Life at the Top

“The higher-ups at Homer’s headquarter talked to me on the phone and said they wanted to meet you, Mr. Laine, and turn your relationship from one of enemies into one of friendship.”

Rowan said with a smile. There might not be many people in the world who could make Homer, a proud automobile company, how its head.

“I have some business to take care of in Swallow Capital for the time being and I can‘t leave. Plus, we don’t have any big grudges with Homer, so you can just talk to them. In the meantime, you can just run Lane Automotive without worries. If something goes wrong, I’ll back you up,” Jasper said in a flat tone.

“Okay, Mr. Laine, I’m relieved now that I have your word,” Rowan said with a smile on the other side of the phone.

After a brief conversation, Jasper hung up the phone. At this moment, Dean came back with a pot of fine tea. “Here, Mr. Laine, please enjoy.”

“Thanks.” Jasper took the dragon-patterned teacup and said suspiciously, “I remember that you didn’t like tea before.”

“Sigh, I don’t know why, but ever since grandpa passed, I started gaining an interest in tea. Maybe… I have been with my grandfather for a very long time and I’ve been influenced by him into liking tea.”

When Gale was alive, he liked to drink tea the most. Every time he talked to Jasper, he would always make two cups of tea. When Dean saw the tea, he would think of Gale. After all, he was not emotionless.

“I asked someone to buy this tea for me. Although it is very valuable, it is still far worse than the tea leaves that the old master collected. Even if it is the same leaves, the taste is always different.” Dean lowered his head to make the tea, his face looking like he was fondly recalling the past.

“Tea leaves absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so they contain the essence of the sun and the moon. They are exposed to the Wind and the sun every day. After they are picked, they would be roasted. When drinking tea, you are not only tasting it, you also need to savor it and deliberate the taste over. and over again. Inside this little teacup are other things besides the sophistication of the world.”

Jasper looked down meaningfully at the tea leaves that had spread in the cup.

person who is drinking tea with me right now is you,” Jasper sighed and decided to not continue

some sentiment. It was unknown whether he was missing Old Master Hurlbutt or if it was

moment, a yell sliced the air and broke the silence in the room. “Open

went to open the

experienced old foxes from Haddock Chamber

Have you considered

who was in the lumber business. He was 58 years old, so he was considered

there were two more people behind him. One of those two was called Dio Potter, who was Rio’s brother. He was also in the

Jethro Meister, and he was in

some authority in the Haddock Chamber of Commerce, but because he was scared of Old Master Hurlbutt, he rarely showed his face. However, after Gale passed away, Rio united his friends in the Haddock Chamber of Commerce and started getting restless. Come to think of it, Gale’s position in Haddock

was never peaceful. Gale was very aware of this back then. Hence, when he abdicated his position

Potter, you and the

opened the door, his eyes became shifty and he looked very

you’re still pretty respectful to

Commerce, there was an unwritten rule. Those with less experience had to respect their

Hurry up and bring the

he saw the empty teapot, which Jasper and Dean had finished

in new tea leaves, filled the pot with water and

you standing there? Pour us the tea!” Rio shot Dean an