HLM -Chapter 1273 Jet Boat

After lunch, they took a taxi to Gibbston Valley. Qingyang had booked a winery there, and they were going to taste some fine wines.

Gibbston Valley is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Queenstown. Tourists can join various wine tour routes, visiting vineyards and wineries throughout the valley.

Besides vineyards, the valley also has rivers running through it, which made it a perfect spot for rafting.

At the winery, Qingyang showed the reservation on his phone, and someone then guided them to the vineyards.

Queenstown is located further south than Sunset Town, so it’s colder, and due to its geography, it had already seen a bit of snow. Even in this climate, some grapes still hung on the vines, frost and snow clinging to them. Wang Bo reached out and touched one—it was ice-cold.

“Is there something wrong with these grapes? Why aren’t they picked for wine?”

The server smiled. “No, they’re intentionally left here for making wine—specifically for ice wine. Across all of New Zealand, only here can we produce authentic Riesling ice wine. If you like, you must try it.”

Qingyang asked Wang Bo, “Why don’t you set up a vineyard in the town?”

Wang Bo shook his head. “Maybe later. For now, I’m focused on relocating the old historic buildings from Sunset Town first.”

He had indeed drawn the heart of an orchard; he planned to expand step by step—not just vineyards, but other fruit orchards and gardens as well.

After tasting two glasses of wine, they took advantage of the warm afternoon weather to go rafting by the river.

Zhao Xiaohui hesitated. “Do we really have to? It’s so cold.”

Li Xing said, “Come on, a little adventure spirit, okay? Rafting is way more exciting in this weather.”

Zhang Rui added, “She’s just afraid of catching a cold.”

Li Xing shook his head. “Stop being so delicate. Get on the boat—we’re going for a water swing!”

Hearing that, Zhao Xiaohui sighed but joined them.

When they went to buy tickets, the ticket clerk saw Zhao Xiaohui’s expression and guessed her worry. He smiled: “Ma’am, jet boating is a sport for everyone. No matter your age or physique, you can enjoy it year-round.”

“Yes, all you need to do is sit tight and buckle up. Then you can fully experience the thrill of speeding across the water,” added a smoking attendant.

The ticket price wasn’t cheap—one adult ticket cost 100 NZD, roughly over 400 RMB.

Before issuing the tickets, the clerk asked a few questions: “Does anyone have back, neck, or heart problems? And this lady isn’t pregnant, right? Please answer honestly.”

Wang Bo looked at the group. Zhang Rui grumbled, “Why are you looking at us? We’re fine.”

“And Xiaohui, are you pregnant?” he asked deliberately.

Zhao Xiaohui smiled faintly. “You’re such a troublemaker. Zhang Rui and I aren’t married yet, unlike you—you already got Eva pregnant first.”

Wang Bo frowned. “I have to explain everything to everyone. Eva and I are married; we just haven’t held a wedding. Our marriage certificate has been valid for almost a year.”

“No wedding, who would know you’re married?”

Wang Bo shook his head. “Enough talk. Everyone on the boat—let’s fly!”

For safety, jet boats have a minimum passenger requirement. If the minimum isn’t met, the trip is canceled. Fortunately, due to the Winter Festival, Queenstown had plenty of tourists, and their boat met the 12-person minimum.

They put on life jackets and secured themselves with harnesses, ready to depart.

The boat they rode was called “Flying Warrior.” Its overall color was orange-red, and although it had no external propellers, it looked just like a jet plane.

Before starting, the driver said, “We’ll be going fast. This is a twin-engine boat and can be temperamental. But trust me, my skills are reliable…”

After giving some water safety instructions, the driver started the engine. High-speed water jets shot from the boat’s underside, lifting it and reducing the draft—making it skim over the water.

Some passengers took out phones to take pictures, but the co-driver quickly waved them away: “Put it away! We’re about to accelerate! Your phone will fly off!”

One Black passenger ignored the warning. He felt the boat slowing down and leaned in to take selfies with friends.

The boat had slowed because they reached the first rapid, where the water dropped over a meter. Passing over it caused violent jolts.

The passenger couldn’t hold onto his phone—it slipped and hit the deck with a “thwack.” He tried to pick it up, but the boat accelerated again, lowering its draft further, and shot forward with a “whoosh.”

The speed was thrilling. Ice-cold river water splashed up, and Wang Bo couldn’t help but shout: “Whoa!”

Zhao Xiaohui also screamed in surprise.

The Black passenger yelled “F**k” as his phone plunged into the water.

At such speed, the boat couldn’t stay steady—it bounced intensely.

The co-driver shouted, “Secure anything you can move! Put your phones away! Wear your watches! Any jewelry must be stowed!”

After ten minutes of rapid travel, the river valley narrowed. Despite the tighter space, the boat didn’t slow and flew through. Water splashed high, cliffs on either side seemed close enough to touch, and Wang Bo felt he could almost reach out and grab the rocks.

The valley not only narrowed but began twisting downward. The driver skillfully steered the boat at high speed. Water splashed against the cliff rocks, washing them clean.

Exiting the valley, the river opened up suddenly, giving everyone a sense of expansiveness.

At this moment, the majestic melody of Exodus played on the boat, stirring heroic feelings among everyone—except for the poor Black passenger, still fretting over his phone.

When the music ended, the boat briefly paused, then performed a dramatic spin like a dragon’s tail, propelled by the powerful rear engines, circling on the water.

“Whoa!” Wang Bo and the others exclaimed in astonishment.

Drifting, spinning, swooping—almost like a cobra maneuver—the fifty-minute river adventure ended, leaving everyone exhilarated.

Once ashore, Zhao Xiaohui, still trembling, said, “Now I understand why foreigners have so few children.”