"Huh..."
"Squeak..."
As the roar of the engine gradually faded, the harsh friction between the huge tires and the runway reached Jiang Hai's ears, causing him to frown. He gently pulled off the eye mask that had still been stuck to his face and looked out the window. When he saw the clear sky outside, the initial unhappiness in his heart began to dissipate.
"Hey, Jiang, it's time for us to get off the plane." Just as Jiang Hai slowly stretched and prepared to sit up, a slightly exaggerated voice rang in his ears. Hearing it, Jiang Hai couldn't help but look at the speaker helplessly.
"I know. No matter how anxious you are, if the plane hasn't stopped, how can you get off? Should I just jump down?" Jiang Hai said, somewhat annoyed.
"Haha, Jiang, you are so humorous." The man didn't mind Jiang Hai's words at all and responded with a strong Henan accent.
As the plane came to a steady stop and the bridge was connected, the two of them walked off the plane. Thanks to Jiang Hai's card, they didn't need to queue up for security checks and instead passed directly through the special channel, making their way to the outside of the airport.
Outside, a car had been waiting for them for some time. When the driver, a middle-aged man in a white uniform, saw Jiang Hai and the other man, he nodded gently and opened the car door. Without any need for politeness, the two of them climbed into the car.
"Jiang, should we head back to the hotel to rest first, or go see the land? It's not far from the airport, just about an hour's drive to the city," the chatterbox beside him continued, eager to talk.
"Don't try to fool me. Do you think I don't know where we are? The place we're going to is on the opposite side of the city. This is General Edward Lawrence Lawson International Airport. Boston is to the south, and Winthrop, where we're headed, is to the north!" Jiang Hai rolled his eyes at the man and took out his phone, showing him a map of Boston.
"Oh, I didn't realize my employer is so smart. Not only is he young and rich, but he knows so much about the land. I really feel ashamed!" The man wasn't bothered by the exposure and continued to speak cheerfully.
"If you don't shut up, your 'smart employer' might have to find a new companion." Jiang Hai shot him a warning glance, speaking in a low voice. Immediately, the man fell silent.
"Go to Winthrop," Jiang Hai told the driver, then leaned back in his seat, continuing to relax. It had been nearly a month since he received the funds. The decision to come to the United States to look at land was made at the auction house, and everything had gone smoothly.
As expected from the world's third-largest auction house, Phillips' efficiency was remarkable.
Passports and visas, which usually take a month, were prepared for Jiang Hai in just ten days.
Afterward, Jiang Hai bought a flight to the United States, with his first stop being California.
As for the chatterbox next to him, his name was Will Anthony. A black man and one of Phillips' staff in the United States, he was the only one who spoke fluent Chinese, so he had been assigned to accompany Jiang Hai and help him look at potential land. There were many places in California that were ideal for Chinese people to settle.
Not to mention the big city of Los Angeles, there were also many other cities, like San Francisco, which is considered a gathering place for Chinese in the U.S. The local culture was quite welcoming, and anti-Chinese sentiments were rare.
Other cities like San Diego and Irvine were also appealing. Overall, California was a very suitable place for Chinese people to live. However, Jiang Hai quickly ruled it out for three reasons: First, land prices were too expensive. Second, fresh water resources were scarce. Third, most Chinese in California were from the south, and Jiang Hai didn't feel a strong connection to the area.
Next, they traveled to Orlando, a small city in the south known for its leisure activities. However, after Jiang Hai witnessed a robbery while strolling through the streets, he also ruled this place out.
They then headed north to Seattle, Washington. To be honest, Seattle was a place Jiang Hai really liked.
This city had abundant fresh water resources and was close to the Pacific Ocean, providing rich sea water resources. The forests and greenery were well-maintained, and the quality of life was excellent, which excited Jiang Hai.
The climate was favorable as well—temperate marine with four distinct seasons, and winters were not too cold. It wasn't too humid or dry, making it an ideal place for human habitation.
This was the first location he considered, but the only downside was that it was as prone to earthquakes as California.
Next, they went to Portland, Oregon. This city was known as the "City of Roses" for good reason. It had a beautiful garden city layout and large grasslands on the outskirts, making it an excellent location for a pasture. The locals were friendly, and it was another city Jiang Hai considered. The only issue was the lack of a sea, so they moved on.
Ultimately, they decided to visit Boston and New York. To be honest, even the most optimistic people didn't think it would be easy to find a good place in New York, and Jiang Hai himself didn't hold high hopes.
However, Boston was a different story. Known primarily for its universities—Harvard, MIT, Berklee College of Music, Tufts University, and Boston College—it was a university town with a rich historical background. The world's first electric street and telephone line were here, as was the birthplace of basketball and the national ball.
Jiang Hai, a former "fake fan," had a good impression of the city, especially given the top-tier educational institutions and its rich history.
Walking around, Jiang Hai noticed the high education levels and the well-maintained streets. However, the city itself felt crowded, as expected from one of the birthplaces of the American Empire. Fortunately, Jiang Hai wouldn't be living in the city center; he would be residing in the suburbs.
Boston was also a coastal area. Unlike California and Seattle, it wasn't an earthquake zone, which was a major advantage. The weather was typical, with occasional blizzards, but Jiang Hai, who came from Ice City, didn't find that problematic. Compared to California, Boston had no earthquake threat, milder temperatures, lower land prices, and—most importantly—grasslands.
Although land prices were slightly higher compared to Portland, the absence of earthquake risks outweighed the cost difference.
As for Florida and New York? Jiang Hai never seriously considered those places from the start.
While thinking, the car sped along the highway.
The highways in the U.S. aren't very wide, but once you leave the city, national highways are all expressways with few exits, and the ground is remarkably flat. In China, buying a sports car means raising the chassis to avoid wear and tear. But in the U.S., there's no need to worry about that.
The highway quality was excellent, so the car was able to travel at a high speed. Not long after, they arrived at Jiang Hai's destination.
"Look, Jiang, this is our goal this time: Green Forest Manor." Will Anthony pointed out the window, and Jiang Hai's gaze immediately fixed on the manor. His pupils dilated as a voice in his heart urged, I want this place!
The scenery outside was breathtaking. A sea of knee-high grass swayed gently in the breeze, bordered by a large forest to protect the land from the strong coastal winds. Beyond the forest, the sea was visible, and between the sea and grass, a golden beach stretched out. On the other side of the beach, there was another small manor, filled not with trees, but with grapevines.
The most attractive feature of Green Forest Manor was its versatility—combining a ranch, a fishery, and a vineyard, offering endless possibilities for activities.
Jiang Hai couldn't help but murmur in appreciation. Given the current situation, this was by far the place he was most satisfied with.
Although the manor had been abandoned for some time and was devoid of cattle or any other creatures, the natural beauty of the land alone swayed Jiang Hai's decision.
The car drove for about ten more minutes before they arrived at the gate of the vast estate. A middle-aged man stood waiting in front of the gate. When he saw the car approaching slowly, a look of worry flashed across his face, but he quickly masked it with a smile and greeted them.