424: Chapter 424 Discussion

Everyone immediately put down what they were doing and gathered around.

Lei Jun sat down on the sofa, and Ah Fu immediately jumped up to lie beside her. Pet Name was woken up, looked up dazed for a moment, then curled back up to continue sleeping, its little paw resting on Ah Fu's leg.

She looked at everyone and said, "I plan to buy an island."

The living room fell silent for a few seconds.

Su Qing was stunned, the souvenir in her hand nearly falling to the floor. "Buy... buy an island? Miss, are you saying you want to buy an island? Like, a huge island in the middle of the sea?"

Su Ya's eyes also widened, stopping halfway through folding the clothes in her hands. "An island? Like the private islands in movies? The kind with its own beach, forest, and pier?"

Lei Jun nodded. "Yes. A private island."

After a brief moment of surprise, Su Qing quickly regained her composure.

She thought for a moment and said, "With Miss's strength, buying an island is indeed nothing. It's just... I'm a bit surprised; I didn't expect Miss to have this idea. But thinking about it carefully, it's quite reasonable. Miss is so wealthy now; buying a villa or something is too ordinary. Buying an island truly fits Miss's status. Moreover, Miss usually doesn't like being disturbed. Having your own island means you won't have to worry about being secretly photographed or gawked at."

Su Ya nodded along. "Yeah, yeah! I was just wondering what Miss would buy next, given how rich she is. It turns out to be an island! That's so cool! We can go on vacation to the island in the future!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she began to imagine sunbathing, swimming, and eating fruit on the island.

Lei Yue pushed up her glasses. As a lawyer, she had already begun analyzing the feasibility. "Miss, purchasing a private island involves legal issues on multiple levels. First, we need to determine the country or region where the target island is located and understand the local laws regarding foreigners purchasing land. Some countries allow foreigners to buy islands, while others have strict restrictions, such as only allowing leases instead of purchases, requiring joint ventures with locals, or needing to meet a certain investment threshold."

"Secondly, the development and use of the island must comply with local environmental protection regulations. Many countries have strict restrictions on island development; one cannot destroy the ecological environment, pollute the waters, or affect the rights of local residents. Some islands are even designated as protected areas and cannot be developed at all."

"Additionally, sovereignty issues must be considered. Some islands have sovereignty disputes, and purchasing such an island carries significant risks, potentially leading to international conflicts. There are also tax issues; tax rates vary by country, requiring detailed tax planning. Some island nations are tax havens, which could save a significant amount in taxes."

"Property deeds also need careful verification to ensure there are no mortgages, disputes, or legacy issues. Some islands may have indigenous rights issues, while others might involve historical disputes. All of these need to be investigated thoroughly beforehand."

"I suggest we find a professional island brokerage or an international real estate consultant to handle this. They have the experience and resources to help us screen suitable islands and handle the complex legal procedures."

Lei Ying also spoke up. "Miss, from a security perspective, buying an island is a good choice. An independent private territory surrounded by the sea with only one or a few entrances makes it easy to establish a complete defense system. I can pre-assess the island's geographical location, surrounding environment, and potential risks to ensure it meets security standards."

"Factors to consider include: the distance between the island and the nearest mainland—too close makes it easy for outsiders to intrude, while too far makes supplies difficult; the shipping conditions in the surrounding waters—whether there are pirates, smuggling ships, or fishing boats passing by; the presence of nearby military facilities or sensitive areas—some islands are near military zones, which might impose restrictions after purchase; climate conditions—risks of hurricanes or tsunamis and historical disasters; and geological stability—whether there is earthquake or volcanic activity."

"Furthermore, the topography of the island is crucial. Is there a high point to establish a monitoring station? Is there a hidden bay for docking ships? Is there a suitable location for an emergency evacuation route? If possible, a terrain that is easy to defend and hard to attack would be best—something like cliffs on three sides and a beach on one."

Su Qing added, "Miss, we also need to consider the living conditions. Is there a source of fresh water on the island? Can vegetables and fruits be grown? How will supplies be managed? What are the medical conditions like? If it's too far from the mainland, what happens in an emergency? These questions need to be thought through beforehand. We can't buy an island only to find it's uninhabitable."

Su Ya followed up, "And also, is there a suitable place to build a villa? Where is the best view? What is the quality of the beach? Can a swimming pool be built? Are there spots suitable for taking photos and checking in? These are all very important!"

Lei Jun was very satisfied listening to everyone's analysis. This was her team—they didn't just show blind surprise or question her aimlessly; instead, they immediately thought about the issues from their respective professional perspectives, provided advice, considered every detail, and complemented each other. With such people by her side, she felt at ease doing anything.

She nodded. "Lei Yue is right; we need professional organizations involved. Lei Ying, try to contact Greg Penner. Walmart has a wide network; he might know some reliable channels. He is the Chairman of Walmart and has been in the business world for decades; he knows many people and should be able to help."

Lei Ying nodded. "Understood. I will contact him immediately."

She took out her phone and dialed Greg Penner's private number. As the Chairman of Walmart, Greg had always maintained good contact with Lei Jun. The phone was picked up after two rings.

"Miss Lei Ying? Hello." Greg's voice came through the receiver, tinged with surprise and warmth.

"Mr. Greg, excuse the interruption. My lady would like to inquire about purchasing a private island and was wondering if you have any reliable channels or resources." Lei Ying was concise, stating her purpose directly.

Greg paused for a second on the other end, then laughed. "A private island? Miss Lei Jun is truly extraordinary. Please wait a moment; I'll have my assistant compile some information immediately. I have friends in this circle who specialize in high-end real estate and private island transactions; they should be able to help. Just a moment, I'll get back to you soon."

After thanking him, Lei Ying hung up and reported to Lei Jun, "Mr. Greg is happy to help and will provide the information shortly."

Less than ten minutes later, Greg called back, this time speaking directly with Lei Jun.

"Miss Lei Jun, I've had my team put together a few of the highest-quality private island resources currently on the market." Greg's voice carried a hint of excitement, clearly interested in the matter. "There's one in particular that I think would be perfect for you."