Chapter 465

Chapter 465: Tiger Skin

“Russians…” In the Dassault aircraft manufacturing company’s exhibition area in France, several senior personnel on-site thoughtfully gazed toward the Russian exhibition area, recalling the impressive performance of the Su-27 moments ago.

Many never imagined that the Su-27, soon to be phased out by the Russian military, still had such potential.

It seemed that the “Guardian” family, including the Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, Su-35, and Su-37, would add a significant entry to the world-renowned fighter jet roster.

“Urban super maneuverability? Damn! I knew we couldn’t escape from these Russians!”

At the booth of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, an Indian man dressed in a suit but wearing a large red turban glowered at the Russian exhibition area, gritting his teeth.

Behind him, an LCA Tejas fighter jet stood on display with a large high-brightness LED screen in the background, where a group of similarly turbaned Indians were tuning up a promotional video.

Since being bombed by Pakistan and the Chinese during a long-distance raid half a year ago, which flattened their factory, they had not yet recovered, unable to guarantee production capacity. Even under circumstances where domestic supply was insufficient, the Indians still wanted to flaunt their locally produced fighter jets—purely to irritate.

When they get bombed again someday, let them cry.

Those who could enhance their military strength by buying fighter jets would likely not consider the LCA Tejas. With that money, they might as well buy a few more advanced aircraft.

Currently, the supply of J-10s in the international market was tight, while the advanced aircraft were readily available. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which had lost crucial orders to Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, was currently sitting idle.

…

The astonishing maneuver of the seventh Su-27 seemed to stir an unexpected storm throughout the entire aerospace exhibition area.

In a booth area dominated by silver-gray tones and covering about 1,000 square meters, Lin Mo spotted a J-11 and a J-14 fighter jet from afar. The towering promotional pillars showcased the National Defense Star logo made of crystal material, which stood out strikingly, illuminated by an LED light source behind the translucent material, ensuring visibility and an impressive effect both day and night.

A young woman, dressed in beige work attire, showcasing a beautiful silhouette, was leading a group of tall female models rehearsing in the National Defense Star aerospace company’s exhibition area.

On the opening day, these stunning beauties from both East and West would don alluring custom camouflage outfits, holding guns and wearing gear while showcasing the fighter jets, adding a vibrant touch to the fierce atmosphere of the combat aircraft on display.

The combination of beautiful women and fighter jets was sure to attract attention.

As he watched the models practice walking and posing, Lin Mo suddenly noticed a man in pure black tactical armor approaching.

Tactical armor? What’s going on?

This outfit looked quite impressive, but unfortunately, this was an aerospace exhibition, not a weapons display. Was he trying to impress with such gear? Handmade armor would probably cost at least tens of thousands.

He Xiangling frowned; this was not cosplay. When did security begin letting tourists in? In the days leading up to the opening, only industry clients and military procurement teams were permitted; this person should not be here.

Outside the National Defense Star exhibition area, the Chinese military had sent guards responsible for overseeing several aerospace manufacturers, including National Defense Star, Shenyang, and Chengdu, while special forces soldiers from the French military augmented the security. It appeared they had not noticed this visitor where he should not be.

Those soldiers continued to glance elsewhere, and although a few briefly looked at the man, they quickly returned their gaze somewhere else, appearing nonchalant, which was quite strange.

He Xiangling, the head of the publicity department for this exhibition, stepped in front of the man who had crossed the temporary barrier of the exhibition area.

“Hello! You are…”

Though her tone was courteous, she had no intention of allowing him to advance further. She was confident that if he refused to listen, she could execute a shoulder throw the moment he lifted his leg, and follow up with a single combat capture move.

Almost every official employee of National Defense Star had received training in self-defense techniques, including unarmed combat and the use of daggers and firearms. Even the experts were not exceptions. National Defense Star implemented this training not to prepare their employees for combat missions but to enhance their self-protection capabilities, avoiding being taken down by hostile forces.

As a military-industrial enterprise involving national interests, they must always be prepared for attacks, knowing that aggressors were not only competing companies but also forces from other nations.

“Me?” Lin Mo was taken aback to be intercepted; the person before him seemed to be around his age. However, the movement did not appear to be a regular inquiry but rather a defensive stance.

Lin Mo could clearly see the other person’s joints and muscles slightly shifting, as if ready for a sudden strike at any moment.

“This is a restricted area! Unauthorized personnel, please leave immediately! If you wish to visit, wait until five days later; the fourth day after the opening is for regular visitors.”

He Xiangling raised her flag, standing firm and watching him intently, ready to act at any moment.

Taking a deep breath, He Xiangling thought that if the other person dared to say “no,” she would give them a hard time; her training was not in vain, and she would gladly use him as a free practice target.

“Oh, alright! I almost forgot! Just a moment!” The other person showed no signs of backing down and instead brought the helmet in front of him, using the bottom of the helmet as an impromptu container.

“Hmm?” He Xiangling’s pupils contracted as she realized correctly that he was holding a badge. The style of the badge matched those issued to exhibitors at this exhibition, made of special PVC material, featuring the holder’s photograph on the front and a barcode printed on the back, containing a chip that recorded the holder’s brief information.

Each badge was unique, equipped with various anti-counterfeiting measures. The data on the chip was encrypted, and the cost of each badge was no less than 100 euros, making it impossible to replicate in a short time.

She had one of these badges herself, as did others; without it, the guards would never let them in.

Was he a staff member of the exhibition? That explained how he could calmly pass through the guards’ defense line, but the familiar logo on his badge made He Xiangling momentarily dazed.

National Defense Star Aerospace Company, with the full English name: National Defense Star Aerospace Company, abbreviated as NDS.

Could it be… a colleague?

She had seen the list of attendees at the exhibition and recognized everyone on it. Why had she never met him before? Although he looked very young and handsome, that didn’t mean she would lower her guard.

Before departing, the safety department had warned everyone that at the exhibition in France, the number of spies would be greater than that of visitors; behind them were the nation’s powerful weapons, so they couldn’t be careless.

“Hello, I’m Lin Mo!”

The young man smiled slightly at He Xiangling and introduced himself. The name on the badge read “Lin Mo,” along with the pinyin “Mo Lin.”

Coincidentally, when reversed, it turned out to be Morin, Lin Mo’s name in another world.

“Ah! Lin Mo?”

He Xiangling suddenly recalled a rumor from the company. She quickly took a step back, losing her earlier steadiness and said tentatively, “Are you Director Lin?”

“Yep! That’s right!”

Lin Mo also remembered his shares in National Defense Star. Due to his military status, the paperwork for the shares was still held by the higher authorities of the Special Forces, but it didn’t affect his ability to receive dividends each year or exercise power in the board of directors.

“Hello! I’m the head of the publicity department, He Xiangling!”

He Xiangling’s face flushed slightly as she thought about giving him a shoulder throw. Was she about to throw a director?!

Had she lost her mind?

Fortunately, she had refrained from acting, or else she would have lost her job.

The thought of her earlier attitude made He Xiangling feel unsettled.

National Defense Star had gone to great lengths to win over Lin Mo; he was not just a shareholder but also given the qualification to influence company decisions as a director.

However, Lin Mo, who held five percent of the shares, had never exercised his rights in the board of directors. The higher-ups at National Defense Star likely understood that his share allocation was more symbolic than practically business-oriented; he didn’t seem interested in getting involved in the company’s operations.

Perhaps it was this understanding of Lin Mo that reassured the high-ups at National Defense Star to grant him a share of the equity and director status.

It would be quite frightening to have someone with no business experience mess around with the company’s operations.

Having someone who took money and occasionally helped out was already enough. When his flying career ended, they could seamlessly bring him in, and the company’s R&D capabilities would be elevated considerably. This investment was incredibly worthwhile.

Finding someone who could design fighter jets independently and actually put ideas into practice was a rare talent.

“Where is Chen Haiqing? Has he not arrived?”

Lin Mo looked around; most of the exhibition was already set up with only fine-tuning left. Having come directly from the Ural Mountains, he had the advantage of proximity and seemed to have arrived early.

“Oh, Director Chen is estimated to arrive by seven this evening; their flight was delayed.”