Chapter 126 - Between Beijing and the Ice

​The landing at Beijing Capital International Airport was as thunderous as the whirlwind of emotions Aibek carried in his chest. The lights of the Chinese runway gleamed beneath a dense smog, and the exhaustion of the transcontinental flight was reflected in the face of every athlete descending the aircraft's aisle. Upon stepping out into the terminal, the contrast between the delegations became even more evident. Jake remained at the front of the Canadian group, with the rigidity of a statue and stiff shoulders, walking at a brisk pace toward the immigration area without looking back even once. His indifference continued to hurt, but the relief Zinov had provided during the flight allowed Aibek to keep his shoulders up.