Chapter 0174
The pilots who were blatantly confronted by Yu Lulei’s question
included those from Pine Airlines, a few from Envoy Air, and others. from smaller companies.
Having met the day before, they sat together for breakfast. Lifting their gaze to find Yu Lulei speaking, the faces of the Pine Airlines pilots showed different reactions. In Pine Airlines, Yu Lulei was the most prestigious female pilot and the only one who stood up to both the national airline and Mukino Air, her status was undoubtedly. different.
“You’re not getting any younger, so why bad-mouth the younger generation behind their backs? Aren’t you afraid of inviting trouble, risking your own reputation?”
Yu Lulei’s words carried weight; when she was fired up, few dared to retort.
Seeing the group quiet down and eat, Yu Lulei snorted coldly and turned away.
Once they found a table, Yu Lulei, holding her chopsticks, said to Madison, “Those people are just bullies who prey on the weak. Stand up to them, and they’ll back down.”
But no sooner had Yu Lulei finished speaking, than someone passing by remarked sarcastically, “Some people have the ability to make the big boss spend money and manipulate assessment times. We should admire that. Jealousy is pointless. If you’re capable, go find such a powerful boss yourself.”
“We can’t find one because we’re not demure.”
“Relying on connections to push colleagues around. Why do such
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people not just disappear, making life difficult for those of us without connections or backgrounds?”
The uniforms worn by the few who spoke matched Kou Mei’s-they were from the national airline.
Kou Mei, who had been quietly observing Madison’s silent demeanor, slowly looked up at the group that had chosen the table behind them to the left.
“We’re here for the assessment, not to gossip about others. If you want to cause trouble, remember to change out of your company’s uniform first, lest you cause unnecessary problems for them.”
Kou Mei’s voice was distinctive, and the female pilots who had isolated her flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
Still, as pilots of the national airline, they were quite proud.
One of them, with short hair, retorted, “Wow, Captain Kou really knows which way the wind blows. Admire how you always find the right mountain to lean on.”
“Us with thinner skins would never dare to cozy up like that.”
Yu Lulei, quick to anger, was about to stand up but Kou Mei pressed her hand down in time, signaling with her eyes to avoid a conflict.
If they caused a scene now, they might be disqualified from the
assessment.
Madison had heard everything they said.
She realized that she had always lived amidst the whispers of doubt, both past and present.
Whether she did well or not, she was always subject to criticism and ridicule, yet felt powerless to fight back.
Suddenly, Amelia’s words echoed in her ears-
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“Having a powerful ally is also a skill and an ability. Do you think everyone has such support? Even if you want to rely on someone, the big shots might not care to bother with you. Besides, you and President Grant are boyfriend and girlfriend. What’s wrong with helping each other? Madison, this is not how you avoid impropriety. By allowing yourself to be bullied, you’re just making President Grant look incapable, do you understand?”
These words kept resonating in Madison’s ears, getting louder and more forceful.
At the height of the sarcastic jeers from the group, Madison suddenly stopped all her movements and with a single glance, swept her eyes over the national airline pilots.
“Are you done talking?”
Her unassuming question managed to silence everyone within a four to five-meter radius centered on Madison.
All eyes were drawn to the unfolding scene.
The short-haired pilot from the national airline, arms folded, half- smiled, “What, we can’t speak about your unfairness?”
Madison unexpectedly continued the dialogue, “First, tell me what I
have done.”
The short-haired pilot choked up.
What had she done, indeed?
It seemed like nothing more than hearsay.
“The delay in the assessment schedule is because of you, right? Sometimes being unwell or in poor condition is part of the
assessment process. Why should the whole schedule be delayed just for you? Why must everyone wait one more day? Isn’t our time.
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valuable too?”
The short-haired pilot seemed to be inciting the others to side with
her.
“Exactly.”
“Yeah. Staying here an extra day delays so many flights. You may not need the money, but we do.”
“It’s so self-centered.”
“What are you all talking about?”
A male voice suddenly cut through, followed by a group of male pilots emerging in the dining hall.
They were the ones who had just finished their IV drips the night before-called away by Old Gao to adjust their bodies in preparation
for the assessment that evening.
Among them were pilots from the national airline, Pine Airlines, and Mukino Air, all unmistakably male aviators.
The speaker was the head of the national airline’s flight squadron, a man in his forties, who exuded both vigor and authority.
Shihua, who had been quietly relishing the sight of Madison being attacked, smiled to herself in satisfaction.
This was exactly the effect she wanted.
To make Madison the target of everyone’s scorn, a pariah in their
midst!
Now, when the squadron leader arrived, the short-haired pilot immediately stood up to report, “Sir, we’ve learned that the assessment was postponed yesterday because a pilot from Mukino Air was unwell. But everyone is busy and luck is part of the assessment process. It’s unfair.”
The Mukino Air pilots immediately furrowed their brows.
Even the pilots from Pine Airlines showed a hint of disapproval.
Staring at the female pilot, the national airline squadron leader pondered for a moment before raising his voice, “First and foremost, this assessment isn’t just for domestic pilots. There are others from around the world. Today, nearly half the world’s professional aviators are here.”
“This isn’t just about individual rankings; it’s also an implicit contest between nations and their abilities to nurture talents. Let me tell you, the delay was because nearly a quarter of us felt unwell yesterday. We just came from getting IV drips.”
This revelation caused a stir among the diners.
The squadron leader lifted his hand to show the fresh IV tape still on
his arm.
Most of the male pilots showed similar marks, clearly indicating they had just come from treatment.
The short-haired pilot’s face turned red, embarrassment rende her speechless.
The squadron leader publicly chastised them, “Instead of studying and improving your flying skills, you’re here competing with your own people, causing trouble. Do you have any sense at all?”
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