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.”

words “open and honest” struck Albert, reminding him of Maria’s recent state of undress. It briefly left him feeling

discomfort, Maria quickly said to Albert, “Please, wait a moment. I will bring something

rose from the bed and descended the stairs, returning with a beautifully framed

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

his gaze on the painting, captivated by

of the mountains, the Heaven Lake glistening like a mirror within the valley—the scenery on the canvas was so vivid and lifelike that Geena was immediately

a landscape painting. Every stroke seemed perfect

on display

next to Heaven Lake in the painting, using her slender hand, and said to Albert, “My lord, this is the Pucha mother tree, the tea tree I mentioned. This is how it looked many years

family. In the past,

couldn’t help but ask

this scroll a few

was taken aback. He hadn’t 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 the verge of exploding with

right hand, the one adorned with a ring, intertwining her fingers with his. She looked at him expectantly and said, “I dare you to take me there, to witness it with your own eyes. Let us see what

which had remained motionless, suddenly emitted a reiki that

passed through an invisible gate, and a rush

the southern province. The crystal-clear blue sky, the vibrant greenery, and the billowing white clouds were within arm’s reach. Countless varieties of flowers adorned the surroundings, and the surface of Heaven Lake reflected the azure sky,

the scene, appreciating the image of Maria, sitting at a small 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.

each of them, responding to their greetings with a

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 tea leaves, offering advice on the appropriate processing techniques—drying,

each tea farmer would express their thanks before