Yunding Manor.
In the open space in front of the villa.
The moment the colossal object appeared, it captured countless eyes.
People crowded around.
Cranking their necks to gaze up at the crimson mecha.
Their minds shaken, scalps tingling.
Mouths agape, tongues practically hanging out!
Among the onlookers were plenty of youngsters, their eyes sparkling at the sight of the mecha.
"Holy crap, that's epic!"
"It's blinding my 24-karat titanium-alloy dog eyes!"
"A real eye-opener—like a razor to the butt!"
"Mom's asking why I'm kneeling to watch a mecha??"
Expletives echoed nonstop.
The younger ones especially showed their adoration for the giant machine without restraint.
Even the older folks were entranced.
Wishing they could pilot it through outer space themselves.
A mecha is a man's truest romance!
And it wasn't just men—the women were also conquered by its domineering presence.
Some girls kept squealing, "So cool!"
Wang Ning sat slumped on the ground, dazed, muttering,
"C-could this be real?"
"No, no matter how lifelike, it's fake. How could Yixue afford an actual mecha? Even the Yankees can't build one, let alone Xia Country!"
The whole manor was lost in the shock of the giant mecha, forgetting the birthday banquet entirely.
Old Man Hua cleared his throat.
He gently tugged at Old Man Wang; the two stepped aside and brought the equally bewildered Wang Yixue along.
Laymen watch the spectacle; experts study the craft.
A single glance told them this mecha was anything but ordinary.
"Little Yixue, tell Grandpa Hua honestly—where did this mecha come from?"
Wang Yixue's big doll-like eyes blinked twice, her gaze slightly vacant.
She offered no answer, as if lost in thought.
"Little Yixue?"
"Little Yixue??"
Wang Yixue jolted, finally snapping out of her daze.
"Grandpa Hua, if I said I hired a welder for three million to weld it together, would you think I was lying?"
"Silly girl, don't talk nonsense—lying isn't what good children do!" Old Man Hua spoke kindly, though his brows creased slightly.
"Grandpa Hua, I knew you wouldn't believe me!" Wang Yixue pouted, unsure how else to explain.
"Little Yixue, do you mean that Master Xu who called you in the villa just now welded it?" Old Man Wang knew his granddaughter never lied; the girl was a total honest soul—her words had to be true.
"Mm-hmm, his name's Xu Fan, a Top-grade Welder," Wang Yixue nodded, adding.
Old Man Wang and Old Man Hua exchanged glances, both seeing deep bewilderment in the other's eyes.
This mecha clearly surpassed ordinary models; many parts followed aerodynamic principles.
The Vector Nozzle on its back even bore some resemblance to the Yankees' F119 Engine.
From certain angles, it looked more advanced than the F119.
And the Railgun on its shoulder didn't seem like a mere prop either.
As veteran scientists, the two instantly spotted issues ordinary folk missed.
More and more people crowded around the mecha.
Even many servants and banquet chefs from Yunding Manor came to join the excitement.
"This mecha model is so cool!"
"Pity it's only a model—would be awesome if it were real."
"Not necessarily; maybe it's our country's newest, most cutting-edge tech!"
"Get real, of course it's fake—just a painted shell to scare people!"
"Who says? I swear that cockpit looks big enough for a person—maybe it can actually move!"
After heated debate, everyone focused on the cockpit in the mecha's chest.
A group pointed excitedly at the cockpit, full of expectation.
Finally, someone started the chant.
"Open the cockpit!"
"Open the cockpit!"
Wang Ning, helped up by a servant, gradually calmed her shock.
Today, all limelight had been stolen by Wang Yixue's birthday gift—the mecha.
She figured it out: this giant mecha model must have been prepared long in advance.
Wang Yixue's earlier bewilderment had to be an act!
Scheming little b*tch!
A model is just a model—only looks impressive.
Once the cockpit opens and people see the shabby interior, they'll surely be disappointed.
The corners of her mouth curled in a cryptic smile as she addressed the crowd,
"Don't be impatient—Yixue will definitely open the cockpit; she won't let you down!"
She turned to look at Wang Yixue.
"Right, Sister Yixue?"
With someone leading, more voices joined the clamor.
Wang Yixue could only brace herself and try.
Though the guests were probably going to be disappointed!
According to Master Xu, the mecha could be controlled via a simple mobile app.
She opened her phone.
Found the app installer Xu Fan had sent.
One-tap install complete.
As Wang Yixue tapped "Run," the app launched and its interface unfolded.
Immediately, a series of mechanical clanks rang out from inside the mecha.
The crowd recoiled two steps in unison.
Nervous and bewildered.
Wang Ning sneered, muttering, "Even installed speakers—she's really gone all out to steal the show."
"Little Yixue, be careful!"
Old Man Wang sensed something off; those mechanical coupling sounds closely resembled those from the powered exoskeleton he researched.
Wang Yixue swiped the interface and saw only a start button—no command to open the cockpit.
She held her breath and gently pressed the start button.
[Dong—]
A loud notification tone suddenly boomed overhead.
In the silence, the mecha's eyes blazed red.
Then a robotic voice issued from within.
[Pilot Authorization confirmed]
[Coolant infusion complete]
[Mini Hydrogen Engine startup complete]
[Phased-array Situational-awareness System online]
[Jiangtian Unit-1 initial activation successful!]
[Scanning for pilot...]
The mecha's eyes shot down a red beam, locking onto Wang Yixue.
Its arm reached toward her.
Half-lifting, half-clasping, it raised her to chest height.
Startled, she accidentally dropped her phone.
Clack!
An airlock hiss sounded; before she could react, she was delivered into the cockpit.
The hatch sealed.
Clutching a Holographic Helmet, Wang Yixue sat trembling in the pilot seat.
Staring at the unfamiliar controls, she was utterly dumbstruck.
Even her breathing quavered.
"So realistic! That money was totally worth it!!!"
Below the mecha.
When the cockpit had opened, many had glimpsed the interior.
Wang Ning was the first to freeze.
It was nothing like she'd imagined.
If the mecha's exterior was stunning, the cockpit was pure sci-fi.
The model was so detailed that even the cockpit felt hyper-realistic!
Even its arm could move—beyond anything she could grasp.
"Make it fly!"
"Make it fly!"
…
Over a hundred people, pumped like they'd shot adrenaline, shouted excitedly.
The atmosphere hit a fever pitch.
Wang Ning looked utterly defeated, her face dark enough to drip.
Her nails dug deep into her palms.
Through gritted teeth she hissed, "I don't believe it can actually fly