240: Chapter 240 It's almost time.

As Lin Yuan finished speaking, Shen Changhe's gaze was fixed firmly on that black hard drive.

Blueprints and data for a 'large toy'?

Wasn't that... the blueprints for a heavy-duty Large Mecha dozens of meters tall?!

Shen Changhe's entire body jerked, and he hurriedly rubbed his hands back and forth on the rough towel with all his might.

Once, twice, ten times...

He rubbed his calloused palms until they were red and hot, ensuring there wasn't a trace of engine oil or sweat left on them.

Only then did he hold his breath, reach out his slightly trembling hands, and extremely carefully take the hard drive.

Watching Shen Changhe like this, a smile played at the corners of Lin Yuan's mouth.

“Chief Engineer Shen, I've added a new task for everyone again.”

Lin Yuan's tone was relaxed, his voice carrying a hint of nonchalance.

“For the next period, everyone in the workshop will have to work hard again.”

“However, there's no need to rush the manufacturing of this Large Mecha; it's not a huge deal. You can just arrange it as you see fit.”

Hearing Lin Yuan's casual 'no need to rush,' the hand Shen Changhe used to hold the hard drive shook, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably twice.

He looked up, glancing at Lin Yuan with an extremely complex expression.

However, his complex emotions were quickly filled with wild joy.

He began to laugh happily, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunching together.

“Academician Lin, look at what you're saying.”

Shen Changhe carefully tucked the hard drive into the inner pocket of his jacket before speaking.

“In the last two days, the official announcement of the nationwide Mecha Pilot selection has completely set the internet ablaze.”

“Who doesn't understand the time required for a mecha to be deployed?”

“I've been in the lounge these past few days and kept an eye on the online activity too.”

Shen Changhe retracted his gaze and looked at the young man before him, his voice becoming low and heavy.

“Seeing the madness of countless young people fighting desperately for a single cockpit slot, this old man... I'm envious from the bottom of my heart.”

“I really envy them for being able to live in this era.”

“I envy them for being able to truly chase this mecha dream.”

Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this.

He looked at Shen Changhe's face, a calm and certain smile rippling in the depths of his profound eyes.

“Chief Engineer Shen, this is just the beginning.”

“The gears of technology have only just begun to turn.”

“The future development of Xia Country will be far more glorious than what can be seen now.”

Lin Yuan tilted his head slightly, his gaze far-reaching.

“The sea of stars belonging to the people of Xia Country has only just begun its curtain-raiser.”

This sentence lacked a passionate tone, yet it carried a sense of undeniable statement.

Shen Changhe was deeply affected.

The blood in his chest instantly boiled to a peak, his old face flushed red, and his breathing became as heavy as an ox's.

He nodded heavily, then his expression turned solemn, returning to his usual rigor and composure.

“Academician Lin is right.”

“However, since the pilot selection still has more than half a year, we don't need to rush the mecha's progress to death.”

“After all, once a mecha is built, if there are no qualified pilots, it's not much use sitting in a warehouse gathering dust; instead, it would be a waste of precious strategic resources and storage space.”

Shen Changhe's logic was extremely clear.

Fanaticism was one thing, but on the schedule of industrial production, this veteran would never make a major blunder.

“Currently, the primary core goal of Xishan Base is still to concentrate all forces to first produce the ‘Xuan Nu’ and ‘White Emperor’ Aerospace Fighters.”

“These two fighters are relatively small in scale and their technical verification is more mature. As long as they can be mass-produced, the prototype of the south heaven gate's space-based strike force will be truly established.”

“This is the top priority.”

Having said this, Shen Changhe tapped the spot on his chest where the hard drive was stored.

“Of course, the preparation for the Large Mecha will certainly not be neglected.”

“I will specifically allocate two dedicated production lines from the existing ones to analyze the blueprints and prefabricate core components, alternating tasks and assembling step by step.”

“I guarantee with my reputation of over half a lifetime that I will perfectly deliver this big guy before the Mecha Pilot selection ends!”

After finishing his report, Shen Changhe looked at Lin Yuan with burning eyes and asked seriously.

“Academician Lin, do you think this schedule is appropriate?”

Lin Yuan nodded with a smile.

He did not intervene with any amateur guidance in Shen Changhe's professional arrangements, merely replying casually.

“Leave professional matters to professional people.”

“I have always been at ease with the way Chief Engineer Shen handles things.”

With Lin Yuan's approval, the last stone in Shen Changhe's heart finally fell to the ground.

“Then I won't waste any more time.”

Shen Changhe greeted Lin Yuan, the fires of industry burning fiercely in his eyes.

“Back to work!”

With that, the chief engineer, who was over fifty years old, turned abruptly.

He walked with a brisk pace, striding toward the heavy-duty preparation workshop, each step landing heavily.

The heavy metal gate closed slowly behind him, once again sealing off the scorching heat and the roar of machines within the workshop.

Lin Yuan stood in place, watching the gate close, the mischievous smile at the corners of his lips growing more intense.

He reached out and pulled a special encrypted phone from his pocket; the screen lit up, and he glanced at the time.

“It's about time.”

Lin Yuan murmured lowly, then put the phone back in his pocket.

...

Meanwhile.

Xia Country, Capital International Airport.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the morning mist had not yet fully dispersed.

On the high-level VIP apron at the edge of the airport, which was rarely used on normal days, there was now an air of solemnity.

A fleet of uniform black bulletproof Hongqi cars waited quietly.

Guards stood every few steps, filled with cold-faced internal security personnel armed with live ammunition, completely turning this area into a restricted zone.

Suddenly, a low and heavy engine sound came from the sky.

An ultra-large private jet with no flight markings and a low-profile yet undeniably luxurious streamlined paint job broke through the clouds and landed steadily on the runway.

The tires rubbed against the ground, letting out a short, sharp screech.

After taxiing for a distance, the plane stopped precisely in front of the VIP passage.

The passenger stairs quickly moved into place.

“Click.”

The heavy cabin door opened slowly, and the cold morning wind instantly rushed into the cabin.

At the doorway, a group of people with very exotic features appeared.

Leading them was a tall middle-aged man with a signature, neatly trimmed thick beard.