Chapter 1608 - 1575: Don’t Touch Men Casually

Tara spent the whole day at the Holiday Village. It wasn’t until Marcus Quinn took her out that she realized the true vastness of Anfield Village. Although the village’s territory was large, four-fifths consisted of untillable mountain forests, making Anfield Village the only valley amidst the mountains.

Unlike the neighboring scenic areas, most of Anfield Village’s forests were undeveloped wild mountains.

Today, Marcus Quinn took Tara to such a wild mountain. Early in the morning, Marcus handed over all the Holiday Village affairs to Uncle Spencer and Irving Spencer. Irving had formally resigned from his previous post to help Marcus build the Holiday Village.

Marcus then decided to grant Uncle Spencer’s family fifty percent of the shares. Uncle Spencer outright refused, so the shares ended up with Irving, who only accepted twenty percent, leaving the remaining eighty percent with Marcus. When Irving went to run errands to obtain various business licenses and health certificates for the Holiday Village, he realized that all the documents listed Tara Chase as the legal entity. Irving was increasingly impressed with Marcus, praising him wholeheartedly. His disregard for wealth was reminiscent of Quinn Sr.

With Irving at the Holiday Village, Marcus could comfortably take Tara camping. The man carried a 50L backpack, equipped with a complete set of gear including tents. Marcus was a survival expert, yet to care for Tara, he came well-prepared and brought many items. These were all tough supplies sent by Chester Walker from the Military District.

When Tara learned they might camp outside for the night, her face flushed with excitement. She carried only a small backpack filled with personal essentials. Marcus had prepared braised beef and several egg pancakes filled with meat slices, along with homemade pepper powder and cumin powder. They also brought several bottles of drinking water. However, while trekking, they had access to abundant wild fruits and streams, so food wasn’t a worry.

Marcus held Tara’s hand as they climbed, introducing her to various wild specialties found in the mountains. Tara noticed he seemed more like he was searching for something than simply exploring, prompting her to ask in surprise, "Marcus, why are we here in the mountains? What are you looking for?"

"Anfield Village covers a vast area, but it’s mostly mountain forests. My grandfather left behind three mountain peaks, a lake, and several hundred acres of land — more than enough for the Holiday Village to run smoothly for decades. We’ve already established a livelihood, but the remaining villagers might not have one. My grandfather often said, ’Live off the mountains, live off the water.’ I’m here to explore resources, to facilitate long-term sustainable planning, and lend a hand to the villagers," Marcus explained steadily, his firm and warm grasp guiding Tara along the rugged path.

Watching Marcus’ rugged profile, Tara felt a stir within her. She had considered this idea too, but before the Holiday Village was fully developed, she had no means to help others. Marcus, without a word, had already begun to act.

His character was decisive and swift, with exceptional drive. Back when he had nothing, he would carry a toolbox to earn money bit by bit, until he saved enough for his startup fund. Now, within just a month, prompted by Tara’s mere comments, he had genuinely established the entire Holiday Village.

"If my father were still alive, he would definitely like Marcus very much," Tara thought with excitement, murmuring softly, "Marcus, you’re truly wonderful."

Upon hearing her words, Marcus’ stern features softened, gently tightening his grip on her hand.

Marcus led Tara through the mountains for half a day. Looking down at the billowing smoke from the Holiday Village below, a sense of peace and belonging rose inside him. During his youth, his grandfather often held him close, smiling and saying, "Marcus, if you ever tire of the glittering world outside, just come back to the village."

The loving old man lived on in Marcus’ dreams even after decades, bringing him into the mountains to dig for ginseng or catching crabs in the fields. The youthful years were too delightful, and after losing everything, Marcus instinctively avoided this serene but isolated place, fearing that his grandfather might be disappointed if he saw Marcus as he was.

For Marcus, the forests, streams, and earth were infused with his grandfather’s spirit. Returning here felt like coming home.

After crossing two mountain peaks, the scenery suddenly opened up. Tara noticed the soil beneath her feet had turned a reddish-brown, and wild fruit trees abounded everywhere. Nature’s gifts were truly marvelous. Marcus dug up some herbs while Tara eagerly searched for wild fruit trees, picking many fruits and packing them in bags to later ask Aunt Spencer about their identities.