Darwin city in northern Australia.
It was the afternoon of January 13, and a motorcade drove into the parking lot of the Diamond Beach Casino Hotel near the sea in the south of the city. Many passers-by couldn't help but stop and watch.
This is a convoy that has obviously traveled a long distance, with a total of 11 vehicles. In addition to 8 off-road vehicles, there is also a tanker truck and two container trucks.
The bodies of the 11 vehicles were all covered in dust, and several of the off-road vehicles had obvious impact marks.
People who have had similar experiences will probably understand when they see this situation that this fleet must have just crossed the Australian continent. Both local and overseas travel enthusiasts like to have such an experience in Australia.
However, compared to other travelers, this fleet can only be described with the word 'trench'.
Not to mention the fleet of top-notch off-road vehicles, how many people travel with tankers and containers
Simon opened the door and stepped out of a Mercedes-Benz G460, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, with a pair of thick-soled boots on his feet.
After spending a whole week traveling through the mountains, rivers, canyons, and Gobi deserts of the Australian continent, coupled with the previous trip to Antarctica, and a series of cold snow, ice, frost, wind, and sun, Simon's skin tone became darker, and he exuded a strong masculinity. temperament.
Probably everyone has the idea of traveling around the world.
Simon is no exception.
I didn’t have such capital in my previous life. Now, since I have the opportunity, of course I have to realize some of my previous dreams.
Driving an off-road vehicle through the endless Australian red sandstone Gobi desert, this feeling of freedom between heaven and earth is really exciting. After Christmas, we traveled from Melbourne to Antarctica and across the entire Australian continent for more than half a month. The excitement that a twenty-year-old should have returned to us during this trip.
Simon also made up his mind to take a similar trip every few years in the future.
Seeing Simon get out of the car, the hotel manager greeted him warmly, and people in several other cars also gathered around.
There were a total of 31 people in the group for a one-week trip.
However, there are actually only six owners, namely Simon and Janet, the fourth child of the Johnston family, David Johnston and his girlfriend Leslie Whickert, and the fifth child, Patrick Johnston and his girlfriend. His girlfriend Sarah Keystone, and the others are bodyguards, drivers and other attendants.
Since the conditions are sufficient, of course, we must give ourselves the best protection.
The natural environment in the Australian outback is still very harsh.
Simon didn't feel at all that the pleasure of traveling would be diminished by having more followers.
When he came to Australia this time, the first thing Simon experienced was a formal engagement ceremony. It was the result of Raymond Johnston's insistence. The old man was a very traditional person at heart.
After Christmas there was a trip to Antarctica, just Simon and Janet.
Of course, if you don't count the entourage.
New Year's Day was spent on a cruise in Antarctica, which felt like a mini honeymoon.
Returning from Antarctica, we started our journey across the Australian continent again.
Compared with the two-person world of the Antarctic trip, this time we brought the fourth and fifth children of the Johnston family and their respective girlfriends.
David Johnston had no interest in traveling, claiming he still had papers to write. After this reason was raised, the whole family unanimously agreed to take him away by force. Patrick Johnston wanted to follow Simon and Janet on their Antarctic trip, but was rejected. Naturally, he would not miss it this time.
While everyone was greeting each other, Janet turned around from the passenger side, raised the satellite phone in her hand and said to Simon and the others: "Mom said she has already started preparing dinner. Let's go back to the mansion for dinner tonight."
Patrick Johnston was whispering something into his girlfriend's ear. Hearing this, he immediately said: "Why are you going back so early? Sister, why don't we go to Bali? It's very close to here, only two hours away. Able to?"
Janet rolled her eyes at her brother and said, "You have been wandering around for half a year, Pat. When you go back this time, dad will arrange a job for you."
Patrick Johnston is actually three years older than Simon and had been studying at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
However, compared with David Johnston, a top student at Cambridge, Patrick has accomplished nothing academically. After enrolling in school, he still failed to get a degree after 6 years of studying. In addition, he was forced to study by the school last year due to his bad records. He retired and then idled in London for more than half a year before being forcibly called home by the old man at the end of the year.
Janet was indifferent to Patrick's request, wagging her index finger and said: "In one hour, take a shower and change clothes, and then we go home. If you don't go back, you will have to stay here to drink sea water, and dad will Your credit card is stopped.”
After speaking, Janet ignored her brother's protest, held Simon's arm and walked towards the hotel building under the guidance of the manager.
Darwin Airport is near this hotel. More than an hour later, the group boarded Simon's Boeing 767 at the airport. Others would handle the convoy left here.
After the plane took off smoothly, Patrick began to wander around restlessly in the cabin, and then quickly returned to a small living room in the center of the cabin, where everyone gathered.
He got behind Janet and Leslie and took a look at the office building decoration design drawings that the two women were discussing. Patrick came to Simon who was chatting with David, sat down on the arm of the sofa and said to Simon: "Man, what do you want? If you don't want me to go to Hollywood, you can arrange any job for me, it'd be easier to pick up girls."
Before Simon could speak, Sarah Kisson, who was sitting cross-legged on the single sofa next to him and playing a handheld game console, looked up at Patrick and said, "I can hear you."
Not to be outdone, Patrick said: "Sarah, how about we break up?"
"Talk to your dad and my dad, asshole, do you think I want to be your girlfriend?"
"We are all adults, Sarah, you should have the courage to resist your father's arrangements."
"Sorry, I don't have the courage."
After Sarah Kisson finished speaking, she simply ignored Patrick and continued to play her game console with her head down.
Simon listened to the conversation between the two with interest, and glanced at the girl next to him who was wearing a large black sleeveless T-shirt and looked very punk.
Sarah Keystone comes from the Keystone family, which also runs a mining business in Western Australia. The Keyston family and the Johnston family are family friends. Sarah Keyston's father, Louis Keyston, and Raymond Johnston are very close friends. It is said that they carried guns together and went to the same school together. That kind of thing, so there are cliché stories like baby kiss.
However, according to Janet, the two families actually did not mean an arranged marriage like the conversation between Patrick and Sarah, and it was very casual.
It's just that Patrick and Sarah have always disliked each other since they were young. They fought when they were young, bickered when they grew up, and occasionally had cold wars for a while, but they never separated. Later, they went to the University of Birmingham together and hung out together for 6 years. Last year, they broke up again. They both failed to get a degree and were expelled from school, making them a very strange pair of happy enemies.
Through this period of getting along, Simon felt that this dark-haired girl who likes to wear heavy eye shadow, is somewhat taciturn, and has a Shakespeare quote "all devils are here" tattooed on her right arm, has a profound influence on her relationship with Patrick. The center is obviously the one in control.
Patrick asked for help from his girlfriend, and in a blink of an eye he forgot what he had just asked for, and asked Simon again: "Man, what's the password to the front cabin, let me go and see?"
Simon raised his chin towards Janet: "Ask your sister."
Patrick looked over.
Janet said casually: "123456."
Patrick jumped up immediately, not forgetting his girlfriend: "Sarah, do you want to come with us?"
Sarah Keystone didn't even raise her head: "No."
Patrick ran out indifferently, and quickly ran back. He asked his sister very hurt: "Are you sure it is 123456?"
Janet rolled her eyes at him: "That's my and Simon's bedroom, why did you go in there?"
Patrick stretched out his hand and gestured exaggeratedly: "The bedroom takes up one-third of the cabin. Do you play tennis in it?"
Janet simply ignored her brother, picked up a page of office design draft and showed it to Simon, saying, "How about this one
Renovation work has begun on Daenerys Studios in Los Angeles.
Some time ago, Leslie Whickert intentionally or unintentionally explored whether she could give herself a chance to practice design, and even encouraged her boyfriend to help negotiate the project.
Lesley Whickert majored in architectural design at Cambridge, mainly to inherit her father's career. Because Leslie Whitt's father opened an architectural design company in London. It was not large, but not small. It was probably the kind of company that could not undertake the design work of the entire Daenerys Studios but was responsible for an area of the administrative district. It's a more than adequate level.
Of course, the construction of Daenerys Studios has been completed, and only the subsequent interior decoration still needs to be designed.
It's the kind of job Leslie Whitaker hopes for.
Although she majored in architectural design, Leslie Whickert preferred interior design. After graduation, she planned to join the interior design department of her father's company, so she has always been biased towards this field in her studies.
Originally, Leslie wanted to be responsible for the interior design of the Shell Villa in Cape Dume Manor. If she could accumulate experience designing a residence for the richest man in North America during her studies, it would definitely be of great benefit to her future work after joining the company.
Simon and Janet wanted to plan the interior design of Baker Villa by themselves, but they could not refuse David, who rarely spoke to them. Finally, they gave Leslie the design work of an office building in Daenerys Studios. , Simon's office is in this building.
Although Leslie will graduate next year, it is not enough to complete the design of an office building alone. Simon simply asked Los Angeles to sign a formal contract with Leslie's Whitaker Design Company, so that Leslie Sly was able to seek assistance from the formal department of her father's company, and Whitaker Design Company had entered the North American market.
Simon just looked at the drawing, shook his head with a smile, and said: "Replace the red sofa, and everything else will be fine."
Leslie Whickert didn't know why, and said: "This is a darker burgundy color, Simon. I think this color matches the overall design style of your office very well."
Simon glanced around and asked, "Don't you all know what the red sofa means?"
Janet and the others looked at each other.
Sarah Kidson, who was playing on a handheld device, suddenly said: "There is an underlying rule that emerged in the era of Hollywood studios. When an actress enters the audition room and sees the red sofa, she will strip naked and wait for the director or producer to arrive. , and then they can get the role.”
Janet's eyes widened in surprise: "Really?"
Simon nodded.
Leslie Whickert quickly took back the page of manuscript and said, "Then I'll do it again."
Patrick came over and sat down next to Simon, put his hand on his shoulder and asked with envy: "Even if it's not red, the actress should be happy to take off her clothes in front of you, right?"
Simon didn't answer, but raised his hand and flicked the paw on his shoulder.
Patrick retracted his hand in pain and complained to Janet: "Sister, your man hit me."
Janet said casually: "You can call back."
Patrick looked at the back of Simon's hand and gestured, but did not dare to strike. He continued to talk to Simon: "Man, did you really break the legs of five people?"
With Patrick's question, everyone in the room except Janet seemed to perk up their ears.
Simon just shook his head and said: "It's been too long, I forgot."
"Hey, you're better than me..." Patrick stopped mid-sentence. Then he thought of something again and said, "How about we go out together in the evening. The Parker family has opened another venue on the South Bank. I heard it's very exciting."
Simon was noncommittal and said, "Ask your sister."
"I'm tanning a lot at this time. I'm going to the spa in the evening. Leslie and Sarah are coming too," Janet said, and then said to Simon: "You and Pat go to play, and bring David with you." .”
David Johnston immediately shook his head: "I won't go."
Patrick also shook his head and refused: "I won't take David there, because it would be embarrassing if he talks about fluid physics to everyone on the spot."
The trip from Melbourne to Darwin took a week, but the flight back from Darwin to Melbourne only took four hours.
In the evening, everyone returned to the Johnston family's mansion in the suburbs of Melbourne.
Because it was Saturday, both Anthony Johnston and Norman Johnston brought their families here to have dinner, and Veronica Johnston also rushed over.
There was still some time left for dinner, and after everyone exchanged a few words, Simon and Janet went back to their rooms in the mansion to take a short rest.
After changing into a more homely light pink dress, Janet came out of the cloakroom and saw Simon lying on the big bed with his eyes closed, so she leaned over him and leaned on the man's chest, saying: "Mom and dad must be talking about the wedding tonight. What about the matter?"
Simon put his arm around Janet's waist and said, "I'll go back and work for a while next week, and we'll start preparations here. More than a month should be enough."
Janet rubbed her body upwards, her face pressed against Simon's and said, "If you feel it's too urgent, we can postpone it for a while."
Simon smiled and said, "I also want to be there before your birthday. After March, things will feel different."
"Well, bite you."
Opening her mouth and grinding her teeth on the man's neck, Janet raised her face again and said, "Actually, I discovered something."
"Um?"
"I feel like you've slowly become part of the Johnston family."
"Why do you say that?"
"intuition."
"Is this feeling too good about yourself?"
"Humph, then you can tell yourself?"
"I refuse to answer that question."
Simon said this, but he also paid attention to this issue.
No one likes to be alone forever.
Several years have passed, and Simon's deep-rooted sense of alienation from the world has not dissipated.
However, perhaps because of Janet's relationship, or perhaps because of Veronica, Simon gradually began to develop some potential sense of identification with the Johnston family without knowing it. It is precisely because of this instinctive sense of identity that Simon has no resistance to the upcoming marriage.
However, even Simon himself was not aware of this sense of recognition very clearly, but it was felt by Janet.
The hands around the woman's waist tightened, and neither of them spoke anymore.
I don't know how long it took until Leslie Whickert knocked on the door to remind them that dinner was ready, and the two of them came to the restaurant arm in arm.
A large family gathered together and the dinner was very lively.
As expected, Raymond Johnston mentioned the wedding, and even chose a date. March 3rd was a Saturday, exactly one and a half months from now, which was enough time for preliminary preparations.
Neither Simon nor Janet had any objections, and everyone began to discuss various details.
Dinner ended around eight o'clock.
Janet couldn't wait to take several other women to the SPA, saying she didn't want her skin color to recover when she got married.
Anthony Johnston was still wanting to talk to Simon about Cersei Capital, which had just completed settlement during this period, when Simon was pulled out of the mansion by Patrick.
At around nine o'clock, we arrived at the south bank of the Yarra River from the suburban mansion and arrived at the venue that Patrick had mentioned on the plane. It turned out to be a fighting arena that the Parker family had just opened near the Crown Casino.
Simon and Janet had played in various nightclubs at Crown Casino last time. Patrick should have said hello in advance. This time, James Pike, the heir to the Pike family, came to accompany the two of them in person.
Compared to the middle-aged man who later discussed marriage with Mariah Carey and fought with his friends in public over Miranda Kerr, James Packer is just a young man in his early twenties this year, and the Packer family is still in control. In the hands of his father, Kelly Peck.
Judging from the way James Packer and Patrick are holding each other's back, they are obviously very familiar with each other, and they should have similar dandy attributes.
The competition in the boxing ring is free fighting.
James Parker skillfully recruited a group of girls, picked the best viewing position in the audience, and asked Simon if he wanted to place a bet.
Now that he was here, Simon briefly observed the two players and symbolically filled out a check of ten thousand dollars to bet on one of them.
Afterwards, everyone quickly became involved in the fiery atmosphere as they watched the boxers fighting hard in the boxing ring and listened to the cheers that broke out from time to time from hundreds of people around them.
After a few games, Patrick suddenly approached Simon and encouraged him: "Man, do you want to go up and play?"