Chapter 74

In the meeting room where the South Korean government held an emergency meeting, smoke filled the air, and numerous leaders frowned as they smoked. Even Park Jin-hui, who usually disliked smoke, had a cigarette in her mouth. The Minister of Energy was jumping around, loudly crying and pleading for the Ministry of National Defense to send troops to seize the oil field.

However, before he could finish speaking, the Minister of National Defense threw a cup lid at him. "Are you a fool? If they dare to announce it, they obviously aren't afraid of you seizing it. Besides, do you really think our South Korean army is invincible? If we provoke the island's owner, we'll all be in trouble." He still didn't want to think about Ji Feng's performance in the secret video. Every time he thought of Ji Feng's name, he shuddered, finding it too terrifying. How could there be such a mysterious and unpredictable person in this world?

Park Jin-hui also shook her head and sighed, "We can't fight. Let's discuss how we can explore for oil in our own waters."

The Minister of Strategy and Finance agreed, "Mr. President, I think your suggestion is very necessary. The Ministry of Energy has done nothing for so many years. I propose that we need someone capable to take charge. At the same time, we should quickly negotiate with Jeju Island. After they start extracting oil, we can purchase it in full. This alone can greatly reduce our transportation costs and lower domestic oil prices, benefiting more South Koreans and saving more on our national budget."

His words immediately won the approval of most of the people present, who looked at the Energy Minister, who was red-eyed and ready to bite.

South Korea is not the only country that relies entirely on imported oil. Japan moved even faster. Before South Korea could propose a full purchase of Jeju Island's oil, the Japanese government had already begun to gather domestic energy companies in Tokyo. They even planned to hold an emergency meeting overnight and head to Jeju Island the next morning to negotiate the purchase.

Although China produces its own oil, it still doesn't have enough. Compared to the distant Middle East, Jeju Island is much closer, even closer than its own South China Sea oil fields, almost right at its doorstep. Therefore, China's Ministry of Energy was also gathering the heads of the three major oil companies to discuss the possibility of getting a share from Jeju Island.

Ji Feng knew that this would inevitably attract the attention of neighboring countries, but he couldn't predict the specific process and outcome. Even if South Korea dared to take action against him, he wouldn't let them succeed, no matter what.

On the way back, Ji Feng thought for a long time and then called Xu Qiang, instructing him to send a frigate and several fast boats to patrol the northern sea 24 hours a day, but only within the maritime border, not to approach the oil exploration area. They were also to drive away any ships from the area to give the exploration and extraction enough time and space. Ji Feng was a bit worried that someone might come to see how the energy company explored for oil. He had no excuse for the equipment, as he couldn't claim that he had developed and manufactured it himself, and he had nowhere to do so.

When he returned to the hotel, it was almost 10 PM. Ji Feng had landed on Jeju Island and was then driven back by the energy company's car. He didn't need to worry about his Mercedes SUV, which he had left at the Seogwipo port.

As soon as he pushed open the hotel door, he heard two whimpers. The two little guys, Xiao Guaiguai and Xiao Lan, who had grown to almost 60 cm, ran happily to Ji Feng, rubbing against his legs and occasionally licking his hand, as if they had missed him terribly.

Ji Feng smiled and patted their heads, feeling very happy to see them so content. After getting married, he had left them at his mother-in-law's house to keep her company, but he didn't expect his mother-in-law to bring them along this time.

"OPPA, you're back. You smell fishy, go take a shower quickly." Xu Xian was still awake at this hour. When she saw Ji Feng enter, she stood up to give him a hug but stopped in front of him, covering her nose and stepping back.

Ji Feng looked up and saw two middle-aged women sitting on the sofa. He quickly greeted his mother-in-law and aunt. Then he smiled and agreed, took the clothes Xu Xian had prepared for him, and went into the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, Ji Feng, feeling refreshed and emitting a faint scent of shower gel, returned to the living room. He saw that only Xu Xian was still watching TV. He sat down next to her, hugged her, and kissed her lightly, stroking her growing belly and smiling, "Good daughter, did you miss daddy?"

Xu Xian laughed and held Ji Feng's mischievous hand, saying, "She doesn't know yet, but her mom did. OPPA, did the oil exploration succeed?"

Ji Feng, hugging Xu Xian, leaned against the soft sofa and watched TV with her, smiling, "Of course, how could I fail? But did your mother and aunt go to rest? Are they not going back this time?"

Xu Xian's head rested on Ji Feng's shoulder, and she whispered, "Mom isn't going back. In a few days, she'll go to dad's place and come back when our child is almost born. Aunt came this time because she has something to ask you. Her nephew didn't do well in school and joined the army after high school. After returning, he couldn't keep up with university exams and found it hard to get a job in Seoul. Aunt came to ask me to help him find a job, and I'm at a loss."

Ji Feng gently stroked her smooth hair and smiled, "What's there to be at a loss about? If he's willing to come, he can join any of the four companies, or help you manage Jeju Lake. At least he'll be one of us."

Xu Xian's eyes lit up, and she leaned up to give him a long, wet kiss, almost out of breath before pushing him away and saying happily, "OPPA, you're amazing. Why didn't I think of that?"

Ji Feng laughed, "You little thing, you were just waiting for me, weren't you?"

Xu Xian gave him a flirtatious look and said in a voice that seemed to melt Ji Feng, "OPPA, you're the pillar of the family. Of course, it's up to you to make such decisions."

Ji Feng smiled and shook his head, "I said at the wedding that you would manage the household, and I would take care of earning money. But with the successful oil exploration, we won't have to worry about money for the rest of our lives." He excitedly told Xu Xian about the recent events at sea and the huge reserves, but he reduced the numbers by ten times. Even so, it still shocked Xu Xian when she calculated the gross profit.

At $100 per barrel, 1.57 billion tons of crude oil would yield over a trillion dollars in gross profit. Even if they spent it all, they couldn't possibly finish it in a lifetime. No wonder it's called black gold.

Thinking about how she had worked hard as a trainee for so many years before debuting, and how the money she earned wasn't much, Xu Xian felt a bit doubtful about being a star compared to Ji Feng, who was like a dinosaur compared to an ant.

Seeing Xu Xian's eyes filled with dollar signs, Ji Feng couldn't help but laugh. He hadn't realized that his wife was a bit of a money lover.

After spending the night with Xu Xian, Ji Feng got up at around 2 AM, unable to sleep. Lying in bed doing nothing was uncomfortable.

After practicing in the space, Ji Feng took a shower and went to the study, where he opened his laptop, which he hadn't used for a few days. As soon as he opened his email, he saw a pile of messages. The most recent one was sent by Jin Bingli 10 minutes ago.

Ji Feng chuckled apologetically. Since taking over as the island's administrative chief, Jin Bingli seemed to have lost several pounds. He, the boss, was comfortable, but he couldn't let his subordinate work too hard.

He opened the email, thought for a moment, and decided to call Jin Bingli directly instead of replying. Since it was still early, he thought it would be clearer to talk on the phone. "Mayor Jin, it's Ji Feng."

"Good morning, boss. I'm sorry to disturb your rest," Jin Bingli's voice was still respectful and steady.

Ji Feng smiled, "Mayor Jin, you've been working hard. Work is important, but so is your health. I don't want to be blamed for overworking my subordinates."

"Boss, don't worry. I'm in good health and full of energy," Jin Bingli laughed, feeling warmed by Ji Feng's words.

"Mayor Jin, I saw your email. You and the energy company's representatives can handle this. I won't be there. You know I don't like such occasions, and it's also your department's responsibility. It doesn't matter whether I'm there or not." Jin Bingli's email mentioned that a Japanese government delegation would arrive in Jeju Island early that morning, led by a vice-minister of foreign affairs and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, among 32 others. The vice-minister of foreign affairs hoped to meet Ji Feng upon arrival to discuss the future relationship between Jeju Island and Japan.

"Boss, I know you don't like it, but the delay in your appearance has already caused some negative effects. I hope you can show yourself at an appropriate time, at least to let more islanders feel your care," Jin Bingli said with a hint of bitterness.

Ji Feng sighed inwardly. He had seen some comments online recently, suggesting that his prolonged absence had made some people doubt whether he really existed, or if he had been secretly eliminated by a country, and that Jeju Island, though no longer part of South Korea, was now under the control of another country through Jin Bingli.

Rubbing his forehead, Ji Feng didn't know where such rumors came from, but his prolonged absence had indeed put a lot of pressure on Jin Bingli's administration.

"I remember the Jeju Island TV station is supposed to start broadcasting soon. When it does, let me know, and I'll attend." After some thought, Ji Feng decided to show himself appropriately to maintain the islanders' sense of belonging, even though it would make him uncomfortable.

PS: Request for recommendations and collections.

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