Chapter 16: You Bought a Fighter Jet?
Inside the conference room, Liang Yuzhu sat tensely on the cold chair. Across the table stood a middle-aged man in a customs uniform, currently reviewing the documents Wang Yang had submitted.
She kept her head bowed low, her hands gripping her jeans beneath the table.
She couldn’t fathom why she was summoned for a routine inquiry.
In her understanding, being called in for a routine inquiry always signaled a problem with the cargo, or that Wang Yang’s recent purchase might include contraband.
The mere thought made her heart race even faster, especially since she had no idea what Wang Yang had actually bought.
Yet, when she discreetly glanced at Wang Yang, he appeared perfectly calm and composed, showing no signs of worry.
Perhaps... there really was nothing wrong?
Maybe... it truly was just a routine inquiry?
“Miss Liang Yuzhu, first, I want to confirm that you are the chairwoman of Haohai Media Company, correct?” the middle-aged man asked sternly.
Liang Yuzhu nodded quietly. “Yes, I am the chairwoman.”
“And this Mr. Wang Yang is the general manager of Haohai Media Company, correct?” he continued.
She nodded again. “Yes.”
“Good.” The man pulled a few photographs from a stack of documents and placed them before her. “Can you explain why Haohai Media would purchase the cut-up empty shells of decommissioned F-22 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin?”
Liang Yuzhu suddenly raised her head, eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the man.
F-22 fighter jets?
Cut-up empty shells?
Wait—Wang Yang actually went to the United States to buy fighter jets!
A flood of questions surged through her mind, countless question marks rising within her.
Though she wasn’t a military enthusiast and didn’t know much about different models, she understood the term “fighter jet.”
Moreover, she knew that fighter jets were always military property, belonging to the realm of defense...
Wang Yang spoke before she could say anything: “Hello, Director Li. I’m responsible for procuring this batch of goods and can answer your questions.”
The man gave Liang Yuzhu a peculiar glance, then turned back to Wang Yang and nodded.
“Our company, Haohai Media, purchased these two F-22 fighter jet shells to resell them. After all, our core business is live-streaming sales. Since we sell goods, we sell everything. I don’t think that’s a problem, right?” Wang Yang explained.
The man nodded. “No problem at all. But selling cut-up F-22 shells—your company’s merchandise is certainly unique.”
The retired F-22 shells no longer possessed any military strategic value; essentially, they were just scrap metal. The authorities wouldn’t impose heavy restrictions on such items.
Still, since these items were originally military fighter jets, even if just scrap, it was necessary to verify the primary purpose behind Haohai Media’s procurement.
Wang Yang continued, “The live-streaming sales market is extremely competitive now. I had to find a new angle and try selling something different.”
“I researched this item thoroughly. Essentially, it’s scrap metal that can be sold to steel plants as raw material. Before purchasing, I had already secured a buyer who plans to use it for a military weapons exhibition.”
He offered a prepared explanation.
He had indeed looked into it beforehand. Selling F-22 outer shells domestically was legal, similar to importing tank scrap from abroad and selling it to steel plants as raw material—it was all permissible.
The man thought for a moment and did not press further. He stood and said expressionlessly, “Very well. The routine inquiry is concluded. Sorry to have troubled both of you. Later, just sign some papers and you can pick up the goods.”
“Thank you. Much appreciated,” Wang Yang responded with a smile.
After the man left the conference room, Wang Yang sat back down. Facing Liang Yuzhu’s bewildered gaze, he exhaled deeply.
“Director Liang, now you know what I actually bought, right?”
She nodded blankly, then quickly shook her head. “You... you really went to the US just to buy fighter jets?”
“Not fighter jets, just the shell structures. To be precise, it’s scrap metal,” Wang Yang corrected.
“But... that’s still fighter jets. I just heard it’s scrap metal...” Liang Yuzhu stammered.
“That’s right. It’s scrap metal now,” Wang Yang replied. “But in half a year, it won’t be scrap anymore. It’ll be an F-22 fighter jet that brings us huge profits.”
Liang Yuzhu parted her lips several times, wanting to say something but unable to find the words.
When she first heard Wang Yang bought fighter jets, her mind had gone blank, still stuck in a daze.
Most importantly, she couldn’t understand the purpose behind Wang Yang’s purchase. It was clearly scrap metal, yet he insisted it would yield massive profits in half a year...
That seemed impossible, didn’t it?
“Don’t worry. I’m telling you the truth. It’s just that the timeline is uncertain—maybe half a year, maybe a year, but no longer than two years.”
“Just wait quietly and prepare to become a wealthy woman. When the time comes, with fivefold profits, our net worth will soar into the billions!” Wang Yang painted a bright future as if it were just around the corner.
Liang Yuzhu pressed her thin lips tightly, wanting to speak but only managed a soft “Hmm.”
“Let’s go. We should pick up the goods now and get them into the warehouse early. It’ll be more reassuring,” Wang Yang said, checking his watch as he stood and buttoned his suit jacket.
Liang Yuzhu slowly rose and silently followed behind him, walking out of the conference room together.
The following process was much simpler. Wang Yang and Liang Yuzhu signed the necessary documents in succession. Four 35-ton trucks arrived, and after paying a usage fee for the equipment, Wang Yang successfully loaded the four containers holding the F-22 shells onto the trucks.
After sending the delivery address to the drivers, Wang Yang and Liang Yuzhu headed straight for the warehouse.
Along the way, Liang Yuzhu kept glancing at the driver with a hesitant expression as if wanting to speak but holding back.
“Are you going to ask how I plan to turn this scrap metal into F-22 fighter jets that bring us huge profits?” Wang Yang smiled.
Liang Yuzhu hesitated briefly before nodding.
Wang Yang looked ahead seriously. “Do you trust me?”
She was momentarily stunned but then nodded again after a moment’s thought.
“If you trust me, don’t ask. I definitely have a way.”