Chapter 562 I Have No Retort To That...
Luke and the others drove their cars to Misty Mountain.
Misty Mountain boasted fantastic scenery. The mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, as though
it was part of a fantasy dreamscape. Every year, it attracted tourists from many countries.
Surrounded by several mountain peaks was a waterfall with a lake at the bottom. The water was clear and
reflected the blueness of the sky, which was why it was called Azure Waterfall.
The group of people went to the Cottage in the Clouds, a popular lodge located next to Azure Waterfall. It was built
entirely with logs, though the interior was spacious and comfortable.
The owner of the lodge was a young couple. They seemed to be loving toward each other.
The male was tall and gentlemanly, while the female was beautiful and diligent. They were dressed in unique ethnic
wear.
They received Luke, Bianca, and the others with warm smiles.
Even though they could see that the guests were dressed in luxurious clothes, they did not treat them any
differently than other guests. That gave the guests a better impression of the hosts.
Bianca was instantly captivated by the beautiful scenery and temporarily forgot her worries. She happily took
Scarlett's hand and walked around the place with the children.
Luke was smoking next to the waterfall. When he heard Bianca was laughing with Scarlett and the children, he
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsmiled slightly too.
It was a correct decision for him to bring Bianca out. All he wanted to see was Bianca laughing without worry.
The four men reclining on rattan chairs next to the waterfall had different temperaments, but they all had the same
awkward expressions on their faces.
The eager and passionate Jim was the first to break the silence among the men. "I say, Boss, why did you drag us
along when your wife is the one in a bad mood? You say that it's a good day to be outdoors, but it's in the middle of
June and the sun is blazing. What's the point of a picnic? Also, don't you think that it's weird that we men are sitting
together looking at each other?"
Luke, who was reclining on a rattan chair, was looking at Bianca.
He was in a good mood, seeing that Bianca was smiling. "Why are you complaining when I'm giving you the chance
to take a breather? I know that you're busy with developing your business and breaking new ground, but you ought
to find some time to rest. You're never going to make all the money in the world, and you should learn how to take
it easy and enjoy life. What's the point of making money then?"
Jim facepalmed. "I have no retort to that..."
Meanwhile, Percy said sarcastically, "That's a grandiose excuse, Mr.
Crawford, but I think the real reason that you invite us on this outing is that you don't know how to coax your wife,
and you're trying to ask us for any tips. Unfortunately, I can't help you at all. To me, women are nothing but trouble.
If you want help, you should ask Jim or your brother. They're very experienced." "Ahem... what do you mean,
Percy?" Louis said, "What do you mean when you say that we're experienced? I date many women, but you can't
say that I'm a playboy. I'm saving the hearts of all the women out there. Think about it, those women flock to me. If
I reject them, their fragile hearts would be hurt. If my rejection drives them to suicide, then I'd be a sinner. That’s
why I'm not a playboy but a savior."
The other men looked at Louis contemptuously.
That was the first time that someone had given such a virtuous definition of being a womanizer.
Louis rubbed his nose, covered his face with a straw hat, and decided that he should keep his mouth shut.
Luke stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, then reclined on the rattan chair and rested his head on his hands.
"The scenery here is beautiful, and it does allow for one to temporarily forget the bustle of the city. I think this is
what Coleridge is trying to express when he talks about his white- flowered jasmine and broad-leaved myrtle." i
His well-built body swayed rhythmically along with the rattan chair.
Next to each chair was a log table on which a pot of fragrant floral tea was placed.
The sky in the mountains was very blue, so blue that it looked like a blanket covering the earth, and one would be
able to touch a fluffy cloud if they reached out.
Next to the waterfall was a centuries-old tree with dense branches and leaves. There was also an old tree stump
half-immersed in the lake, its rings recording the passage of time. Occasionally, some birds would swoop over the
surface of the lake, catch a small fish with its talons, and flit above the canopy. It was a scene filled with the
vibrancy of life.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmNowhere to be seen were the brutal struggles in the business world or the greed and desires of man. Everything
seemed so natural and at ease.
Jim frowned slightly when he saw Luke relaxing on the chair. "I say, Luke, don't tell me that we're just going to sit
here for the entire afternoon? I know that the scenery here is beautiful, but I have a deal..."
A pebble the size of the penny and smeared with mud flew into Jim's mouth. He nearly choked on it.
Louis laughed at Jim's misfortune and gestured a thumbs-up at Percy.
Jim's face was red as he glared at his unsympathetic friends.
He coughed hard several times, but the pebble remained stuck. He could only stick his finger into his mouth in an
attempt to dig it out.
Then, he washed his mouth several times and shot a murderous glare at Percy. "Are you itching for a fight, Mallory?
What did I do to you that you have to feed me rocks and mud?"
Luke smiled amiably. "Jim, if you can beat Percy in a fight, half of my T Corporation is yours."
To be honest, he would never beat Percy in a fight. Who could defeat that cold-blooded walking calamity anyway?
Percy glanced at Jim coldly. "You don't know how to enjoy life. Looks like you're destined to a lifetime of toil." "Pah!"
Jim spat. Then, he washed his mouth again with some tea. He would really like to beat up Percy.
At that moment, Bianca, Scarlett, and the three children returned.
Bianca noticed that the atmosphere was rather tense. Just when she was about to ask what happened, Jim's anger
and resentment disappeared when he saw Scarlett...