I have to get lucky right away.

Chapter 704 The Scientific Research Maniac's Great Luck (18)

On August 1, 205x, at 4:50 p.m., the anchor, with a sense of pilgrimage, followed the signs and the surging crowd to the "Central Airport" of the airshow center.

Although it's called an airport, it's not as big as you might imagine. The runway alone is only about four or five hundred meters long. While that's not a short distance, it's quite short compared to the runways of a normal airport, which are often several thousand meters long.

At this moment, hundreds of people have gathered on the waiting platform, clearly divided into two major groups.

On one side were lucky tourists, excitedly looking around like livestreamers, snapping photos with various devices. They were dressed in all sorts of clothes, some carrying selfie sticks, others with drones, their faces beaming with pure curiosity and excitement.

On the other side were members of the foreign delegation, formally dressed and with serious expressions that betrayed an undisguised tension and scrutiny. They were mostly in groups, talking in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally sweeping over the surroundings and the jubilant tourists, their gazes complex.

"Brothers, do you see that? These are our own people over here, and those are our 'international friends' over there."

The anchor lowered his voice and spoke into the miniature microphone clipped to his collar, while his drone hovered overhead, faithfully recording everything—

"It feels like people from two completely different worlds have come together. We're there for tourism and to attend a concert, while they're there like they're attending... well, the host is uncultured, could this scene be considered a trap?"

Hearing the host say that, the atmosphere in the live stream room immediately filled with joy:

Foreigners: As if facing a formidable enemy. Our family: On a spring outing.

"How can this be called a trap? This is clearly a last meal before someone's execution!"

"They were completely bewildered; they had that expression ever since the ground-level exhibition area."

"After all, one's worldview needs to be reshaped; try to understand."

Although the live chat was buzzing, the streamer's attention was quickly diverted. As a huge shadow approached, his breathing faltered slightly. Then, as if remembering his job, he took a deep breath to alleviate his primal megalophobia.

"My God, I'd only ever seen it in videos and pictures before, but I never imagined the Y-40 would be this big! Although I knew it was a behemoth nearly 20 meters tall, it wasn't until I actually saw it that I realized it was already six or seven stories high!"

The anchor's tone was very excited. It's hard to imagine how huge this is just by looking at pictures. Only by being there in person and looking up at it from below can you understand what it means to be a "national treasure".

It doesn't resemble an airplane, but rather a moving steel mountain. Its robust landing gear, wings so wide they seem to allow trucks to drive side-by-side, and even the massive size of the high-speed rail, often called the "Iron Dragon," make it appear like a tiny insect compared to it, inevitably bringing to mind the name inherited from the Y-20—the Kunpeng.

Just as my heart was pounding uncontrollably, a reassuring, gentle broadcast suddenly sounded:

"The Y-40 transport aircraft bound for the Luan Bird Space Platform has arrived. Passengers with boarding slots, please board in an orderly manner according to your boarding pass group and your credentials."

The gentle bilingual female voice eased the psychological pressure of seeing the enormous object, and the crowd, urged on by the voice, slowly began to move.

The host took out his phone, displayed his electronic credentials, took a deep breath, and followed the group forward.

As he stood beneath the Y-40, the overwhelming sense of awe intensified. The massive hatch beneath the fuselage, like the gaping maw of a beast, extended with exceptionally wide gangways. While there had been previous events at airshows where passengers could draw lots to board and tour the aircraft, this was the first time he had ever been allowed to bring his own camera equipment on board.

Those familiar with the logic behind Tokyo University's actions understand that this is practically a blatant statement:

"It's too outdated; it can be displayed." (Note ①)

"I used to think that even being able to catch a glimpse of the interior of the Y-40 through a video was a pipe dream, but now I can actually ride in it and take to the skies!" the anchor exclaimed as he boarded the plane. "And it's even a concert by Xing Li on an aerospace carrier! This rollercoaster of emotions is so exciting!"

The streamer's remarks made a huge number of viewers uncomfortable, and a large number of comments that should have prompted the moderators to intervene began to flood the screen. However, the moderators ignored them all this time because they also wanted to curse.

However, the barrage of comments criticizing the streamer Versailles only lasted for a short while. The moment the streamer stepped onto the gangway and walked from the cargo hold into the Y-40, all the comments disappeared.

However, unlike the cold, rudimentary cargo hold of military transport planes that people imagine, which is often equipped with numerous fixed seats and tethering rings to transport a large number of passengers, the cabin in front of us was so spacious and bright. If you ignored the rows of seat belts along the edges, it would even give you the feeling of being in a square.

Soft lights shone down from the dome, and comfortable, reliable seats were arranged around the warehouse. The walls were covered with screens that seemed to project the outside scenery onto the screens through cameras on the machines. If it weren't for the protective fences, the anchor really suspected that someone would run into them.

"No way, this is ridiculous! Are you saying this was newly installed, or was it always set up like this? So, if you're in the cargo hold, you can see right out?"

The anchor found his seat and sat down, incredulously touching the high-quality armrest while muttering to himself:

"This isn't a transport plane cabin! Even first class doesn't offer this level of service! The view! The space! The environment... Oh, I hadn't noticed before, there's even music! Wow! These seat cushions even have 4D stereo sound, so you can select songs and watch shows yourself?"

Live broadcast room barrage:
"Highly Cost-Effective Logistics Solutions"

"Military woman: I already said I'm a delivery person, but aren't people also a kind of delivery!"
"Exactly, what's wrong with delivery drivers having a more comfortable life?"

"No, I mean, can our Y-40 take on civilian projects? If I need to go out in the future, can I just pack myself up and have myself shipped there?"

The anchor interacted with the live chat while keeping an eye on the other passengers. Compared to their equally excited colleagues and lucky viewers, the foreign delegation members were much more "calm" after entering the cabin.

That's what they say, but even the less-than-professional observation skills of the anchors were able to catch their disordered breathing, wandering eyes, and the occasional clenching of their fists, or even the occasional trembling of their hands.

They carefully observed every detail inside the cabin, from how the seats were secured to the materials of the bulkheads, and some even tried to reach over the protective barriers to touch the screens on the bulkheads.

Soon, all passengers had boarded, and the cabin door slowly closed. A gentle, clear voice from the flight attendant came over the intercom:

"Attention passengers, this aircraft is about to take off. Please fasten your seatbelts. The flight is expected to last twenty minutes, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served during the flight. Have a pleasant journey."

(End of this chapter)