nashuaworldcup Chapter 441 Coca-Cola Shares Acquired!
Chapter 441 Coca-Cola Shares Acquired!
Chapter 441 Coca-Cola Shares Acquired!
"Her ascent suddenly stopped at around 290 meters, followed by an irregular, slow descent —"
Then, another set of data from the CCR respirator controller was retrieved, revealing the final truth.
"Oxygen partial pressure (PO02) reading abnormal — carbon dioxide sensor alarm —" Raven quickly deciphered the data stream, her face turning deathly pale.
"Oh my god—at that depth, her CCR respirator suffered a fatal water ingress malfunction! High pressure caused a seal to fail, and water rushed into the breathing circuit!"
"Once water gets in, the CO02 absorbent will become ineffective, and every breath she takes in will be carbon dioxide that she exhales at an ever-increasing concentration."
Han Ting's voice was hoarse, his eyes filled with pity for his colleague. "She will quickly fall into a hypercapnia coma and drown without any pain."
The tent was deathly silent; everyone could almost feel Evelyn's final despair in the abyss.
"Wait a minute—" Han Ting suddenly pointed to the data in the last few seconds, and for the first time, his calm face showed an indescribable look of shock and admiration.
"Look here! Observe the changes in her breathing rate and depth!"
On the screen, the curve representing the breathing rate did not disappear immediately after the system alarm was triggered; instead, it showed an extremely brief but sharp peak!
Meanwhile, after an irregular descent, her depth eventually stabilized at 308 meters and remained unchanged.
"This is—" Raven understood too. She covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"She was using her last bit of consciousness to fight against the coma!" Han Ting's voice trembled. "In the final moments before the system alarm went off, she didn't struggle wildly out of panic."
"She knew she had no chance of survival... The last thing she did was use the thrusters to actively propel her body towards and wedge it into the crevice!"
"Ms. Evelyn was not swept away by the out-of-control current; she was choosing her final resting place."
Han Ting pointed to the depth curve and said, "She didn't want her body to be washed away by the water to a deeper, unknown abyss. She wanted to stay here and wait for those who would come after her."
The truth came out.
Evelyn Rockefeller, not because she got lost, not because she ran out of gas.
Instead, after encountering an unforeseen equipment malfunction, he calmly and dignifiedly brought his exploration career to a tragic end.
Ultimately, Director Chen, representing the Chinese side, and Arthur, representing the family, jointly signed a "Joint Investigation Conclusion Report."
The report concluded that: "Miss Evelyn Rockefeller tragically died during an extreme cave exploration expedition due to an unavoidable equipment malfunction."
"His professionalism and extraordinary will shown in the last moments of his life deserve the highest respect from explorers all over the world."
""
This report provides a scientific and humane conclusion to this tragedy that spanned three years.
As Lin Yu'an looked at the report, he was reminded of the lonely mark on the rock face.
He knew that for a true explorer, death was not frightening.
What's terrifying is being forgotten.
Now, Evelyn and her glory will be remembered by the world.
Lin Yu-an walked over to Han's side. The legendary explorer was still repeatedly replaying the last few seconds of Evelyn's diving log, his eyes filled with respect and regret for his fellow diver.
"Teacher Han," Lin Yu'an's voice broke the silence, "I have a procedural question I'd like to ask you."
"Go ahead," Han said, raising his head.
"I would like to know how to apply for a 310-meter cave diving world record for Ms. Evelyn Rockefeller? To which organization should I submit my application? What evidence is required?"
Upon hearing this, Han and Raven, who was standing next to him, were both stunned.
Han Ting frowned, looking at Lin Yu'an with a complicated expression: "Lin, this record truly belongs to you. Although Miss Evelyn reached that depth..."
"But—according to international practice, a diving record is established only if the diver safely returns to the surface. She..."
"She just couldn't decompress completely," Lin Yu'an interrupted him calmly. "But she arrived, and she arrived in a conscious state. The marks she left behind are the best proof of that."
"My diving log may record 308 meters, but in the history of human cave diving, the name at the very top, I think, is Evelyn Rockefeller."
Looking at the young man before him, Han Ting felt a surge of indescribable emotion. He had witnessed far too many people driven by fame and fortune...
Explorers, driven to madness by their desire to document their work, even went so far as to falsify data.
But he had never seen anyone, after personally touching the "top of the world" in this sport, choose to voluntarily relinquish this supreme honor to a deceased predecessor.
"I understand." After a long while, the confusion in Han Ting's eyes completely turned into pure respect and admiration.
"You're right, she's the pioneer."
"Record applications are usually officially certified by Guinness World Records, but in the field of technical diving, I will work with TDI (Technical Diving International) and CMAS (World Underwater Federation) to provide the most authoritative technical endorsement. With these heavyweight reports, Guinness certification is only a matter of time."
"Three key pieces of evidence are required: First, Miss Evelyn's complete diving computer logs, proving that she reached a depth of 310 meters."
"Second, the unedited raw footage of her and the rock wall markings captured by your helmet camera."
"Third, and most importantly, a 'Report on On-Site Witnessing and Factual Statement' jointly signed by the three of us."
He looked at Lin Yu'an and said solemnly, "I will provide the strongest support for this application on my own behalf and in the name of the China Exploration Association."
"I believe that faced with this irrefutable evidence, they will make the right decision and posthumously award Miss Evelyn this honor that is three years overdue."
"Thank you, Teacher Han."
Just then, the door was pushed open.
Director Chen and the American consular official walked in, their expressions serious, but their eyes held a hint of excitement.
"Mr. Lin," Director Chen spoke first, "we have just reported the entire process of the joint investigation to our superiors, including Miss Evelyn's heroic act."
The U.S. consul then added, "Mr. Lin, Ms. Raven, Mr. Han, we all agree that the significance of this incident goes far beyond the salvage itself."
"It showcases the highest level of human exploration, the brilliance of humanitarianism that transcends national borders, and the utmost respect for the deceased."
"We hope that you will agree to release some of the video footage from this operation to the world, after ensuring that sensitive information has been declassified."
Director Chen added, "Yes. This is not for hype, but for commemoration. This is a true story about courage, commitment, and respect that can inspire countless people."
Lin Yu'an and Ruiwen exchanged a glance.
He originally only wanted to complete the commission discreetly, but the suggestion from the two official representatives made him see a deeper significance.
By making all of this public, Evelyn's glory will not only be remembered by the world, but the world will also be able to see the shared spiritual wealth of all mankind behind these seemingly crazy extreme adventures.
"I agree in principle," Lin Yu'an nodded, "but all publicly released materials must undergo final review by us."
"Of course!" Director Chen and the American consul both smiled with delight.
A phenomenal event, jointly endorsed by the Chinese and American governments and centered on unprecedented real footage, is about to unfold on a global scale.
The next day, in a tea room at a hotel in NN City, Lin Yu'an, Ruiwen, and Han were saying their final goodbyes.
"What are your plans for the future, Professor Han?" Lin Yu'an poured Han Ting a cup of Pu'er tea. The tea soup was mellow and rich, as if fermented over time.
"I have to go back to Shanghai to take care of some things at the diving center. And then—" Han Ting smiled, a smile that carried a hint of weariness and satisfaction that only explorers could understand.
"Then take a good rest for a while. To be honest, going through all this with you guys was more tiring than running 277 meters by myself."
""
Lin Yu'an looked at him, her expression becoming extremely solemn.
"Professor Han, my invitation in Guangzhou wasn't just a polite formality." He looked directly into Han Ting's eyes. "Please make sure you can set aside time for the end of 2023."
"I formally invite you to the United States so we can travel together to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to explore the Cave of Light at Hell's Bell. All expenses will be covered by me."
He paused for a moment, then his tone became more sincere: "The damage to the body from extreme deep-sea diving is irreversible. You must not engage in high-intensity training when you are not in good condition."
These words went beyond ordinary concern, carrying a hint of a "prophetic" entrustment.
Han was stunned for a moment. He had indeed been feeling physically exhausted lately due to continuous teaching and exploration.
Looking into Lin Yu'an's sincere eyes, a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He smiled and shook his head, "Don't worry, I cherish my life more than anyone else."
"As for Mexico's invitation, I accepted." A renewed glimmer of hope for the unknown world rekindled in Han's eyes.
"To be honest, after this trip to Jiuduntianchuang, I need to find a new place to relax. The terrain beyond 277 meters is too complicated; every exploration feels like wrestling with death."
"Furthermore," he added, "according to the regulations, once a body is recovered from a location, the waterway needs to be cleaned up for at least six months, during which time any activity is prohibited."
Before parting, Han brought up another matter: "Don't worry about the application for the diving record. I will personally oversee it."
""
"I will try my best to help Ms. Evelyn obtain official GUE certification before the official documentary is released, so that she can appear before the world as number one."
The three of them stood up and shook hands firmly.
"Take care, Teacher Han."
Take care. See you in Mexico.
After seeing Han off, Lin Yu-an and Rui-wen returned to their hotel. Officials from the U.S. consulate and lawyer Arthur were already waiting in the lobby. "Mr. Lin," the consular officer stepped forward, shaking his hand warmly, "On behalf of the consulate, I thank you again."
"Mr. Arthur will escort Miss Evelyn's hibernation pod throughout the journey back to Wyoming on a medical charter flight."
"In addition, we have commissioned a top-notch documentary production team, who will be waiting in Wyoming to conduct a follow-up interview with you and Ms. Evelyn's family."
"I'll consider it," Lin Yu'an nodded.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the consular official took his leave. Arthur then invited Lin Yu'an and Raven to a nearby coffee shop.
He didn't produce any paper documents, but simply pushed an encrypted tablet computer in front of Lin Yu'an.
On the screen is a "Final Execution Agreement of Estate Trust".
Arthur's voice carried a hint of relieved excitement: "Sir, once you sign this electronic document, the Swiss trust bank will initiate the share transfer process within 24 hours."
"That 2% stake in Coca-Cola will be officially transferred to your designated offshore holding company in the Cayman Islands within a few business days."
"Congratulations, you have completed Mr. Hunter Rockefeller's final commission."
Lin Yu'an did not immediately pick up the electronic signature pen.
He leaned back in his chair, looked at Arthur, and asked a practical question that he had been considering for a long time, one that had nothing to do with the adventure.
"Arthur, I have a tax question that I need to consult with you, a top-notch lawyer."
"Please speak, sir. It is my pleasure."
"I currently hold a CR1 marriage-based green card. If—and I mean if—I were to divorce for some reason someday in the future, this green card would become invalid, right?"
Arthur paused for a moment, not expecting Lin Yu'an to ask this, but still answered professionally, "Yes, sir. A marriage-based green card can indeed become invalid under certain conditions once the marriage is dissolved."
"So, once I'm no longer a U.S. tax resident," Lin Yu-an posed the real core question, "won't I have to pay global income tax to the IRS on income earned outside the U.S., such as this bounty from the Swiss trust, and the huge dividends it will generate overseas in the future?"
"Theoretically yes, once you renounce your U.S. resident status, the IRS's principle of global taxation will no longer apply to you. You will only need to comply with the tax laws of your country of citizenship and country of residence."
"Very good." Lin Yu'an nodded, then turned his gaze to the agreement.
"So, if I sign this agreement as a Chinese citizen and accept this $5.5 billion worth of equity from the Swiss trust..."
"According to Chinese tax law, do I need to pay personal income tax for this? And will I need to pay tax on the huge dividends I receive each year in the future?"
Arthur's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty; this question had touched upon the very core of the wealth planning of the world's top billionaires.
He paused for a moment, then said, "Sir, according to China's current Individual Income Tax Law, the taxation of passive income from overseas trusts and incidental income is rather complicated."
"But simply put, since the place of establishment, location of assets, and payer of this trust are all overseas, and your receiving entity is an offshore company —"
"With proper planning by a top-notch tax team, the effective tax rate on this income can approach zero."
"In other words," Lin Yu-an summarized for him, "I will inherit this $5.5 billion worth of shares without paying a single penny in taxes."
"Yes, sir." Arthur lowered his head.
Lin Yu'an gently pushed the tablet back.
"Don't sign yet."
"Sir?" Arthur's eyes were filled with confusion. "You are—do you still have doubts about this tax plan? I can assure you that this is currently the best option—"
"No, Arthur," Lin Yu'an calmly interrupted him, "Your plan is perfect. But it still has a fundamental flaw, one that I cannot tolerate."
He looked at Arthur and said, word by word, "No matter how high our firewall is, as long as I still hold this CR1 green card, I will always be under the jurisdiction of the IRS."
"This inheritance will leave a permanent record on my tax file."
"So, Arthur, you'll have to wait a little longer before I sign this agreement."
"After my divorce, which will cause my U.S. permanent resident status to officially expire, I will sign this document as a Chinese citizen who is not a U.S. tax resident."
"I understand, sir." Arthur took a deep breath. "We will strictly follow your instructions to seal and monitor this trust."
"Very well, then see you in Wyoming."
Three days later, as Evelyn's hibernation pod, escorted by Arthur, embarked on its journey back to Wyoming, Lin Yu'an and Raven appeared at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Raven's tourist visa had more than a week left on it, and before returning to the United States, Lin Yu-an decided to take her to experience another side of the country.
Are you sure this is the place?
When Raven stood in front of the fairytale castle at Shanghai Disneyland, looking at the joyful crowd around her, she could hardly believe it.
She thought that after returning from the hellish Nine Heavens Window, Lin Yu'an would choose to go to a quiet temple or climb a steep mountain.
"Why not?" Lin Yu'an smiled, bought two Mickey Mouse ear headbands from a nearby stall, and put them on Ruiwen and herself without saying a word.
"Explorers need vacations too, don't they?"
That whole day, they cast aside all their burdens and the past.
They walked hand in hand through the crowd like any ordinary couple.
We rode the crazy TRON Lightcycle Power Run together, experiencing the thrill of weightlessness amidst Raven's screams.
They queued for two hours just to travel the world with Soarin' Around the Horizon. During the parade, they cheered for every fairytale character that appeared.
As night fell, dazzling fireworks exploded one after another in the sky above the castle, illuminating the entire night sky as if it were daytime. Lin Yu'an gently hugged Raven from behind, who was looking up in amazement.
"Are you happy?" he asked in a low voice.
Raven turned around, and dazzling fireworks bloomed in her blue eyes, as if the entire Milky Way had fallen into them.
She didn't answer, but instead tiptoed and planted a kiss on Lin Yu'an's lips that tasted like popcorn.
At this moment, Raven is neither the daughter of the sea nor a fearless explorer.
She was just an ordinary person who found a moment of happiness in a fairy tale world.