Chapter 430

S31 173. Newlywed Rituals

“Look how steep those mountains are, Phil!” Barbara bowed down, peering at the mountain peaks that could be seen through the windshield. “Is the mountain we are going to climb that steep?”

Philip glanced at his wife with a faint smile. “Why? Are you scared?”

Barbara’s lips pursed. “No. I’m with you. Why should I be afraid?”

When she returned her gaze to the front, Barbara immediately pointed. her index finger. “Look! That house is so cute. And why is it red again? Do all the houses here have red walls?”

“Did you know? In ancient times, the paint color of the houses here

reflected the social status of the owners.

Barbara’s eyebrows rose. “Social status?”

Philip nodded. “Yes. Red paint is the cheapest compared to other paints. Because of this, many residents such as farmers and

fishermen paint their houses red.”

While Barbara’s mouth widened, Philip added, “Apart from that, there is yellow paint which is more expensive, then white paint. From there, the color of paint has become a symbol of a person’s wealth. People who have white houses are rich people.”

“Is that still true today?”

Philip shook his head. “I don’t think so. But apparently, it has become a habit. The houses in the fields and areas close to the sea are mostly still red.”

“But it’s become a distinctive feature. If the twins saw it, they’d definitely say those houses are cool” Barbara muttered before straightening her back. “Anyway, I just realized. It turns out you’re

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really smart.”

Philip snorted in amusement. “I’ve only heard about it, Babe. Didn’t really learn.”

“But still, you sound smart. What else do you know?”

Philip muttered, racking his brain. “You know that Lofoten is on the Arctic Circle, right?”

Barbara nodded hesitantly. “Yes.”

“Then why doesn’t it freeze? Surfers even love visiting one of the beaches. Can you imagine? Surfing in polar waters.”

Barbara froze. Her mouth rounded, realizing the fact. “Is it because it’s summer?”

“No. Even in winter, the average temperature rarely goes below

freezing point. Only the mountain peaks are cold with snow. Areas, near the coast still have snow, but they tend to be warmer. The sea water doesn’t freeze either.”

“How come?” Barbara’s head moved forward.

“Because of the meeting of the Gulf Stream with two underwater currents, the North Atlantic Current and the Norwegian Current. weather is warmer and cooler than other areas of the Arctic Circ That’s why Lofoten is the largest temperature increase anomaly the world-the warmest place in the Arctic Circle, paradise at the north pole.”

Barbara nodded. Her eyes looked at Philip with admiration.

“You’re really smart, Phil. Do you like reading?”

“Not really. I’ve only heard of it.”

“Looks like I have to read more diligently. I don’t want to embarrass you by having a stupid wife like me.

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Philip turned his head with a sweet smile. “I’m glad you have the desire to try. But you have to know Babe. Whatever your condition, I’m still proud of you.”

Barbara smiled. Her heart drifted again. However, when her eyes caught the ocean from the side window, her attention was diverted.” Oh, it’s the sea. Are we close to the bridge?”

“Yes. We’ll cross it soon.” Philip stepped on the gas. He was secretly relieved that Barbara hadn’t noticed the red car that had been in a

distance in front of them.

Upon arrival at the inn, Barbara whispered to Philip, “The paint is really red.”

“And you already know why,” Philip said, amused.

After getting the cabin key, they walked cheerfully. However, seeing. who came out from the next cabin, their smiles faded.

“That girl again?” Barbara grumbled softly.

“Hi, new couple! We meet again? Which cabin are you in?” The blo approached at a leisurely pace.

Barbara almost rolled her eyes. Exhaling, she pointed at the next

cabin.

“Oh, we’re neighbors? What an extraordinary coincidence. Maybe

we’re soul mates.”

Suddenly, the blonde girl offered her hand to Barbara. “How about we become friends? I’m Shania, and the one with me was Poppy, my best friend. We’re from the UK. Our hobby is traveling to various countries.”

Barbara looked at the slender fingers suspiciously. After a blink, she greeted her lazily.

“I’m Barbara and this is my husband Philip. We’re on our honeymoon

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here.”

“Yeah, I can see that. It’s nice to meet you.”

Shania shifted her outstretched hand. However, instead of shaking hands with Philip, he was greeted by the same hand.

“Yeah, us too. Thank you for taking such a spectacular portrait on the ship earlier.”

Shania blinked dryly. She knew it was harsh sarcasm. “Then how about we go on a trip together? We can take photos and help each other. The trip will definitely be more fun.”

Barbara’s eyebrows arched high. Just as she was about to answer, Philip interrupted, “Babe, do you want to have a long chat? How about I carry your bag in?” Philip propped up the bottom of Barbara’s bag

again.

“Oh, no need, Baby. Let’s go in together.” Barbara patted Philip on the shoulder before looking at the blonde again. “Sorry, Shania. We really appreciate your offer, but we already have our own plans. Now if you’ll excuse me. We want to rest. We had a long journey to get here.”

Shania let Philip disappear from sight with sour face. Realizing that the man almost never paid attention to her, her heart felt hot. When she entered the cabin, Poppy brought it up.

“Did it work?”

Shania threw herself into a chair. “My assessment isn’t wrong. He is ery warm and caring. He was afraid that his wife was tired, so he helped her carry the bags. He’s also loyal, the type of man who wouldn’t look at other women.”

“So?”

“That’s the problem I have to solve. I have to find a way so that he can’t take his eyes off me.” Shania folded her arms, squinting out the

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window.

While the girl continued to think, in the next cabin, Barbara was busy exploring every corner of the wooden building.

“It’s very beautiful, Phil. The vibe is very far from urban.” She stroked the wall in front of her. “I feel like I’m in the past.”

“You haven’t seen this. The view is even more beautiful,” Philip said, pulling back the curtain next to the dining table.

“Really?”

Barbara approached. As soon as she checked out the window, she was stunned.

“Wow! Sea, grass, mountains, and blue sky. This is perfect, Phil.”

“And me?” Philip tilted his head, bringing his face into Barbara’s view.

Laughing, Barbara kissed his cheek. “Yes, and you. I think I can’t wait to ride a kayak there.”

“Don’t be hasty, Baby. There are other things we need to do before exploring Reine.” Philip’s voice suddenly became hoarse. His hand began to stroke her shoulder. Her body leaned closer.

“What? Rest? We’re still jetlagged, right?” Barbara played dumb.

Philip’s eyes narrowed. “How about we play on the bed? When we’re tired, then we’ll rest.”

“Aren’t you curious to explore Reine?”

“How about I explore your body first? This is a honeymoon. Many new couples use it as a moment to get closer.”

Barbara’s head tilted back. “Are we still not close enough?”

“There’s still some distance left.” Philip pulled Barbara by the waist towards him. “This is the real close.”

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Barbara sighed in amusement. “Your snake is very naughty.”

When Philip bent down, she greeted his lips gently. She let him push her little by little towards the bed.

“I think they’re doing a newlywed ritual,” Poppy reported without lowering her binoculars. She was standing, looking through the window opposite their cabin window.

“Ritual?”

Shania grabbed Poppy’s binoculars and checked it herself. Seeing the shadows of Philip and Barbara through the gaps in the curtains, her

breath hitched.

“Damn! I should have been there and gotten that kiss. I can’t play easy anymore, Poppy. That man has to fall into my arms before his wife gets pregnant.”

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