"Hi, hello!" As Jiang Hai's yacht pulled up to the port in New York City, Selena Gomez emerged from beneath the boat carrying a small box. Noticing the curious stares from those on the deck, she smiled and waved, then naturally handed the box to Jiang Hai.
Seeing this, Darlene and Marian exchanged a knowing glance and gave Jiang Hai a look, clearly aware of his intentions.
"Hehe, come in and take a rest first. We'll leave after replenishing fuel and fresh water," Jiang Hai said, smiling at Selena Gomez as if he could sense the two women's judgment.
"Okay, but... don't you want to come in and rest together?" Selena Gomez raised an eyebrow as she whispered into Jiang Hai's ear, sending a thrill through him. However, Jiang Hai quickly restrained himself. He could indulge in whatever he wanted once they were out at sea, but for now, business had to come first.
"Hehe..." Selena Gomez smiled knowingly, retrieving her luggage and heading to her room under Darlene's guidance, while Jiang Hai, Bell Lester, and Harriman Fels busied themselves with preparations for fresh water and food.
Jiang Hai was a somewhat impulsive person, driven by passion and the "three-minute enthusiasm" legend. He often lost interest in things once the excitement wore off. For example, he was once obsessed with guns and shot daily until he lost interest after a month. Similarly, his passion for horseback riding faded, though Xiaoxia, his horse, remained more of a decoration now. He still visited her daily and occasionally took her for a ride around the manor.
This time, Jiang Hai had decided to go to sea. It only took two days to prepare, but the preparations were far from trivial.
There weren't many things needed for a sea voyage—GPS, radios, walkie-talkies—but since he was going fishing (on the surface at least), sonar was also essential. Among the group, Jiang Hai was the only one who could drive the boat, so he had to handle these details himself. Thankfully, though Edward Anderson couldn't join, he had helped Jiang Hai prepare everything necessary.
Besides these technical tools, there were more practical matters to take care of, starting with fresh water. Although the sea offered plenty of water, it was salty and undrinkable. Fresh water was essential for drinking, and for bathing, as saltwater left an unpleasant residue after drying. Fortunately, Jiang Hai's yacht was equipped with a seawater purification system capable of converting seawater into drinking water. However, he still stored a large amount of fresh water in the hold for safety, especially since this was his first time sailing.
In addition to fresh water, oil and diesel were crucial for the boat's operation. Jiang Hai not only filled the fuel tanks but also brought along three extra barrels of diesel, just in case. He wasn't worried about the hassle; better safe than sorry.
Weapons were another essential item. Carrying firearms was illegal and dangerous in most places, but at sea, it was a different matter. If they faced conflict, the best they could do was wait for the Coast Guard, but self-defense would be necessary in the meantime. Jiang Hai brought his Desert Eagle and an AUG rifle, and he also borrowed the M134 machine gun from the Winthrop Police Department for extra protection. Bell Lester and Azarina Vicarbolio brought some weapons as well, just in case.
As for food, Jiang Hai over-prepared, bringing a wide variety of items: beer, vodka, snacks, summer cakes, fruits, beef, chicken, bread, flour, and more. He nearly emptied his entire kitchen into the yacht's storage.
Among the fruits, apples and lemons were particularly abundant. Though Jiang Hai didn't care for apples due to their inconvenience and found lemons too sour, both were essential for long sea trips. Apples provided hydration and nutrition when seasickness made eating difficult, and lemons were necessary to prevent sepsis—a tip Edward Anderson had shared with him.
Edward had also emphasized the importance of having ample supplies of medicine, antibiotics, and vitamins, which Jiang Hai dutifully packed. Despite the relatively short distance from Winthrop to New York, Jiang Hai ensured he replenished fresh water and diesel along the way and even bought some fresh fruits at the harbor.
Once everything was set, the group returned to the yacht and set sail for their next destination.
Originally, after picking up Selena Gomez in New York, their second stop was supposed to be Atlantic City. However, since Pra Walton lived there, Jiang Hai and Selena decided to avoid her. Instead, they made Ocean City, Delaware, their second stop.
Delaware, though not widely known, had some historical significance—it was the first state to join the United States, earning the nickname "The First State." However, it lacked major economic achievements or notable products, with the Marshall Steam Museum being its most famous attraction. The DuPont company, based there, was also notable but had no direct connection to Jiang Hai, so he was there purely to spend the night.
Once the yacht set sail from New York, Jiang Hai entered the coordinates. By the time he had done so, Selena Gomez had arrived at his captain's quarters. There was no need for words between them—their intentions were clear. The moment everything was set, they embraced and began their intimate time together in the captain's room.
Jiang Hai's physical stamina was well-known, and Selena Gomez had been eagerly anticipating this. They spent the next two hours together, with Selena lying exhausted on Jiang Hai's chest, gasping for breath. He held her, gently moving from time to time as they rested in the boss's chair.
"You're still so powerful. I thought I could beat you, but it seems my fighting ability needs more work," Selena Gomez murmured, biting his ear and then blowing softly on it.
"Beat me? You're a long way off!" Jiang Hai chuckled, giving her a playful smack on the backside.
"It seems your future wife will either have to accept you being with other women or die by your hands," Selena Gomez said slowly, nipping at his shoulder. "You're truly a love-hate figure."
Jiang Hai blushed a bit, feeling embarrassed by the topic, and remained silent.
"Come on, let's do it again. I haven't had lunch yet," Selena Gomez whispered in his ear.