HLM – Chapter 1057 The Plane Takes Off and Lands Again

The National Party truly had money, and they were certainly willing to spend it for the election. The first phase of the two-million investment was deposited by McGee into the town’s financial account the same day. Porter’s construction team arrived in the northern part of the town center, where a public square would be built.

This project was part of a large-scale town-wide plan that Wang Bo had invested significant effort and funding into. The square would connect the town-center commercial district—formed along Highway 8—to the residential area behind it. On its east side stood the department store; the west side would later be developed with other buildings and shops, linking the entire town into a unified commercial circle.

Oakley did not win the bid to build the Sunset Central Square, so he invested instead in the sports stadium still under construction. The stadium would be named after him—the V-Champion Stadium—which would include a rugby field, a track-and-field arena, badminton courts, volleyball courts, and more.

The stadium required far more investment—over eight million NZD. Oakley signed his name on the investment intention letter without hesitation. For someone whose career was rising fast, money was nothing but scrap paper. As long as he kept fighting, money would pour endlessly into his pockets.

The secondary school sponsored by the British royal family also began construction. It was only one street away from the elementary school and facing the special-education school, forming a small educational district.

Although August was still cold, it was already the tail end of winter. This year had been fairly mild—just one major snowfall, followed by scattered flurries that were as insignificant as a dog “marking territory.” They didn’t affect the warming weather at all.

So Wang Bo planned to bring his parents over. He had intended to bring them to Sunset Town in May, but Father Bo and Mother Bo refused—they had spent much of their lives at sea and didn’t like cold weather. Summers back home were hot, but for people going out to sea daily, the ocean’s regulation made the heat bearable.

When Eva heard he was going back, she said happily, “That’s great! I’ve already arranged potential mates for Da Pang and Er Pang online. One option is right at your capital’s zoo—they have two female Pallas’s cats in mating season.”

Da Pang and Er Pang emitted cat-like purring sounds from their bellies, but their eyes kept sneaking glances at the Princess, their expressions full of bad intentions.

Solving these two troublemakers’ biological urges had become urgent. It wasn’t even spring yet, and they were already howling day and night. Once spring came, who knew how crazy they’d get?

Wang Bo estimated that if the problem wasn’t solved by then, no one at the castle would be able to sleep. The fat-cat brothers could probably howl from the castle bathrooms all the way to the attic.

So Eva had truly helped resolve a major issue.

Aside from that, this trip back home had an even more important mission: purchasing the patent rights for the superhydrophobic microporous metal wire from his alma mater. And of course, “returning in glory” meant he fully intended to stir up some excitement at his old school.

Because they were bringing the two Pallas’s-cat brothers, they needed to pass through customs and quarantine inspections. Wang Bo did not charter a private jet this time and instead chose to fly with New Zealand National Airlines, who could assist with such procedures.

When he explained this, Dale asked suspiciously, “Teacher, didn’t you take Fatty Fat and the others home before? Why didn’t they need inspection back then?”

Wang Bo certainly couldn’t say he cheated with the sand table to sneak the little guys out, so he coughed lightly and said, “This time they’re going back for something different. The inspection items are different too. We can’t handle it ourselves.”

Pallas’s cats were rare, protected animals in multiple countries. The outbound paperwork was complicated. Thankfully, New Zealand National Airlines could settle part of the procedures internally, and Wang Bo had Alexander help with the remaining inspections, finishing everything in record time.

The plane roared to life, and the group began their journey home.

Dale waited with wide eyes. Once the plane took off, she suddenly exclaimed, “Sister! Teacher! Where are Da Pang and Er Pang? Where’s Princess?”

Wang Bo said, “They’re in another area. You’ll see them once we land.”

Dale shook her head vigorously. “No, no! They can’t be together! Da Pang and Er Pang are bad fatties—they’ll do bad things to Princess! Princess is so small—I have to protect her!”

A beautiful, gentle flight attendant overheard her shouting and came over to explain patiently.

According to New Zealand civil aviation regulations, small animals were restricted cargo items. Passengers could not carry them into the cabin; they had to be checked in as baggage or transported as cargo.

“But Fatty Fat and the others aren’t cargo! They’re not luggage! How can they be put there?” Dale’s eyes reddened at the thought of her companions being placed in the cargo hold.

Wang Bo sighed. “But that’s the rule, sweetheart. Don’t worry—they won’t be hurt.”

Dale grabbed his hand. “Teacher, you’re so powerful—you can do anything! You can definitely bring them up here, right? They’re not cargo. They’re good kids!”

Eva was about to explain when the airborne Airbus A380 suddenly turned around and began heading back to the airport. The flight attendant’s voice sounded:

“Dear passengers, we apologize for the inconvenience. A small issue has occurred on this flight, and we need to return to the airport to resolve it. Once resolved, we will take off again. Thank you for your patience.”

In economy class, complaints erupted. First-class passengers were fewer and generally wealthier and more polite, but even some of them muttered, “How does a national airline still have issues like this?”

Others panicked, screaming, “What happened? Is it going to crash? Are we going to die?! I don’t want to die! Help! Somebody help!”

Flight attendants hurried to calm them.

Wang Bo looked outside, worried. He asked the first-class attendant, “Excuse me, what exactly happened? It’s not like those people are saying, right—terrorists threatening to blow up the plane?”

The attendant smiled calmly. “Of course not, sir. You’re overthinking. There’s just a small issue in the luggage hold. After landing, we need to reorganize some items.”

Hearing that the issue was in the luggage hold, Wang Bo’s heart skipped a beat—he immediately thought of the fat-cat brothers in their cages.

“Don’t tell me our little brats caused trouble,” he said nervously.

Eva reassured him, “No, no—they’re very well-behaved. Princess and the fat cats are all good.”

After landing, a flight attendant approached them. “Are A4 and A5 the pet crates belonging to you? Please come with us.”

Wang Bo and the others rushed off the plane and into the cargo area. There, they saw that the fat-cat brothers had opened their cages—and even unlocked Princess’s crate. Princess was curled in a corner, trembling in fear…