"It's getting late. Do you want to stay in Boston for the night before leaving?"
Leaving the police station, Jiang Hai declined Doyle George's offer to take them in a police car. Moses Adams was still running around, so Jiang Hai turned to Xia Yuan.
You have to understand that three people were involved here: Jiang Hai, Xia Yuan, and Tarak. Tarak would definitely follow Jiang Hai, but Xia Yuan had a daughter at home, so he needed to ask her.
"I… that's fine. I've already asked my colleagues to pick up my daughter. It shouldn't be a problem."
Hearing Jiang Hai's words, Xia Yuan paused for a moment. She had almost refused, but the words were already on her lips, so she let them slide.
She wasn't too worried about her daughter; after all, she had worked two or even three jobs before and often came home late at night. Staying out overnight was nothing new.
Recently, however, she had been promoted to supervisor at Haishang Supermarket, earning a significant salary and benefits increase. She no longer had to work part-time, and her life had improved considerably. Although she didn't understand why, seeing Jiang Hai's influence today left her with a vague sense that it might be related to him. Neither of them spoke about it.
"Okay, then. Let's eat first and then find a place to rest for the night."
Hearing Xia Yuan's words, Jiang Hai smiled, hailed a taxi, and headed to a famous five-star hotel in Boston—a place he knew well due to a business connection. One of the fish he sold came from this hotel.
At the front desk, Jiang Hai had originally planned to book three rooms: one suite and two standard rooms. With his current status, though, only the suite seemed fitting.
After learning the suite had two rooms, Xia Yuan refused to let Jiang Hai book another. Tarak, also frightened, seemed fine with staying with Jiang Hai. He shrugged and agreed—when a woman decides to share a room, the meaning is usually clear, especially if there's been previous intimacy.
After checking into the suite, Jiang Hai and his companions looked around. The living room, master bedroom, guest bedroom, and two bathrooms were all impressive. Satisfied, they headed downstairs for dinner.
At the best Western restaurant in the area, Jiang Hai, Tarak, and Xia Yuan casually ordered seafood and enjoyed their meal. No one disturbed them, and the drama of the day faded away. After dinner, exhausted, they returned upstairs to sleep.
The original plan was for Jiang Hai to take the master bedroom, while Xia Yuan and Tarak shared the smaller one. But just as Jiang Hai returned to his room to undress and shower, a knock came at the door. He opened it to find Xia Yuan.
"Tarak's using the shared bathroom. Can I use yours?" she asked hesitantly, eyes darting around.
Seeing her expression, Jiang Hai smiled softly, pulled her into the room, and closed the door. Pressing her against it, he kissed her. Xia Yuan, initially startled, quickly returned his affection, wrapping her arms around him.
Before long, their clothes were disappearing.
"I… I just came to shower," Xia Yuan whispered as they collapsed onto the bed.
"I know. We'll shower together later." Jiang Hai smiled and kissed her again, hands busy. A low moan echoed through the room.
Tarak, finished with her shower, dried her hair and wondered where Xia Yuan had gone. Hearing noises from Jiang Hai's room, she blushed, realized what was happening, and quietly returned to her own room to rest. She had had little sleep lately, and today had been… eventful.
Meanwhile, Jiang Hai and Xia Yuan engaged in an intense struggle. Jiang Hai hadn't expected Xia Yuan to be so skilled; perhaps being alone for so long had honed her resistance. They moved from the bed to the floor, the window, the sofa, and the corners of the room. After nearly two hours, Xia Yuan finally yielded, embracing Jiang Hai tightly. Both were exhausted.
Feeling the sweat on their bodies, Jiang Hai carried her to the bathroom. With a tub of hot water prepared, he sat down slowly with her in his arms. The warmth eased their fatigue.
"It's so… so comfortable…" Xia Yuan whispered in his ear, holding him tighter. Jiang Hai smiled, unsure how to respond.
"Remember to visit me when you can. I'm a little obsessed," Xia Yuan teased. Jiang Hai remained silent, and she understood perfectly, smiling.
After another half-hour in the shower, Jiang Hai carried Xia Yuan back to bed, and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
The night was quiet—or rather, not entirely. Around three in the morning, men entered the hospital where Izzo-Edis was staying. Half an hour later, they wheeled him out, loaded him into a black Ford MVP, and vanished. Less than ten minutes later, the hospital alarm sounded.
Doyle George, just waking, immediately led his men to the hospital. Seeing the two state troopers silently killed and the room empty, his face darkened. He issued a transfer order to arrest Christian Edis, but found that he had left hours earlier. His casino was empty, and his relatives had no idea where he'd gone.
Doyle George could only conclude that Izzo-Edis had escaped.
"Asshole!" Doyle George cursed. Izzo-Edis had promised Jiang Hai nothing would go wrong—but problems had already emerged. He tried to issue a wanted order, but was stopped by a senior state legislator citing ongoing investigations. Doyle George swore at the politician.
Jiang Hai, drowsily answering his phone at five a.m., listened carefully.
"Run away? How did he manage that with those injuries?" Jiang Hai asked, incredulous. Both of Izzo-Edis's arms were crippled—how had he escaped?
"It must've been his father, Christian Edis. Damn it! I was about to issue a warrant, but a senior state legislator stopped me. Two agents lost… this **** politician…" Doyle George muttered.
Jiang Hai fell silent. He wasn't worried about Izzo-Edis harming him—he had protection—but letting him escape was unsatisfying. He preferred to handle things himself.
The next morning, after breakfast, Xia Yuan smiled at Jiang Hai. After a hug, she left for her home and work. Jiang Hai waved back and returned to his room, finding Tarak just waking.
"You're up!" he said. Tarak nodded obediently. She knew this was Jiang Hai's domain.
"You must have been scared yesterday. Your tribe leader is confused, and so are you. Didn't you call me when you got out?" Jiang Hai asked, presenting breakfast: oatmeal and a hamburger.
"No. The satellite phone is bugged. If I call, it could be tapped. He and I are the only ones who speak English, and he's in the village. I'll have to come find you." Tarak's eyes lit up and she eagerly ate.
Jiang Hai rolled his eyes. Some people are just paranoid. He didn't worry about government monitoring—it was the price of freedom, in his eyes.
"No, what I'm bringing you this time is important. Absolutely no one can know," Jiang Hai said. Tarak nodded seriously, her certainty clear, which slightly confused him.
He handed her an envelope containing a letter and a piece of animal skin. The letter was from her tribe leader, thanking Jiang Hai for helping them and entrusting Tarak to him. The animal skin was a treasure map.
"Treasure map?" Jiang Hai raised an eyebrow. He saw markings and a red X in the center.
"This treasure is real. Anyone familiar with American history would know it exists," Tarak said earnestly. After finishing breakfast, she explained: the tribe's ancestors had been enslaved on the West Coast during the gold rush. They had rebelled, hid the gold in a secret chamber, and left behind a map. The treasure was substantial—over a million dollars' worth of gold.
Jiang Hai's interest was piqued. Even if he didn't give the tribe all the treasure, they would benefit, and Tarak's presence would ensure their continued relationship. The tribe leader had made a wise bet—Jiang Hai was not a heartless man.
"Old people who live long are thieves with good judgment," Jiang Hai mused, holding the treasure map. "Let's see if it's real."
"We're full. So, what now? Go back home?" Tarak asked, blinking at him with wide eyes.
(To be continued.)