"You're really alright, right? If not, you can come back to China with us first." Standing outside the airport, Xu Wei couldn't help but voice his concern to Jiang Hai. From his perspective, Jiang Hai's situation didn't look good at all.
"Don't worry. This is my home. Whatever problems I have, I have to face them." Jiang Hai smiled faintly and replied calmly.
"You're just being stubborn. Fine, do it your way." Seeing Jiang Hai's indifferent expression, the three others couldn't help but sigh. Even Huang Yunfei's wife, Lu Jiao, was unusually quiet.
During their stay, they had seen Jiang Hai's words and demeanor slowly shift.
On the first day they arrived, Jiang Hai had been the most dazzling figure in town. But now, as Jiang Hai drove them to the airport, people on the street instinctively avoided him.
Nobody dared confront Jiang Hai directly — not because he was a saint or a straightforward hero, but because provoking him was dangerous. If you crossed him, you might end up skinned alive. That was just his style.
So, even though he kept his distance, no one dared to get close. They simply kept a cautious distance.
"Alright, get on the plane. Send me a message when you get home. You didn't expect to run into such trouble during your trip — really unlucky. Come back when you have time, I'll definitely treat you well." Jiang Hai patted them on the shoulder, saying goodbye one by one.
"I didn't do a good enough job this time. My social circle is about to be flooded with gifts — abalone, lobster, sea cucumber, beef, and all kinds of food. Honestly, I'll probably think about this trip for a long time after I get back. And all the stuff I bought? Man, it's all amazing." Hearing this, Huang Yunfei couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. To be honest, he was very satisfied with this honeymoon trip.
Not just him — his wife was equally pleased. Although she hadn't seen many famous landmarks, most women weren't interested in those anyway. She cared more about shopping and trying delicacies.
Honestly, in her opinion, Jiang Hai's place was wonderful — if only it weren't for all these troubles.
"Alright, hurry through security. I'll come visit during Chinese New Year." Jiang Hai smiled as he urged them to board quickly. They all looked reluctant to leave — maybe not just because of Jiang Hai, but also because of the delicious food here. They waved goodbye helplessly before entering security.
They had a lot of luggage, but everything was already checked in. This trip to visit Jiang Hai was packed with gifts — maple syrup, American ginseng, clothes, shoes, accessories — they bought a lot.
"Let's go. It's time for us to head back too." Seeing the group enter security, Jiang Hai spoke to no one in particular behind him.
At that moment, it seemed no one was following him. If someone overheard Jiang Hai's words, they might think he was sick or seeing things, but he didn't care.
When he turned his head, a woman wearing a baseball cap appeared beside him. She held a box, wore huge sunglasses, chewed gum, and curled her lips as she looked at Jiang Hai. It was Azarina Vicarbolio.
"How did you know I was here?" Jiang Hai asked, watching her take off the sunglasses to reveal her delicate face. He recognized her immediately.
"The glasses Darlene wears came from Prawalton, the top is Bernice's, the pants are Becky's, earrings Oshilia's, shoes Janice's, and the bag is mine," Jiang Hai said calmly.
"Tsk, didn't expect you to have such a good memory. Want to learn to cook from me?" Azarina teased with a smile and took Jiang Hai's arm. He just rolled his eyes.
Since Jiang Hai came back that night, he noticed Azarina wasn't quite herself.
He hadn't seen her that night. After learning she was unwell, he visited the next day but found she wasn't seeing relatives. She told Jiang Hai someone had been watching his manor lately.
She was secretly observing that person to see what was going on. Knowing this, Jiang Hai didn't care much.
He was confident that if he went out today, Azarina would follow quietly — which was exactly what happened.
"How's the situation lately?" Jiang Hai asked as they walked out of the airport toward the parking lot.
"They haven't made a move recently, but they're still trying to find someone to discredit you. But boss, when did you get so cowardly? Are they telling the truth, and you can't refute it?" Azarina asked in surprise.
Celanese hadn't been idle. Every day they spread bad rumors about Jiang Hai around town.
Sometimes, a lie told a hundred times becomes the truth. These rumors had damaged Jiang Hai's reputation in Winthrop badly.
But Jiang Hai seemed unaware. He did what he needed and didn't let the rumors affect him.
His stubborn calm made those discrediting him even more eager.
The townsfolk, seeing Jiang Hai never responded, assumed the rumors were true. They grew biased and wary.
People often think too much.
"My friends have left. It's time to fight back. Otherwise, these guys will really think I'm easy to bully." Jiang Hai touched Azarina's hair, narrowing his eyes. He didn't care about what they said — but he wasn't someone to mess with.
Seeing Jiang Hai's determined look, Azarina smiled. This was the Jiang Hai she knew — no coward.
"Mayor Wallis, can you hold a town meeting tonight? I have something to say." Jiang Hai called Wallis after they reached the parking lot.
How to notify the others didn't concern Jiang Hai. He planned to take them head-on tonight.
Words were one thing, but sometimes people just pushed too far, thinking Jiang Hai was easy to scare.
"In the evening? Okay, I believe you." Mayor Wallis was surprised. Town meetings were rare — usually only for elections or the annual Poseidon Festival. But Jiang Hai insisted, so Wallis agreed.
"Boss, what will you say tonight?" Azarina asked after Jiang Hai hung up.
"You'll find out tonight." Jiang Hai smiled gently.
Driving back to his home in Winthrop, Jiang Hai looked at the blue dragon relief on the gate of his manor. He had ordered the gate when renaming the place Tenglong Manor about a year ago.
"Let's go. You don't have to follow me tonight. You must protect everyone here." After driving into the manor, Jiang Hai told Azarina. He felt tonight's matter wouldn't be easily resolved. He was forcing the townsfolk to choose sides — that simple.
Sometimes small trees don't grow straight without pruning. People need to be corrected too. When you're too kind, you have to knock some sense into them.
"What about you?" Azarina asked, worry creasing her face.
"I'll take Connorson with me." Jiang Hai smiled. He now had more than one bodyguard.
More importantly, Connorson seemed to bluff as much as Azarina did. Jiang Hai didn't support him for free — he'd have to play his part when it counted.
Back at the manor, Jiang Hai called everyone back — those handling business in the villa area, the middle-aged women, everyone was gathered inside. No one was allowed out, and no one could enter.
Around five in the evening, Mayor Wallis called to notify Jiang Hai that the meeting would be in the town square. Obviously, not everyone could come; one representative from each family would attend.
This wasn't the Poseidon Festival or a fun event — something serious had happened, so family heads would come.
Still, around two hundred people were expected.
The official time was 6:30 pm, but Jiang Hai left at that time. Before leaving, he warned repeatedly that no matter what rumors came up today, no one was to leave the manor. All men were to follow Bell's command, all women Azarina's.
With everything confirmed, Jiang Hai and Connorson set off in the War Shield.
Watching them go, Bernice and the others felt worried, though Connorson seemed excited.
Jiang Hai's car sped out of the manor. He called the town police station and arranged for two patrol cars to guard his manor gate, to deter any trouble.
After securing the manor, Jiang Hai headed straight to the town square.
To be continued.