In the United States As a Local Tyrant

James Feng also purchased an off-road motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The off-road motorcycle could easily be placed in the back of his pickup truck, while the ATV, like the quad bikes commonly seen on beaches, was delivered by the dealership.

James considered the rugged terrain and open fields around the vineyard and thought these vehicles would be perfect for occasional off-road adventures.

Initially, James planned to visit a gun store, but California is one of the states with the strictest gun control laws in the U.S.

He had heard about the necessary exams and documentation required, so he decided to delay this indulgence until he had a better understanding of the process. Returning to his truck, he set off towards the vineyard with the help of the GPS navigator.

The F-150 pickup truck offered a commanding view of the road, and with just a slight press on the accelerator, its powerful engine surged forward, leaving surrounding smaller cars in the dust.

James, standing at 1.81 meters tall- thanks to his father genes- appreciated the spacious interior, which provided ample headroom and comfort.

Driving through the U.S. for the first time, he noticed that pickup trucks dominated the roads, and while the speed limit was marked at 65 mph, many vehicles seemed to be going well over 75 mph.

Not wanting to be left behind, James followed suit and managed to reach his destination in just half an hour.

Leaving the main road, he turned onto a two-lane country road leading to the vineyard. The road stretched endlessly ahead, flanked by mountains and vast vineyards on either side.

It was mid-June, and the weather was perfect—bright sunshine, low-hanging white clouds against a brilliant blue sky, and incredibly fresh air. Slowing down to take in the scenery, James felt a sense of serenity. Green mountains, ripening grapes, and the promise of fine wine filled his thoughts.

Breathing deeply, he enjoyed the countryside view, accompanied by the upbeat rhythms of country music playing on the radio. James tapped along to the beat and exclaimed, "This is the life!"

Inspired by the beautiful weather, he mused aloud, "I need a convertible car for days like this!"

 As he approached his mansion on the hill, surrounded by neatly arranged vineyards, he marvelled at the vastness of his new property.

After parking the F-150 in the garage, James stepped out and took a leisurely stroll around the front yard. He hadn't had time to properly explore his new home during his previous visit, so he relished this moment.

The lawn was well-maintained, with soft grass, palm trees, and various shrubs. The occasional chirping of birds added to the tranquil atmosphere. James thought it might be a good idea to get a few dogs in the future to complete the idyllic setting.

The house was impressive, with a sprawling horizontal design. It stood two stories tall and featured seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. The interior boasted light yellow wooden floors, walls adorned with oil paintings, and over a dozen mounted elk heads. The fireplace and sofa shared a matching colour scheme, creating a calm and harmonious ambiance.

The first floor housed a home theatre capable of seating fifteen to twenty people. Equipped with luxurious individual seats and sofa-style seating, James tested the audio system and was blown away by the top-tier BOSE speakers installed by the previous owner. He was pleased to find that the audio experience surpassed even that of a professional movie theatre.

Next to the theatre was a well-equipped gym, complete with treadmills, climbing machines, rowing machines, and a range of weights.

James tried out the bench press and decided that he would establish a regular workout routine. He also noticed two steel poles in a corner, set against floor-to-ceiling mirrors—a peculiar touch that hinted at the former owner's unique taste.

As he explored every corner of the house, James couldn't help but feel that while the property was well-designed, it didn't entirely suit his youthful and modern aesthetic.

The current style seemed more fitting for an older, aristocratic resident. Nevertheless, he appreciated the quality and craftsmanship that went into every detail.

While contemplating potential renovations, James heard a car horn outside. He went downstairs and saw a two-door Chevrolet pickup parked at the gate. Among those who got out of the vehicle was an older man James recognized as John; the vineyard manager employed by the previous owner.

"Hi!" James greeted warmly.

"Hello, Mr. Feng!" the older man responded. He appeared to be in his fifties, with Gray hair and a slightly rounded belly.

Dressed in a shirt and jeans, he introduced himself, "Everyone calls me Old John. We saw you returning and thought we'd drop by for a chat."

"Please, come in," James said, inviting them inside. "I'm sorry, I just moved in, so I haven't had time to prepare anything."

"No need to worry," Old John replied with a smile. "We wanted to discuss the vineyard staff with you."

James gestured for them to sit down, "Please, go ahead."

Old John explained, "Since the previous owner went bankrupt, most of the staff left. However, it's currently the grape growing season, and without proper care, the vineyard might suffer. Five workers have stayed on voluntarily for the past three weeks, but if no arrangements are made soon, they'll have to look for other jobs."

James was impressed by their dedication. "They stayed without pay?" he asked, surprised.

Old John nodded, "Yes, they couldn't bear to see the grapes go untended."

James immediately responded, "Calculate their unpaid wages, and I'll settle everything. If they wish to continue working here, they're more than welcome."

Old John was momentarily taken aback by James' generosity but quickly smiled, "Thank you very much, Mr. Feng!"

"It's nothing," James said. "How much do I owe them?"

"At a weekly wage of $800 per person, the total comes to $12,000," Old John answered.

James promptly wrote a check for the amount and handed it over. Old John accepted it with gratitude, "Mr. Feng, you're truly a kind man!"

James chuckled, slightly embarrassed by the praise. The other workers came forward to shake his hand and express their thanks.

They had only hoped to keep their jobs and hadn't expected the young new owner to pay their back wages without hesitation.

James understood the value of goodwill, especially since he was new to the area. Winning the trust and loyalty of his employees would be crucial to his success.

He asked Old John, "Is there anything else the vineyard needs?"

Old John replied, "Five full-time workers are sufficient for now, but we'll need about ten more seasonal workers. We can postpone hiring a winemaker and a wine cellar manager for the time being."

"Go ahead and take care of it. Just keep me informed," James instructed.

Word of James' generosity quickly spread, earning him the support of the local community. By the afternoon, the workers who had left returned with their belongings.

They lived in a two-story house at the foot of the hill, each with a room of 30 to 40 square meters and a private bathroom. There was also a small vegetable garden where they grew tomatoes and other produce.

Later, James toured the vineyard with Old John, who provided detailed information about its operations. With over 300 acres of grapevines, the vineyard was considered large. By comparison, some renowned wineries in Napa Valley operated on less than 100 acres and produced about 20,000 cases annually.

However, while the vineyard had impressive scale, it lacked brand recognition. Most of the grapes were sold to other wineries, with only a small portion used for in-house production.

 The wine cellar contained mostly empty oak barrels and only about a thousand bottles of average-quality wine. Old John explained that the previous owner had primarily used the property as a vacation retreat, which explained the luxurious mansion, stables, horse farms, and even an unfinished badminton court.

Riding his motorcycle around the vineyard, James appreciated the layout and saw potential in the existing facilities. The previous owner had indeed built the property as a countryside resort, but James was determined to transform it into something even greater.

 "This is just the beginning," he thought, envisioning a future where his vineyard would not only be a place of beauty and relaxation but also a successful business venture.