My Manor

"Haha, maybe the water quality here is better..." Hearing Edward Anderson's words, Jiang Hai couldn't help but smile awkwardly. He knew exactly what was going on. It had everything to do with his spiritual energy.

Before the fish fry entered the ocean, Jiang Hai had used his spiritual energy to nourish them.

Although there were millions of fish fry, the amount of spiritual energy he used wasn't significant—just enough to ensure their survival and promote rapid growth. While it wasn't enough for them to evolve, it gave them a strong start. Furthermore, the seaweed Jiang Hai had planted added spiritual energy as well. As the seaweed grew, it emitted subtle spiritual energy that improved the surrounding plankton. Small fish and shrimp that ate these seaweeds and plankton absorbed the energy, which enhanced their weight and physical fitness. When the fish fry consumed these small fish and shrimp, the spiritual energy passed through, helping them grow faster. This was an inherent advantage.

However, Jiang Hai knew all this, but that didn't mean he wanted to share the secret with anyone.

"I hope so," Edward Anderson said, nodding. From the beginning, he'd sensed that Jiang Hai wasn't an ordinary person, but what did it matter? As long as it didn't threaten his own safety, it was fine.

The fish here were big, so Anderson decided to treat it as a gift from God. He accepted Jiang Hai's explanation with calm acceptance. As long as he, as the leader, didn't care, no one else would either.

After inspecting his territory and giving out gifts, Jiang Hai drove toward the town with a special present. The person receiving the gift was none other than Cindy Clive.

Without her, Jiang Hai wouldn't have been able to go to Miami, let alone figure out how to make money or learn about Darlene's illness. It was only fitting that he give her a gift, both for personal and practical reasons.

Jiang Hai hadn't called Cindy Clive before coming—it was meant to be a surprise.

As he drove into the town, it was clear that the locals still held Jiang Hai in high regard. His funding of the primary school construction in the winter was no secret, and his participation in the Poseidon Festival had earned him recognition. Many people greeted him as he drove through, and Jiang Hai responded with a friendly wave. He hadn't realized just how popular he was here.

When Jiang Hai reached Winthrop Town Primary School, a red light stopped him. As he paused, his eyes fell on a flower shop along the roadside. He was momentarily taken aback.

Though Jiang Hai wasn't particularly sharp, he wasn't clueless either. He knew the gift he had for Cindy was valuable, but he also understood that a woman's heart could often be swayed by flowers. He'd never given flowers before, so after a brief moment of thought, he parked the car and walked into the flower shop.

A girl greeted him as he entered.

"Hello, can I help you pick out some flowers?" she asked, smiling.

Jiang Hai sized her up. She appeared to be around 17 or 18 years old, standing at about 1.7 meters with golden braids. Her face wasn't strikingly beautiful, but there was a certain sunny charm to her, complete with a few cute freckles. She greeted him with a warm smile.

"Yes, I'd like to buy a bouquet. Any recommendations?" Jiang Hai asked, surveying the many flowers on display. The variety overwhelmed him; to be honest, he recognized less than a tenth of them.

"Are you buying these for your girlfriend?" the girl asked with a teasing smile, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Uh, not yet," Jiang Hai replied, taken aback. "Is there anything special about these flowers?"

"Of course! Each flower has a different meaning," the girl said, eager to explain. She went on to explain the significance of different types of roses:

"Red roses represent passion and love, typically given by couples who are already together."

"Pink roses symbolize affection, declaration of love, and first love—perfect for confessions."

"White roses represent purity, but are usually not given to girlfriends."

"Yellow roses symbolize blessings, often given when breaking up peacefully."

"Green roses represent youth, and while they aren't typically given to lovers, they can be a gesture for young friends who have passed away."

"Blue roses represent mystery and things that are unattainable, making them great for unrequited love."

"The light blue ones are called Blue Enchantress and represent commitment."

"There are also purple roses for romance, indigo for preciousness, orange for youth, light green for innocence, orange-red for friendship, black for challenge, and champagne for happiness."

The girl continued with more details about flowers, trying to clarify for Jiang Hai. She could tell he was hesitant, knowing that if the flowers weren't meant for a lover, they'd likely be for someone important to him—like Cindy Clive.

"There's a lot to think about," Jiang Hai said, realizing just how much he didn't know about flowers. While he was deeply interested in animals, plants and flowers were not his forte.

"I see you're still unsure," the girl said with a smile. "Can I help you narrow it down? I can recommend something based on your relationship."

After a brief moment of reflection, Jiang Hai replied, "More than friends, but less than lovers."

"Then I have the perfect suggestion. How about a bouquet with an outer ring of orange roses, representing friendship, and an inner circle of pink roses, symbolizing your feelings? It's subtle yet meaningful, and won't be too forward," the girl recommended.

"Sounds good," Jiang Hai nodded. The idea seemed perfect for his current relationship with Cindy.

"How many flowers would you like?" the girl asked, eager to get started.

"Sixty-six," Jiang Hai replied after a moment of thought. "In China, we're particular about numbers."

In Europe and America, the number of flowers given wasn't as strict, except for the unlucky number 13. But in China, numbers had deeper meanings, and 66 was considered particularly auspicious.

The girl chuckled at his request but quickly began preparing the bouquet. Soon enough, a beautiful arrangement of 66 flowers was ready.

The total cost came to $42.24, priced at 80 cents per flower. Jiang Hai handed over $50 and left the rest as a tip. With the flowers in hand, he returned to his car, placed them on the passenger seat, and drove toward the primary school.

By the time he arrived, school was almost out. In the U.S., cars were as ubiquitous as bicycles in China once were, with many parents picking up their kids, either in cars or by school bus. As Jiang Hai parked his car, he noticed that many others had already lined up, and everyone was orderly, with no one pushing ahead.

Though Jiang Hai wasn't here to pick up a child, he was here for someone, so he patiently waited at the back of the line. His car caught the attention of many, particularly because of its imposing appearance. The War Shield, though not as large as the F650 or F750, stood out with its rugged design, drawing the gaze of many, especially men who had a keen interest in powerful vehicles.

As he exited the car with the bouquet of flowers, Jiang Hai felt the eyes of onlookers upon him.