The man named Qin Feng had a prominent background—his father, Qin Taian, was a senior official in a major department in the imperial capital. Considered one of the top second-tier leaders in the country, Qin Taian wielded significant power. Qin Feng, however, was infamous as a playboy in the imperial capital, with a reputation that preceded him.
Half a month ago, Qin Feng caused a fatal car accident. The victim's family, who also held some influence, demanded justice and threatened his life unless a private settlement was reached. Using his family connections, Qin Feng managed to escape legal consequences, fleeing to Miami instead of Los Angeles because it offered better opportunities for evasion.
Miami, located at the intersection of the Gulf of Mexico, the Sargasso Sea, and the Caribbean, provided an ideal escape route. From there, he could easily reach Mexico, Cuba, or the Bahamas—practically lawless areas—or even countries further south in South America. It was a place that offered both security and an avenue for retreat.
Now, just two days after arriving in the United States, Qin Feng had already caused trouble again—this time involving Jiang Hai. However, his days of mischief seemed numbered, especially since Qi Li also held a grudge against him.
While Qi Li's reach might not extend directly to Miami, she could still alert Qin Taian's enemies back home. If Qin Feng were apprehended, the information obtained from him could potentially deal a severe blow to the An family.
Jiang Hai wasn't adept at conspiracies or political schemes. Known for his straightforward nature, he left the matter to Qi Li, trusting her capabilities. With his mind temporarily at ease after hanging up the phone, Jiang Hai continued driving toward the location Cindy Clive had mentioned.
After more than half an hour on the road, a sprawling white building came into view.
"This should be it," Jiang Hai muttered, glancing at the address Cindy had provided. From a distance, he noticed a sign on the building's exterior that read, "Bernice Health Diagnosis and Treatment Center." However, Jiang Hai knew this wasn't a typical medical facility.
The center primarily focused on research, particularly on conditions deemed incurable, such as albinism. Although they hadn't yet found a cure for albinism, the research center had made significant advancements. Albino patients could now live relatively normal lives indoors, as their appearance no longer deteriorated without sun exposure—a remarkable breakthrough.
Beyond albinism, the center also held a reputation for excellence in other medical fields, which explained why Cindy had recommended Jiang Hai visit.
Parking his car in the institute's lot, Jiang Hai stepped out, accompanied by ten young women. Together, they approached the research center's entrance.
"Excuse me, how can I help you?" a security guard asked, visibly surprised at the sight of Jiang Hai and the group of beautiful women. This wasn't the kind of place one would expect to see a beauty pageant entourage.
"We're here for a medical appointment. I called Dr. Bernice earlier," Jiang Hai explained politely. The guard, still skeptical, asked them to wait while he made an internal call to verify the appointment.
Ten minutes later, a young woman emerged from the institute.
She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, younger than Jiang Hai. Clearly of East Asian descent, she wore no makeup but donned a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. Her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and her expression was as cold as her demeanor. Dressed in a white coat paired with high heels, she exuded an aura of authority.
When Jiang Hai saw her, he felt a flicker of familiarity, though he dismissed it as a perceptual error—perhaps the result of not having seen many fellow East Asians recently. Similarly, the woman appeared momentarily puzzled when she saw Jiang Hai, but her expression quickly returned to indifference.
"Hello, my name is Jiang Hai. You must be Dr. Bernice. We spoke on the phone earlier," Jiang Hai said, extending a hand.
"Hello, Mr. Jiang. Cindy briefed me on your situation. Let's head inside—we have many tests to complete, so we should get started," Bernice replied in a clipped tone, speaking in English. She didn't introduce herself but gestured for them to follow.
As they walked into the institute, Bernice's cold demeanor didn't bother Jiang Hai. He greeted the girls and led them inside.
The facility was impressively high-tech. The ground floor was divided into two sections: standard walking paths on the sides and a flat escalator in the center, similar to those found in airports, with designated stops for each department. This design made it easier for individuals with mobility issues.
The walls were lined with integrated LCD touch screens, displaying research topics, staff profiles, and detailed maps of the facility. The ceiling featured serene images of fields, grasslands, and sunshine—perhaps meant to bring comfort to patients who rarely, if ever, experienced sunlight.
The futuristic atmosphere gave Jiang Hai the surreal feeling of being in a science fiction movie. The girls were equally captivated, their eyes glued to the advanced technology around them.
After a short ride on the escalator, Bernice stopped. "We're here," she said, stepping off and leading them into a pristine white room.
The room was entirely white—from the walls to the ceiling and floor—devoid of any other colors. It contained a single machine and two doctors, who were busy recording data. Upon seeing Bernice, the doctors nodded in acknowledgment.
"We'll conduct six tests today," Bernice announced coldly. "First is a blood test, followed by a full set of biochemical tests. Then, we'll do a B-ultrasound, chest X-ray, ENT exam—with a focus on the throat—and internal and external medicine evaluations. Although you were recommended by Cindy, I still need to uphold the center's standards. These girls must be confirmed to be in perfect health before I can issue the certificates you require."
Her tone left no room for negotiation. Jiang Hai nodded, agreeing to the examinations. The girls, though nervous about the blood test, soon found it painless, as it was performed by a machine.
The group moved systematically through the tests. Each room resembled the first—pure white and immaculately clean. The staff were efficient, and female doctors were assigned to conduct examinations to avoid any discomfort for the patients.
By the time all the tests were complete, it was already past noon. (To be continued.)