Chapter 185: Preparation

"Boss, this way!"

As Jiang Hai emerged from New York's Kennedy Airport, he spotted Philemon Turner waving enthusiastically at him from a distance. Seeing Philemon, Jiang Hai quickened his pace, his bag slung over his shoulder.

"Hey, boss, you're back earlier than I expected! I thought you'd stay for another week before returning." Philemon greeted him with a hug, his excitement bubbling over into a stream of chatter.

"How could I not come back? If I didn't, you'd probably cause a scene." Jiang Hai laughed, playfully punching Philemon on the chest.

"Hey, boss, that's not fair! I can't take all the blame here. Your fish farm is just too eye-catching. But, I'll admit one thing—you've got two incredible dogs. I didn't realize how capable they were at first. They went straight for that intruder. If that guy hadn't been so desperate—letting himself get bitten to escape—he'd have been caught on the spot. Damn white pigs!" Philemon grumbled as they climbed into the cab.

"Wow, you dare call them 'white pigs' here? Aren't you afraid Robbins or Ed will hear and give you trouble?" Jiang Hai teased, surprised by Philemon's words.

"They can't hear me now, and I trust my boss won't tattle, right? Haha. Alright, boss, let's go!" Philemon pretended to wipe his brow in mock relief before stepping on the accelerator. The car sped away from the airport, heading north.

The drive from New York to Boston wasn't particularly far—about 400 to 500 kilometers. Including the trip to Jiang Hai's residence, it was a manageable five-to-six-hour drive. To avoid exhaustion, Jiang Hai and Philemon agreed to take turns driving every two hours.

Jiang Hai's F650 roared down the New York highway, overtaking vehicles as they went. Along the road, they often passed tourist buses. It was the Chinese New Year season, and many tourists had come to the U.S. in groups. Through the window, Jiang Hai could see passengers wearing colorful hats, listening intently as a tour guide at the front spoke in animated Mandarin.

Watching them, Jiang Hai couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Not long ago, he had envied people who could afford such trips. Going abroad for New Year's was a luxury few could manage, and seeing these travelers had once been a symbol of success to him. Now, though, things had changed. Unconsciously, Jiang Hai had surpassed most of these people in wealth and status.

Before he realized it, they had crossed into Massachusetts. The scenery along the way wasn't remarkable this time of year.

In spring, summer, or autumn, the landscape would have been vibrant, with gentle hills, flowing rivers, and lush farmland. But now, in early spring, much of the snow had yet to melt. Small rivers ran sluggishly, their edges still lined with ice, while the distant grasslands remained yellow and withered. Only the faintest green buds on the roadside trees hinted at the coming of new life.

"Boss, I have to admit, the manor you bought is a treasure. Did you know? When we cleared the snow, we found that the grass underneath was still green. It had started growing early, so we don't even need to plant new seeds. This saved us a lot of money and means our cows will get fresh grass sooner!" Philemon said proudly, gazing at the bleak scenery outside.

Jiang Hai, however, broke into a cold sweat. Others might not know the reason behind this phenomenon, but he did. It was all thanks to the mysterious power in his blood. Fortunately, no one seemed to suspect anything unusual, allowing Jiang Hai to relax a little.

After driving for more than two hours, Philemon pulled over at a rest stop to switch places with Jiang Hai. After grabbing some snacks, Jiang Hai resumed driving towards the manor.

Despite his stamina, even Jiang Hai started to feel the strain after driving for over an hour. As they passed a tourist bus, he noticed the passengers inside enjoying their lunches. Some, likely from northern China, were eating sausages. The sight reminded him of the packages he'd sent.

"By the way, have you seen the stuff I sent?" Jiang Hai asked, glancing at Philemon.

"Stuff? What stuff?" Philemon looked confused.

"It's a big package with food and seasonings. You haven't seen it?" Jiang Hai was surprised. It had been nearly four days since he sent it.

"Nope, nothing's arrived." Philemon's expression didn't seem to suggest he was lying.

Frowning, Jiang Hai pulled out his phone and called the courier company. After some inquiry, he learned the package hadn't been delivered yet.

"These damn guys are so slow!" Jiang Hai muttered after hanging up. International shipping required customs inspections, especially during busy holiday seasons when many people sent gifts overseas. Delays of a week or more weren't uncommon.

But Jiang Hai couldn't return empty-handed. The package contained food and small gifts he'd carefully selected for his employees—mostly thoughtful items like cigarettes, alcohol, and snacks. While these weren't extravagant gifts, they carried meaning.

"No choice. Let's go buy some gifts first," Jiang Hai sighed, steering the car towards Boston instead of heading straight home.

"Boss, aren't we going home? What's in Boston?" Philemon asked curiously.

"The gifts I sent haven't arrived yet. I need to pick up something else for you guys," Jiang Hai explained.

"Come on, boss. We don't care about that stuff. You can just give it to us later," Philemon said, waving dismissively.

"I've already decided," Jiang Hai said firmly, cutting him off. The car sped toward Boston.

While Jiang Hai wasn't completely familiar with the city, he remembered a particular store that had left an impression on him. After navigating a few turns, he arrived at the shop.

It was a Chinese-style supermarket adorned with traditional decorations: upside-down "Fu" symbols on the doors, red couplets framing the entrance, and lanterns hanging overhead. The festive atmosphere was unmistakable.