America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 375 Eating and Taking

After resting in the villa for half an hour, Gwen sent a new message to the Grand Master, informing him that several private planes had arrived on the island. The security team met with the pilots and discovered that the planes were carrying cargo transported from Silver Island, consisting of cash and gold.

Gwen: According to the pilot, they were all transported to Jehovah Island according to your request. What should be done with these things?

Zhang Ailun glanced at the message and replied: "Have those antiques appraised by professionals, make two copies of the appraisal certificate, and then find a counterfeit master in California's Chinatown to make a few new ones. The genuine items will be entrusted to auction houses for sale, and the fakes will be kept in the villa on the island for people to visit."

Gwen: I understand. What about gold and cash?

Zhang Ailun: All the gold is stored in the vault, worth $500 million. We'll keep it there for now and wait for the price of gold to rise before selling a small portion and buying it back when the price drops. The cash will be kept as reserve funds for island development and for purchasing resources or assets needed on the island.

Gwen: Seven or eight hundred million dollars in cash. We can't use that much for the island's development, unless we build new houses, villas, and power plants.

Zhang Ailun: We'll talk about that later.

After chatting with his assistant Gwen for a few more minutes, Zhang Ailun exited the chat window, found Madison's account, and sent him a message asking if he still wanted those rare antique collectible coins.

Madison: You've taken care of all your personal matters? Of course I want it, didn't we already agree on that?

Zhang Ailun: I just got back to Los Angeles not long ago, and now I have time to send you those rare silver coins. Did you just wake up, or are you enjoying another vacation on the island? Which model or celebrity did you invite over to play games with this time?

Madison: Is that the kind of person you think I am? I'm so old, can't I enjoy life more? You're wrong! Yesterday my son came to visit me with his wife and daughter. Our family went out for a boat ride to see the sights. You'd never guess why he came to see me.

Zhang Ailun: You don't mean you want money, do you?

Madison: You're half right, but pretty much right. Years ago, I invested money in each of them, setting up a foundation. When they reach adulthood, each of them will have several million dollars at their disposal, enough to support them whether they live a normal life or run a business. I feel at ease with that. I never intended to ask for anything in return; after all, no matter how much they mess around, they can't possibly be richer than their father. I have several wives and children; I simply can't manage them all.

Zhang Ailun: ...

You bastard, aren't you a classic case of reaping what you sow, turning your back on me after you've done your bidding?

However, he did leave his son and daughter several million dollars in funds. In today's society, even a million dollars would be enough for many people to become godfathers.

Madison, that old man, is alright; he has some conscience, considering he has so many descendants and wives.

Zhang Ailun only knew that the old man had a wild youth and was unwilling to take responsibility, but he didn't know what his descendants did for a living.

But there is no doubt that many of the other party's sons are older than the Grand Master, and perhaps his sons' daughters are the same age as the Grand Master.

Madison: But my son has been investing in emerging technologies, popular online movies and TV shows, gaming clubs, and stuff like that in recent years, and he's made some money. But if he wants to make more money, he needs to increase his investment. However, his network isn't strong enough to support him in finding investment, and he's run into obstacles. Then he came to me asking for money, promising hundreds of millions in returns within a year! I'm considering whether to invest some money in him for my granddaughter's sake.

Zhang Ailun: He's still your son, so don't be too stingy. The fact that he came to you for money shows that he wants to ease the tension between father and son.

Madison: One of my sons is already dead, and it's not necessarily a good thing for them to get involved with me. Even if I can't be a billionaire, aren't a few million dollars enough to get by for the rest of my life?

Zhang Ailun: If my dad wasn't a billionaire, I would be happy to have a few million dollars and live a peaceful, ordinary life. But if their dad is a billionaire and they only get a few million dollars in the end, they would definitely not be happy.

Madison: That's why I'm so worried now. I should have been more restrained back then. As someone who's been there, I'd advise you: if you're just looking for a moment of novelty, you'd better take precautions!

Zhang Ailun: Dude, do you and your wife need to use protection? Aren't you married?

Madison: So now I'm very distressed that I made the decision to get married on a whim.

Zhang Ailun: How much investment does your son need?

Madison: $40 million to $80 million. If the project proceeds, there will definitely be additional funding of over $100 million, which is no small amount.

Zhang Ailun: I happen to have a lot of cash on hand that I don't know what to do with, and I'd like to find someone to do some investment projects. If the market data is right, I can invest in your son's business.

Madison: Are you sure? Investing is risky. What if we lose money?

Zhang Ailun: Then you should think about what you can do to make it up to me. Are you still on the island?

Madison: Of course, you can come directly by private jet. My son and his family are here too.

Zhang Ailun: Your son can discuss the details of the investment with Gwen. She will have someone assess the market risks, and if it's suitable, I will choose to invest.

Madison: Gwen? You seem to be getting the hang of her. She's a very capable girl. I'll tell my son to contact your assistant.

Zhang Ailun: :).

After chatting with Madison for a few more minutes and agreeing to meet on Collection Island, Zhang Ailun exited the chat window and sent a message to Bailey, asking if he had time now and if so, if not, to make time to come over.

Bailey: Boss, isn't it a holiday? Sig and Bocktu made plans with me to go fishing.

Zhang Ailun: One army soldier and two airmen going fishing? You're definitely going to have a losing streak today! Stop thinking about your pathetic fish, come over here, let's go have some fun on Collection Island.

Bailey: Going to Madison's private island again? Is it for a party? I'll pack my things and come over right away!

Seeing how enthusiastic he was, Zhang Ailun didn't bother to say anything more, and simply replied: "No need to come over, let's meet at the airport."

Pele: OK.

He got up, tidied up the things inside, took the packed gift box and silver coins, locked the door, and drove his Wrangler to the airport.

We arrived at Los Angeles Airport quickly, parked the car, and waited by the roadside for a while. Bailey also drove up in a blue BMW that we had never seen before. With a nimble turn, he reversed into the parking space.

"Did you buy this car?" Zhang Ailun asked curiously as he saw Bailey get out of the car with a flourish.

"Uh, sort of." Bailey scratched his head. He was wearing an air force jacket, Doc Martens, and aviator sunglasses on his forehead.

"What do you mean by 'considered'?" Zhang Ailun glanced at the BMW's VIN and said, "This should be a 21 BMW, right? Did you buy it used?"

"Hey boss, didn't Jimmy in Texas get over the obstacles and expand his business with our help? Besides running a car rental shop, he also does some basic odd jobs and tasks, and luxury cars often come in to register. Our repair shop here, apart from the few jobs you helped us with before, hasn't had any cars come in for a long time."

Bailey answered honestly, "Just a few days ago, an informant at Mike's Modification Shop in the suburbs sent a message saying that there was a batch of smuggled luxury cars coming from Texas that were being cleared out, so we went and got those cars. Don't worry, boss, that transaction wasn't a project of the modification shop, it was a private project, so it won't affect our normal business transactions."

Bailey said, "We also generated over a hundred thousand dollars in revenue for the store! But you probably wouldn't care about that much, so we didn't tell you. However, it's all recorded in the ledger. If you have time to check the accounts someday, you'll know everything."

Zhang Ailun nodded, understanding the situation. He said with satisfaction, "You guys are doing well. Now, even without me actively taking you out to earn money, you know how to find things to do. As long as there's money to be made, that's fine, but don't take too many risks!"

"Of course I know that," Bailey replied.

Zhang Ailun patted him on the shoulder and immediately led him into the airport. On the way, they saw several cargo trucks transporting containers toward the warehouse area. Bailey said in surprise, "Boss, it seems like new blind boxes have arrived again. Aren't you going to buy a few?"

"I'm not a gambler, why would I buy that stuff?" Zhang Ailun wasn't interested in it at all.

"But that's not what you said before..." Bailey was speechless.

"I've retired from this life of crime," the leader said solemnly.

The main problem is that the cheat program is currently on hiatus. Given the Grand Master's luck, he's definitely going to lose everything.

"All right."

The two walked and talked, and soon found the hangar where the Cirrus Fathead Shark was stored. The leader also negotiated with the airport staff and successfully retrieved the plane after paying the remaining storage fee.

Bailey piloted the plane out of the hangar, adjusted the electronic equipment, and Zhang Ailun boarded the plane as well, fastening his seatbelt. "Let's go, to Collection Island."

"Okay." Bailey put on his sunglasses, immediately pushed the gear lever to increase the power, and sprinted off the runway. He took off smoothly and soon left Los Angeles Airport, heading towards Collection Island.

An hour later, they arrived at the waters of Collection Island. Zhang Ailun looked out from high above and could see the outline of the island in the distance.

After communicating with the control tower and providing the list of names and aircraft models, Bailey was able to open the airspace after the tower confirmed the information. He then maneuvered the aircraft around and smoothly decelerated before landing at the island's airport.

"Boss, we've arrived," Bailey reminded him.

"I know."

Zhang Ailun unbuckled his seatbelt, stepped off the plane, and immediately spotted the armored car waiting in the waiting area. He waved to it.

Soon, a middle-aged man in casual clothes and a blonde, blue-eyed lady got out of the car. They weren't Madison, but they looked somewhat similar, and Zhang Ailun could guess their identities to some extent.

"Hello, are you Mr. Jin? My father, Madison, sent me here to pick you up from the airport. I am the third son of the Madison family; you can call me Smith." The middle-aged man enthusiastically introduced himself, then introduced the elegant lady beside him to the leader, "This is my wife, Jenny."

"Hello, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Jenny." Zhang Ailun smiled and extended his hand to shake hands with the two. "Hampshire Juan King. This is my pilot and bodyguard, Bailey."

"Hello." Bailey parked the plane, walked over, and nodded to the couple. The two also greeted them warmly, and then invited the Grand Master to take a car to the villa's relaxation area.

"My father knew in advance that Mr. Jin was coming and had already prepared red wine to entertain him, but the banquet will have to wait until the evening. He has also invited other friends to join the bonfire dinner. It is rare for our family to get together, and we hope that Mr. Jin can stay on the island tonight."

The Smiths got into the car, with the former driving, while the Grand Master rode in the back seat with them. Smith extended a warm invitation to the Grand Master.

"If I don't have anything else to do tonight, spending the night on the island is indeed a good option." Zhang Ailun nodded with a smile, not refusing.

The two started chatting, and Smith, perhaps already aware that the Grandmaster intended to invest in his club and film projects, became unusually talkative. He also introduced his business, including the brand merchandise store founded by his wife, Jenny.

The leader maintained a calm demeanor throughout, with a smile on his face, and casually chatted with the two of them.

Turning to look out the window, he realized they had already passed the villa area and said with some surprise, "Is Madison at the zoo again? Visiting Prien?"

"Well, my father does indeed hold a grudge against his enemy. To be honest, I quite like what my father did, after all, that guy killed one of our family members," Smith said with great satisfaction.

Zhang Ailun neither confirmed nor denied this.

Although it's unethical to do this, it's still their private matter, and he shouldn't interfere.

Smith quickly arrived at the zoo area and parked his car on the roadside. The Grand Master was no stranger to this place and got out of the car with ease. He followed Mr. and Mrs. Smith, along with Bailey and the other security personnel, and went inside.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Ailun heard Madison's old and authoritative voice, making strange noises as if scolding an animal. When he walked over, he saw the old man sitting in a chair, leaning on a cane, with a waiter standing next to him holding a plate and throwing thin slices of meat on the ground.

At first glance, you can see several black panther cubs rolling around on the ground, fighting and tearing at pieces of meat, while their mother, the big black panther, is lazily lying in the cage, her eyes constantly fixed on the cubs outside.

"She gave birth so quickly?" Zhang Ailun asked, somewhat surprised.

The last time I came here, Black Panther was only heavily pregnant. I didn't expect her to give birth so quickly, and she even gave birth to four cubs in one go.

These black panther cubs, only two days old, have only had a few sips of milk. How can they eat meat already?

"Hahaha, dear Mr. Kim, you've arrived." Upon hearing the familiar voice, Madison immediately stood up and greeted him with a hearty laugh.

Zhang Ailun nodded in response, but his attention wasn't on Old Man Deng; it was focused on the pups. "Old Man, do you still stand by your word?"

"What did you say?" Madison asked in surprise.

"Give me two black panthers." Zhang Ailun shrugged. "You won't go back on your word, will you?"

"That's it? Of course! These black panthers aren't worth much, take your pick." Madison chuckled and waved his hand generously.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, these two will do," Zhang Ailun immediately bent down and grabbed the two jet-black panther cubs by the scruff of their necks, their sapphire-like eyes gleaming, and scratched their bellies. The two cubs, lifted up, let out terrified cries and howled.

The large black panther next to it also stood up when it heard the sound, patted the iron cage, and paced around anxiously, but the leader found it very interesting.

Turning to Bailey beside him, he reminded him, "Don't forget to remind me to bring them sometimes."

"Okay." Bailey was a little dumbfounded. How come he was eating and taking things as soon as he arrived?

(End of this chapter)