A Goose in the Eastern Jin Dynasty

The engines of the Boeing 777 rumbled steadily, like the deep breathing of a giant beast. Sikong Da'e pushed the meal cart, carefully edging along the slightly narrow aisle. Her uniform skirt swayed gently with each step. “Sir, would you like coffee or tea?” A standard, well-practiced smile rested on her face, though a trace of fatigue lingered in her eyes. This was her thirtieth flight since becoming a flight attendant, from a southern coastal city to the inland northwest, a journey of five and a half hours. For Sikong Da'e, who had just turned twenty-three, the job was far less glamorous than it looked to outsiders. The endless jet lag, demanding passengers, and mechanically repetitive service were all gradually wearing away the excitement she had felt at first.