Over the next few days, representatives from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE arrived in Hong Kong. They jointly visited the headquarters of Starry Sky Group, where Liu Hui personally received them in his office.

These Middle Eastern nations—Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE—shared a common characteristic: an extreme scarcity of water, yet they were awash in wealth due to the oil reserves beneath their sands. Upon meeting Liu Hui, the representatives immediately laid bare their purpose: they had come for Starry Sky Group’s desalination technology, hoping the group could supply vast quantities of fresh water to their countries.

Liu Hui had already been briefed on their intentions. These Middle Eastern states had sided with Starry Sky Group during the recent US military operation targeting the corporation. They had successfully prevented the US ground forces from accessing the Persian Gulf via their territories, thereby stopping the desalination ships from being encircled and making a significant contribution to Starry Sky Group’s ultimate victory.

Therefore, when the representatives stated their purpose, Liu Hui readily agreed and signed agreements for Starry Sky Group to supply water to their nations. After all, Starry Sky Group had few allies, and now that these Middle Eastern countries had offered their support, providing them some benefit was necessary to secure their loyalty.

The agreement stipulated that Starry Sky Group would supply twenty million tons of fresh water daily to the four nations initially, increasing to one hundred million tons per day after one year, with the price remaining at $0.08 per ton. The agreement also mandated that these nations guarantee the security of Starry Sky Group’s assets in the Gulf region and required advance consultation with Starry Sky Group on their international stances to ensure alignment.

The signing of this desalination agreement between Starry Sky Group and these wealthy Middle Eastern nations formally established them as close allies. Through this pact, Starry Sky Group not only secured substantial economic gains but also indirectly gained influence over the oil policies within these nations, securing their political support and enabling Starry Sky Group to project its voice internationally. When necessary, Starry Sky Group could even leverage the control over their oil production and pricing to achieve its strategic objectives.

The Middle Eastern nations, meanwhile, were overjoyed. Alliance with Starry Sky Group guaranteed them access to massive freshwater resources, which they could use to drastically improve their domestic environments. Within years, their landscapes would be transformed; even after their oil reserves were depleted, their descendants could continue to thrive on this land. Furthermore, given Starry Sky Group’s explosive growth trajectory, partnership promised future development benefits for these countries, making this a truly win-win collaboration.

Upon learning that Starry Sky Group had finalized desalination contracts with these rich Middle Eastern nations, many other countries and organizations were deeply disappointed. They watched helplessly as Starry Sky Group monopolized water desalinization across the entire Middle East, unable to compete due to their own technological inferiority. They also realized that as Starry Sky Group strengthened ties with the primary oil-producing nations in the Gulf, their own influence in the region began to wane; their pronouncements carried less weight than before.

Time moved forward another month. During this period, Starry Sky Group continued to carve new miracles in global economic history. Their products remained bestsellers worldwide, facing virtually no meaningful competition.

This success brought immense envy from countless nations and corporations, who could not fathom how Starry Sky Group maintained robust sales amidst the prevailing market downturn, or how they achieved such sustained product popularity.

Experts who made a living studying Starry Sky Group had long since developed thick skins, hardened by the corporation’s frequent, unexpected maneuvers. They no longer displayed surprise at any new "miracle" Starry Sky Group engineered, instead accepting that whatever the corporation did was simply inevitable and logical.

During this past month, a plan Starry Sky Group had been secretly incubating for a long time finally reached fruition. Having completed their preparations, they formally issued invitations to global media outlets, requesting their presence at the Starry Sky Group headquarters on the eighth of the month for a press conference where the corporation would announce highly significant news.

The invitation was deliberately vague, revealing nothing about the content of the announcement. Yet, this very suspense piqued the interest of journalists and captured the attention of people worldwide.

Consequently, even without knowing the specifics, media reporters were excited upon receiving the invitation. They immediately dispatched their top correspondents to Starry Sky Group headquarters in Hong Kong, eager to secure the most exclusive coverage.

It had been a long time since Starry Sky Group held a formal press conference. Therefore, regardless of the announcement’s subject, the event was deemed essential participation for these journalists. In the current climate, any news associated with Starry Sky Group was eagerly consumed by the world. Having previously lacked direct channels for information, they could not afford to miss this opportunity when Starry Sky Group proactively offered news.

Thus, when the eighth day arrived, the number of journalists traveling from all corners of the globe to the Starry Sky Group headquarters exceeded two thousand. Upon arrival, they found a long queue forming outside the headquarters, where Starry Sky security personnel conducted rigorous screening, procedures comparable to airport-level checks.

These experienced journalists vaguely sensed that a major story was imminent, which explained the stringent security protocols. They cooperated fully with the security staff.

After the thorough screening, the journalists were gathered and loaded onto large Starry Sky Group vehicles, which immediately began driving them toward the coast.

This confused the reporters. They had expected the press conference to take place within the headquarters, offering them a chance to learn the details while simultaneously touring the inner sanctum of the mysterious Starry Sky Group. Instead, they were being driven directly to the sea.

As confusion mounted, the large vehicles stopped beside a small pier near the ocean. The reporters disembarked and boarded a luxurious yacht already waiting at the dock. The yacht then set off, carrying them toward the outer waters.

“Excuse me, where are you taking us?” a female reporter finally broke the silence, addressing a stoic security officer from Starry Sky Security standing nearby.

The officer responded politely, “We are taking you to the destination.”

The reporter pressed, “Isn’t the Starry Sky Group press conference being held at your headquarters? Why are you transporting us out onto the ocean?”

The officer pointed ahead. “Our destination is straight ahead; we will arrive shortly. As for why we are taking you there, you will know once you arrive.”

The journalists on the yacht followed the officer’s gaze and immediately spotted a colossal offshore architectural platform anchored in the waters outside Bòs Bay. The platform was immense, comparable in size to a large island. It was distinctly divided into two sections: one side was a bustling construction site humming with activity, while the other featured elegantly landscaped woods dotted with tall buildings and flanked by several small hills.

“Ah, I know! This must be the massive offshore floating island Starry Sky Group has been building. I’ve only ever seen satellite photos before, and those taken from the shore were always blurry. I never saw the whole thing. From this angle, it is truly majestic and breathtaking!” one journalist immediately recognized the structure.

The world’s media had long noticed the construction of this massive platform, but Starry Sky Group had maintained secrecy, refusing to release any specifications. Consequently, the public had no concrete impression of it. This moment marked the first time they truly saw this mysterious, large-scale construction up close.

“It is certainly spectacular. By my estimation, the area of this floating island exceeds twenty square kilometers,” another reporter agreed, nodding before raising his camera to photograph the structure.

The nearby Starry Sky security personnel made no move to stop the photography, encouraging more reporters to start documenting the enigmatic construction.

“A twenty-square-kilometer floating island? Good heavens, is that real? The largest artificial floating platform in the world previously measured barely two square kilometers. Even that smaller one required an astronomical sum to build. This island is twenty square kilometers—how much capital must this have consumed? Look, the other side is still under construction. Are they planning to expand it further?” the first female reporter exclaimed in astonishment.

“Starry Sky Group is wealthy; it’s none of our business how they spend it,” the reporter who estimated the size responded. “Last year alone, their revenue surpassed one trillion US dollars. If calculated by GDP, they would rank thirteenth among all nations. Moreover, their product profit margins must be incredibly high. They are effectively rich enough to rival nations; building this massive island should present no difficulty.”

“I heard that Mr. Liu Hui, the owner of Starry Sky Group, intends to use this floating island as a resort center for his personal vacations. Is that true?” the female reporter inquired.

“It seems unlikely this was built just for vacations. If so, it would be an extravagance surpassing the most lavish rulers throughout history many times over,” another reporter remarked.

“But why bring us to this floating island? Are they planning a tour?” a reporter voiced the collective question.

“We’re nearly there; we’ll know once we arrive,” an older, seasoned journalist advised.

The reporters fell silent, turning their video cameras and clicking their still cameras to capture the full scope of what was arguably the largest steel leviathan ever built on the sea.

“Starry Sky City” was not far from the headquarters, only ten kilometers away, so the luxury yacht docked swiftly at a small pier. The journalists disembarked, and the yacht immediately returned to ferry the next group.

“Did I see that right? Is this really a floating island?” the female reporter asked, struggling to believe her eyes.

As she stepped off the boat, she noticed the small pier was indistinguishable from a mainland dock. Along the adjacent coastline stretched vast expanses of golden, fine sand beaches planted with coconut trees. Standing on the sand, she felt no rocking motion from the ocean beneath her feet, leading her momentarily to question if she was still on land.

“What is going on? I feel like I’m on solid ground too. Not only is there a beach, but it extends out into the sea, complete with its own continental shelf. And look over there—a forest! The scenery is incredibly beautiful and picturesque. Isn’t this supposed to be a steel floating island? Why do we see stone, earth, and sand everywhere instead of steel? Is this truly an artificially constructed island?” another reporter noticed the anomalies and voiced similar awe.

The reporters were stunned upon landing, their gasps of amazement nearly drowning out the two figures standing nearby: a man and a woman from Huaxia dressed in magnificent, ancient Hanfu. After their initial exclamations subsided, the woman, graceful in her fine Hanfu, approached them. “Esteemed guests, please follow us. The location for our press conference is just ahead.”

The journalists finally noticed the young couple dressed so unusually and followed the Hanfu-clad guides along a smooth paved road deeper into the island. The scenery lining the road was exquisitely beautiful. They walked past beaches, groves, flower beds, streams, small hills, and waterfalls, finally arriving before a large complex of buildings.

The reporters were momentarily speechless. The landscapes they had just passed were breathtakingly beautiful, blending seamlessly into an environment that felt both real and ethereal, like a true paradise on Earth. The air on the island was so fresh and clean it felt liberating, making them reluctant to leave.

Then, facing the massive complex before them, they gasped once more.

“Am I mistaken? Is this large cluster of buildings a hospital? I see the words ‘Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital’ written on it,” a reporter questioned dubiously.

“I don’t think you’re mistaken; I see the six characters ‘Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital’ as well,” a colleague confirmed.

“Are they opening a hospital here? Judging by the name alone, this hospital claims to cure terminal illnesses,” the first female reporter remarked.

“That can’t be right. Starry Sky Group has such lofty ambitions! There are so many terminal illnesses in the world—how could they cure them all? To dare use a name as bold as ‘Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital’—they are inviting ridicule from the world,” one journalist scoffed.

“That might not be the case. Remember, Liu Hui, the owner of Starry Sky Group, made his name in medicine. Three years ago, he established the Han Tang Hospital in Bashan City, Huaxia, which claimed to cure AIDS. Few people believed that news then, either. But subsequent facts proved that Han Tang Hospital did possess the capability to treat AIDS. Today, Starry Sky Group is unquestionably the leader in the medical field, and many of their products show remarkable efficacy. Given their current medical proficiency, they might genuinely possess this capability. In my view, this ‘Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital’ might actually be able to treat the world’s most serious diseases,” a reporter familiar with Liu Hui’s early career countered.

“But wasn’t the Han Tang Hospital later proven fraudulent? That they couldn't actually cure AIDS, and that it has since closed down?” an intern reporter asked hesitantly.

“Young man, you are new to the field and unaware of some details,” an older reporter explained. “Han Tang Hospital flourished under Liu Hui’s guidance and only began to decline after he left. The significance of that is clear to those who understand. I personally believe Liu Hui has the capacity to cure AIDS, evidenced by the array of miracle products Starry Sky Group has invented. There must have been some underlying reasons we don't know about that caused Han Tang Hospital’s rapid decline, otherwise, how do you explain the patients they previously cured?”

“There was such a history? In that case, it is entirely possible that Starry Sky Group’s ‘Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital’ can actually treat terminal diseases,” the intern conceded.

“If terminally ill patients could recuperate in such a beautiful, heavenly environment, perhaps they might recover without needing treatment,” the female reporter sighed wistfully.

“Indeed. I just wonder what Starry Sky Group did to make the environment here so superb. I don’t feel like leaving,” another reporter commented.

The journalists continued to express their astonishment as they were led by the two Hanfu-clad figures into the “Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital.” They traversed the elegantly designed hospital grounds, entering a grand auditorium at its center, where many other media reporters were already gathered, deep in conversation, seemingly unsettled by what they had witnessed en route.

On the stage of the auditorium sat a long table with several empty chairs behind it. Above the stage hung a large red banner inscribed with the words: Starry Sky Group Press Conference. Along the aisles on both sides of the hall stood young men and women in Hanfu, composed and dignified, exuding an air of mystery, embodying the classical beauty of Huaxia and serving as a unique focal point in the hall.

As the first group discussed their impressions, another wave of late-arriving reporters entered. They too settled down and began chatting excitedly, clearly awed by the immense floating island.

As time wore on, the reporters trailing behind were gradually brought into the venue, and the number of journalists in the grand hall swelled. Those standing nearby, clad in Hanfu, began attending to the journalists, pouring tea and offering water with meticulous service.

A press conference held by a colossal enterprise like Starry Sky Group was bound to be met with global enthusiasm and anticipation, so numerous television networks had already submitted applications to Starry Sky Group for live broadcasting rights, ensuring that audiences unable to attend could immediately learn about the latest developments from the corporation.

Starry Sky Group readily agreed to their requests for live coverage. In Liu Hui's design, the scale of this press conference needed to be as grand as possible—ideally capturing the attention of the entire world—to facilitate the smooth execution of his overarching plan.

Some eager television reporters had already set up their cameras, recording the scene in its entirety. Even though live broadcasting wasn't permitted yet, the footage captured would undoubtedly prove invaluable later on.

Half an hour later, nearly all the media personnel invited to the Starry Sky Group press conference had arrived. Any media outlets that were absent either failed to pass Starry Sky Group’s stringent security checks or had simply chosen not to attend.

As the scheduled start time for the press conference neared, major television stations finalized their preparations for live transmission. Meanwhile, the attending journalists began providing synchronized updates online, allowing those who weren't watching television to keep abreast of the latest situation through the internet.

Suddenly, a surge of stirring music echoed through the auditorium. The reporters present instantly recognized it as Starry Sky Group’s newly released song, "Our Future is in the Stars" (Wǒmen de Wèilái Zài Xīngkōng). The commencement of this song signaled the official beginning of the press conference.

Accompanied by "Our Future is in the Stars," three figures, guided by the on-site service staff, entered the hall from the rear. They ascended the main stage of the auditorium and took their designated seats. These three were Liu Hui, Mei Peng, and Li Zhi of Starry Sky Group, with Li Zhi set to serve as the moderator for the proceedings.

Upon seeing the owner of Starry Sky Group present, the television stations conducting the live broadcast immediately swiveled their cameras toward Liu Hui and the other two, determined not to miss a single minute detail of the press conference.

The journalists in the audience recognized Liu Hui and Li Zhi, but some found Mei Peng unfamiliar, regarding him as a new face. Consequently, they began inquiring amongst themselves about the identity of this relatively unknown man seated next to Liu Hui.

Suddenly, one reporter exclaimed, “Ah, I remember now! The man next to Liu Hui is Mei Peng. He used to be the director of Bashan Hantang Hospital. After Hantang Hospital was absorbed by the state, he followed Liu Hui to Hong Kong and now serves as a Vice President at Starry Sky Group. He’s practically one of the original pioneers of the company. I just wonder what his purpose is in attending this press conference today?”

Prompted by this reminder, those who hadn't known Mei Peng instantly recalled the once-famous figure. However, following the transfer of ownership of Hantang Hospital, Mei Peng had adopted a lower profile, gradually fading from the media spotlight. The mystery of his sudden reappearance at this conference led some to wonder if it held any connection to that "Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital" they had glimpsed outside.

Mei Peng, attending the press conference today, was impeccably dressed in a dark suit, his face flushed with health and radiating vitality. Internally, he was immensely excited; after lying dormant for so long, it was finally his moment to step onto the stage.

Thanks to the patrons for their tips: Da Han Guoxing LIU (688 coins), Ye Ming (300 coins).

Thanks to the patrons for their monthly ticket support: Ye Ming (1 ticket), Long Ben Yin (1 ticket), Great Pig Daddy (1 ticket)—Great Pig Daddy is such a heartwarming name.

Also, thanks to an anonymous reader for the evaluation tickets.

A new month is approaching. Before setting sail again, Qian Yu has never solicited support, but this time, I'll follow the trend and ask for your monthly and recommendation tickets. I hope those who are able will show their support.

With your attention and support, this book will only become more captivating. Thank you.

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