Chapter 29 Who Are You Playing
The hotel's operations had recently gotten on track. Since Celestial Waters Hotel was officially introduced to Seaside City as a key investment project, focusing on attracting business and solving employment issues in the Solstice Mountain region, while also using the Emerald Elegance brand to boost Seaside City's reputation, the local government had implemented favorable policies, naturally making the hotel increasingly prosperous.
However, since the hotel opened, Leopold had been living there, making it nearly impossible to meet with Caroline.
Looking at the sunset outside his window, he told his secretary Lily, "The plants at home need watering. I'll go back tonight."
"Of course, Mr. Wipere."
But Lily noticed that Leopold had showered and changed clothes—this late-night "plant watering" seemed suspicious, looking more like he was headed for a date.
Lily kindly suggested, "Your hair looks too neat—it might give her the impression you're too rigid. Girls usually prefer a casual, effortlessly handsome look."
Leopold tilted his head toward the mirror, casually ruffling his hair, then suddenly realized Lily had figured him out. Behind him, Lily smiled and said, "That's much better."
Leopold's embarrassed expression said it all. "I'll leave things to you here. Call if anything comes up."
Lily replied, "I'll try not to disturb your date."
Leopold gave a helpless smile and walked out of the office.
Actually, as long as it didn't affect his work, Lily hoped Leopold would find himself in a passionate relationship. For years, all he'd done was work, traveling constantly until his health began suffering. She hoped this relationship might slow his restless pace and help him truly enjoy life.
Leopold had a girlfriend before—they were together for five years. She was remarkable, but their long-distance relationship's greatest enemy wasn't a rival but distance itself. He refused to give up his career opportunities in Seaside City, and she painfully suggested breaking up, hoping to pressure him into joining her abroad. Leopold didn't take the bait, and they ultimately separated.
Later, through mutual connections, he dated a TV presenter. The woman had impeccable image and presence, articulate and sharp-witted. Unfortunately, it coincided with Leopold's move to Solstice Mountain to work on the Celestial Waters Hotel chain project. Their rare meetings led to another relationship fading away.
Leopold seemed cursed with bad luck, always falling victim to long-distance relationships. So he stopped dating altogether. Even when people tried to set him up, he politely declined.
Under the night sky, an SUV sped along the highway. The navigation showed just three kilometers until Seaside City district. Leopold commanded the system to call Caroline.
Each ring echoed like a hammer pounding his heart. When she finally answered, her voice coming through the speaker made him even more eager to see her.
"What is it?" She asked.
In the darkness, the passing streetlights caught the subtle smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
Leopold's voice was relaxed and steady. "Is Ms. Tudor resting?"
Caroline was lying on her couch with a face mask on, listening to music. "I'm doing a face mask. What's up?"
Leopold paused. "I came to bring you the medicinal oil."
Caroline replied, "I've already recovered. Don't need the oil anymore."
Leopold faltered—without the excuse of delivering medicine, what reason did he have to see her?
"Could I ask you a favor?"
The word "ask" made it hard to refuse, but Caroline wasn't naive—she needed to know what she was getting into.
Caroline said, "Tell me what it is first, then I'll see if I can help."
Leopold smiled silently. She was quite cautious.
"Don't worry, I'm not a villain. It's not like I'm asking you to rob a bank with me."
Caroline sat up. "That remains to be seen."
"Seriously? Caroline, do I have zero credibility with you?"
Caroline said, "As the saying goes, never trust a man's words—believing men leads to misfortune."
The car was almost at Caroline's neighborhood. Leopold asked, "Which ancient sage said that?"
Caroline replied, "No idea."
Leopold laughed. "I respect ancestral wisdom, but you can't judge everyone by that standard."
Caroline was tired of the banter. "What do you need?"
Leopold explained, "I can't keep coming back from Solstice Mountain Hotel. I have some plants at home that need regular watering. Would you mind helping me with that?"
Worried she might refuse, he added, "You know, I don't have friends or relatives here. It's hard to find someone reliable and trustworthy."
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "Just watering plants?"
"Yes." Leopold wasn't sure if she'd agree. "Is that convenient?"
Their homes were so close it would barely be an inconvenience.
"Sure," she agreed straightforwardly.
Leopold's tongue pressed against his cheek in delight. "Thank you. I'm almost at your place." He was about to mention recording her fingerprint, then remembered the lock could be opened with a password. "I'll show you what to do. Some plants need watering every two or three days, others about once a week."
Caroline frowned. "You're almost at my place? Aren't you at the hotel?"
Leopold explained, "No, I came back to water my plants."
"Alright, wait for me at the entrance."
Caroline hung up, went to the bathroom to remove her face mask, and hurriedly threw on a long down jacket before heading downstairs.
Leopold's car was parked at the entrance. When he saw her emerge, the headlights flashed twice as he drove over.
As the passenger door opened, the cool night breeze and her flowery scent entered. Once the door closed, warmth enveloped her—much more comfortable.
Caroline asked, "You came back this late just to water plants?"
Leopold started the car. "Evening was the only time I had. Been busy all day."
They chatted casually as they drove. Caroline noticed a message in the office group chat where Heath Cooper, the Administrative Department Director, had tagged everyone about preparing for this year's annual company party, encouraging each department to prepare performances. A formal notice would be sent to all power companies soon.
Caroline sighed.
"Why the gloom?" Leopold asked.
Caroline pointed to the message on her phone. "See? They're making us perform again."
Leopold glanced at the screen, spotting the words "annual party," and asked, "What did you perform last year?"
Leopold was merely curious, but he imagined that with Caroline's appearance and demeanor, she probably sang or danced.
Caroline gave a cold laugh.
That laugh suggested the story wasn't going to be simple.
Caroline said, "A skit. The Last Supper."
This skit had left a deep impression on Leopold's childhood memories. He naturally assumed the young and beautiful Caroline would have played the central role.
"Who did you play?"
Caroline wished she could erase the memory. "I played a background tree. Can you believe it? They made me play a tree."
The car fell silent for a few seconds before Leopold couldn't hold back his laughter. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."
Caroline pouted. "I told you this so you'd sympathize with me, not laugh at me."
Leopold tried to contain his amusement and maintain a serious expression. "No, absolutely no mockery intended. But my imagination isn't vivid enough—do you have photos?"
Caroline glared at him. "Yes, but because of your reaction just now, I can't show you."
Leopold continued, "Who played the main role, Jesus?"
"Our company accountant."
"Who played Judas?"
"Xander."
"John?"
"A female employee from the toll booth."
"Peter?"
"The deputy manager."
"The other disciples?"
"Several male employees from power transformation inspection."
Leopold was utterly helpless.
"Great, very creative," Leopold said as a sudden inspiration struck him. "Where do you hold your annual party? Could I attend?"
Caroline replied, "Of course not. It's an internal event for the power company. We don't know where it'll be this year—it hasn't been decided yet. It's different every year anyway."