My Manor

"Hey, boss, what are you buying it for? Planning to blow up Winthrop?" Philemon's voice echoed across the room as he reacted to Jiang Hai's sudden decision to purchase an airplane. Jiang Hai, having only recently settled into his new life, was cautious about such a big decision. While he had an idea in mind, he chose to consult his team before finalizing the purchase.

When the group learned of Jiang Hai's intent to acquire the enormous aircraft, Philemon's reaction was immediate and incredulous.

"Come on, boss. Blowing up a small town in the U.S. with just one plane? That's not how it works!" Jiang Hai chuckled at Philemon's sarcasm but kept his true intentions close to his chest.

"Boss, air tractors are great, but their fuel consumption is outrageous. If you're not planning to bomb Winthrop, there's really no point in buying one," Robbins Garcia chimed in.

"Exactly," agreed Edward Anderson, the lead fisherman who had just returned. "The most we'd need a plane for is spreading bait or patrolling the ranch. A heavy-duty air tractor is overkill. The cost of that thing could get us five dromedaries. It doesn't seem worth it."

Garcia and Anderson, both practical men accustomed to working with the land and sea, were skeptical. They didn't mind Jiang Hai spending money but believed it should be invested wisely, especially if it concerned the estate. A private plane? Sure, they had no say. But this air tractor? That was a different matter.

However, Bell had a different perspective. "Boss, I've seen this model back when I was in Delta. It's tough, versatile, and can even be modified for combat. You could turn it into a battlefield ambulance or equip it for serious firepower. Unless you're planning to dodge rocket launchers, though, it's probably unnecessary for our needs," Bell said, half-smiling. Even so, Jiang Hai could sense Bell's doubts about the purchase.

Jiang Hai wasn't one to back down easily. "Look, this isn't just about the estate as it stands now," he began, his tone serious. "The ranch and fishery are already big, and I plan to expand further. There's a lot of vacant land around us, and I'm looking to acquire it."

Tommy Charles, leaning against the wall, burst into laughter. "Expand, boss? If you buy any more land, you'll be in the high seas. Even the American government won't let you go that far."

Jiang Hai froze, realizing Tommy was right. His fishery already bordered the high seas. If he expanded further, he'd need to buy international waters. His excuse for the purchase felt flimsy now.

As Jiang Hai grappled with his thoughts, Maren Rupert's calm voice interrupted. "Actually, I think the boss buying this plane makes sense."

Everyone turned to Maren, intrigued. "The fishery's diversity complicates things," she explained. "With so many species, you can't release them all in one spot—they'd eat each other alive. The fishery's large enough to disperse them, but feeding becomes a logistical nightmare. A dromedary won't cut it for that kind of coverage. An air tractor, on the other hand, can handle it in one go, making the job much easier."

Maren's reasoning made sense. Even Anderson nodded in agreement, prompting the rest of the group to fall silent. With their doubts dispelled, Jiang Hai didn't hesitate. He called American Express's special services, and within three rings, a sweet voice answered in Mandarin.

"Hello, Mr. Jiang. This is Marcy Williams. How can I assist you?"

Despite Jiang Hai's dwindling funds, his account balance was still in the eight figures, making him a valued client. Marcy's tone reflected that. "Hi, Miss Marcy. I've decided to buy an AT802 aerial tractor. Can you guide me on where to buy one and how much it costs?"

"Of course, sir. Do you have a specific model in mind?" Marcy asked.

"Model?" Jiang Hai paused. He hadn't considered the specifics.

"The AT802 series includes several variants," Marcy explained. "The A-type is designed for private customization, priced at $680,000 for the base model. The U-type is an anti-riot aircraft that can be weaponized, priced at $710,000 for the base model. For estates and agricultural purposes, I'd recommend the F-type. It's ideal for forest fire-fighting, pesticide spraying, and bait distribution. The F-type typically costs $410,000, but you might get it for around $370,000 depending on the location. They're widely available across the U.S."

Jiang Hai didn't need to think twice. "I'll take the F-type."

"Excellent choice," Marcy said, her tone warm. "The F-type is available at the Manhattan Aerospace Equipment Center on XX Street. You can visit the showroom or arrange for delivery. Let me know if you need further assistance."

"Thank you, Marcy. I'll visit in person." Jiang Hai preferred to handle the purchase himself, wary of potential issues. He couldn't afford for the plane to fail mid-air.

With the call concluded, Jiang Hai sat in thought. He had already planned a trip to New York for the NBA All-Star Game, scheduled for February 16th. Now he would simply adjust his itinerary. After the game, he'd fly back to China to celebrate the New Year.

However, one issue loomed: Darlene and Marianne, the two girls he had recently adopted. Welfare checks from the institution meant he couldn't take them out of the country yet. Watching them exchange curious glances, Jiang Hai chuckled and ruffled their hair. Some conversations couldn't wait.

"Hey, you two!" he called playfully. Their puzzled expressions only made him smile wider. It was time to talk things through.