Tit for Tat

"That's right, because there's only room for models here."

A bespectacled man brimming with confidence walked up behind Chen Mu. After hearing his words, he continued speaking.

A large crowd of reporters followed behind him, cameras in hand, snapping photos of him nonstop. Naturally, Chen Mu, standing nearby, was also "fortunate" enough to be caught on camera.

"Hammer Industries has always taken pride in participating in the development of fifth-generation fighters. The F22 fighter jet is unquestionably the strongest aircraft in the world, while the B2 stealth bomber stands above all others, truly one of a kind. It even has another name: the Airborne Specter. It possesses the power to destroy the world!"

"Pleased to meet you, my friend from the East. I'm Justin Hammer."

Justin Hammer wore a broad smile and appeared quite friendly, but Chen Mu could see the deep contempt in his eyes.

Is he looking down on me?

"Hello, Mr. Hammer. I'm Chen Mu, from China."

Sensing that the man had come with ill intent, Chen Mu naturally had little interest in talking and replied indifferently.

"America has always been the strongest and most civilized country. We have always welcomed every guest who comes to our nation."

Justin Hammer did not seem bothered by Chen Mu's coldness and continued with a smile. "Of course, that includes you as well, Mr. Chen Mu from China."

Keeping a fixed smile before the cameras seemed to be a required skill for public figures like him.

"I've been observing Mr. Zhao for quite some time. I started paying attention to you when you were looking at the firearms. I saw that you touched every piece of equipment, and I'd really like to know, Mr. Chen Mu, what are your thoughts after seeing all these powerful weapons? I wonder whether your country has the ability to manufacture weapons like these?"

So this was Justin Hammer's goal: to use Chen Mu's "embarrassing behavior" to mock his country, belittling China in order to elevate himself!

Click, click, click...

"..." Countless flashes turned toward Chen Mu. The American media seemed very interested in this question as well, with cameras of every size aimed at him.

"Look at this—this is the powerful and magnificent art of war! The F22 and the B2 bomber are invincible!"

As he spoke, Justin Hammer looked at Chen Mu arrogantly and pressed on. "Your country will probably never be able to create weapons this powerful, will it?"

"Hmph. Ridiculous."

Chen Mu snorted. A man could be killed but not humiliated. He could endure insults directed at himself, but insulting his homeland was unacceptable!

So Chen Mu could no longer hold back and immediately fired back.

"I've looked over all of your company's weapons and examined them in my hands. They are indeed quite good, but they also have many flaws. No wonder your country's military does not adopt most of the weapons displayed here."

"..." Justin's expression immediately turned ugly. This had always been a sore point for him. Most weapons purchased by the U.S. military came from Stark Industries and several other arms dealers. Hammer Industries could only struggle to survive in the cracks between those companies. It had long been a source of pain for him, yet Chen Mu had exposed it outright, making him lose face.

"As for your company's various armored vehicles, I looked at those too. They're quite nice and would definitely look flashy on the road. Unfortunately, they're all style over substance. I assume your country's military hasn't purchased these vehicles either?"

Chen Mu continued his sarcastic mockery, making Justin Hammer's expression darken even further.

"As for these two aircraft, they are indeed highly advanced and have few rivals in this world. But they weren't developed solely by your company, were they? I wonder just how much your company actually contributed to these two aircraft?"

Chen Mu kicked the ball back at him. The reporters, who feared the world was not chaotic enough, turned their cameras toward Justin Hammer again, making his face turn green.

Could he possibly say that Hammer Industries had contributed less than one percent to the development of those two aircraft?

Hammer Industries had merely provided some landing gear technology. Displaying models of those two aircraft here was nothing more than his own shameless act.

He had kicked an iron plate. He had planned to step on this Chinese man to show off his own superiority, but he had not expected Chen Mu to be such a tough opponent, leaving him speechless with his rebuttals.

"Besides, I believe that one day, China will develop aircraft that surpass the F22 and the B2! And that day won't be too far away!"

"Hahaha! What a joke! You? China?"

"Hmph. Mr. Hammer, are you looking down on my country? Looking down on China? You are maliciously disparaging a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council!"

Chen Mu questioned him bluntly, his expression stern. Under the spotlight, he could not back down!

"Y-yes, I'm sorry. I misspoke."

With the reporters filming him frantically, Justin gritted his teeth and could only yield. Faced with Chen Mu's questioning, he did not dare say another improper word.

With the reporters recording everything, any improper remark he made now could lead to extremely serious consequences.

Simply put, he did not dare say anything more. In such a serious and formal setting, if he continued making any unfavorable comments about China, the consequences would be beyond his ability to bear.

As a public figure, one should never discuss other countries in public, much less display an attitude of contempt—even toward a poor, backward tribal nation!

Not to mention that China was no poor, backward country. It had the largest market in the world, was the largest developing country, and possessed the world's second-largest economy!

Justin Hammer could not afford to provoke it. Most importantly, Hammer Industries was not merely an arms dealer. It had many other business sectors that depended on China's enormous market.

Therefore, as the head of Hammer Industries, he absolutely could not be too arrogant!

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Remember this: one day, China will rise!"

Chen Mu said it with a completely earnest expression.

Shouldering the great mission of China's rejuvenation, Chen Mu had no doubts whatsoever!

"Good! Good!"

Chen Mu's impassioned words won applause from many people present. In particular, some who had also come from China began clapping without hesitation.

No matter what, defending the honor of one's homeland deserved applause!

"Mr. Chen Mu, please continue your tour. Farewell."

Amid the applause, Justin Hammer could no longer remain there and could only flee in humiliation.

He had never imagined that his plan to step on this Chinese "country bumpkin" and elevate himself would end with him stepping into a deep pit instead, nearly bringing disaster upon himself.