Sky-cracking Rider

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Squadron Leader Chekhov's bear dance was particularly wicked. The folks from Genuine Fragrance squadron already had a high immunity to it, yet they couldn't withstand those who blindly stirred things up. Before long, the bar was filled with dozens of big bears shaking their heads and wagging their tails, forming a collective dance.

Even the most cringe-inducing dance moves, once joined by a multitude of people, often naturally projected a mysterious force, possessing an amazing infectiousness that attracted even more people to join in.

Intelligence never spreads, only stupidity does, especially after downing a couple of drinks, getting tipsy, and experiencing a collective drop in IQ.

This was probably the pinnacle moment of life, with Squadron Leader Chekhov hopping even more energetically.

For a moment, the bar was a pandemonium of dancing demons, with everyone roaring in unison, "KUMA!"

┏((=￣(ｴ)￣=))┛...

Following the rhythm of the bear dance, the bartender was carefully pouring drinks for the Pure Light Sparrow hopping on the bar top. As he turned the bottle, aiming to fill Chen Fei's glass, someone stopped him.

"Sorry, switch to the best drink here, it's on me!"

A man took a seat next to Chen Fei.

"Who are you?"

Chen Fei's gaze fell on the badge on the man's chest.

An exclusive badge of a National Defense Star employee, containing a special chip, also served as an identity recognition device that could be used to pass through related access control systems.

The man followed Chen Fei's gaze, looked down at his chest, then smiled and said, "Hello, Chen Fei, as you can see, we're all on the same side here. I'm Peng Shutian, the chief of Group C from National Defense Star Aerospace Design Department."

"Oh, hello, Chief Peng!"

His uncle was the chairman of National Defense Star. Since the man was one of his uncle's subordinates, Chen Fei more or less recognized the validity of the term "our own people."

If they weren't "our own people," why would his uncle send sixteen AIM-290D long-range missiles to the Genuine Fragrance squadron, or to Chen Fei to be precise?

Missiles aren't tea eggs, they're not free! Wouldn't it be better to keep them for popping balloons?

If Chen Fei weren't going to battle, do you think National Defense Star would send over missiles?

The life and death of Jiu Defense Company had nothing to do with Chen Family Gate.

The bartender brought over the best drink from behind the bar (which wasn't all that expensive, just 2000 Star Yuan a bottle), and at Peng Shutian's signal, filled up Chen Fei's glass to the brim.

Before he even had a chance to take a sip, the capricious Little Bird hopped over first, dipping its beak into the cup and taking a gulp, then tilting its neck back. When it came to drinking, no one in the bar could match the style of this little fella.

"Jiu!"

Even Chen Fei could tell that Little Bird was expressing, "Not bad!"

After all, you get what you pay for; naturally, it was a lot better than the hundred Star Yuan per bottle ration wine.

After spending enough time together, even the monotone chirps could convey some meaning.

Moreover, Magical Beasts are more intelligent, conveying messages that are clearer and more precise, rarely making meaningless sounds.

Having tested the waters with the "our own people" approach and quite satisfied with Chen Fei's attitude, Peng Shutian went straight to the point and said, "Since we're family, let's not mince words here, I have an unkind favor to ask."

"If it's an unkind favor, then don't ask!"

However, contrary to his expectations, Chen Fei's next words took a sharp turn, bluntly pushing back.

Huh? What? What just happened…

The script was wrong! Was it mistaken? Just now, they were having a friendly chat under the pretense of being on the same side, about to strike while the iron was hot, but unexpectedly, the mood shifted to denial in an instant.

We're genuinely our own people, not just exchanging niceties, you know!

"Thanks for the drink, Xiao Jiu, let's go!"

Taking the glass that Little Bird had already half-drunk from, Chen Fei downed it in one swig and stood up.

His demeanor was clearly dismissive.

"Wait, wait, Little Chen, did I say something wrong?"

Peng Shutian hurried after him.

Chen Fei was silent for two seconds before speaking again, "Chief Peng, you didn't say anything wrong, indeed. But let's be frank, it's not your place to discuss certain matters with me!"

Though he hadn't fully stated his point, Chen Fei, with at least the intelligence to get into university, didn't need the man to explain his intentions. At this juncture, it was self-explanatory.

Chief of the National Defense Star Aerospace Design Department? It's like looking for fleas on a bald head—do you even need to guess?

With that identity revealed, it's just too obvious.

"Ah? This..."

Peng Shutian was left gobsmacked, clearly not expecting that Chen Fei would guess his intentions and flat-out refuse before he even broached the subject.

He quickly stepped forward, blocking Chen Fei's path, his face a mask of discontent as he said, "Chen Fei, perhaps you haven't guessed wrong, indeed, I'm here for the design of the advanced fighter jet 'Canglong.' But don't forget, the chairman's surname is Chen, and so is yours. You can't have two Chens in one stroke of the pen. Even if you're mixing it up with military contractors, in many people's eyes, you are still half a National Defense Star person. That relationship can't be changed no matter what. Hand over the design, consider it your Declaration of Allegiance. I guarantee you a place in the design department, with no six-month internship needed, direct employment, and after three years, who knows, you might even become a chief yourself. It's surely better than working for someone else at a military contractor!"

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Chief Peng no longer beat around the bush and laid his cards on the table straightforwardly.

"Have you finished speaking?"

Chen Fei furrowed his brow; if it wasn't for the fact that the other party was his uncle's man, he might have slapped him across the face already.

Chen Xiao'er never liked to start trouble, but he wouldn't show mercy either.

If provoked, it didn't matter if you were part of National Defense Star; a slap would settle it.

"Why are you still so obstinate?"

Seeing the talent that should belong to National Defense Star, wandering outside and serving a private military contractor, Peng Xuetian was frustrated like hating iron for not becoming steel.

"Those words should not be coming from you!"

Chen Fei paused for a moment, ignoring the other's passionate plea and bypassed him directly.

With Little Bird on his shoulder, he didn't look back as he left the bar, a place rife with trouble. Now that trouble had started, it meant he couldn't stay for long, or who knows what kind of trouble might follow.

Some things, there are only zero times and countless times.

He had been prepared, but he hadn't expected that it would be such a person who would come knocking on his door.

The uncle was indeed the head of the Chen Family Gate, but he had never interfered with the life paths of the Chen Family Gate descendants.

Everyone has their own fate, and interfering too much with good intentions often leads to poor outcomes.

If Chen Fei wished, his father could simply pass a word to the uncle, and within half an hour, his personal information could be entered into the formal personnel records of National Defense Star Aerospace Company. Although management positions might require a test to satisfy everyone, he could pick any entry-level position at will.

The National Defense Star Aerospace Company, as the old rival of the Northern Weapons Industry Group, was indeed coveting the "Canglong" project under development, but as fierce as the competition was, with all the inevitable underhand tactics, there would still be rules, and companies of this size and level usually maintained some decorum and wouldn't cross certain lines without restraint.

Even if they truly wanted to obtain the mature design plans of the "Canglong" advanced fighter jet from Chen Fei, it was not a discussion to be had by a design department chief.

If the uncle personally called him, Chen Xiao'er would not say half a word more and would unhesitatingly deliver the detailed, complete design plans, even if not from the uncle. Had it been passed through Tang Guangzhong, the husband of the uncle's fourth daughter, Chen Meizhi, and a senior mechanical engineer at National Defense Star, he would have accepted it just the same.

However, no one from the Chen Family Gate had mentioned this matter, and a group leader had overstepped his bounds to approach him. Chen Fei turned him down directly without appreciation.

There can't be two Chens written with one stroke, but you don't bear the Chen surname, do you?

-

The scene of Chen Fei being accosted was secretly filmed by someone, and after changing hands several times, it reached the phone of Shen Songling, the deputy general manager of the Northern Weapons Industry Group.

His face was unsightly at this moment—damn it, the inevitable had still happened!

Whether it was National Defense Star, the Northern Weapons Industry, or any other industry titan, every move was closely watched by those with vested interests, analyzed in secret, trying to glean valuable information.

Especially at this critical juncture, whether it was the "Canglong" project or Chen Fei, the pilot for Jiu Defense Company, it was inevitable that they would be pushed to the forefront of controversy.

No sooner had he completed the opening battle of the "Abyssal Gladiatorial" than he was seen drinking with the rival of the Northern Weapons Industry Group. As the deputy general manager, he couldn't pretend as if nothing had happened.

The thought of his daughter made Shen Songling's head ache. If only Little Chen didn't bear the Chen surname or wasn't related to the chairman of National Defense Star, he would have pulled him into the Northern Weapons Industry Group without hesitation.

But now, even if he could turn a blind eye, what about the others in the group company?

Once you reach this position, you inevitably encounter many constraints.

Ding!

Shen Songling's phone received another message.

It was from the general manager of the group company, asking him and the other executives present at the "Abyssal Gladiatorial" to assess whether National Defense Star might obtain the secrets of the "Canglong" project and to prepare a response plan.

This was already considering Shen Songling's feelings.

To put it unkindly, it was less of an assessment and more of an inquiry targeting him specifically, an investigation of the person, not the situation.

Should "Canglong" fall into the hands of National Defense Star, the old rival wouldn't be courteous; they would probably immediately prepare to target this new support fighter jet. Whether it was a competition based on performance, price, or technology, any aspect of the competition would cast a shadow over the heavily invested R&D project of the Northern Weapons Industry Group.

That... was the most optimistic scenario.

If Chen Fei sold the design plans to the entire aviation manufacturing industry without any scruples, he certainly could earn more money than he could spend in eight lifetimes, but the Northern Weapons Industry Group would suffer; the project would not just fail, but the subsequent R&D evolution would also be collectively sabotaged by the competition, making it difficult to break through this blockade for at least the next decade.

"Sigh!"

After reading the not-so-long message, Shen Songling couldn't help but sigh. He had not anticipated that the feared repercussions would manifest in such a way, truly causing a major headache.

"Eh? Dad, what's wrong?"

Secretary Shen Fei, acting as a little helper in work and life and assisting with group company documentation, noticed her father's mood shift.

During work hours, it's Vice President Shen; after hours, it's dad. Work is work, private is private.

"Little Chen has posed a big problem for me!"

Shen Songling didn't know how to bring this topic up with his daughter.

Even though work is work and private is private, sometimes it's not that easy to separate the two.