"What's wrong? Can't sleep?"
Moonlight streamed through the windows of Jiang Hai's rented villa in Beverly Hills, painting the living room in soft silver light.
Jiang Hai sat alone on the sofa, staring blankly at the moon outside.
Quiet footsteps approached.
Azalina slipped up behind him, her arms gently sliding from his neck down to his chest as she leaned against his back.
She tilted her head, puzzled.
"What's bothering you?"
"Sigh…" Jiang Hai rubbed his forehead helplessly. "Two or three years of hard work, gone in one move. I emptied my entire fortune and all I got was a stack of papers. It really hurts."
He had just spent 4.8 billion dollars to purchase an additional 0.88% of Google's shares, combining it with his original 0.12% to reach a full 1%.
To some people, trading billions in cash for a tiny percentage sounded foolish.
But in reality, the benefits were enormous.
At least, that's how Moses Adams saw it.
Stocks like Google, Apple, and Microsoft were practically impossible to buy on the open market—even with a premium. Jiang Hai had acquired his shares at near cost price. It was already a bargain.
According to Moses, if he sold them immediately, that 1% stake could fetch at least six billion dollars.
In other words, his 4.8 billion had already appreciated on paper.
And dividends alone were no joke.
If Google earned around seventy billion annually, his 1% could bring in roughly seven hundred million dollars a year. In theory, he could recover the entire investment within seven years.
Even accounting for taxes, it would still pay for itself within a decade.
And realistically?
Google going bankrupt tomorrow was about as likely as the sun rising in the west.
But the most important benefit wasn't money.
It was status.
Previously, Jiang Hai had only been a retail shareholder—no voting rights, no influence, just dividends.
Now he held voting shares and officially had a seat on Google's board of directors.
That was a completely different level.
Google's share structure was complicated. Most shares held by outsiders carried no voting power at all. True control rested in the hands of a small group.
Jiang Hai's shares, purchased directly with cash during restructuring, carried voting rights—about 3%.
It didn't sound like much.
But symbolically, it meant everything.
He was now the eleventh-largest independent shareholder.
In American society, that wasn't just wealth.
That was influence.
Before, no matter how rich he was, he was just a cattle rancher.
Now?
He had officially stepped into the circle of top-tier elites.
Sometimes reputation and status were worth more than cash itself.
Jiang Hai understood all that.
But still…
Watching his bank balance nearly hit zero left him deeply uneasy.
It was probably just a peasant mindset.
Money in your hand feels real.
Money turned into investments feels like someone else's.
No matter how valuable the asset, it still felt uncertain.
He sighed again.
Azalina rested her cheek against his shoulder and smiled softly.
"You've already spent it. Worrying won't bring it back. Just think about the returns you'll get later."
"Yeah…" Jiang Hai held her hand. "No point thinking about it now. Still… my heart aches."
"Hehe… where does it hurt?" she teased. "Want me to rub it for you?"
Her hands slid playfully across his chest.
Before she could continue, Jiang Hai suddenly lifted her and pulled her onto his lap.
"I'd rather you massage somewhere else," he said with a grin.
She was wearing only a bathrobe. Under the moonlight, the loose fabric slipped slightly, revealing smooth skin and elegant curves that made his breath hitch.
Azalina glanced upstairs and whispered, "We're still on a mission… maybe we shouldn't…"
Normally, Jiang Hai would respect her caution.
But tonight, he shook his head gently, one arm around her waist.
"When we go back… there are more and more women at home," he murmured near her ear. "But somehow, you're still not officially mine."
She froze for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
"If you want me… I've always been yours."
Hearing that, Jiang Hai laughed softly and pulled her down onto the sofa. Their lips met, and the quiet living room gradually filled with warmth instead of moonlight.
By the time dawn arrived, the two had fallen asleep together on the couch.
When Qi Jie, Aleur-Sarah, and the others came downstairs and saw them sleeping peacefully side by side, they exchanged knowing smiles.
They had always known this day would come.
They stayed in Los Angeles a few more days.
Winter in Southern California was comfortable—warm sunshine, blue skies, beaches, and palm trees.
It was hard not to enjoy.
Jiang Hai even caught himself wondering why he had chosen cold Boston instead of California when buying land years ago.
Probably because California land had been too expensive back then.
Now?
Well… maybe not such a problem anymore.
He watched several basketball games while they were there. California alone had multiple NBA teams, and the basketball culture was intense. Even just soaking up the atmosphere was fun.
Originally, they planned to rent a place whenever they visited again.
But two days before departure, Qi Jie suddenly disappeared.
When she returned, she casually dropped a contract on the table.
She had bought the villa.
Just like that.
To her, it was pocket change.
After arranging renovations, the group chartered a business jet in mid-December and flew back to Boston.
Christmas was approaching.
Though not many of them actually celebrated it.
Azalina followed the Eastern Orthodox calendar. Jiang Hai and the others didn't care much either.
The real reason for returning was simple.
Year-end summary.
Bonuses.
No matter the country, every company had to settle accounts before the new year.
Fortunately, Jiang Hai still had enough liquidity left to comfortably pay everyone.
When they landed in Boston on December 14th, the cold wind hit them instantly.
Sharp.
Freezing.
But strangely comforting.
This was home.
Walking out of the airport, they saw Robbins Garcia and Edward Anderson already waiting by the car, waving enthusiastically.
"Boss! Over here!"
Jiang Hai smiled.
No matter how far he went…
Boston was still where everything began.
(To be continued.)