"Let's go catch lobsters today!"
The girls burst into laughter at Jiang Hai's suggestion.
Clearly, they regretted not getting into the water yesterday. While diving during tuna fishing was dangerous due to the aggressive nature of the fish, today's lobster catching promised a much safer and more enjoyable experience.
"Catch lobsters?" Jiang Hai was momentarily stunned, then frowned slightly. What's so fun about that? He caught lobsters almost every day at his manor—it had long lost its novelty.
"Yes! The lobsters here in the Caribbean are actually really good. We should try catching some ourselves. Though they don't fetch high prices unless you find the king prawns," Kevin replied excitedly.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Jiang Hai chuckled. Right, he reminded himself, I didn't come here just to play. I came to make money.
"Alright then, let's get on the boat," he said with a smile.
"Not so fast. We'll need scuba gear—like this—otherwise we won't be able to dive properly," Kevin explained, pulling a pair of diving goggles and a compact respirator from his bag.
Of course, they weren't carrying full-sized oxygen tanks. What they called "scuba gear" was actually a small portable air tank.
Technically, it wasn't filled with pure oxygen but regular compressed air. It could provide more than ten breaths, allowing someone to stay underwater for roughly ten minutes. Those with larger lung capacity might manage fifteen or even sixteen minutes. If they used pure oxygen, they could stretch it to about twenty minutes—but in Puerto Rico, despite being a U.S. territory, oxygen wasn't as readily available as on the mainland.
Even in China, oxygen tanks weren't expensive, but acquiring medical-grade oxygen wasn't easy unless you were ill or had connections. Jiang Hai's boat didn't have any onboard, but he was intrigued by the compact gear. He might not be able to use it himself, but he could at least keep up appearances.
After hearing Kevin's explanation, Jiang Hai turned to ask the rest of the group who wanted to join the dive. In the end, only Bell and Harriman chose to stay aboard—they weren't fond of water. The others were all eager, so Jiang Hai purchased four additional sets of scuba gear and returned with the four girls.
Kevin led the way, and soon, they were on their way to a spot known for lobster hunting.
As they traveled, Jiang Hai listened to Kevin's introduction to the local lobsters and learned quite a bit.
In China, aside from local breeds, imported lobsters were categorized into different quality tiers. Australian lobsters ranked highest in terms of size, taste, and quality, making them the most expensive. Even among them, there were distinctions—blue lobsters, flower lobsters, and more—with varying price points.
Next were Boston lobsters, known for their large claws. Smaller ones were relatively affordable, costing around 100 yuan per pound, but the larger ones could be pricey. Still, they were cheaper than Australian lobsters. If Jiang Hai's lobsters were actually sold for $3,000 each, the tourists would've gone mad!
Then came the Caribbean lobsters—scientifically known as Caribbean spiny lobsters. They were technically part of the same family as Australian lobsters but lacked the latter's quality and, more notably, their claws.
In local restaurants, a two-kilogram spiny lobster might go for just ten euros or twelve U.S. dollars. Prices weren't based on weight but rather per lobster. Even those weighing three or four kilograms went for the same price. Locals didn't bother catching smaller ones under three kilograms.
Because many areas of the Caribbean—like Cuba and Panama—remained relatively undeveloped, industrial influence was minimal. As a result, few locals consumed lobster regularly, and there weren't many commercial operations targeting them. The primary consumers were foreign tourists, but tourism was limited here due to regional instability.
Those who did travel here were either bold adventurers or well-connected. So, the seas remained largely untouched, and marine life, including lobsters, remained abundant—especially around uninhabited areas.
After Kevin's briefing, Jiang Hai stroked his chin thoughtfully. Truth be told, his first experience eating lobster had been a Boston one—the clawed variety. He had never tried the spiny kind. Might as well give it a shot, he thought.
As they cruised along, Jiang Hai checked the map for any shipwrecks near the lobster grounds. Sure enough, he spotted one—but it was about 40 nautical miles east, a bit out of reach for the current dive. Still, he made a mental note to explore it later that evening.
Eventually, they arrived at the designated spot, and Jiang Hai stopped the boat. The others quickly gathered on deck, eager to begin.
Jiang Hai's eyes lit up when he saw the girls. Since the dive site was shallow and the water warm, there was no need for bulky wetsuits—bikinis were enough. Though he had seen the girls in swimwear yesterday, his attention was now focused on Darlene, Marianne… and especially Azarina.
Azarina truly fit the image of an Eastern European beauty. When Jiang Hai first met her, she seemed slender and strong. But now, after spending time on his ranch eating premium beef and fish, her physique had transformed.
Her fair skin, long golden hair, tall nose, and striking blue eyes gave her a naturally high score in the looks department. Her long legs were toned, her waist was narrower than an A4 sheet, and she had perfectly defined abs and a classic mermaid line. The dark blue, crescent-moon-patterned bikini she wore highlighted her figure beautifully.
Catching Jiang Hai's gaze, Azarina smiled back at him—a pleasant sight indeed.
"Alright," Jiang Hai said seriously, turning to the three girls, "once we're in the water, listen carefully. Stay close to me, and don't touch anything."
"Of course," Darlene and Marianne replied immediately. Having dived at Jiang Hai's manor before, they knew how dangerous underwater environments could be. Poisonous creatures weren't uncommon, and caution was crucial—especially in unfamiliar waters.
"Let's go!" Jiang Hai said. After repeating the safety precautions once more, he was the first to dive in. Once underwater, he scanned the surroundings for any dangerous sea life, such as sharks. Satisfied, he signaled an "OK" to the others, who then followed.
Anyone who has dived knows it takes a bit of time to adjust underwater. Even in shallow water, the pressure can be uncomfortable at first.
They spent the first five minutes swimming in circles about two meters below the surface to get used to it. After surfacing for a quick breath and air refill, they dove again—this time heading for the ocean floor.
As he descended, Jiang Hai's eyes lit up. With the bubbles clearing, a stunning coral reef came into view.
He had always felt disappointed that the coral reefs near his manor were dull and mostly gray. Though massive, they lacked visual appeal. In contrast, these reefs were breathtaking.
Tropical corals were among the most vibrant sights in nature—no wonder so many people flocked to Australia's Great Barrier Reef each year. While the Caribbean wasn't as famous, it had its own charm.
Before him stretched a sea of corals in every hue—purple, yellow, pink… even red corals, which were prized in China, were abundant here. Jiang Hai couldn't help but marvel at the beauty. This really is a tropical paradise. Far more alive than cold northern seas.
The corals teemed with life. Sea anemones swayed gently, while clownfish and butterflyfish darted through them. Other creatures meandered through the ecosystem, forming a near-perfect underwater world.
(To be continued.)