Hearing Jiang Hai's words, the women were momentarily stunned.
To be honest, they had already mentally prepared themselves to return to Winthrop with him—to serve and protect, and yes, also to fulfill some of a man's more personal needs. As long as they could live with a bit of freedom, breathe fresh air, and not walk the knife's edge every day, they would be satisfied.
Just like Aphra and the others before them, their expectations were minimal. Food, warmth, and safety—nothing more. And in exchange for such a simple life, they were willing to give up everything. Aphra and the others only had their bodies. These women had their skills as well. None of them had ever seriously thought about living like normal people.
But Jiang Hai's words had caught them off guard. The idea that he would delay returning just for them—to go shopping, to spend time with them—touched something deep inside. Even Galina, who was still resting in Jiang Hai's lap, found her emotions unusually complicated.
Of course, none of them had fallen for Jiang Hai, nor could they claim to truly like him. Before that sentence, some of them didn't even have a favorable impression of him. But after it? Their feelings shifted, ever so slightly. They now felt something—an inexplicable warmth—toward him.
"Think about it," Jiang Hai said with a gentle smile. "Where do you want to go? What would you like to do?"
The women exchanged glances. After a moment, it was Wallis Shelley—who had been closest to Jiang Hai—who spoke up.
"Honestly, we've been to every continent during our missions—Europe, Asia, America, Oceania, Africa. Scenery doesn't impress us much anymore," she said with a shrug. "But we are curious about your manor. If possible, we'd rather go there sooner. As for shopping... can we buy jewelry?"
Her eyes lit up as she asked, and Jiang Hai couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"Are you not allowed to wear jewelry?" he asked, slightly puzzled.
"Of course not," Azarina answered for them, then explained.
Jewelry, while beautiful, poses a risk. Almost all types—earrings, rings, necklaces—are reflective. When they collide, they make noise, and that noise could expose someone's position. Beyond that, jewelry draws attention. In assassination scenarios, the best disguise is being forgettable. For example, when Azarina infiltrated a cocktail party to deal with the An family trio, she'd dressed as a server—completely unremarkable.
Also, jewelry can impair combat efficiency. Rings interfere with grip, especially when holding a gun or knife. Necklaces can bounce and shift while running, causing distraction. Earrings interfere with micro earpieces often used during operations.
For most operatives, jewelry simply wasn't practical. Only Web Spiders, who specialized in intelligence gathering through... well, intimate means, had the leeway to wear it. It was a part of their persona, a tool to catch attention.
But for the rest? Jewelry had always been off-limits.
Jiang Hai listened, then smiled and waved it off.
"That's all in the past," he said. "You won't be doing missions like before. You're not tools. You're people—and mine now. So yeah, we'll go buy jewelry before heading back."
"Boss, I love you!" Wallis Shelley squealed excitedly. She threw herself into Jiang Hai's arms and planted a kiss on his cheek. The other girls couldn't help but laugh.
That day, they didn't leave the house again. Not for training or for... anything else. Even Jiang Hai had limits, and the girls needed to recover as well. Azarina took care of their meals while the others rested. With Galina and the others on watch, Azarina didn't need to remain glued to Jiang Hai's side.
That night, Jiang Hai slept alone, giving everyone a proper night's rest. By the next morning, after breakfast, they left the hotel. A car from Ulan arrived to pick them up.
First stop: the finest department store in Kyiv.
Though people still moved through the streets, there was a clear sense of urgency in their steps. Inside the mall, many shops looked on the verge of closure. Staff were listless and quiet, worn thin by the unstable situation in the country.
Jiang Hai felt a brief pang of sympathy. But he wasn't here to fix a country's problems. He wasn't about to become a hero. Still, he spent generously—buying stylish clothes for each of the girls, then stopping at an internationally recognized jewelry chain.
Each woman received a full set: ring, bracelet, earrings, and necklace.
Once dressed in their new clothes and adorned with sparkling jewelry, their beauty took another leap forward. Even in the rush of Kyiv's streets, countless men turned their heads to steal glances.
Jiang Hai especially spoiled Azarina with a few extra items. Then, they returned to the hotel.
That night, the women served Jiang Hai with dedication. While Galina remained a little reluctant, the others—trained in both combat and seduction—gave Jiang Hai a night he wouldn't soon forget. These women had been trained in everything. After all, no one knew from the start if they'd become Wolf Spiders, Poison Spiders, or Web Spiders. They had to be prepared for any role.
To put it simply, Jiang Hai was overwhelmed.
By the next morning, he felt like he'd been thoroughly drained.
After a full afternoon's rest, Jiang Hai and his companions took the organization's vehicle to the airport and boarded their flight back to the U.S.
When they landed in Boston, Moses Adams, Robbins Garcia, and Edward Anderson were already waiting with three cars.
First stop: Moses Adams' law firm, where Jiang Hai arranged work visas for the girls.
Normally, a work visa only lasted one year, and renewing it could be tricky—especially for people with complex backgrounds like theirs. But Jiang Hai wasn't worried.
He'd been in the U.S. for nearly two years. By now, he had influence—not just in Winthrop, but throughout Massachusetts. His tax contributions alone made him a VIP. With his recent purchase of offshore sea territory, he was now a figure of interest to the state.
With Moses Adams' help, each woman received a ten-year work visa. There would be no need for them to return to Ulan, as long as Jiang Hai remained influential.
Then came something they hadn't expected: salaries.
They hadn't even thought about compensation. But when Jiang Hai handed over their employment contracts, many were genuinely moved.
It wasn't just about money. It confirmed Jiang Hai truly saw them as people—not tools or weapons. Family.
They didn't argue. They signed willingly.
Each would receive $2,500 per week. A generous offer, and one they were more than willing to accept.
With paperwork complete, Jiang Hai brought them home—back to the manor.
As soon as they arrived, Qi Jie and Ai Xiaoxi's faces tensed. Another group of beautiful women flooding into their territory? Of course they felt threatened. But they maintained appearances, welcoming the newcomers warmly at the welcome dinner.
Later, Jiang Hai assigned rooms. Two per room:
Relis Carter and Wallis Shelley.
Belyak and Du Ning.
Valentina and Aleer.
Galina shared a room with Azarina.
But the peace wasn't total.
That night, Qi Jie pinched Jiang Hai multiple times during dinner—and even more fiercely at night in bed, trying to drain him dry. But Jiang Hai was no ordinary man. Even when Qi Jie, Qi Ya, Ai Xiaoxi, and Feng Yunchen teamed up on him, they couldn't beat him.
The next morning, Jiang Hai found the girls already awake. He hadn't yet introduced them to the other people and animals on the estate. Today was the day.
After breakfast, he gave them the grand tour.
The cowshed. The stables. The back swimming pool. The sea pier. The private forest. All key areas of the estate. But most importantly, he wanted to introduce them to his pets, to ensure there would be no misunderstandings.
Xiao Huang and Xiao Bai, his two large dogs.
Jiu Jiu, Ban Ya, Bai Mao, and Xiao Xia—his trained housecats.
Down at the pier, he even called out Da Sha and Luo Jie, the porbeagle sharks who lived offshore.
When Da Sha appeared, Jiang Hai was stunned.
The shark had grown even larger—now clearly surpassing the size of a great white. At six meters long, it had pushed past the genetic limits of its kind. The spiritual energy of this place had clearly nourished it.
Even more surprising: Da Sha and its mate had produced six pups.
Jiang Hai was delighted. More mouths to feed, sure—but more protectors, too.
Later, they entered the forest. It wasn't long before Jiang Hai spotted the giant anaconda, now coiled lazily on a thick branch. It had grown noticeably thicker after winter hibernation. Seeing Jiang Hai approach with the women and acting intimate with them, the snake understood these people were part of his "family."
The women, however, misinterpreted Jiang Hai's closeness.
They thought he wanted something... here.
Most of them flushed, unsure of what to do. But Wallis Shelley, who had already been with Jiang Hai, understood exactly what he wanted—or rather, thought she did. With a gleam in her eye, she boldly pulled off her top right there in the woods. Two magnificent sights bounced into view as she knelt in front of Jiang Hai, whose expression was caught somewhere between shock and admiration.
To be continued...