Elaine asked curiously from the side, “Tahiti? Is it that Tahiti famous for pearls?”
Claire Wilson nodded and said to Elaine, “Yes Mum, it’s that Tahiti; they say it’s even better than the Maldives, just not hyped and promoted as much as the Maldives.”
Then, turning to Jacob Wilson, she added, “Dad, the cruise sets sail tomorrow morning, and we’re far away, so to make it on time we need to leave now; their company has already arranged a business car, it’s waiting right outside the door, you two go back to your rooms and pack a few things, then we can head straight out.”
Elaine asked with concern, “Daughter, taking a cruise that far must cost quite a bit, right?”
Claire Wilson knew her mother loved a bargain her whole life, so she went along with it. “They say it’s super luxury first-class cabin, one ticket over two hundred thousand, and all meals and drinks are completely free.”
Elaine immediately perked up, excitedly saying, “Go! We absolutely have to go!”
Jacob Wilson was somewhat hesitant, saying, “Oh, this is too rushed; the association has quite a few things not handed over yet, leaving just like that feels a bit inappropriate!”
Elaine blurted out, “What’s inappropriate about it? Your association doesn’t have any real work anyway, just a bunch of old folks and ladies messing about with empty-headed stuff all day, and besides, President Pei has such a good relationship with you, if something comes up, just have him sort it out for you, it won’t be a problem for him at all.”
Jacob Wilson smacked his lips, then asked, “But taking the cruise out, round trip would be at least a month, right? Should we say something to Charlie wade?”
Claire Wilson lied, “This project is run by a friend of Charlie wade’s; they’re giving us this free opportunity out of regard for Charlie wade’s face, and Charlie wade’s trip to Australia will take a long time anyway, he’s just worried we’d be bored at home, so he arranged this trip for us.”
“Oh, like that.” Jacob Wilson nodded slightly and said, “Then I’ll say hello to President Pei and have him arrange the work.”
Elaine jumped up joyfully, saying, “I’ll hurry upstairs and pack my luggage, don’t want to miss boarding tomorrow morning! Lately we’ve been flying everywhere, haven’t experienced a luxury cruise yet!”
At this point, Jacob Wilson also pulled out his phone and called President Pei.
As soon as the call connected, he said to President Pei, “Old Pei, let me tell you something; my son-in-law has gone to Australia on business with Mr Albert.”
President Pei asked curiously on the other end, “With Fifth Master Albert?”
Jacob Wilson laughed, “Yes yes yes, exactly Fifth Master Albert; you know how Fifth Master Albert is always begging my son-in-law for help, and my son-in-law can’t really refuse.”
President Pei praised, “Who can blame Charlie wade for having real skills! All those rich and powerful folks in Aurous Hill respectfully call him Master Wade.”
Jacob Wilson felt smug inside, laughing heartily, “Yes yes yes, my son-in-law does have some ability; by the way Old Pei, that’s not the main thing I wanted to tell you, mainly my son-in-law is going to Australia this time and it might take quite a while, he’s worried that me, Elaine, and Claire would be bored, so he arranged a luxury cruise to Tahiti for us, probably a month’s time, and it starts tomorrow, I didn’t expect it to be so sudden, so many things at the association I haven’t handled yet.”
When President Pei heard this, he understood Jacob Wilson’s intent; after screwing Jacob Wilson over last time, his own long-awaited promotion opportunity had vanished too, and since then he realised he absolutely had to keep Jacob Wilson on side, otherwise his future would be capped at the Calligraphy and Painting Association, no chance to climb higher in this lifetime.
Now that Jacob Wilson wanted to take leave for a trip, normally no one could approve a month’s holiday for fun, but since it was Jacob Wilson, he definitely could not refuse.
So he said with a laugh, “Jacob, go enjoy yourself; I’ll handle things at the association, don’t worry about a thing!”
