The news of Wang Zhuo purchasing an A380 private jet spread like wildfire, circling the globe via the internet within the same day.

As the saying goes, seeing is believing, and this time there were actual pictures—and they were overwhelming. Though broadband had long reached every household, making the old idiom about cats obsolete, the sheer volume of high-resolution images still devoured bandwidth in countless homes.

The colossal golden aircraft was ostentatious, luxurious, commanding, and grand, capturing the attention of countless onlookers. Especially when juxtaposed with CEO Hou's Challenger 850 beside it, the A380's affluence shone even brighter. This single event stirred up a tempest; the wealth-resentful elements quickly formed the "Anti-Zhuo Alliance," vowing to expose Wang Zhuo's secrets and drag him into the abyss. This force unleashed a tsunami of fury; many felt "it's not poverty that troubles us, but inequality." Envy quickly turned to action: bring down this high-profile rich man first!

This time, without any prompting from Wang Zhuo, Cheng Gang had already mobilized his online forces. They began praising Wang Zhuo’s merits and contributions online, directly countering the anti-wealth factions. He had learned many untold stories from Gan Shuang and seized this opportunity to reveal them one by one, aiming to dispel public prejudice and reveal the true Wang Zhuo to the world.

However, this "true Wang Zhuo" was merely the side he wanted people to see; minor flaws, like his playboy nature, were completely omitted. Under Cheng Gang's guidance, the Wang Zhuo lauded by the paid commentators became more benevolent than Guanyin Bodhisattva saving the suffering, and more majestic than the patriotic heroes saving the nation from crisis.

The Anti-Zhuo Alliance suffered constant retreats. Faced with the facts, they realized how ignorant they were, how narrow-minded their thoughts, and how powerful Wang Zhuo truly was. The corporation that contributed the most in taxes annually; the mysterious benefactor who donated the most to charity yearly; the founder of the Peng Yu Foundation that sought justice from peril; the inventor of Angel One, recognized by the international academic community...

Wang Zhuo possessed too many dazzling accolades. The paid commentators retorted: If a simple sketch artist can afford a private jet, why can’t Director Wang, who holds epoch-making inventions? If the eighty-two-year-old Yang Zhenning can marry a twenty-eight-year-old wife, what’s wrong with an unmarried Director Wang having an ambiguous relationship with a female star?!

Thus, one side cried, "The flaws cannot obscure the brilliance," while the other clamored, "Mistakes must be corrected." The online war of words raged joyously.

Mirroring the digital bickering, in a different sphere, the major players also held differing opinions regarding Wang Zhuo’s high-profile move. Some felt such an exhibition would exacerbate the already fragile public sentiment, deeming it too jarring. Others argued that the greater the contribution, the greater the reward should be; Wang Zhuo's actions were reasonable and shouldn't be interfered with.

Wang Zhuo, however, paid these concerns no mind. Since the nude photo scandal with Irene, his nerves had grown exceptionally thick. Let others say what they will. Buying a private jet was nothing; his next plan was to acquire a few small islands!

This time, Wang Zhuo heeded the advice and named the A380 "Auspicious Cloud," adapting to public opinion. In reality, the masses preferred calling it the "Golden Auspicious Cloud," a name Wang Zhuo couldn't fully embrace because it faintly resembled certain Korean appellations.

Wang Zhuo was twelve-tenths satisfied with the interior customization of the Auspicious Cloud. This level of luxury far surpassed Prince Maimon’s dedicated jet. Stepping inside was like entering a world of the future; everyone who experienced it firsthand expressed delighted astonishment, praising the omnipotence of technology.

Especially the swimming pool located on the lower deck. It featured simulated sunlight, sea breeze, and sand. Those swimming in the transparent glass tanks resembled schools of fish. Such extravagance could only be accommodated by the sheer volume of an A380; a Boeing 787 wouldn't even begin to manage it!

News once claimed that compared to the Bombardier Challenger, a luxury RV was nothing. That statement now required revision: compared to an A380, even the most luxurious Bombardier Challenger was insignificant!

The Auspicious Cloud sat majestically on the tarmac of Jiangzhou International Airport, an absolutely stunning sight. The Chinese people had never seen an aircraft so beautiful or so imposing. Even foreign tourists admitted that such a BEAUTIFUL aircraft was the ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD.

The question of whether Wang Zhuo was losing influence was once again fiercely debated. People viewed the appearance of the Auspicious Cloud as a weather vane, eagerly anticipating what would happen next.

But Luo Kelong saw things differently. He felt the plane meant nothing. Customizing an aircraft couldn't happen overnight. Rumor had it that an A380 required at least eighteen months from order to delivery. This meant Wang Zhuo acquired the jet before his scandal with Irene Top broke. Given this context, the French delivered on schedule, meaning Wang Zhuo was simply left holding a hot potato. It was still uncertain who he would transfer it to next!

So, he told Sun Song and the others: "Just watch. I bet the guy surnamed Wang will only get to enjoy it briefly before he has to transfer the plane."

"But who can afford something that expensive?" asked Eyeglasses, sticking his tongue out.

"He doesn't need cash, he can trade it for something else at a reduced price," Luo Kelong said gloatingly, "but he's bound to lose several hundred million Yuan."

Sun Song asked with a smirk, "Kelong, do you think Wang Zhuo has completely given up now? You held his ships for so long, and he didn't even make a sound?"

"Who knows," Luo Kelong replied smugly. "I’ll have someone release those three ships tomorrow. The cargo is already spoiled anyway, so holding them is pointless. I’ll just seize a few new ships loaded with fresh goods later."

Eyeglasses clicked his tongue. "Seize more? Isn't that a bit much targeting him?"

"If I don't seize them, who will arrange Mami for me? Or Senkawa and Uehara for you guys?" Luo Kelong glared at him and snorted arrogantly. "Unless he personally apologizes and hands over what I want, I’m not done with him!"

Sun Song chuckled wickedly, "Should we spread some rumors to prompt him along?"

"You should have done that ages ago," Luo Kelong proudly blew a smoke ring.

The news reached Wang Zhuo two days later, which made him laugh in anger.

Guan Yingying was filled with righteous indignation, shaking her fist and shouting, "Ask Wang Zhuo to apologize to him? In his dreams!"

Qi Fei also found the situation rather ridiculous and laughed, "Is this guy too self-absorbed or what?"

"He thinks the Customs office is his family's property," Wang Zhuo sneered. "Look at the person he chose to relay the message—just a local precinct chief. Someone at that level dares to challenge me from a distance? He must not be afraid I’ll laugh myself sick."

Qi Fei expressed concern, "Even the son of a Customs Director isn't that powerful. If we offend this Director, won't our transnational group be reduced to just a domestic enterprise?"

"It's time to report this to Boss Qin," Wang Zhuo chuckled, grabbing his phone from the desk and dialing Xiao Wanjun’s number.

"Luo Kelong?"

After hearing Wang Zhuo’s account, Xiao Wanjun replied, trying to suppress his laughter, "Is it really as exaggerated as you say? He’s using these tactics against you over such a trivial matter?"

Wang Zhuo chuckled wryly, "He's an official's son, after all. I’m just an ordinary citizen who abides by the law. When a lion grows strong, it rules the land; when a pig grows fat, it’s only good for slaughter."

"Well, how about this," Xiao Wanjun, unable to do anything about his own lazy approach, mused, "I’ll pass a word to him and ask him to release the seized ships. How does that sound?"

"That’s it?" Wang Zhuo asked. "What about the losses I’ve incurred? Is there no accounting for that? And what if he seizes my ships again? I can’t just call you every time he decides to seize one of my vessels, can I?"

"If he seizes them again, we'll deal with it then, and I’ll help you get an explanation," Xiao Wanjun said. "But your previous losses are likely irrecoverable. You should understand the connections at higher levels, right?"

Wang Zhuo reluctantly agreed. After hanging up, he smiled bitterly at Qi Fei, "See? It’s always tiresome dealing with these bureaucrats. They beat around the bush, turning a simple matter into a complex exchange of veiled meanings."

Guan Yingying, who had been silent beside him, let out a soft huff. "This is already good. If you knew no one influential, and they dealt with you purely by the book, they’d not only devour your flesh but also drain your bones dry."

"Just watch," Wang Zhuo said calmly, "this matter absolutely will not end this smoothly. Does he really think he can stop now and get away scot-free? Does he truly believe I’m a soft persimmon that can be squeezed at will?"

Guan Yingying pressed, "What if, after Secretary Xiao makes an inquiry, Customs suddenly changes its rules?"

Wang Zhuo smiled mysteriously, "Then it depends on my mood. The right to report is a legitimate right granted to every citizen by the Constitution, especially for a law-abiding citizen like myself."

Although Xiao Wanjun was only a section-level cadre, he represented Qin Xue, Jiangzhou’s top BOSS. Therefore, if he were to communicate with Customs, only Director Luo would possess the necessary seniority; the lower-ranking minions weren't worth mentioning.

However, directly involving the Director over Wang Zhuo's issue felt like overkill and escalated things unnecessarily. So, Xiao Wanjun planned carefully and arranged for a deputy director in his office to call a division chief within Customs.

This call was made, but due to delays in connection, by the time the message reached Luo Kelong, the young master had already released the three seized ships hours earlier. When he received the news, he instantly grasped the intent: this was merely placating Wang Zhuo. They waited until Customs released the ships before making the call—a classic case of closing the barn door after the horse bolted!

Having deduced this conclusion, he became ecstatic, feeling as if he’d eaten a ginseng fruit. See? Qin Xue clearly dislikes Wang Zhuo already. Why else wouldn't he make this call earlier or later, but precisely after I released Wang Zhuo's ships, making it such a token gesture? He had confirmed this suspicion when he seized the second ship; now, this call served as further corroboration—it was absolutely certain!

Luo Kelong felt tremendously pleased, thinking, Good for you, Wang Zhuo. You were so arrogant and high-and-mighty last time. Now your true colors are finally exposed! Aren't you so bold? I’ll seize a few more of your ships tomorrow. Let’s see what you have left to be bold about!

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