HLM -Chapter 1275 An Unexpected Encounter

After a good night’s sleep in Queenstown, they got up early the next day—today was for mountain climbing.

You can’t come to Queenstown without climbing a mountain, especially in winter. This place is famous for skiing, attracting countless visitors from across the Southern Hemisphere every year.

The mountains here are part of the same range as those near Sunset Town, both belonging to the Southern Alps. Due to the season, the mountain slopes were barren, with no flowers and little green grass, giving the scenery a somewhat bleak feel.

Since it was their first visit, Wang Bo and the others chatted as they walked up the mountain path, enjoying themselves. Occasionally, a few small birds appeared, and Wang Bo would introduce their species and habits to Zhang Rui and the others.

When they reached the mountainside, Hou Haibo nodded. “This trip has really opened my eyes. I’ve learned so much.”

Na Qingyang and Li Xing set down their backpacks. “Who has the picnic blanket? Let’s lay it out and get ready for lunch.”

Zhang Rui looked at the picturesque scene below and complained, “Brother A, don’t you have any taste? We’re all highly educated people. Look at this scenery—how can you just think about food?”

Li Xing shook his head. “I haven’t even got my degree or diploma yet, so I don’t count as a highly educated person. I need to eat; I’m starving.”

Na Qingyang sneered, “Then eat by yourself. Let him sulk over there. Let’s see if highly educated people can live on scenic views alone.”

Zhang Rui reluctantly opened his backpack. “The blanket isn’t here.”

Wang Bo said, “Of course not. It’s with me.”

Hou Haibo, growing impatient, said, “Enough chatter. Who’s coming over to help me set up this stove? Why is it so difficult?”

Li Xing stepped over, spreading the legs of the stove. “It’s simple. You just need some hands-on skill.”

Hou Haibo, Li Xing’s loyal follower, laughed. “Master Xing is right. Compared to you, my hands-on skills are definitely rubbish.”

“You really know how to flatter,” Na Qingyang joked.

They had bought a lot of marinated meat and ribs from the base of the mountain. This picnic area also sold food and seasonings, though the prices were steep. Wang Bo didn’t mind spending money, but most of the ready-made food was just fast food—better to eat what they’d brought—so he bought a dozen beers to bring along.

Zhao Xiaohui shook her head. “You guys, you just can’t go without drinking.”

Zhang Rui proudly said, “What’s the point of guys getting together if we don’t drink?”

“Cheers.” Li Xing opened a beer can.

Each can was 650 ml—an extended size. Seeing this, Zhang Rui quickly shook his head. “Alright, you win, Master Xing. I yield, I won’t drink.”

Wang Bo boiled a pot of water on the stove and brewed coffee from his personal supply, giving everyone a cup. Then they prepared lunch together.

As he sipped his rich coffee, a voice rang behind him: “Hi, Wang, what a coincidence?”

Wang Bo turned around, equally surprised. It was an unexpected familiar face—Adams Georgetown, the regional president of Christie’s in New Zealand and Australia. He had organized and hosted the castle auction years ago.

They shook hands, and Wang Bo poured him a cup of coffee. “What brings you here?” he asked.

Adams said, “Vacation, mostly. But you know I’m not as carefree as you; I always have work with me. This is a vacation plus work trip. And you?”

Wang Bo shrugged. “A friend immigrated here, and I’m accompanying them to see Queenstown.”

“You already have a town as impressive as Sunset Town; you might as well stay on your own turf,” Adams complimented him subtly.

Wang Bo laughed and waved, then asked what brought him here professionally.

Adams said, “Actually, I’m here for a site visit. Our group plans to open a branch auction house, and we want it located in a tranquil tourist destination, aimed at visitors and vacationing wealthy clients.”

Wang Bo’s interest piqued. “Have you checked out Sunset Town? Come on, for the sake of our friendship, you have to see it.”

Adams laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. “Of course! I’ll head to your town on the way back. I didn’t expect to run into you here. I was planning to visit you anyway.”

“Your visit is always welcome. As for meeting here—it’s just two old friends running into each other, nothing to do with work. But perhaps it’s fate,” Wang Bo said.

For Sunset Town, this signaled another emerging industry. Adams’ auction house targeted tourists—an excellent tourist attraction in itself.

Since both parties had friends and family with them, they couldn’t stay long. They agreed to meet in Sunset Town later and parted ways.

Hou Haibo asked who he was. Na Qingyang knew Adams; he was a member of the Labour Party and frequently attended internal Green-Labour meetings. He had met Adams several times. Na Qingyang introduced him, and once Zhang Rui and the others learned Adams’ status, they all gave thumbs-up. “Wang Bo, amazing!”

The even more remarkable event was yet to come.

After their picnic, Wang Bo and the others descended the mountain via a snow path, taking a sled along the winding route.

Back at the resort farm, they were about to leave when a manager approached politely: “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Mr. Wang, someone is waiting for you. May I take a few minutes to introduce you?”

Wang Bo nodded, asking the others to wait while he went with Na Qingyang.

Clearly, this was a business or political meeting; otherwise, the manager wouldn’t have been so formal.

Waiting for them was a middle-aged white man. Wang Bo had a good memory and immediately recognized him—they had met at the resort farm earlier, when this man had greeted him first.

But this white man wasn’t the one Wang Bo was to meet. His name was Ravi, here to guide them.

Wang Bo had to follow, because Ravi was the administrative secretary for the Mayor of Queenstown. Wang Bo was to meet the mayor herself: Monroe Hughes.

Monroe Hughes was of mixed European and Māori descent, with the tallness of the Māori and the robust build of Europeans—a physically imposing figure. Her face was framed by a meticulously groomed full beard, giving her the look of a screen tough-guy actor.

Upon meeting, Monroe extended her hand warmly and said in a booming voice: “Welcome, welcome, welcome, Mayor Wang of Sunset Town, to Queenstown. As the ‘Mayor’ of Queenstown, I am truly honored.”

Wang Bo smiled and shook his head. “Mayor Monroe, you’re too polite. I’m only here for a short stay, so I hope I haven’t disturbed you. May I ask what you wanted to see me about?”