HLM -Chapter 1437 Da Bao Arrives

Prince William was a gentleman of impeccable manners. After delivering a flawless congratulatory speech, he added, “Once again, my congratulations to you, Mayor Wang. I hear that at the beginning of next month, you will be joining hands in marriage with the one you love. That truly is wonderful news.”

It really was wonderful news. Wang Bo was grinning from ear to ear—so much so that he almost asked the prince if he’d like to come have a drink together.

Thankfully, he still had a bit of restraint. Knowing full well that such a thing was impossible, he politely thanked the prince and, in keeping with etiquette, extended an invitation anyway.

Naturally, Prince William wouldn’t have time to attend the wedding. However, Princess Anne of Lancaster and Princess Eugenie would attend on behalf of the British royal family and bring gifts for the couple.

After the award ceremony, there was a celebratory banquet. Wang Bo and Eva changed into evening attire and made their appearance at this top-tier gathering of New Zealand’s political elite.

Although the banquet was nominally held in honor of his award, the real stars were Prince William and Prime Minister Carmetti and the like. Wang Bo, a mere town mayor, was essentially there to accompany the crown prince in his studies.

Still, Carmetti didn’t neglect him. He approached holding two glasses of brandy, handed one to Wang Bo, clinked glasses with him, and said, “Congratulations, Wang. You’re a truly outstanding young man.”

Wang Bo replied modestly, “Thank you for the praise, Prime Minister.”

Carmetti laughed. “I’m not praising you—I’m congratulating you. You’re about to get married, to spend your life hand in hand with the one you love. Just thinking about it makes people feel happy.”

Likewise, Prime Minister Carmetti couldn’t attend the wedding in person, but offering his congratulations in advance was already very courteous.

After chatting with Wang Bo for a while, Carmetti went off to greet other guests. Before leaving, he said, “I’ve prepared a gift for you. It’ll be sent to Sunset Town soon. I hope you like it.”

That gift arrived in Sunset Town a week later. Carmetti had kept his word—it truly was a grand gift.

The gift consisted of sixteen cannons, each equipped with six ceremonial shells. These were bona fide salute cannons.

All sixteen cannons were 105mm in caliber, with each shell as big as a small bucket. The soldiers escorting the cannons explained that they could fire shells high into the sky, with the sound carrying for over ten kilometers!

Starting in late September, the guests invited by the newlyweds began arriving one after another.

On Wang Bo’s side, the first to arrive were relatives and friends from back home. In particular, Zhong Dabao and Su Taotao came early, as they would be attending the wedding.

The plane from Auckland landed on the tarmac. Zhong Dabao walked out carrying a hiking backpack, while Su Taotao followed behind him, dressed in a short trench coat and jeans, her face filled with sweet contentment.

Seeing Zhong Dabao, a warm smile appeared on Wang Bo’s face. He rushed up and shoved him playfully, laughing, “Holy crap, man—did you flee here as a refugee or what? Such a huge bag! What’s inside, your entire worldly possessions?”

Zhong Dabao chuckled. “You idiot. It’s a gift I brought for you—fish jerky I dried myself and stuff like that. For you to snack on with drinks later.”

Su Taotao said softly, “I told you not to bring it. How could Brother Wang be short of fish jerky? New Zealand is a major maritime nation.”

Zhong Dabao replied earnestly, “That’s not the same. I dried this fish myself. New Zealand has plenty of fish, sure, but not a single one of them was dried by me.”

Wang Bo said, “You’re right—but you only brought this little? How long do you think that’ll last me?”

Zhong Dabao grinned smugly. “Yeah, that’s not much. I knew you greedy bastard wouldn’t be satisfied, so I specially brought two big boxes. They’re checked luggage—we’ll go pick them up later.”

Song Zijun’s figure emerged from the aircraft doorway. He said, “You’re still feeling proud? If I hadn’t been traveling with you, how would you have gotten so much dried stuff through customs? They might’ve detained both you and the goods—you’d be suspected of smuggling!”

“Who the hell would smuggle this junk?” Zhong Dabao scoffed.

Wang Bo said helplessly, “So the stuff you brought me is junk?”

Zhong Dabao was embarrassed. “Uh… actually, not really.”

Song Zijun sighed helplessly. “I really don’t get it—how did Miss Taotao end up liking you? By the way, Taotao, do you really not want to get your eyes checked? New Zealand’s ophthalmology is world-class.”

Su Taotao pursed her lips and smiled. “My eyes can’t be fixed anymore—I’ve been blind for a long time. As they say, a blind cat might run into a dead mouse. I won’t be picky; whatever mouse I catch, I’ll eat.”

Zhong Dabao protested, “I’m not a mouse!”

Wang Bo gave him a playful jab in the neck. “Miss Taotao is really suffering by marrying you!”

Song Zijun had come to Sunset Town so early for two reasons: first, to vacation; second, to visit the small farms and ranches around Oak City and see if there was one he liked.

Wang Bo handed Su Taotao over to Eva, then took Zhong Dabao away, bringing him straight to the castle. He said, “Here—this is our wedding venue.”

The castle was basically ready now. Aside from the flowers, which would be arranged the day before, all other preparations were complete.

Looking at the castle filled with a festive atmosphere, Zhong Dabao was utterly stunned.
“Holy crap—my uncle said you live in a castle here. This can’t be the one, can it? And all this land is yours? Even the biggest landlord our county ever had didn’t own this much land!”

“Of course,” Wang Bo laughed heartily. He led Zhong Dabao through the garden and inner courtyard, into the hall, took the elevator straight to the top floor, and stopped at the rooftop observation deck.

Zhong Dabao took out snacks and drinking food from his backpack—fish jerky, sliced fish, roasted seaweed, drunken crab claws, and the like. Wang Bo made a phone call and said,
“Sit down. Today, you and I will have a drink up here and talk.”

Zhong Dabao shook his head. “I’m not sitting. I want to stand. Holy crap—this view is beautiful. So damn beautiful!”

September in New Zealand was already a season rich with spring breezes. Although Sunset Town hadn’t yet burst into full color, the grass was green and the willows lush.

From the castle’s observation deck, looking out in all directions, the vast Lake Hāwea stretched endlessly, mist drifting across its surface. Clouds floated along the mountainsides, towering peaks rose behind them, and straight ahead lay a panoramic view of Sunset Town. The scenery shifted in countless forms—graceful and unmatched.

Mesmerized by the view, Zhong Dabao didn’t say a word for a full ten minutes.

After ten minutes, he took a deep breath and said, “I was about to suffocate just now.”

Wang Bo was stunned. “What?”

“I didn’t dare breathe too hard,” Zhong Dabao said solemnly. “I was afraid that if I did, I’d blow all this beauty away.”

Wang Bo burst into laughter. “Holy crap—you’re still the same dumb youth.”

Zhong Dabao said, “Yeah, you used to be too—but not anymore. I never imagined you’d do this well here. Years ago, if you’d told me you were coming to New Zealand to run a pyramid scheme, I’d have thought you were crazy!”

Wang Bo replied, “Pyramid scheme my ass!”