The Charismatic Charlie Wade

“You… What did you just say?!” Maria’s words hit Geena like a bolt of lightning.

It wasn’t an exaggeration; he genuinely felt a numbing sensation, from his scalp down to his toes.

According to Maria, she had witnessed the Pu’er mother tree surviving a catastrophe three hundred years ago at the edge of Heaven Lake. Did that mean she was over three centuries old now?!

Geena found it hard to believe what he was hearing, a whirlwind of doubt swirling in his heart. Even if someone truly achieved longevity, it was usually a gradual process.

People might begin their pursuit in their twenties or thirties, but it often took until their fifties, sixties, or even later to attain enlightenment.

As one delved deeper into the path, their lifespan would extend, but even the oldest monks, reaching over a hundred years, appeared no more than sixty, resembling the Marshal of the Warriors Den.

If Maria were truly over three hundred years old, she should appear at least sixty or seventy, perhaps even seventy or eighty. How could she always maintain the appearance of seventeen or eighteen?

The implications were staggering, and Geena struggled to accept Maria’s words.

Observing Geena’s disbelief, Maria asked nervously, “My lord, do you think Nujia is playing a joke on you?”

Geena instinctively nodded, then shook his head and replied, “I’m just a little shocked…”

As he spoke, curiosity took hold, and he asked, “Why did you suddenly address me as ‘my lord’ and call yourself ‘Nujia’?”

Lin Wan’er laughed and explained, “In the past, it was customary for unmarried girls to address adult men as ‘my lord,’ and as for ‘Nujia’… in every family, unmarried girls referred to themselves as ‘Nujia,’ which means a servant or slave even, while married women called themselves ‘concubine.’ Although those terms are no longer commonly used, I hadn’t shared this information with you earlier, young master. Since we’re being open and honest today, it’s appropriate to use these titles.”

Maria’s recent

to Albert, “Please, wait a moment. I

bed and descended the stairs, returning with a

other side of the bed and carefully unfurled the scroll, revealing a

captivated by the majestic

mirror within the valley—the scenery on the canvas was so vivid

never expected to find such profound artistic inspiration in a landscape painting. Every stroke seemed perfect and flawless, surpassing even the portrait of

on display

pointed to the tall, flourishing tree next to Heaven Lake in the painting, using her slender hand, and said to Albert, “My lord, this

person beneath the tree and continued, “This represents my family. In the past, we would sit beneath this tea tree, enjoying tea

but ask Maria,

painted this scroll a few days

expected Maria to possess such remarkable painting skills. Just a while ago, his father-in-law had mentioned an upcoming painting exhibition organized by the Painting and Calligraphy Association, but they couldn’t find any outstanding works. Landscape painters from all over the country were on

her fingers with his. She looked at him expectantly and said, “I dare

ring, which had remained motionless, suddenly emitted a reiki that enveloped both

Maria, he passed through an invisible gate, and a rush of cool wind greeted

arm’s reach. Countless varieties of flowers adorned the surroundings, and the surface of Heaven Lake reflected the azure sky, fluffy clouds,

square table beneath the Pucha mother tree, dressed in a sky-blue gown with narrow sleeves and a horse-face skirt. Nearby, tea farmers plucked tea leaves from the relatively low tea trees. Before descending the mountain with their baskets full of tea leaves, they respectfully bowed to the mother tree and greeted Maria as

of them, responding to their greetings

tea leaves, which Maria would gently pinch between her fingers, bringing them to her nose for a sniff. Then, she would select another piece, placing it in her mouth to savor its flavor. With expertise, she would grade the

for her guidance, each tea farmer would express their thanks before bidding