"Are you stupid? It's winter—why don't you just go inside and wait for us?" Jiang Hai hurried over, looking at the four familiar faces before him with a hint of complaint.
"Tsk, I can tell you don't keep up with our situation," Feng Yunchen, who had been waiting for him, couldn't help but tease as he gave Jiang Hai a friendly pat.
The people waiting here for Jiang Hai were none other than Darlene, Marian, Ai Xiaoxi, and Feng Yunchen.
Although Darlene and Marian had returned with Bernice and Xiaoya, after arriving, they met up with Ai Xiaoxi and Feng Yunchen. The six women had spent the entire day together. Bernice and Xiaoya had taken a plane home afterward because they needed to return to their own families. Darlene and Marian, however, stayed with Ai Xiaoxi and Feng Yunchen in the imperial capital, planning to wait for Jiang Hai so they could travel back together.
After all, Jiang Hai's visit this year wasn't just for the New Year celebration—he had an important matter to attend to: moving the family graves.
As Jiang Hai's close companions, they had to be there. Even if Jiang Hai didn't say so, they would come regardless.
Ai Xiaoxi hadn't planned to go home this year anyway. Fortunately, she had visited during the National Day holiday and had informed her parents about Jiang Hai's grave-moving plan. Naturally, they didn't object; in their eyes, Ai Xiaoxi had found someone trustworthy.
"Huh? What happened to you? Have you become a public enemy? You don't even dare to go to the airport to pick people up?" Jiang Hai asked in surprise. He'd only been gone a short while—how could so much have happened?
"You really don't pay attention to Sister Ai and Sister Feng. They're Internet celebrities now," Darlene chuckled as she replied.
"Puh, puh, puh, don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. 'Internet celebrity' is an insult," Feng Yunchen shot back, giving Darlene a playful look.
Darlene stuck out her tongue and then ran over to Jiang Hai with a smile.
"What's going on?" Jiang Hai was a bit confused. He had heard of Internet celebrities before, but the term always sounded more like an insult. Originally, Internet celebrities were singers or similar artists. Over time, most faded away, and now the term mostly referred to livestream hosts or people who gained sudden, inexplicable popularity.
As for Ai Xiaoxi and Feng Yunchen's fame—it was somewhat justified. Neither of them livestreamed or anything like that. With Jiang Hai around, they didn't need money. Their popularity mostly came from photos taken at Jiang Hai's place.
Although Jiang Hai deleted some overly revealing photos, the two women's beautiful faces and the perfect scenery still caught the attention of many online fans.
Feng Yunchen was affectionately called the "Otaku Queen," and Ai Xiaoxi the "Otaku Goddess."
Their Weibo accounts, which previously had only a few thousand fake followers bought by their company, had now surged to millions.
Especially in the imperial capital, they had become quite famous. Some wealthy people even came to their company hoping to meet them during business talks. But whenever that happened, their company's manager would clarify that the two women were backed by Qi's—an influential, honest, but formidable group.
No one dared to provoke Qi's because they were a powerful behemoth.
The two women hadn't gone inside to wait because they feared being recognized, which would only cause trouble.
"You're stupid. If you're afraid of being recognized inside, just wait in the car!" Jiang Hai said, both amused and exasperated. Since he didn't frequent domestic social networks, he really hadn't realized how popular they'd become.
"It's because we want you to see us as soon as you come out. You're so heartless," Feng Yunchen said with a glance and a pat on Jiang Hai's arm. This guy really was clueless about romance.
Jiang Hai smiled and scratched his nose. They say it's the hardest to enjoy the favor of beautiful women. In the past, he often acted impulsively and ended up making mistakes…
But now, it seemed he truly had too many women.
"No more talking. Let's go home!" Jiang Hai said with a smile, pulling the freezing Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi into a warm embrace.
No one objected, so they got into a business car Feng Yunchen had specially borrowed and drove to Feng Yunchen's home. Feng Yunchen's apartment had two bedrooms and one living room, with two rooms for sleeping. Originally, Darlene and Marian shared Ai Xiaoxi's room, but today there was also Azarina staying over. After dinner, Jiang Hai showered and went to Feng Yunchen's room. A brief separation was better than a new marriage—tonight, the three of them would likely have to share space and toss and turn.
The next day, everyone rested well at Feng Yunchen's place. Jiang Hai took the opportunity to divide the gifts he had brought among them.
Those famous luxury goods and gold jewelry—no woman could resist sparkling treasures.
Seeing the gifts Jiang Hai handed out, even Darlene and Marian were thrilled, proudly wearing them.
Their satisfaction made Jiang Hai smile knowingly. Money didn't matter much to him, but making himself and those around him happy was priceless.
They had stayed in all day because there was nothing else to do.
The capital's smog was especially severe. Going outside was like risking lung damage. Plus, it was winter, and there was nowhere worth visiting. Jiang Hai and his friends had no interest in nightclubs or bars, so they spent the day at home.
On the third day after Jiang Hai's arrival, they took a plane back. Before leaving, Jiang Hai called Qi Li to inform her he was returning. Qi Li wasn't in the capital at that time but was negotiating a business deal in Magic City.
She told Jiang Hai she would come back when his parents' graves were moved and that during the Chinese New Year, Jiang Hai should visit her home and stay at least two days. This was also what Qi Li's mother wanted.
Jiang Hai didn't mind and simply told her to call him when she returned.
After landing in Ice City, Jiang Hai's friends came to pick him up.
Looking at Feng Yunchen, Ai Xiaoxi, Azarina, Darlene, and Marian by Jiang Hai's side, people couldn't help but feel envious—though they lacked Jiang Hai's resources.
After sending Jiang Hai and his friends home, they arranged to go out and have fun in a few days. Meanwhile, Jiang Hai got busy.
First, he had to buy a cemetery. He had no money before and had never done this, but now that he had the means, he wanted the best plot near Bingcheng.
A small cemetery plot cost 1.2 million yuan. Paying upfront exempted the owner from ten years of maintenance fees. Jiang Hai had no hesitation—1.2 million yuan, less than 200,000 US dollars, was easy for him. He paid it in full and then paid maintenance fees for fifty years.
He then consulted experts on the grave relocation.
Though these customs were largely superstitions, the experts advised on auspicious dates and other details.
Jiang Hai's head spun after hearing everything. Relocating graves was practically like a new burial.
If you didn't pay for all the associated rituals, it was difficult to understand.
Many people said it was pointless—"unfilial in life, screaming in death." It was troublesome, expensive, and superstitious, but it had to be done, according to the masters.
Jiang Hai wanted to move the grave soon but was told to wait at least three years. Because he was in a hurry, he could only do it after the New Year.
This year's New Year's Eve fell on February 7th, and the move couldn't happen before the 15th—meaning February 22nd was the earliest possible date.
Checking the calendar, there were no good days within the following month.
Jiang Hai calculated in his head. He would be busy selling grass and collecting fish in March, so postponing wasn't an option. If necessary, he would do it on the 25th.
He set an appointment with the master, offering the highest standard and prepared to spend $100,000 for the rituals—not including the cemetery plot.
The master was naturally delighted to hear this.
Since his family sold these services, Jiang Hai's order meant a minimum of 300,000 yuan in profit. He could have been charged more, but they dared not cheat such a big spender.
If Jiang Hai was willing to spend $100,000 on a funeral, who would dare overcharge him?
Honest business was the best business with a client like Jiang Hai.
Besides these preparations, Jiang Hai had to arrange a motorcade for the funeral.
Seven people were confirmed: himself, Qi Li, Azarina, Darlene, Marian, Feng Yunchen, and Ai Xiaoxi. His group of buddies would add four more.
He Xia might come too. Jiang Hai wasn't sure who else might attend but decided to prepare several cars just in case.
After all, before Chinese New Year, everyone had more free time. They gathered nearly every day—playing mahjong, drinking, even going to internet cafes to game.
Jiang Hai and his friends were quite relaxed.
Of course, Jiang Hai didn't forget his promise to take Azarina and the others to eat dog meat before the New Year, since the restaurant might not be open otherwise.
They went to a dog meat restaurant Jiang Hai frequented and enjoyed a hearty meal—braised dog meat, dog meat with tofu, spicy dog meat stew, and more.
At first, Darlene and Marian ate happily, unaware it was dog meat. After finding out, however, they couldn't continue—it was hard to accept for those unused to it.
Ai Xiaoxi and Feng Yunchen smiled at their reactions.
In fact, dog meat was mainly eaten by Han Chinese, a tradition dating back to ancient times.
Back then, cattle were labor animals and strictly registered; pigs were considered dirty and had poor-tasting meat.
Nobles mainly ate mutton, while common folk ate dog meat.
The old saying "selling dog meat disguised as sheep meat" originated from this.
Among some nomadic peoples, dogs were companions and assistants, so they never ate them.
Time flew after their meal, and suddenly it was February 6th—New Year's Eve was tomorrow.
Qi Li had also returned from the imperial capital. No matter how busy, she always came home for the New Year.
Instead of going home, she came straight to Jiang Hai's place and stayed overnight.
Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi had already made up for the previous days and didn't mind the company.
Qi Li missed Jiang Hai terribly since they last met and was wildly affectionate that night.
The next morning around 10 a.m., they were woken by a call from Qi Li's mother, inviting them over for lunch.
After tidying up, Jiang Hai and Qi Li drove to the Qi family villa.
Parking outside, they walked to the front door and knocked softly, waiting for someone to answer.
Footsteps approached inside, and as the door slowly opened, Jiang Hai was stunned.