"No, since we're here, let's just take a stroll. If you want us to live together, you'll need to buy some clothes and essentials anyway. While we're at it, we might as well take a look. I also need to go to my company while I'm here."
Hearing her words, Jiang Hai thought for a moment and decided that, since he was already in Boston, it made sense to explore the city first.
Besides, he had other tasks: first, he needed to send someone to see if the gold mine was still there, and second, he needed to locate Izo-Edis. Hearing Jiang Hai's plan, Tarak had no objections. In fact, she liked her animal skin clothes—they were breathable and comfortable—but the tribe leader had instructed her to follow Jiang Hai's orders, so she complied without protest.
"Let's go!"
Seeing her agreement, Jiang Hai stood up, washed his face, and double-checked that he hadn't forgotten anything. He then checked out of his hotel room on the first floor and took a taxi to Newbury Street.
Newbury Street is Boston's shopping mecca, often compared to other prominent shopping districts worldwide. Stretching across eight blocks, it's nicknamed "Boston's Rodeo Drive," lined with hundreds of trendy shops, gourmet restaurants, and beauty salons. The 19th-century red brick buildings give it a distinct European charm, even in the basements where small businesses operate.
Shoppers should note that store tiers run from "aristocratic" in the east to "more accessible" in the west. Jiang Hai, indifferent to money, headed straight east with Tarak. If she liked Dior, they could buy it without hesitation.
Soon, Tarak emerged from a boutique transformed: her animal skin and hiking boots replaced with a Dior summer dress. Not high-heeled—she had never worn them—she paired it with Converse flats as Jiang Hai had requested. He bought her a few more outfits, and she followed him out, bags in hand, smiling. Feeling a bit hungry, they grabbed lunch nearby.
After lunch, Jiang Hai took Tarak to his Tamron office in Boston by taxi. Once inside, he led her directly to the Tamron floor.
At the front desk, a girl stood up respectfully, nodding gently. "Welcome to Tenglong Group. How can I help you?"
Jiang Hai froze for a moment, then realized he recognized her—and so did she.
"You're Kelly's classmate… your name is…?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm Jenny Pond," she replied confidently.
"You've changed so much… but why are you working at the front desk? With your skills, a project manager position wouldn't be a stretch," Jiang Hai asked, puzzled.
In his memory, Jenny Pond had been decent but unremarkable—long, straight hair, plain dress, bowed head, tacky glasses. Now, she was transformed: sleek hair with gentle curls, subtle makeup, and a stylish front-office suit. Few would have recognized her if not for Jiang Hai's memory.
Jenny smiled. "Haha, Mr. Zheng transferred me here for three months to help me manage my temper. I learned a lot: how to unite colleagues, greet guests, and speak appropriately to different people. And with Mr. Zheng protecting me, no one dares to challenge me."
"Are you here to see Mr. Zheng?" she asked.
"No, I'm here to see Valentina and Aleel Sara," Jiang Hai replied. Jenny led him to the chairman's office to meet them.
Valentina Balalaikaya and Aleel Sara, along with Belyak Trotsky and Relyse Carter, were now well-known within the company. Relyse, a Samoan, headed security and had quickly earned respect. Belyak, nominally an assistant, acted as Zheng Jin's bodyguard. Valentina and Aleel led specialized foreign trade teams, ensuring the company's operations ran smoothly.
Tamron, being new, faced resistance from logistics and airport staff, who often delayed shipments. But after these four arrived, within three days, the staff became compliant. Tamron's goods now moved efficiently, surpassing even Jiang Hai's expectations.
Within five minutes of Jenny delivering the message, Valentina and Aleel arrived, smiling and perching on the armrests of Jiang Hai's chair.
"You came to see us! Didn't we just meet last Sunday?" they asked warmly.
To them, Jiang Hai was more than a client—he was their master, giving them freedom and protection. They could act naturally around him, unlike with other elites where caution was required.
Jiang Hai had kept his promise: allowing them to live openly and comfortably. Despite their usual aloofness toward others, they were lively and attached when with him. The girls returned to his estate almost every Friday, except for Du Ning, who protected Qi Li, and Belyak, who rotated biweekly with Relyse.
"They're excited to see you," Jiang Hai thought. Smiling, he hugged Valentina and Aleel around the waist.
"I came to see you, and I also have two things I want you to check," he said, prepared to get down to business.
(To be continued.)