explained her transfers from Freight to Passenger Flights, and now temporarily to Ground Handling due to a mistake, but assured him she would eventually return. Her father encouraged her, telling her she was tough and would overcome this challenge. A flashback revealed Cheng Xiao's lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. After her exams, her mother insisted she study law and secretly altered her university application. Cheng Xiao defiantly refused, accusing her mother of forcing her choices.
Unbeknownst to Xiaoyun, her father secretly helped Cheng Xiao transfer to an aeronautics university. Deeply moved, Cheng Xiao vowed to become a captain and never disappoint him. In the present, Ni Zhan from the Maintenance Department saw Cheng Xiao assisting passengers and realized she was working in Ground Handling. He later visited Gu Nanting's office, bringing him a coffee prepared just as he likes it—no sugar, no milk.
Ni Zhan asked directly about Cheng Xiao, questioning why a single incident would lead to a transfer to Ground Handling. Gu Nanting confirmed it was Mr. Jiang Tao's decision and admitted he disagreed with it. He revealed his plan to speak directly with the senior manager, Mr. Xu Ce, upon his return, effectively going over Mr. Jiang's head. Ni Zhan cautioned him that this might not be appropriate and suggested a more tactful approach.
Later, passengers on flight XD8311 to Guangzhou grew agitated over a delay. Cheng Xiao patiently explained that there were active thunderstorms on the flight path and that air routes are fixed with little room for detours. As frustrations mounted, Qiao Zhengyu distributed complimentary meals for the delay. An announcement then declared the flight was further delayed due to a mechanical malfunction that could not be repaired quickly.
Passengers erupted, accusing Cheng Xiao of lying about the weather to avoid paying compensation, which is standard for mechanical issues but not for weather. Cheng Xiao reiterated that while thunderstorms were present, the mechanical issue was just announced. Her explanation of compensation policies and potential repair timelines—two hours for a computer issue versus three for an engine problem requiring a new aircraft—fell on deaf ears. An enraged passenger splashed a cup of water in her face.
As she stood in stunned silence, he lunged to grab her, but Gu Nanting arrived just in time to intervene. Airport police responded swiftly, informing the passenger his actions constituted endangering public safety and taking him to the station for investigation. They also asked Cheng Xiao to provide a statement, and Qiao Zhengyu granted her leave to do so.
