My Manor

Using an airplane to spread seaweed and its seeds is more complicated than it sounds.

In fact, it's quite a troublesome task. First, Edward needed to inspect the batch of seaweed seeds to ensure there were no issues. Then, the team would head out by boat and drop smoke bombs at the designated locations where the seeds would be dispersed.

These smoke bombs are common tools. Typically, they float on the water's surface, emitting thick smoke. Airplanes often carry them for emergencies, such as marking the location if the plane is forced to land in the ocean. However, Jiang Hai and his team were now using these smoke bombs to mark areas for spreading seaweed seeds.

The placement of these seeds required precision. If the seeds were scattered too far out, they'd fall outside Jiang Hai's territory. If spread too close, they'd land over the coral reef, where only about one in ten seeds might germinate. The rest would likely become food for the fish.

Fortunately, Jiang Hai's hired fishermen were highly experienced. While fishing, they had also been monitoring fish school distributions, ensuring they chose suitable spots for planting the seaweed. After a brief discussion with Jiang Hai, the team set out.

Edward accompanied them to the Winthrop airport. Meanwhile, Tommy Charles, Enold Ceci, Andrew Christian, and Maren Rupert drove Jiang Hai's motorboats and open-bow boats, loaded with smoke bombs, to the designated locations. Jiang Hai, with no pressing tasks, decided to tag along.

"You haven't been out to sea with me yet. Do you want to come?" Jiang Hai asked Darlene and Marianne, who were still adjusting to the situation. Hearing his invitation, the two girls eagerly nodded.

"Hey, Maren! Wait for us. We're coming too," Jiang Hai called out to Maren Rupert, who had yet to set off.

"Make sure you wear something warmer, Boss—especially them," Maren said, gesturing at the girls' outfits. Jiang Hai immediately took Darlene and Marianne upstairs to change into windproof, insulated clothing. Although Jiang Hai's strong constitution meant he didn't mind the cold, the two girls weren't as resilient.

After getting properly dressed, the three left the villa and drove a modified all-terrain vehicle to the pier, where Tommy and the others were almost ready to depart.

Jiang Hai owned three small boats and a fishing boat, which were now being manned by Tommy Charles, Enold Ceci, and Andrew Christian. When Jiang Hai arrived, they greeted him briefly before heading off, cutting through the waves. Jiang Hai and the two girls boarded the fishing boat piloted by Maren Rupert.

"Boss, stay in the cabin for now. We'll head out to the marked area shortly," Maren advised. Jiang Hai agreed—it was far better to stay warm with a drink in the cabin than to endure the icy winds outside.

For Jiang Hai, who had been out to sea several times, the novelty had worn off. But for Darlene and Marianne, it was an exciting new experience. Over time, Jiang Hai had come to understand the twin sisters' personalities. Though they looked almost identical and had similar tastes in clothing, their temperaments were quite different.

Darlene was bolder, more curious, and adventurous. She loved trying new things and had become friendly with Jiang Hai's pets, Xiaobai and Xiaohuang, even though she had initially been afraid of them. Marianne, on the other hand, was more timid and cautious. She kept a tidy routine, cleaned the house diligently, and cooked well. While she was still wary of the pets, she had started feeding them—something Jiang Hai no longer had to do himself.

Once on the boat, Darlene couldn't sit still. She eagerly peered over the side, taking in the vast ocean. Marianne, though equally curious, stayed close to Jiang Hai, glancing occasionally out the window.

After about half an hour, the boat left the coral reef and reached the first designated area for spreading the seeds. As the boat slowed down, Maren called out, "Boss, we're here."

Jiang Hai retrieved a box of smoke bombs from the cabin, stepping onto the deck with the girls. As soon as he emerged, the biting cold of January hit him like a knife, slicing through his clothing and making him shiver. "It should warm up in February," Maren said with a chuckle, noticing Jiang Hai's reaction.

The girls, though shivering as well, were captivated by the endless sea. The shoreline had shrunk to a faint line in the distance, with its trees and buildings barely discernible. This was their first time at sea, and their excitement was palpable.

"Be careful not to get too close to the railing," Jiang Hai warned, before helping Maren unpack the smoke bombs. Unlike the girls, he and Maren were accustomed to the monotony of the ocean. Once the initial excitement fades, the sea becomes repetitive—an endless expanse of blue.

Together, they opened and tossed several smoke bombs into the water. These would float for about three hours before losing their effect, leaving some debris behind. However, the ocean currents would eventually bring the waste back to Jiang Hai's beach, where it could be cleaned up later.

After marking the area with colorful smoke, they moved on to the next location. Within an hour, the deployment was complete. From the air, the fishing grounds would now appear as an irregular circle outlined in colorful smoke.

Soon, the hum of an approaching plane grew louder. A small aircraft appeared on the horizon, and its lower cargo doors opened to release bags of seaweed seeds into the water below.

"That's it? I thought it would involve some high-tech process," Jiang Hai muttered, slightly disappointed. He had imagined a more sophisticated method, like planting rice. But in true Western fashion, the process was simple and hands-off, relying on natural selection to determine success.

Westerners, Jiang Hai reflected, often embraced the survival of the fittest, whether in raising livestock or planting crops. They focused on creating optimal conditions and left the rest to nature. This approach extended to child-rearing as well, emphasizing autonomy over pampering—though, of course, there were exceptions.

With the seeds now scattered, Jiang Hai's task for the day was complete.