“Do you know that the Wyndham Grand Palace Hotel has been reserved? It’s on the 19th of this month, the same day as your anniversary with that useless husband of yours,” Fanny’s smirk grew even stronger.
Fanny continued, “I heard that a wealthy heir reserved the entire Wyndham Grand Palace Hotel just to confess to a woman. Some people marry losers, and some people reserve hotels just to make a confession to a woman. The gap between people is massive, don’t you think?”
Karen, irritated, retorted, “You’re just an observer when others reserve hotels for grand gestures. What does it have to do with you?”
Fanny glanced at Karen and shot back, “You’re right, it has nothing to do with me. But I won’t marry a freeloading loser. My man will definitely be able to reserve the whole Wyndham Grand Palace Hotel for me in the future!”
“You might as well say you’re marrying money,” Karen taunted.
Fanny didn’t take offense. Instead, she said with pride, “You’re absolutely right. In my eyes, money is something in this world that will never betray you.”
“Alright, Fanny. If you have nothing else, please leave,” Sophia found Fanny’s materialistic worldview and values distasteful.
Fanny coldly chuckled and opened the door, “The 19th is indeed a memorable day. I’ve decided that I’ll choose the 19th for my own wedding in the future. Building my comedy on someone else’s tragedy should be quite satisfying.”
Fanny left the office, and noticing Sophia’s displeased expression, Karen hurriedly comforted her, “Sophia, no need to be bothered by a gold digger like her.”
Sophia smiled wryly, “The 19th of this month four years ago was indeed a sore point for me. But now I’ve long moved past it. Let her say whatever she wants.”
Fanny’s sudden appearance left Karen annoyed. She couldn’t help but mutter, “That guy who reserved the Wyndham hotel is such a jerk. He could have chosen any other day, but he had to pick the 19th. Isn’t he just trying to embarrass you?”
Sophia chuckled indifferently, “Forget about it. The 19th wasn’t exclusively for me. People can choose any day they want.”
As Sophia’s close friend, Karen knew that on the 19th, her relatives in the Henley family would likely serve her another hearty dish of mockery.
Karen thought for a moment and came up with an idea, “How about we take a short trip on the 19th to avoid the fuss? What do you think?”
Sophia laughed, “Impressive idea! But I’m fine; my heart is tough enough to withstand any storm.”
Meanwhile, Leo received a WhatsApp message from Derrick: Mr. Bloomer, I’ve found the white jade turtle you were looking for.
Leo replied: Where is it?
Derrick responded: In a small creek about 60 kilometers from Langstel, in a village called Greenfield. I’ll send you a photo. Check if it’s the white jade turtle you wanted.
Soon, Derrick sent a photo.
Opening the photo, Leo confirmed that it was indeed the white jade turtle imbued with spiritual energy that he was seeking.
Leo’s heart filled with joy. If he could eat the medicinal meal made from the white jade turtle every now and then, his cultivation and strength would surely advance rapidly.
Leo typed: This is the white jade turtle I wanted. Can you give me the exact location?
Derrick immediately sent a location, followed by a message: I’ve made the arrangements. Someone will meet you when you arrive.
Leo responded: Thank you.
Derrick replied: Mr. Bloomer, no need to thank me.
With his phone’s map navigation on, Leo set off for Greenfield.
After about an hour, Leo arrived at Greenfield.
Under a poplar tree at the entrance of the village, a dark-skinned man sat, smoking a water pipe. When Leo’s car approached, the man glanced at the license plate on the car’s front and, upon confirming, stood up and walked to the car.
Leo rolled down the window, and the man exhaled a puff of smoke before asking, “Sir, are you looking for the white-colored turtle?”
Leo found it strange. “How did you know it was me?”
“The other boss told me your license plate,” the man replied truthfully.
Leo hadn’t expected Derrick to secretly note down his license plate.
Leo followed up, asking, “Where should I park the car?”
Pointing to the left, the man said, “You can park it over there.”
Leo parked the car and walked to the entrance of the village. The man put down his water pipe and handed Leo a small bucket. “Sir, take a look. Is this the white jade turtle you’re looking for?”
Leo leaned over and saw that it was indeed the same white jade turtle he had seen at Piccolo.
Leo nodded, “This is it. Where did you find it?”
“I found it in a small stream behind the village,” the man replied.
Leo handed him a wad of money, “Lead me to the place, and keep the money.”
Seeing the substantial sum, the man’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly took the money with both hands. “Sir, you’re really generous.”
With a water pipe in one hand and the bucket in the other, the man led Leo deeper into the village.
The mountain wasn’t very tall, but the vegetation was incredibly lush.
“Does this mountain have a name?” Leo asked as they walked along the mountain path.
The man replied, “The villagers call it Hat Mountain. While it’s not very high, the trees are dense, and the path twists and turns. Sir, you should stay close to me; otherwise, you might get lost.”
As the man spoke, he led Leo further into the depths of the mountain.
After walking for about half an hour, the man started breathing heavily, but Leo continued to stride energetically.
Eventually, led by the man, Leo arrived not far from a stream.
The man pointed to the stream, saying, “Sir, this is the stream where I found the white jade turtle.”
Approaching the stream, Leo found that the water, about two meters wide, was crystal clear. The stream flowed gently, with its source seemingly at a cave at the top of Hat Mountain.
“I found the turtle right here.” The man pointed to a small pond beside the stream.
Leo felt it and sensed a very faint presence of spiritual energy. The water didn’t seem particularly special. Leo guessed that the white jade turtle in the man’s bucket must have swum downstream from here.
“Where’s the source of this stream?” Leo asked.
The man pointed upward, “The source is near the top of the mountain. There’s a cave there, and the stream flows out from it.”
“Have you been inside the cave?” Leo inquired.
The man answered, “Yes, I’ve been inside. The cave isn’t big, and there’s nothing inside.”
Leo nodded and decided to take a look inside the cave. He turned to the man and said, “You can give me the fish and the bucket and go back now. I’ll explore the cave myself.”