Chapter 52 The Curtain Falls

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  The plane circled slowly over Andrews Air Force Base in Brooklyn, New York.

  Crowds of people holding banners were everywhere on the empty ground of the airport, the Ilyushin Il-14 aircraft slowly descended, two huge engines roaring, Sun Xiang carefully stepped on the rudder pedal, lowered the landing gear, reduced the throttle, and the Ilyushin Il-14 aircraft made a beautiful three-point water on the ground, then slowed down, finally coming to a stable stop in the middle of the airport runway, the huge propellers still spinning, a thunderous applause echoed through the sky and had already reached Sun Xiang's ears...

  The side door of the cabin was opened, and a prepared gangway had been placed at the door. H.S Aviation Company, Hughes' Hollywood film company, oil companies, automobile research institutes, medical research institutes all arrived on the scene, holding up banners that read "Welcome home boss!" and flowers.

  Even someone as heartless and ruthless as Hughes couldn't help but be moved to tears by this scene, his lips trembling with emotion, unable to utter a word.

  The closest to the plane's landing spot was a massive crowd of journalists, and the entire process of the plane's landing was recorded by their cameras. The film crew from Howard's movie company also faithfully recorded this historic scene with their camera lenses, from the crowds rushing to welcome back the heroes, to government officials, at this moment, there were no strangers, no classes, they all cheered for this new chapter in human history.

  The six people who got off the plane were all excited. The moment they emerged from the plane, Sun Xiang felt that his eyes didn't belong to him anymore. It was now 4:15 in the afternoon, with the sun high up in the sky and plenty of sunlight, but the flashing lights were so intense that it was impossible to open one's eyes. The five people behind him tacitly put on their sunglasses, grinned strangely, and squeezed past Sun Xiang into the crowd of reporters.

  Wearing sunglasses, Sun Xiang struggled to find Sherry and Rita's figures at the airport, but there were too many people and it was impossible to see these two beauties. Soon he was also surrounded by reporters.

  "Hello! Steve, I'm Sami Alviwich, a reporter from The New York Times. You've just completed your around-the-world flight in 3 days, 10 hours and 15 minutes, setting a new record. What are your thoughts now?" Sami asked.

  "Of course, I'm thrilled! This is a flight that will change human history, this flight will absolutely go down in the annals of history, and create such a record. I have to thank Hughes for his efforts in making this happen, without him, I don't think we would have been able to accomplish such a feat."

  "Steve, hey, over here. Andrew, Washington Post reporter, what's the one thing you most want to do right now?"

  "I'm most looking forward to having a big meal now, and then getting some tea to drink. The food on the plane was really terrible, I still have the taste of military rations in my mouth."

  Andrew quickly took down what Sun Xiang said, just as he was about to ask a question, he was bumped by a reporter behind him: "Hey, damn it, you bumped into me."

  "Anna Litt, lifestyle magazine journalist: Mr. Steve, now that you're the fashion icon for all American men, how do you understand fashion?"

  Sun Hui replied: "Huh? I'm on a lifestyle magazine? Fashion, in my opinion, is about standing out from the crowd and wearing your own style. In that regard, Xue Li is an expert."

  "Hello, I'm Kayce, an NBC reporter. Trish Kells, Mr. Sun, now that this flight is over, what are your plans for life after this? Have you considered getting married?"

  Sun Xiang's face lit up with a smile: "Heh heh, of course. After this historic flight is over, I will return to China and help my motherland fight against the Japanese invasion. Of course, the issue of marriage is not something that can be decided by me alone."

  At this time, a blonde pretty girl shouted "Steve I love you" and rushed to Sun Xiang's side, hugged Sun Xiang tightly. Seeing the enthusiastic girl, Sun Xiang didn't dare to push her away, awkwardly looking at the surrounding reporters.

  The surrounding journalists burst into a wave of kind laughter, followed by a wave of fierce applause. It seems that in the eyes of these professionals, nothing with news value will be let go.

  "This girl grasped Sun Xiang's arm and said quickly: 'Steve, nice to meet you, my name is Aikarina, I'm so excited to see you, can I have your autograph?'"

  Xun Xiang smiled and took the pen handed over by the beauty, then the beauty pointed to her own chest, and Xun Xiang looked at Aikarina's full chest with embarrassment.

  Ekaterina: "It's okay, Steve ~ you're my idol, come on"

  Sun Xiang rubbed his nose, and finally signed his name behind Aikarina's back. As Sun Xiang was signing, he thought to himself, "I'm really famous now, people are starting to ask me for autographs", but this beauty is really stunning! Hehe, with a smile, he chased after Hughes and the others...

  Ekaterina stood still, with a beautiful arc at the corner of her mouth, smiling exceptionally happily.

  A press conference was held in the airport's office hall, and the scene of the press conference has been connected to the airport's loudspeaker to ensure that all the people present at the scene can know about the process of the press conference.

  New York City Mayor Gaudio gave the first speech. In May, Gaudio was in the spotlight as major newspapers reported on Hughes and Sun Xiang's news, which also increased the mayor's exposure. Having tasted the sweetness of fame, Gaudio would not miss this great opportunity, and almost as soon as Hughes' team extended the invitation, Gaudio accepted it immediately.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to participate in this press conference. As we all know, humans have always dreamed of soaring through the skies. Since the Wright brothers' first flight on December 17, 1903, humanity has entered the era of aviation. Over the past thirty years or more, aircraft have played an increasingly important role in human history. During World War I, they even appeared as weapons on the battlefield. And now, ladies and gentlemen, let us first applaud our heroes!"

  "GUARDIOLA!" the hoarse voice roared: "HOWARD~~~~~" "HUGHES~~~~~~~~~~~" A massive wave of sound rolled over the airport, everyone shouting the same name.

  "Steve~~~~~~~~~~""Sun~~~~~~~~~~~~~" The voice was no smaller than before.

  "Then there's the newly-minted All-American sweetheart, Reed Evans."

  "So the remaining crew members are ~~~~~~~~~~~"

  "Eric, Eric!" "Richie, Richie!" "Andy, Andy!" Fifty thousand people chanted in rhythm, letting the sound waves roll over the empty airport, countless people holding banners and ribbons cheered for the heroes! This unique way of celebration made the atmosphere on site explosive.

  Guadio pressed his hands together, and the room fell silent. Outside, the crowd's murmurs continued: "Before Hughes and his team began this flight, two brave men and women had attempted to fly around the world, but they were unfortunately killed. One was Willy Post, who crashed and died shortly after taking off over Alaska; another was Amelia Earhart, who disappeared over a remote island in the South Pacific. Let us observe a moment of silence for these two brave souls and wish them eternal peace, amen!"

  Gaudio's words were broadcast to the airport and the crowd gradually fell silent, mourning the two brave men. The square with over 50,000 people was quiet, regardless of race, country or religious beliefs, people expressed their prayers for the deceased in their own way.

  Guadio: "On May 28, 1973 at 4:32 pm, an Ilyushin Il-14 aircraft landed in Brooklyn, New York. Three days earlier, they had taken off from the same place, heading east to embark on their round-the-world flight. The first-ever global circumnavigation by air was achieved through their efforts! Let's pay tribute to these heroes once again!"

  No wonder he's a politician, under Gaudio's incitement the atmosphere on site was pushed to another climax, the whole audience cheered: Hero! Hero! ...