Chapter 187 - 168: Aerial Palace

Chapter 187: Chapter 168: Aerial Palace

The special task force he led would be fully responsible for all future coordination with the Bombardier Company. This included handling the entry procedures, flight certifications, and various other matters for the Bombardier Global 7500.

"So, shall we head out now?"

Gu Heng asked, his gaze sweeping over Wang Yan and the others.

"You’re the jet’s owner. You call the shots."

Deng Zhihong replied with a chuckle, "Today, we’re just tagging along for the excitement. We’re the guys who are going to snap a couple of photos, post them on Moments to flex a little. You don’t have to mind us."

"Let’s head over, then."

"It should be a fair distance from the VIP terminal to Runway 4."

Gu Heng was the first to rise, then he instructed Hao Kangyun, "President Hao, is the shuttle ready?"

"It’s been ready for some time now."

Hao Kangyun replied at once, "Chairman Gu, we’re ready to depart whenever you are."

"Let’s go."

Gu Heng motioned to Wang Yan and the others. One by one, they rose and headed out of the VIP lounge.

After passing through the VIP terminal’s dedicated security checkpoint, they boarded the waiting shuttle and headed toward Runway 4.

Zhonghai Pudong International Airport was a mega-airport, ranking among the top in the nation for daily passenger traffic. Its grounds were so vast that being inside felt like entering a small, independent world.

Planes took off and landed nearly every minute, streaking the clear, azure sky with white contrails that lingered in the air. The sheer spectacle of such unprecedented activity was enough to astound anyone from a small town.

Gu Heng gazed at the scenery outside the window, a profound look in his eyes.

After about a ten-minute drive, the shuttle finally stopped at the end of Runway 4.

Gu Heng and the others stepped out of the vehicle. A gentle breeze drifted by, carrying the faint, pleasant scent of fresh grass from the surrounding airfield.

"Three minutes."

Hao Kangyun checked with the airport’s control tower before reporting to Gu Heng.

"Understood."

Hearing that Gu Heng’s Bombardier Global 7500 was about to arrive, everyone’s spirits lifted. The idle chatter ceased, and they all waited with rapt attention.

Under their expectant gazes, three minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

A Bombardier Global 7500 with a black-and-white livery appeared. It looked like a swan soaring through the heavens; from the lines of its fuselage to its wings and tail, everything about it seemed utterly flawless.

Sunlight glinted off its fuselage, bathing the entire aircraft in a golden luminescence. It appeared elegant, grand, and noble—nothing short of a work of art.

Since this was a luxury reward issued directly by Father Tongzi, Gu Heng’s knowledge of the Bombardier Global 7500’s specific appearance was no different from Wang Yan’s and the others’—it was a complete unknown to him as well.

At that moment, watching the Bombardier Global 7500 approach from the distant horizon, Gu Heng couldn’t help the way his breath quickened.

’Just a few months ago, I was a poor kid worried about someone stealing my electric scooter.’

’A few months later, I’m the owner of a Bombardier Global 7500—the top-tier private jet in global aviation.’

’The difference was night and day. It was hard not to feel like I was in a dream.’

As everyone watched, the Bombardier Global 7500 made a smooth landing. After a short taxi, it came to a firm stop right in front of Gu Heng and the others.

Once the Bombardier Global 7500 came to a complete stop, the automated cabin door slowly opened, and a middle-aged man stepped out first.

He was dressed in a dark brown business suit. While his face showed some age, his deep blue eyes were sharp and full of spirit. He had maintained his figure well and carried himself with a debonair grace.

From the moment he stepped out of the aircraft, his face was lit with a smile as warm as a spring breeze. His eyes quickly scanned the crowd before settling on Gu Heng, who stood at the forefront, the clear center of the group.

In the next instant, his smile grew even brighter.

He strode quickly down the Bombardier Global 7500’s integrated airstairs and soon stood before Gu Heng.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Gu Heng?"

Though clearly a foreigner, he spoke exceptionally fluent Chinese, which took Gu Heng slightly by surprise.

But it was only a slight surprise. As the world’s second-largest economy, China’s rapid economic ascent has enabled a new generation of titans to accumulate, in just a few decades, fortunes that took many foreign families centuries to build.

Gradually, Chinese had established itself as one of the world’s key business languages.

The Bombardier Company was the world’s third-largest manufacturer of civilian aircraft, so it was perfectly understandable for one of its leaders to know Chinese. After all, it was an easy way to make a good impression when negotiating with people from China.

"I’m Gu Heng."

Gu Heng gave a slight nod, confirming his identity.

"Dear Mr. Gu, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Gregor Turner, Executive Vice President of the Bombardier Company, in charge of our custom private aviation services. It’s an honor to meet you!"

Gregor Turner offered this formal introduction to Gu Heng. His tone was exceedingly polite, entirely devoid of any arrogance, and he presented himself with great humility.

"President Gregor, a pleasure."

Gu Heng shook the man’s hand and exchanged pleasantries. "I appreciate you traveling all this way from Canada to personally deliver the Bombardier Global 7500 to me."