Chapter 1250 Abotalibu's Sincerity
Seeing William and Abotalib staring at him, Xiao Peng said hurriedly, "Don't look at me like that! It's scary! Well, Mayor Abotalib, you're right. I am indeed considering going to Rotterdam now."
After hearing Xiao Peng's answer, William and Abotalib had two different expressions. Abotalib was complacent, while William was slightly disappointed.
"Why do you do this?" William asked.
Xiao Peng was pouring champagne there. After hearing William's words, he became anxious: "William, are you sure you don't know why I did this? Huh?"
William felt a little embarrassed by Xiao Peng's question.
After handing two glasses of champagne to William and Abotalib respectively, Xiao Peng said to Abotalib, "Abotalib, you have no idea how miserable I am living here now. Look at Villa Eikenhorst, it's such a big estate, and I can't even move a sapling. Some time ago, I turned over the land and wanted to plant some vegetables, so I was sued. In the end, I was fined a lot of money and ordered to restore the land to its original state. I have to use the same grass seeds as they provided without any mistakes! Is this still my own home?"
After hearing this, William hurriedly said, "Xiao Peng, this matter is over, right? Now, as long as you don't change the appearance of the buildings in this manor or cut down the trees here, you can do whatever you want. You should also consider us. After all, this is a historical building. Historical buildings in any country must be protected."
Xiao Peng took a sip of champagne and said, "William, you're right. But why should I live here? I've contacted some well-known designers to come up with renovation plans for my house, and so far, no plan has come up with a price tag of less than 50 million! The reason it's so expensive is because they want to protect the building! Oh my God! Everyone thinks I live comfortably here, but what's the reality? Besides, the people of The Hague are so unfriendly! Look, the moment I came back, protesters blocked the door! As far as I know, there are many people in The Hague who keep big cats as pets, right? My caracals and leopards here are also quarantined and registered with the relevant departments. Everything is reasonable and legal. Why are there so many protests? And you just said that I can't change the buildings in this manor. So the question is, the pandas can't live with me, right? Where should I build a panda house? Tell me which building in this villa can be used as a panda house?"
His words left William speechless.
Villa Eikenhorst has quite a few buildings. Besides the main building where Xiao Peng and his companions currently reside, there are servants' quarters, stables, a gardener's greenhouse, and so on. However, these buildings are designated as historic structures and cannot be touched: at least not their exteriors. Since these buildings are not built together, converting them into a panda enclosure is inappropriate. As for building a panda enclosure within the estate, that's even more impossible, as it would "destroy the original appearance of the historic buildings."
William thought for a moment and said, "Then we don't have to leave The Hague. Can't we find a house somewhere else here? There are still many good houses in the suburbs."
Xiao Peng pointed to the ceiling. "Isn't this the suburbs? Besides, the people here are so unfriendly. If I'm going to buy a house, why not go somewhere friendly to us?"
William was about to speak when Abotalib spoke first, "Mr. Xiao, we in Rotterdam are a place that is particularly friendly to you! When the people of Rotterdam learned that the famous 'Salvage King' was going to live there, they burst into great enthusiasm to welcome him..."
William interrupted him directly and said, "It's a preliminary plan, not a must to live there."
Abotalib didn't mind William's words. He said directly, "King William, regardless of whether this is a preliminary plan or not, I am here on behalf of the people of Rotterdam to express our welcome to Mr. Xiao. I really don't see any welcome attitude towards Mr. Xiao here in The Hague. In Rotterdam, from government departments to the general public, everyone welcomes Mr. Xiao's arrival."
His meaning was clear: "Look, I'm the mayor of Rotterdam, and I'm here to welcome Mr. Xiao." Meanwhile, officials from The Hague haven't come to express their opinions. You may be the king, but you don't represent the government! Isn't it obvious which side's attitude is more sincere?
William was also very depressed.
Who didn't know Xiao Peng and I had a good relationship? The government officials in Rotterdam were eagerly waiting for me to solve the problem! But at a time like this, my status as "King" became a burden: We were both Dutch citizens, how could I neglect one for the other?
Now William really can’t express his opinion!
After hearing this, Xiao Peng said: "Mr. Abotalib, I am very grateful for the hospitality of you and the Dutch people. And Rotterdam is indeed much better than here. For example, the transportation is relatively convenient. After all, my ship is docked in the Port of Rotterdam, and I always get off the plane there and transfer to The Hague. This brings us back to the Eikenhorst Villa: This large yard of more than 100 hectares does not allow me to farm, and I can't land a helicopter! Then what do I need such a large yard for? Twelve gardeners are responsible for taking care of the plants in the yard and cleaning up the garbage! William, you are the king and the taxpayers help you pay for it, but I don't! I have to pay for all this money out of my own pocket! Look at you... Did you use a lot of service staff when you lived here? There were nearly two hundred people serving your family, and what about me now? There are no more than thirty people here, and twelve of them are gardeners forced to stay here by the relevant authorities! My monthly expenses are equivalent to twenty years of living expenses for an average family! I spend so much money and I don't get to keep my word? Oh, Mr. Abotalib, let me tell you something even funnier. This is my house, right? But if I want to throw a party, I have to apply to the relevant authorities. Do you know how many days in advance I have to apply? Twenty-one days! I'm so fed up with the bureaucracy here!"
Abotalibu almost laughed heartily after hearing this, but his face remained expressionless as he said, "Mr. Xiao, you're right. The transportation in Rotterdam is much more convenient than here."
Xiao Peng suddenly took a sip of champagne and said, "But this is also the reason for my hesitation. The berthing fees in Rotterdam Port are really not cheap. Moreover, entering Rotterdam Port requires such a long river channel. Entering and exiting the Atlantic Ocean wastes too much time. Waiting in the anchorage outside the port is too long. Every time I arrive at my doorstep and can't go home directly, the feeling is really tangled. So considering the convenience of transportation, I personally prefer to move to Amsterdam!"
After hearing this, William and Abotalib shouted in unison: "That's absolutely not allowed!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
