"Hey, you're finally here. Let's head back to the hotel, get some rest, and return tomorrow."
Seeing Jiang Hai and his group drive up, Pra Walton greeted them with a warm smile. Standing beside her were several familiar faces—Phile Fario, Colin Pavlovich, Barbara Martina, and Cheryl Lee.
Except for Isabelle Rolland, who had to remain behind to handle company affairs, everyone else had already arrived.
"Alright, see you tomorrow," Jiang Hai replied with a smile, instantly understanding the look in their eyes.
Since he had spoken, none of his men objected.
Tired from the journey, they followed Pra to one of the finest hotels near the cattle market. She had already booked rooms: a suite and two standard doubles.
The standard rooms were reserved for Robbins Garcia and Burke Dahler, while the suite was for Jiang Hai.
As soon as they entered, Pra spun around and pressed her lips to his. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him deeply, her tongue slipping into his mouth in a heated battle.
"You bastard, do you know how long I've been waiting? Why didn't you come see me in Atlantic City?" she demanded after pulling away, her eyes blazing.
Even as she scolded him, her hands were busy tearing off his clothes. Jiang Hai could only smile bitterly. Clearly, tonight would be a fierce battle. But he had prepared himself—if Pra wanted a fight, he was more than ready.
Their clothes quickly disappeared. Just as Jiang Hai was about to take control, Pra suddenly wrinkled her nose and tapped his chest.
"What's that smell?" she complained.
She could accept Jiang Hai, but deep down she still preferred women. His natural scent didn't bother her much—but this was different. The smell of sweat and smoke was too strong.
"I smell like sweat and tobacco. I'll wash up first," Jiang Hai said after sniffing himself. The long drive in an F750 with Robbins and Burke, both heavy smokers, had left him reeking of smoke. Coupled with sweat, the odor was strong.
"Hurry up!" she urged, pointing to the bathroom.
Jiang Hai chuckled, stepped inside, and let the hot water wash over him. He loved bathing—summer or winter, he rarely skipped it. But tonight, he had no time for leisure. After a quick shower, he returned, toweling his hair dry—only for his eyes to widen at the scene before him.
Pra Walton was already entwined with her girls. Phil was between her legs, while Colin and Barbara caressed her body. Cheryl kissed her passionately, hands roaming as they gasped and moaned.
The fire that the shower had subdued in Jiang Hai instantly roared back to life. Without hesitation, he pulled Cheryl up and kissed her hard. She froze in surprise for a moment, then melted against him. Pra, glancing at him, shifted her attention to his body, pressing her lips where she had long dreamed of.
Soon, Jiang Hai lifted Pra into his arms, sending Phil scurrying out of the way, and the real battle began.
Half an hour later, Pra collapsed in defeat, only for Jiang Hai to turn to Cheryl, then Colin, Phil, and Barbara. He wasn't about to spare anyone. When Pra recovered, the fight resumed once more…
By the time the noise in the suite finally faded, night had fallen. Jiang Hai, still inside Pra, drifted off with her in his arms. She smiled faintly in satisfaction, clearly pleased.
Morning came quickly. Jiang Hai stirred at the sound of a wake-up call. The other women had slipped out quietly. Though they were used to the mingled scent of him and Pra, she disliked it, so she simply lay beside him, watching.
Jiang Hai wasn't about to back down, of course. That was how their wars began. Still, they all knew there was work ahead, so they restrained themselves. By ten o'clock, Jiang Hai and the others were refreshed, dressed, and ready. After a quick breakfast downstairs, they regrouped with Robbins Garcia and Burke Dahler, who had already scouted the cattle market.
"My team analyzed your forage," Pra said coolly once they reunited. Dressed in a black gauze blouse and wide-legged trousers, her makeup light and her expression composed, she looked every bit the corporate executive now. Hands folded across her chest, she spoke with authority. "It's excellent feed. But if you only raise Angus, they won't fully absorb its nutrition. Larger breeds would consume the same but yield more meat."
She had shed last night's passion and stood before him as the representative of Walmart Group. She had prepared thoroughly, even commissioning her own research before coming.
"I understand," Jiang Hai replied seriously. "But stability comes first. This year, I plan to buy 20,000 Angus cattle and another 15,000 of different breeds. That way, even if something goes wrong, we'll still have a steady supply of beef."
Pra nodded slightly, not objecting. She agreed—it was the safest approach. True mastery wasn't about taking risks, but about plugging holes and lasting the longest.
Robbins Garcia grinned. "Boss, Burke and I checked earlier—the beef cattle here are much better than in Massachusetts. Let's go take a look."
Jiang Hai laughed. "Alright, let's go."
Together, they entered the cattle market. At the sight before him, Jiang Hai couldn't help exclaiming, "Wow!"
The place was enormous.
Originally, he thought all cattle markets were the same. But now, he realized how naive that had been.
It was mid-September, the perfect season. The cattle trade followed two cycles: March and September.
March, known as the Spring Oxen Month, was when calves were sold. A cow's gestation lasted nine months. Mating in April meant calves were born in January or February. By March, the surviving calves were strong enough to sell.
September, however, was when mature cattle were bought. They would eat heavily through autumn, fatten over winter, and be ready for market by spring.
Jiang Hai never bothered with calves—they were troublesome, like unruly children, hard to control despite the lower costs. He preferred older cattle, strong and easier to manage.
Looking around the vast market, he knew this trip would be worthwhile.
(To be continued…)