Rejecting the idea of several beauties inviting Jiang Hai to sit in their rooms, he ended the party at 10 p.m., sent all the tourists back to the villa, and then drove back to the manor.
After all, he had drunk quite a bit. Upon returning home, Jiang Hai simply washed up and lay down on his jade bed to sleep. To be honest, he hadn't found it comfortable at first, as the jade bed was quite hard and isolated. Wanting to maximize contact with its surface, he deliberately refrained from using a cushion.
The soreness when he first lay down had been unbearable, especially with his head resting on the jade pillow. It was far from comfortable, but over time, Jiang Hai had adapted to it.
After washing up, he lay down and quickly fell asleep. The night passed without event. The next morning, he woke up early for his usual run. When he returned, he found Bernice practicing boxing.
"Hey? You're home? I thought you weren't coming back last night," Bernice said in surprise, retracting her fists. She and the others had waited for Jiang Hai until after ten o'clock, but when he hadn't returned, they had gone to bed.
"We played until ten, then I sent them back to the villa and got home around eleven," Jiang Hai replied with a smile, unaware that they had waited for him.
"Oh? None of them caused trouble? I heard tourists can be a handful." Bernice smirked, her words carrying a different implication.
"Heh, this is America. People are a bit more restrained here." Jiang Hai chuckled, slightly embarrassed. Many women had hinted that he could join them the night before, including some from the tour group and even young Diliya. Fortunately, Jiang Hai had exercised self-control.
"Tsk, like I'd believe you!" Bernice rolled her eyes at him before turning and walking away, her hips swaying.
Watching her, Jiang Hai couldn't help but laugh. Did he really look like the type to fool around? Compared to the typical socialite, he considered himself quite disciplined.
Despite the many women around him, the only ones he had been intimate with—apart from those who were just casual encounters—were Feng Yunchen, Ai Xiaoxi, Afra, and Selena Gomez. While he might seem like a playboy, he was, in truth, quite reserved.
Shaking off the thought, he entered the villa and headed straight for breakfast.
Since Xiaoya could now go out in the mornings, Jiang Hai never made her cook breakfast. He had to admit—Xiaoya was a masterful chef. She not only prepared dinner skillfully but also excelled at breakfast.
Her spread included over a dozen types of porridge, largely thanks to the high-quality rice Jiang Hai had brought back. Rice in the U.S. was expensive and not as good, especially when it came to dishes like his favorite preserved egg and lean meat porridge.
She also made fried dough sticks, pancakes, wontons, and dumplings. These days, Jiang Hai no longer had to endure cheddar soup or oatmeal porridge daily—a welcome relief, as he had never liked oatmeal.
Jiang Hai's daily feasts had even influenced Darlene and the others, who had gradually shifted to Chinese cuisine. Though initially unaccustomed to the oilier dishes, they had come to enjoy them. Since everything produced in Jiang Hai's manor contained traces of spiritual energy, the food was not only safe but beneficial.
For instance, fatty meat outside the manor would undoubtedly raise cholesterol levels. However, the fatty meat here transformed into energy upon consumption, nourishing the muscles rather than harming the body. This ensured that eating anything from the manor would only improve health.
Because of this, Jiang Hai never worried about what he ate. Bernice had once been mindful of her diet, but even she had stopped caring.
After breakfast, Jiang Hai returned to his room to absorb spiritual energy. Recently, scales had been appearing more frequently on his body, requiring him to spend additional time processing them.
Meanwhile, the tourists had already begun their day's activities. Before the party the previous night, Wu Shan had briefed them on the local attractions. Since the town lacked historical sites, with only a church and two small museums requiring explanation, the tour guides primarily acted as translators and facilitators, arranging transportation for visitors to explore freely.
The variety of activities available had surprised the tourists. The previous evening, they had eagerly discussed where to go first. The three most popular options were horseback riding, visiting the gun shop, and relaxing at the public baths.
In China, horseback riding was expensive, so many were eager to take advantage of the opportunity to ride freely here. Guns, of course, fascinated men of all ages, and the beach beckoned to the women. With the warm waters of late July, it was the perfect time for a swim.
Some preferred the commercial district, others the church and museums, while nature lovers wanted to explore the private manor. Almost everyone was keen to go on a sea excursion, and middle-aged and elderly tourists were particularly excited about fishing.
Upon learning that any fish caught belonged to the angler and that the local fish were both abundant and large, they were even more eager. Initially, many had expected five days in this small town to be dull, even considering a trip to Boston or New York if things got boring. However, they quickly realized their assumptions had been naïve—five days wouldn't be nearly enough.
That morning, the group set off for the horse farm. After a fun-filled morning of riding, they had a delicious Mexican meal at a nearby restaurant. The Chinese tourists spared no expense, much to the delight of the restaurant owner, who made more in one lunch service than he typically did in a week.
Of course, all prices were clearly marked, and no one attempted to overcharge tourists. If anyone tried, both Jiang Hai and Mayor Wallis would intervene. Ultimately, both the owner and the tourists were happy—the former made money, while the latter enjoyed an authentic Mexican feast.
Authentic Mexican food was rare in China, especially for those who loved spicy cuisine. Many were thrilled by the flavor of Mexican chili, which was not only spicy but also slightly sweet and not overly dry or harsh. Paired with a glass of rum, it was a meal fit for the gods.
After lunch, some continued horseback riding, while most men headed to the gun shop, and the women opted for the public baths, basking in the sun and sea breeze.
Stepping into the gun shop, the men were mesmerized. Phones were out, cameras flashed nonstop. Few men could resist the allure of cars and guns. While cars had become more accessible in China, firearms remained out of reach unless one had connections to the gray market or law enforcement.
Most people had only fired five rounds during military training, and even then, it was hardly comparable to the arsenal before them. Seeing guns they had previously only encountered in games, some were nearly moved to tears. When they learned that shooting was free and that ammunition was cheaper than expected, their excitement skyrocketed.
They eagerly selected their weapons—M4s, M16s, AKs, MP5s. Some military fiction enthusiasts even chose the MG42, a relic from World War II.
After making their selections, they headed to the shooting range for a fierce competition. By the end of the afternoon, everyone's arms were sore—especially the poor soul who had attempted to fire the MG42 with its massive recoil.
Still, they were elated. The photos they sent back home instantly sparked envy among their friends. Some, overwhelmed by jealousy, even called the police, only to be dismissed upon learning that this was happening abroad. While gun restrictions were strict in China, playing at a shooting range overseas was beyond the authorities' jurisdiction.
With a mixture of pride and exhilaration, the group returned to the villa at 4 p.m., feeling triumphant. Though they had only spent a day here, they were already captivated by the experience. If not for the many unexplored activities remaining, they would have eagerly repeated their shooting and horseback riding adventures the next day.
This, after all, was what men were meant to do!
(To be continued.)