"Hmm? That's true," Jiang Hai said, nodding as he listened. The world of the rich was indeed hard for him to fully grasp.
Spending a billion dollars to recover these jewels from the sea, only to toss them back in—it seemed almost absurd. But using them as an attraction for tourists to dive and explore? Well, Jiang Hai couldn't argue with the business idea—it was certainly an intriguing one.
If someone told him in Dubai that there was a shipwreck full of real treasures just waiting to be explored, and that he could dive in for a mere hundred dollars, he'd probably take them up on it. And when you consider Dubai's annual passenger flow—around 70 million people, based on airport statistics—if just one in ten tourists decided to take the plunge, that's 7 million people at 100 US dollars a person. That would bring in 700 million dollars annually.
It didn't take much to see how profitable such an idea could be. With minimal maintenance, such an attraction could quickly recoup the investment. After all, a shipwreck isn't expensive, and jewelry doesn't break down. Jiang Hai could easily collect a vast amount of antique jewelry at a low cost—something that others couldn't replicate. It was a simple and effective way to make money.
Jiang Hai even wondered whether Winthrop could follow suit, perhaps by salvaging a sunken warship. The United States, after all, had no shortage of retired military vessels.
World War II had seen the launch of many ships, with the U.S. Navy expanding its Pacific Fleet with alarming speed. After the war, with nuclear power taking over, many conventional ships had reached their retirement age. These ships were often left in coastal cities, some turned into museums, others simply abandoned. For just a few hundred thousand dollars, one could purchase a destroyer—practically scrap metal. But in Winthrop, these abandoned ships could serve as fantastic attractions.
Though it was hard to get access to warships in China, Jiang Hai imagined that many people would happily pay a dollar to tour such relics in Winthrop.
Diving, fishing, and treasure hunting in sunken ships for a hundred bucks seemed like a fair deal to Jiang Hai. The thought of capitalizing on these ideas put him in a good mood.
"Well, I almost believe you when you say that, but what about the second idea?" After mulling it over, Jiang Hai turned to Du Famen and asked.
When Du Famen heard this, he smiled. "I remember you said you'd invite me to your manor as a guest. Why don't we go tomorrow? I'll tell you more when we're there."
Jiang Hai paused, surprised. He hadn't expected Du Famen to accept the invitation so readily, but it seemed like he was genuinely interested in visiting the manor.
"Okay," Jiang Hai agreed, though his curiosity about Du Famen's second idea was piqued.
"Great! After we watch the match, I'll host a party here. We can have a good time and leave together tomorrow morning," Du Famen said with a grin that suggested more than just a casual offer.
Just as Jiang Hai was about to agree, Pra Walton, who had been sitting next to him, gave him a subtle kick. He hadn't realized she had been listening to their conversation. Though Jiang Hai didn't mind—after all, he'd invited her along and didn't have anything to hide—he still glanced at her.
"That may not work," Jiang Hai replied, smiling at her. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, but my lady has an appointment tonight." He gave her a light nod, acknowledging her presence.
Du Famen slapped his forehead in realization. "Ah, Jiang, you're one lucky guy. The Walton family is like the Abu Dhabi consortium in Dubai—low-key, but powerful. Their strength is hard to even imagine. If you're serious about Miss Pra, consider yourself lucky. She's a treasure, no doubt."
Jiang Hai couldn't help but touch his nose. He knew Du Famen was giving him advice, but there was something inexplicably awkward between him and Pra Walton. He understood that they came from completely different worlds, and their connection might just be out of necessity rather than genuine affinity.
After some light conversation with Du Famen, Jiang Hai and Pra Walton left before the match had finished. They put the box in the car and drove back to Walton's manor.
"Jiang, I don't know if you'll believe this, but Du Famen isn't as simple as he seems," Pra Walton remarked after a thoughtful pause, glancing at him as he drove.
Jiang Hai smiled, realizing she had been listening to their conversation. "I know. I never thought he was simple," he said, nodding in agreement. He wasn't fooled by Du Famen's apparent simplicity. While the man might act aloof, Jiang Hai recognized that Du Famen's position as the Dubai royal family's spokesperson indicated a sharp mind. Underestimating him could be dangerous.
"It's good that you think that way. I'm just looking out for you," Pra Walton responded, sensing Jiang Hai's seriousness.
She didn't press him for details about his recent dealings, nor did she ask what he had in return. Jiang Hai admired her restraint—she was smart enough to know when to probe and when to hold back. If it had been him, he probably would have asked, but sometimes that sort of curiosity could create rifts between people who weren't yet close.
The conversation shifted to the night view of Atlantic City. By now, it was already evening. Jiang Hai mentioned raising sheep and donkeys, explaining that they were some of China's finest breeds.
This piqued Pra Walton's curiosity, and she expressed a desire to taste the unique breeds he mentioned, though Jiang Hai explained that they were protected species and couldn't be sold.
The two of them continued their conversation as they drove, soon arriving at Walton's villa. Isabelle Roland greeted them outside and escorted them inside. As they walked through the gate, Jiang Hai heard a chorus of voices coming from the villa's hall. It sounded like there were at least twenty women.
He looked at Pra Walton, confused. She just smiled and didn't say anything, leading him further into the villa.
Inside, Jiang Hai found more than twenty Asian girls. They all looked remarkably similar—large eyes, pointed chins, high nose bridges, long straight hair, slender necks, and smooth, white legs. The most notable among them was Cheryl Lee, with her slightly rounder face.
"What's going on?" Jiang Hai asked, bewildered. He hadn't expected this. Was this some kind of joke?
Pra Walton, walking behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled. "Remember you said you hadn't tasted the flavor of Korean girls? Well, today you'll get your chance."
Jiang Hai's scalp tingled as he realized what she meant. He had barely handled six people before—now there were over twenty?
"These girls were specially chosen by Cheryl," Pra Walton explained. "They used to be anchors in South Korea. Sweet voices, good figures, and they can dance. It's a gift I've prepared just for you. Don't disappoint me. Let's see where your limit is!"
Before Jiang Hai could respond, the girls pounced, and the night took an unexpected turn. (To be continued.)