HLM -Chapter 1267 Shameless

This platform had a tricky issue with promotion—it was considered prone to infringing on people’s privacy.

Because the system was connected to cameras, in theory, as long as it detected a camera in a running machine, it could extract whatever the camera saw or recorded.

If people installed the system on their phones, anything captured by the phone could appear on the platform. For instance, if someone decided to have a casual video chat, it could also be seen on the platform terminals…

Wang Bo didn’t see this as a big problem. “As long as we don’t force people to install this on their phones, it should be fine, right?”

Carter nodded. “Yes, but phone cameras are currently the most widespread surveillance points in the world.”

That was true—almost everywhere in Sunset Town had people, and nowadays, who didn’t have a smartphone?

Wang Bo signed the funding request for Carter, letting him handle the Cosmic Eye surveillance system.

By July, the autumn air had grown crisp, and Eva’s belly had gotten noticeably bigger.

Father Bo and Mother Bo spent every day at their computers because they had signed up for a prenatal care training course, which was taught online.

Wang Bo thought the course was practically useless, but seeing how excited his parents were, and with Eva not opposing their enthusiasm, he happily watched them busy themselves.

By mid-July, some good news arrived: Sunset Town and Tahiti Town would be merged, with the Wellington government approving the consolidation.

This meant that Tahiti Town families could enjoy the same benefits as Sunset Town residents, and households from both towns would need to consolidate into one location.

For Sunset Town, this was all gain and no loss. Wang Bo didn’t even need to provide extra resident benefits, as there were barely any households left in Tahiti Town.

This also gave him a legitimate reason to relocate some of Tahiti Town’s older buildings.

He had some experience in this regard—when he had moved the harness shop into town, he had contacted a large moving company.

Unsurprisingly, this task also required a large-scale moving company. The ones from Oak City couldn’t handle it, so after screening companies in Auckland and Wellington, he finally chose one in Auckland.

Just as preparations for the move were underway, some trouble appeared.

Wang Bo encountered Mayor Robert while having a meal. At first, he didn’t recognize the short, plump old man walking toward him. Only after the man called out, “Mayor Wang, long time no see,” did he realize who it was.

“And you are?” Wang Bo sized him up and then asked in surprise, “Ha, Mayor Robert?”

Indeed, this plump, lethargic little old man was his old rival, Mayor Robert.

Time had flown—nearly four years had passed since he and Sheriff Smith had shut down the Tahiti Town pirated music factory.

Back then, because of the pirated music factory, Tahiti Town’s leadership had nearly collapsed. The sheriff had been sent to prison and hadn’t been released yet, while Mayor Robert had left town entirely.

Wang Bo had only recently learned that Robert had been away from Tahiti Town for years. For the past two years, the vice mayor had been acting mayor.

Last year, in the national elections, Tahiti Town lost its qualification as a town, eliminating the need for mayoral elections. The vice mayor and other officials were essentially unemployed.

Seeing Robert again after so long, looking very different, Wang Bo smiled. “Hi, how should I address you? Robert?”

“Let’s go with the old way—Mayor Robert. I think that’s not bad,” the little old man replied cheerfully.

Wang Bo asked, “Is that appropriate? Are you still a mayor? To my knowledge, you left the position long ago. Where did you go? To some big city, I assume? You’ve got money anyway.”

He had guessed correctly. Fearing investigation at the time, Robert had taken the money he earned from the pirated factory to Dunedin, living a comfortable retired life.

He didn’t tell Wang Bo that. Avoiding the issue, he said lightly, “I went to handle other work. In fact, I’m still technically the mayor of Tahiti Town.”

Wang Bo shrugged regretfully. “Sorry, as far as I know, Tahiti Town no longer exists. This town has vanished from New Zealand’s history.”

Hearing this, Robert’s short temper flared. His eyes grew fierce as he growled, “Damn Chinese kid, what did you just say?”

No matter what, Tahiti Town was his birthplace and hometown. He had served it for decades and was deeply attached.

To put it sentimentally, Tahiti Town had once been like his son, now tragically destroyed. Naturally, he was angry when someone mentioned it.

But Robert was a seasoned politician; after a brief flare of anger, he calmed down.

Wang Bo said, “I don’t want to provoke you. Let the past stay in the past. What brings you to Sunset Town? Tourism? Well, I wish you a pleasant trip.”

He was a person of clear likes and dislikes, not a politician. Facing a former rival calmly was beyond him, so he decided to avoid trouble and leave.

But Robert stopped him. “Hey, Mayor Wang, I’m not here for tourism. I’m here on business, official matters.”

Wang Bo frowned, sensing something unpleasant from Robert’s expression.

Robert continued, “Yes, official matters. With the two towns merging, as mayor of Tahiti Town, there are things I need to hand over to you.”

“Thanks, but I don’t think that’s necessary,” Wang Bo said bluntly.

Robert looked at him. “Oh, you may not need it, but I do. For example, when you move some things from our town, there’s a cost involved, right?”

Wang Bo’s suspicion was confirmed. He sneered at Robert. “What cost?”

Robert said, “Captain Babbly will surely be upset. The Captain Barry House, Summer Feast, Easter Fair, and Labour Day Fair—these buildings were built with the blood and sweat of our ancestors. Maintaining them consumes a lot of our finances.”

Wang Bo laughed heartily. “I really look down on you for this, Robert. Are you trying to play the tough guy?”

Robert grinned slyly. “No, no. I’m just here to reclaim what’s rightfully ours. You won’t refuse me, will you?”

Wang Bo pointed toward Wellington. “The decision to merge the towns wasn’t mine—it was the parliament members there. If you want compensation, ask them. I’d like some compensation too.”

Robert said, “Why don’t you hear what I want first?”

Wang Bo asked, “And what is it that you want?”

Robert held up a finger. “Simple—one million New Zealand dollars. You just need to give me…”

“I said go ask the parliament. Asking me is useless. And while you’re at it, get me fifty thousand too. To continue maintaining and preserving Tahiti Town’s old buildings, I’ll be spending a lot of money,” Wang Bo said.

After saying this, he ignored Robert’s reaction and walked away.