Chapter 60-61

Chapter 60: Downtime and Trivia

Wong LiKun had returned to his homeland, Nasstya and Alexondra were tied up with Fashion Week shows, and Sheila Clinton hadn't made it back to New York yet. Meanwhile, projects in various labs were progressing steadily.

Odd as it may seem to lump these together, the reality was that Bruce found himself with a rare bit of downtime.

He wasn't particularly concerned about Lee Xinyi's subtle hints. So, when she beat around the bush over the phone, trying to pry into Abigail Percy's affairs, Bruce gave nothing away, successfully leading her to drop her inquiries.

However, one thing she mentioned did catch Bruce's attention: She asked why he wasn't on WeChat anymore.

Perhaps due to lifestyle and conceptual differences, it wasn't as popular in the United States, facing stiff competition from the likes of WhatsApp, Tango, Viber, Kik, and others.

For Bruce, though, it was all the same; he didn't use any of them. Lacking the need, he felt he had no friends, let alone those so-called classmates and acquaintances from China.

Now, prompted by Lee Xinyi, Bruce realized he might have been neglecting this aspect. In this era of rapid development in the internet and mobile communications, it seemed unwise to ignore these mainstream applications.

He maintained a high profile precisely because he understood the importance of publicity and packaging, especially when Solar Corona's research projects were showcased to the world. It was crucial for shaping his image—or that of Solar Corona's—as tech elite, national idols, and pioneers of the era.

It seemed necessary to appoint someone to manage these social media platforms for him. Casually, Bruce downloaded WeChat, logged in, and was immediately flooded with a deluge of messages—he hadn't logged in for six months.

A quick glance revealed mostly greetings and concerns from old classmates and friends, or inquiries about his current status. Some were friendly, others skeptical, and a few accused Bruce of forgetting old friends now that he'd made it big. It was quite a lively scene.

Suppressing the urge to delete these people from his contacts, Bruce opened the account settings and, frowning, deleted all the odd and old photos posted by the previous owner. Then, he uploaded a few photos from his phone—like snapshots from a gala with Gal Gadow, or attending Fashion Week.

Of course, these were all sent by the women in his life.

Then, Bruce logged out of WeChat.

The loan from Citibank was processed smoothly, whether Lowell Lockheed played a part or not. But with Archibald confirming the funds would be available within a week, Bruce took advantage of his free time to pursue something he'd been considering for a while—acquiring his personal mode of transportation.

In the U.S., the primary means of travel are cars and planes. The prosperity of private aviation in the country is evident from a few key figures: In the general aviation sector, private planes make up 66% of all aircraft, totaling over 300,000; they account for over 60% of the 28 million flying hours clocked each year; and of the approximately 19,000 airports in the country, only 540 are major airports used by airlines, making up about 3%. The rest are either public airports used by private and commercial flights or purely private and community airports.

Americans have the right to use almost all airspace without government approval, even without the government knowing who's flying, where, and without a usage fee (except for minor taxes on aviation fuel). They can use any civil airport, operating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Want to buy a private plane? All you need to do is register with the Federal Aviation Administration, undergo regular safety checks by FAA-appointed mechanics, complete the necessary paperwork, and you're free to fly. However, one major consideration is the maintenance cost, which typically amounts to about 10% of the plane's price per year.

This offers tremendous convenience to the wealthy, even leading to phenomena like Florida's Spruce Creek—a residential airpark. In this scenic, tranquil neighborhood, each house has one or more planes parked out front, all leading to a well-maintained airstrip nearby. Flying out is as common as driving a car, and there are hundreds of such aviation-themed residential communities across the U.S.

However, these are mostly smaller aircraft with propellers, not what Bruce was considering. He needed something for longer distances, not just from New York to Los Angeles, but potentially worldwide.

Initially, Fowler suggested the Bombardier Global Express, but after some research, Bruce opted for something more spacious, considering price was no object. He narrowed it down to two models: the Boeing 747-8 VIP and the Airbus A380.

These models are renowned for one thing: being the highest-capacity passenger jets in the world, with the former holding the record for 37 years until the latter came along. Und

oubtedly, they're also the largest and most expensive.

Initially, Bruce considered Lockheed Martin, a leading aerospace manufacturer known for military aircraft like the F-22 Raptor. However, given his current delicate relationship with Lowell Lockheed, he decided against a custom design from them—for now.

A luxurious Boeing 787 business jet carried Bruce and Fowler, effortlessly soaring over the Cascade Range. Below, the landscape transitioned from the colorful mosaic of California to a mix of pristine white and iron black. Soon, the Seattle coastline came into view, the city nestled in the snowy mountains.

Seattle, unlike most major U.S. cities, wasn't bustling or noisy. Its diverse yet harmonious architectural styles gave it a somewhat Nordic vibe. Walking the streets, you'd mostly see Starbucks outlets, busy financiers, and IT professionals, most notably from Microsoft.

In Seattle, there's a saying: "In a Seattleite's household, at least one person is employed by Microsoft or Boeing." These companies aren't just industry leaders in the U.S.; they're the economic pillars and symbols of the city.

Bruce had recently met the founder of the former at an ACCR fashion charity dinner. The latter, Boeing, was his destination today. Though the company had moved its headquarters to Chicago, its largest commercial airplane manufacturing base remained here.

Chapter 61: A Major Purchase

The Boeing 787 landed smoothly on the runway, taxiing gently. Through the cabin window, the sight was almost entirely dominated by Boeing factories and the residential areas of its employees, together forming a small town.

Surrounding the runway were numerous planes of different models, with large, industrial-looking white aircraft being the most prominent, neatly parked in the open fields on both sides of the runway. Further back were the sprawling factory buildings, all bearing the common emblem: Boeing. This was Boeing's largest plant, Everett.

More than just a production base, Everett was a self-sustaining city with six independent production and assembly hangars. Over twenty-five thousand workers bustled about in shifts, and at quitting time, traffic had to be meticulously managed to prevent congestion in the town.

Every day, 10 to 12 planes were assembled simultaneously, including all of Boeing's flagship models: the 747, 767, 777, and 787.

Guided by Carrie Shiu, the head of the Commercial Airplanes Marketing Department, the visitors stood in awe before the 282-acre building, the largest in the world, feeling utterly insignificant. Bruce, however, was an exception.

Noticing Bruce's unchanging expression, Carrie asked with curiosity, "Have you been here before, Mr. Lee? You're the most composed visitor I've ever seen at Everett."

"No, I haven't been here. I'm equally amazed by this colossal structure, a testament to the pinnacle of human industrial civilization. But legends are meant to be surpassed. Dwelling on the past only halts progress. I believe Boeing will reach new heights, won't it?" Bruce replied with a smile, offering a brief explanation to avoid standing out too much. He wouldn't reveal that he had seen marvels far beyond human imagination.

"Your words are so philosophical, Mr. Lee," Carrie said, initially stunned, then breaking into a warm smile.

"Thank you, Carrie. Could you give us a tour of the factory?" Bruce suggested.

In this airplane manufacturing factory, every corner was a melting pot of Americans and immigrants from all corners of the globe.

Whether viewing these gigantic machines up close on the factory floor or overlooking the entire assembly workshop from a 30-meter-high gantry crane, one couldn't help but feel a surreal sense of insignificance—the enormous scales of measurement dwarfed human presence.

After a brief tour, Bruce met Elizabeth Lund, the Vice President and General Manager of the 747 program, on the fourth floor of the factory. Unlike the typical American women one might see on the streets of Seattle or New York, Elizabeth, although a mechanical engineer by training, exuded warmth and sensitivity in her interactions, resembling more a public relations specialist or a diplomat, with a vibe similar to a more approachable Sheila Clinton.

"Welcome, Mr. Lee. I'm glad you chose Boeing," Elizabeth Lund greeted warmly. "That's the Boeing 747-8 VIP you wanted to see."

Adjacent to the processing workshop, one wall of her office was entirely made of glass, allowing a full view of the entire workshop. She pointed downwards, directing Bruce's gaze. A noticeably larger white fuselage lay quietly in the workshop, somewhat unassuming, with the rear half still exposed, revealing the skeletal frame and internal structure of the plane.

"Don't be fooled by its appearance. This 747-8 VIP isn't fully assembled yet, not even a bare plane. Once the assembly is complete, we'll notify the customer and invite them to discuss the interior and exterior design with our specialized design center. After installing the custom VIP equipment, it will truly be a dreamy airborne palace," Elizabeth Lund explained with a smile.

"The cabin's interior space, dome design, colors, window designs, and even the positioning and height of the seats are all crucial parts of the passenger experience. We have the best design team, including experts in architecture, psychology, physics, and more, to meet all of Mr. Lee's needs," the cabin interior design director added, handing over detailed materials to Bruce and his team and introducing the core team members.

The Boeing 747-8 VIP, nearly 77 meters long, is several meters longer than the standard 747 and can normally accommodate over 500 passengers. However, now it's entirely at the disposal of a single client and their entourage, offering an internal space of 4,700 square feet. Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens—all customizable to the client's desires. Spiral staircases, arched ceilings, wall-mounted TVs, wooden flooring—creating the ultimate airborne palace was no problem.

This behemoth could reach a top speed of 0.86 Maher (about 920 km/h) and had a range of over 17,000 kilometers, meaning it could practically fly to any spot on the globe without refueling.

This extravagant airborne palace was priced between 270 and 280 million dollars, not including external painting, internal fixtures, or design fees, which could amount to around 20 million dollars.

In other words, to get the final, finished version, Bruce would need to shell out at least 300 million dollars.

Moreover, hiring pilots, crew, and managing and maintaining the plane were also considerations.

Such a financial behemoth was beyond the wildest dreams of most, but Bruce didn't hesitate. After listening to the professionals' detailed presentation, he signed the agreement on the spot and paid a 10 million dollar deposit. The plane was expected to be delivered within a year to eighteen months, and only then would he need to pay the balance.

Considering the projects in the lab, which were soon to be converted into a continuous stream of income, funding shouldn't be an issue.

However, Bruce's extravagant shopping spree didn't end there. Next, he flew straight to Lauderdale, the "Yacht Capital of the World," located in Broward County, Florida, home to the state's deepest port, Port Everglades.

Bruce's purpose was clear: to purchase a yacht. Yacht manufacturer Beti had set up a dedicated office here. Founded in 1873, this Italian shipyard was known for its timeless designs, world-class quality, and painstaking attention to detail, epitomizing unmatched elegance.

Beti Yachts didn't just design and manufacture classic yachts; they also offered full customization services, centering on the customer's needs. While their main line ranged from 93 to 145 feet, Bruce, of course, went for the larger steel-aluminum structure yachts, 47 meters and above.

After discussions with the yacht designers, he ordered a massive 90-meter three-deck yacht, complete with a helipad, swimming pool, and two smaller boats, for 130 million dollars. This new vessel would be crafted in Beti's Italian shipyard, with delivery expected in a year.

Lastly, Bruce wired a 10 million dollar deposit to Airbus via Citibank for an A380 VVIP private jet. Not visiting in person was a necessity; Airbus SE, owned by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, had its headquarters in Toulouse, in southern France—a bit too far and inconvenient, as it would interfere with his attendance at Sheila Clinton's party. Therefore, after a brief understanding, he made the deposit.

The reason for this was that Airbus SE's newly established factory in Alabama, USA, didn't produce the A380, only the A320 model with 150 seats. Meanwhile, the A380's double-deck cabin could accommodate over 550 passengers, though Bruce's custom version would have only 20 seats, with the rest of the space entirely remodeled.

Notably, Bruce's A380 was to include a private gym, ample bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, the latest interior décor, onboard entertainment and communication technology, and even an airborne swimming pool and fireplace. The final price still hovered around 400 million dollars.

Airbus SE revealed to Bruce that the first custom A380 VVIP private jet was ordered by a Saudi Arabian prince, with the final cost nearing 500 million dollars.

Even Bruce found it hard to fathom how one could spend so much money, but then again, comparing with Middle Eastern tycoons who embed diamonds in their Mercedes cars, it was a different world altogether.

After this lavish spending spree, Kit calculated that Bruce would be paying bills totaling over 800 million dollars for these luxurious toys within the next two years.

Previously, Fowler and others would have been petrified, trying desperately to dissuade him. But having become accustomed to Bruce's style and, more importantly, understanding the progress of Solar Corona's various lab research projects, they were no longer worried. It was as if they could see a tidal wave of money rolling in, a splendid sight indeed.