Chapter 384 - 149: The Uncle and Nephew Meet
In the brick fireplace, the servants are adding pre-split wood.
The timber, brought in from Northern Europe, is acacia, known for burning without smoke. Life in Orleans is always luxurious and comfortable.
Even Wen Maixue, born from an old family, can’t help but think of surrendering unconsciously. If not for the support of the Green Love brooch, she worries she couldn’t resist the onslaught of this older man.
"Maixue, have you accepted my proposal?" Olson asked excitedly, tossing aside his knife and fork without regard for his image.
In the birch vacation home at the foot of the Alpine foothills, the harsh winter winds are kept outside by decades-old birch trees. Inside, with the help of the fireplace, the temperature is over twenty degrees.
Wen Maixue, sitting inside the chalet having breakfast, has shed the cumbersome ski attire and is wearing a golden silk robe with blue edging. The roomy gown highlights her pretty face and figure even more.
Wen Maixue’s feet are bare apart from thin silk stockings, revealing half of her calves. It’s no wonder Olson and his son are both captivated by such a woman.
She took a bite of salmon and murmured, "Do you really need me to say it a second time?"
Olson hurriedly gave a look to the servants who quickly retreated from the room, leaving behind Olson’s somewhat rapid breathing and the wood in the fireplace crackling and sparking.
Olson walked over to Wen Maixue, gazing at her long black hair, and her plump cheeks still chewing silently, his hand coming to rest on Wen Maixue’s shoulder.
"Xuexue, then we," his gaze greedily slipping into her slightly open neckline to a glimpse of her fair skin. The fire from the stove felt as if it were burning on him, and Olson swallowed hard, his voice very loud.
Goosebumps formed under Wen Maixue’s gown. No matter the style of this man, he could not compare to Pello. When Pello’s hand touched her, it could make Wen Maixue’s blood boil. Only then did she feel that her name was a mistake; she was not snow, but a flame waiting to be ignited by someone else.
She shrugged her shoulders slightly, causing Olson’s hand to slip away, and Wen Maixue laughed and said, "What’s the hurry? Let’s talk after our wedding is complete. Aren’t you a Christian?"
Olson chuckled dryly, while the flame still danced in his eyes. Christian—such pretense was only for others to see. None of what Olson did ever matched the standards of a believer.
This woman, sooner or later, he would have her. Olson was not in a hurry; in a few days, he would let Wen Maixue realize that he was not a devout Christian.
That afternoon, Wen Maixue saw more and more snow falling from the sky. The snow at the Alpine foothills was already knee-deep. She wanted to go skiing but Olson prevented her many times.
"The snow outside hasn’t piled up thickly yet; it warmed up a few days ago and the snow underneath melted, so it’s easy to induce an avalanche," Wen Maixue was half doubtful about Olson’s words. Ever since she accepted Olson’s proposal at the ski resort as prearranged by Pello, Olson’s gentlemanly facade began to change. He started to try at every opportunity to persuade Wen Maixue to drink and while she did, he incessantly used lewd gazes, or words to tease her.
Wen Maixue, after all, was a young woman and nearly lost control after being teased back and forth by this old seduction pro, almost falling for his scheme, but fortunately by night, people introduced by Master Rang, brought by Orleans, arrived.
The vacation homes, lined up in rows, were engulfed in snow, resembling igloos. Su Ziceng and two others, riding a snowmobile, could hardly make out the snow-covered chalets ahead.
As soon as he got off the vehicle, Su Ziceng felt his entire body sink into the snow. The snow on the shady side of the mountain was indeed much thicker than that on the sunny side.
The Alps, known for their famous ski resorts, were covered in snow that was pure and untainted by any filth.
Having heard of the guest’s arrival, Olson, accompanied by Su Wenmaixue, was waiting outside the snow house.
When Su Ziceng first laid eyes on Olson, he seemed to her like a typical balding Western European businessman.
Perhaps due to hunting and meticulous self-care, he appeared spirited and his physique had not gone out of shape. Compared with Orleans, he seemed to have more of an aristocratic air about him.
Upon seeing Pello, Olson too was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly masked his reaction. However, the fact that the visitor was acquainted with Wen Maixue surprised both father and son.
Olson, who had already received news about Su Ziceng from Master Rang, was eager to address Pello with his first question, "And who is this gentleman?"
"Lan, he’s my lover," Su Ziceng said, as she introduced Pello with warmth, glancing at Wen Maixue, who seemed quite close to Olson. She had thought that after reselling Kelly Women’s College, Wen Maixue would make some significant move, but unexpectedly, she was like those ordinary female students who married right after graduation, looking for a suitable marriage candidate now.
Wen Maixue married a European Earl—could it possibly be the Olson in front of them? Su Ziceng didn’t know if Wen Maixue was aware that Olson was Pello’s uncle and the man who had usurped Pello’s position.
Upon learning that "Lan" was a native of Country Z with mixed heritage, Olson’s wariness eased somewhat.
After inviting the three guests into the holiday home, Olson couldn’t wait to announce his joyful news with Wen Maixue.
Su Ziceng noticed that Orleans’s complexion changed abruptly, whereas Pello showed little change in expression, suggesting that Pello no longer had any relations with Wen Maixue.
"Congratulations," Su Ziceng offered her blessings.
"On the day of my wedding, I hope Miss Su will be sure to attend," Wen Maixue extended her invitation only to Su Ziceng, and she didn’t speak to Pello, seemingly to prevent any misunderstandings from arising with Olson.
"Orleans, arrange accommodations for our guests," Olson commanded with authority, then drew Wen Maixue close to show affection.
The holiday homes on the shady side of the mountain were all independent structures, each only thirty square meters in size but comfortably decorated inside. After hurriedly settling the two guests, Orleans excused himself, his mind ablaze with the desire to have a clear conversation with Wen Maixue.
After inspecting Su Ziceng’s accommodation, Pello headed to his own cabin. After traveling by snowmobile all day and enduring a bumpy ride, everyone was tired.
Su Ziceng sat on the sturdy Kang-style bed. The portrait of Su Qingzhang had already been packed into her luggage. Listening to the blustering wind and snow coming from the summit of the Alps, she felt an uneasy premonition. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)