"Hiss, huh…"
As Jiang Hai slowly released his grip on Galina's head, he exhaled a long breath.
"Cough, cough…"
Freed, Galina quickly turned her head to the side, retching violently. Saliva mixed with other fluids spilled from her lips. Seeing her in such a state, Wallis and the others couldn't help but chuckle quietly.
"You need more practice," Jiang Hai teased, smiling as he tucked away the unspeakable. He gave Galina's rear a light pat, pulled a packet of tissues from his pocket, and handed one to her.
"Who wants to practice that kind of thing, you bastard!" Galina snapped, glaring at him with an unhappy face.
Her outburst made the other girls chuckle. Though they tried to hold it in, Wallace let out a small laugh. Instantly, Galina turned her glare on her.
"Still laughing? You weren't the one who just went through that!" she said, clearly irritated.
"Hehe, but it really does take practice," Wallis replied with a smirk.
It had to be said—Wallis was remarkable. She knew exactly how to please Jiang Hai: her techniques, her understanding of human nature, especially her grasp of Jiang Hai's personality, were all spot-on. And she never tried to use her favor with him to suppress others. She knew how to flatter the master without stepping on anyone's toes. In a way, she was truly impressive.
Hearing her casual response, Galina could only shake her head and sigh inwardly. "What rotten luck."
She wiped her mouth with the tissue Jiang Hai had given her, stood up with a glare, and looked at him with barely concealed frustration.
Earlier, in the forest, Wallis had misunderstood Jiang Hai's intentions toward the anaconda. And with Jiang Hai's usual temperament, even a misunderstanding became an opportunity—he simply let her serve him right then and there. Wallis, understanding Jiang Hai so well, had taken the initiative.
After a while, she even gave up her position to let the others try.
One by one, the girls followed suit. All except Galina, who still clung to some pride.
But watching them, she couldn't just walk away. Though she'd never done anything like it before, she squatted down reluctantly. What started as an act of obligation quickly became something else. Jiang Hai seemed to recognize her… and just when she tried to retreat, he held her head firmly in place.
There was no need to explain what happened next.
Watching the group of laughing, playful girls now, Jiang Hai couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. Maybe it really was as Azarina said: following him was the best possible outcome for them.
If he hadn't bought them, they would still be nothing but tools—cold weapons in human form, sent into the darkest corners of the world at their masters' whims. And if they ever resisted or questioned orders, their lives would be forfeit.
But with him, they were beginning to recover their hearts.
Just as Jiang Hai was enjoying that thought, his phone suddenly rang, startling everyone. The girls instantly stopped playing and turned to look at him.
Smiling, Jiang Hai glanced at the caller ID. It was Robbins Garcia.
"Hello, Robbins? What's going on?" Jiang Hai asked casually. He had just visited the ranch's cattle pens earlier, and everything had seemed normal. Why the urgent call?
"Boss, we just got news—some nearby landowners are preparing to sell," Robbins said quickly, his tone a bit anxious.
Jiang Hai had discussed this with Robbins and Edward Anderson before. While expanding the sea area, they had also planned to expand the land area. Before he left, the sea expansion had gone through, but the land part hadn't moved yet.
Now, the day after his return, someone was suddenly selling land? No wonder Robbins was nervous.
"Someone's selling land? I'll go ask around," Jiang Hai replied, frowning slightly. He ended the call and immediately dialed Bob George, his usual intermediary.
The phone rang a few times before being picked up. There was noise on the other end—clearly a crowd. But Bob's voice was unmistakably enthusiastic.
"Jiang! You're back?"
"Yeah, just got in yesterday. I heard there's something going on—someone selling land?" Jiang Hai asked, his confusion evident.
Bob sighed. "Yeah. You know him—Thackeray Eddie. He's desperate. He's trying to sell the land to save his son."
"What happened?" Jiang Hai asked, frowning deeper. Was the boy sick?
It didn't seem like it. Jiang Hai had visited Thackeray Eddie's ranch before leaving. Compared to Jiang Hai's estate, it was modest—but for most ranchers, still respectable. About 200 acres, or roughly 1,600 mu. Of that, 600 mu was for crops, and 1,000 mu was grazing land.
Before leaving, Jiang Hai had made an offer: while land prices averaged $1,700 per acre in Winthrop, he was willing to pay $2,400—20% above market—to buy everything outright. With house and facilities included, he'd agreed to pay $500,000 total.
If Eddie's son was sick, why wouldn't he wait just a few more days? Besides, in the U.S., medical treatment comes before payment.
Bob lowered his voice as he moved to a quieter spot.
"Well, his son isn't sick… but he is in trouble. The kid has always been a bit wayward, but nothing serious. A few days ago, he went to the Christianes casino with friends and racked up $800,000 in losses—in one night. Eddie's saved maybe a few tens of thousands over the years. No way he can cover that. The casino said they'd cancel the debt if he gave them the ranch."
Jiang Hai's eyes narrowed. This smelled like a setup.
It was too coincidental. He leaves for just a few days, and suddenly a neighboring rancher's son walks into a casino and gets scammed out of nearly a million dollars?
Was this an attempt to swindle Jiang Hai into paying an extra $300,000? Or was Christianes Casino working with the Carlett Company to stir trouble?
Jiang Hai's mind, usually calm, now whirred with possibilities. Either way, he needed to look into it.
"Where are you now?" he asked Bob after a moment.
"At Thackeray's ranch," Bob replied.
"Got it. I'll be there soon." Jiang Hai ended the call and turned to the women around him.
He quickly returned to the manor.
"What's going on?" Ai Xiaoxi asked when she saw him return, noting the odd expression on his face.
"Just a hiccup with a land purchase," he said. "Nothing major. Azarina, stay here. I'll take Bell with me."
Azarina gave a slight nod, then glanced at the women behind Jiang Hai.
"Take a few of them too."
She wasn't suggesting it out of concern—they were capable, after all—but to help them bond with Jiang Hai through action.
The girls' eyes immediately brightened. Even Galina, usually indifferent, looked eager.
"There's not enough room for all of you. Hmm… Du Ning, Galina, you come with me."
They were ranked highest among the women—Galina at 11th, Du Ning at 131st—and reputedly the strongest.
"Get your gear," Azarina said, and the two immediately disappeared into her room.
Jiang Hai, meanwhile, retrieved his Desert Eagle and called Bell, asking him to meet at the entrance. When Bell arrived, the two women also reappeared.
They looked no different than before. No visible equipment, not even a hint of a firearm.
Bell's eyes narrowed. His sixth sense—a warrior's instinct—tingled. These two were dangerous.
But knowing Jiang Hai brought them back, he said nothing, remaining quietly on guard. Du Ning and Galina also noted Bell's presence and the scent of blood on him. They knew instantly—this man had taken lives before.
"This is Bell Lester, my employee. He used to be in Delta Force. These are Galina Vasikaya and Du Ning—Azarina's former colleagues. They're with me now," Jiang Hai explained, sensing the tension. Then he got behind the wheel, and the group set off for Thackeray Eddie's ranch.
When they arrived, they found a small crowd gathered outside. Bob George was there, along with Thackeray Eddie, and a few other familiar faces—Carey Clark, Cotton Harris, and others Jiang Hai had met before.
These ranchers had always had good relationships with each other. While Americans typically don't lend money casually, in emergencies, they do come together. But they weren't wealthy themselves. Altogether, they had only raised about $100,000—well short of the $800,000 needed.
Even if Jiang Hai bought the ranch for the previously agreed price of $500,000, they'd still be $200,000 short. Everyone looked troubled.
Seeing Jiang Hai, they immediately gathered around him. Thackeray Eddie's face was full of guilt and shame.
"What's the situation?" Jiang Hai asked calmly as he stepped out of the car.
"Sigh… I don't even have the face to explain," Eddie said with a bitter smile.
To be continued.