HLM -Chapter 1098 I am the one who admires you the most

Re-election successful!

What had been completed so far was only a rough framework; there was still a long way to go before final completion.

That said, it was already usable. The town’s large LED display had been moved to the central square, and when the results appeared, the townspeople erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Wang Bo said, deeply moved, “You’re all being far too kind to me. I never realized how much everyone was looking forward to my success…”

“Party! Party! Party!”

“Celebration feast! Celebrate! Celebrate!”

“Meat, meat, meat! Booze, booze, booze! Hurry up—sing and eat!”

Those were the shouts echoing across the central square.

Wang Bo had prepared the food and drinks well in advance. The central square had been designed specifically for large gatherings, so many supporting features had been incorporated into the plan from the very beginning—such as the stone grills in the barbecue area, power outlets hidden inside the stone pillars, ultra-bright neon lights and rotating colored light balls, and of course, a stage.

Although night had long since fallen, once the neon lights and rotating light balls were switched on, together with the ring of iodine-tungsten lamps around the square, the entire plaza was illuminated as brightly as day.

When Wang Bo arrived at the square, he first found Atulu, Uncle Bing, and the others. “Later, follow my cues,” he said. “Don’t screw this up for me!”

“Don’t worry,” Atulu said, thumping his chest confidently. “We’re the most reliable when it comes to getting things done.”

Eva was waving to him. Wang Bo didn’t say anything more and walked over, the two of them looking out over the square together.

The square was enormous. The original plan had been for nearly one square kilometer, but after on-site surveys it was revised, leaving about half—roughly forty hectares.
At present, only a small portion was in use, about one hundred mu. Even so, that still amounted to around sixty thousand square meters, which was already an impressive size.

But almost the entire town had turned out, along with visitors who had stayed over or come after hearing the news. Possibly six thousand people had come to attend this election party, and that made the space feel insufficient—many areas were packed with crowds.

The Sunset Town party had already become a selling point for the tourism industry. Not only New Zealand, but even Australia, Fiji, and other countries had heard of the Sunset Town mega-party.

So every time a party was opened to the public, it attracted huge numbers of people—because these parties were usually free, with food and drink in abundance.

For a single party, Wang Bo would spend at least ten thousand New Zealand dollars. On a night like this, the costs alone reached one hundred thousand. Yet he was more than happy to do so—not because he enjoyed showing off his wealth, but because the additional spending it brought to Sunset Town exceeded two hundred thousand dollars.

Every party frenzy was also a town-wide shopping spree, a boom for hotels and restaurants, drawing in many new businesses.

The large musical fountain at the center of the square had already been put into operation. As the song “God Chose You” began to play, the fountain surged upward, jets of water shooting into the sky.

“Do you know,” Wang Bo said with emotion, “just a little over four years ago, this place was nothing but wasteland. Now look at it—teeming with people.”

Eva smiled warmly. “You’re a magician, my dear. The central square is only a small miracle—Sunset Town itself is the great miracle.”

Amid the cheers, the two of them walked onto the stage. The popular band Red Hot Chili Chicken—Sunset Band—finished their performance, bowed, and stepped aside. Tonight’s true protagonist was Wang Bo.

Facing the sea of heads below, Wang Bo couldn’t help but smile. “Actually, I’d long expected to be re-elected, because I’m not a bad mayor.”

Good-natured boos rose from the crowd. Someone shouted, “You’re too full of yourself, Mayor!”

Wang Bo laughed. “No, no—hear me out, everyone. Because I expected this, during the campaign I went through the motions a bit. I didn’t work hard enough, didn’t do well enough, and wasn’t attentive enough.”

“I regret it now—truly regret it. Standing here today, looking at all of you, I finally understand what this position of mayor really means. I should give my all in everything I do. I can’t let down a single person standing before this stage!”

His words were utterly sincere. Standing there, gazing at the dense crowd, thousands of eyes fixed on him, he felt for the first time how heavy his responsibility truly was.

“You’ve already done a great job, Mayor!” Anderson shouted loudly.

“If there is a heaven on earth, it must be Sunset Town. If there are saints among men, then Mayor Wang must surely be one!” As the bishop, Rooney always spoke with depth.

“What are you standing around for? Applaud, applaud!” Juan, however, was the one who understood Wang Bo best.

Thunderous applause erupted.

Wang Bo raised his hand. “I won’t say much more. Although spring has arrived, the nights are still cold. I know everyone wants to start eating, drinking, and partying as soon as possible!”

The applause grew even louder—that truly was everyone’s heartfelt wish.

“But,” Wang Bo continued, “I must ask for a little more of your time, because tonight is a big day in my life—an exceptionally big one!”

Some people showed helpless expressions; they were already bracing themselves for a long, rambling speech.

But Wang Bo didn’t do that. After speaking, he turned to Eva, took her hand, and said, “The young lady beside me—most of you here should already know her.”

“Teacher Eva is the principal of Sunset Town’s first school. She has always been doing something truly great, and she has also supported me as I pursue something equally great.”

Eva’s popularity was indeed immense. Her image might well have been the best in all of Sunset Town—perhaps even better than Wang Bo’s as mayor.

So when he shifted the focus to her, cheers erupted instantly, more fervent than ever before:

“Teacher Eva is a true saint walking among us! Our whole family will always be grateful for everything she’s done for our children!”

“No one treats children better than Teacher Eva! No one inspires our respect more than she does!”

“Eva, you’re the best girl!”

Eva smiled playfully and shrugged, her brows and eyes filled with gentleness and grace. “I’m simply following God’s arrangements and doing what I should do.”

Bishop Rooney said from below, “If the position of Holy Maiden still existed today, then unless Eva took it, no one else would be worthy!”

The believers nodded in agreement.

Holding her hand, Wang Bo said, “What I’m about to do today isn’t to praise you, my dear. What I want to say next is this: Ms. Irina Sharapova—would you marry me? I am Wang Bo, mayor of Sunset Town, the man who loves you most… and will always love you!”

That was his plan—to propose to Eva in front of everyone!

He and Eva were already engaged, but only in front of their parents. They could have gone straight to marriage and it would have been perfectly acceptable, yet he wanted to give Eva a more dignified, more formal proposal. And there was no better occasion than the night of his re-election as mayor.

This time, he didn’t kneel on one knee. Instead, he gazed deeply into the eyes of the woman he loved, his affection unmistakable—his feelings for Eva were utterly pure.