You're Only Telling Me Now That You Were Bluffing?

At an air show.

Li Lang: "Is the F-22's lift coefficient really 2.5?"

Smith: "Of course."

Damn, that's impressive.

No wonder they're from Skunk Works.

As a follower who learned by taking the Eagle's lead, Li Lang took those words to heart and made them his goal.

He sold iron and pots, worked day and night, and strove for perfection...

At last,

the J-22 made its debut at the air show.

Smith: "That thing of yours looks pretty impressive. What's its lift coefficient?"

Li Lang: "2.5. We built it to your standards."

Smith was devastated. "Holy crap, I was just saying that!"

Li Lang was devastated too. "Holy crap, I didn't even get a girlfriend because of this damn thing, and now you're telling me you made it up?"

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any similarities are purely coincidental. Do not imitate.