My Manor

"Let's go!" Carrying several large packages of gifts, Jiang Hai returned to the car and called out to Philemon, who was sitting in the driver's seat.

Philemon glanced back at the bulky packages Jiang Hai had brought, curiosity evident on his face. Upon seeing the collection of handcrafted items inside, his expression lit up with a smile. Indeed, compared to food and drink, these intricate Chinese handicrafts—imbued with a sense of mystique—were much more captivating to them.

The car engine roared to life, and soon, they sped onto the highway.

After about half an hour, Jiang Hai parked in front of his manor. With a command input, the gates opened, allowing the car to drive through. Before it even reached the parking lot in front of the villa, several figures were already gathered there, awaiting Jiang Hai's return.

From a distance, the group of figures—some large, some small, some tall, some short—were clearly the people closest to him here.

Robbins and Edward, representing the cowboys and fishermen respectively, smiled warmly at Jiang Hai as he sat in the passenger seat.

Standing beside them were Darlene and Marianne, the two young girls who had come to live with Jiang Hai during the winter. After months of a comfortable lifestyle, their complexions had improved significantly. While their weights had increased, their figures had grown healthier and more attractive.

Perhaps out of genuine affection for the two girls, and since they had no ill habits, the women of the manor—led by Mrs. Philemon—had taken them under their wing. Whenever the women went into town to shop, they often returned with clothes and snacks for the girls.

Jiang Hai, not being one for sugary treats, rarely kept snacks at home, aside from the occasional dried prunes and apricots—which most children didn't favor. Now, most of the girls' clothes came courtesy of Mrs. Philemon and her helpers. Jiang Hai didn't object to this kindness, as the items weren't expensive, and he appreciated their efforts. Moreover, as the girls were growing up, it wasn't easy for him—a single man—to shop for their personal necessities. Mrs. Philemon's assistance was the perfect solution.

The two girls stood in the parking lot, wearing matching yellow wool coats and knee-length skirts. Of course, they weren't reckless enough to wear just stockings or nothing else in the cold; instead, they had thick leggings on. Despite the warmth, their slim figures made them appear delicate. They wore black flat shoes, and Jiang Hai couldn't help but wonder what Mrs. Philemon and the others were thinking. To make matters more confusing, he could hardly tell the two sisters apart when they were dressed so similarly.

In addition to the human welcome, Jiang Hai's four pets were also present. Xiaobai and Xiaohuang carried Banya and Jiujiu on their backs. However, Banya only dared to perch on Xiaobai, steering clear of Xiaohuang.

Jiujiu, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to any such concerns. The young bald eagle had grown significantly in recent days, with its feathers becoming fuller and its appearance far more majestic than before. Its pair of sharp eyes hinted at future grandeur, though it still couldn't fly and would often flap its wings at home.

The pets, having missed Jiang Hai greatly during his time away, were visibly ecstatic to see him return. Even Xiaohuang, usually the calm and aloof one, rubbed its head affectionately against Jiang Hai's pant leg.

"Okay, okay! I know you all missed me. Be good now, settle down," Jiang Hai said, laughing. His hands were occupied with the packages, so he could only offer words of comfort to his overexcited companions.

Darlene and Marianne, noticing Jiang Hai's predicament, hurried over with smiles to take the packages from him.

"It's so cold out! Why are you wearing so little? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?" Jiang Hai asked as he touched their hair affectionately, his tone laced with concern.

The girls, unfazed by his scolding, giggled. Darlene carried the packages into the house, while Marianne gestured with a hand to reassure Jiang Hai that their clothes were thick enough and that they had only just stepped outside, so there was no risk of catching a cold.

Her cute demeanor made Jiang Hai smile, and he playfully ruffled her hair before turning his attention to his eager pets. After spending some time greeting them, Jiang Hai led everyone into the house.

Robbins and Edward followed him inside. While they were there to welcome him back, they also had updates to report on the past few days. Philemon, after parking the car, joined them as well.

Once indoors, the little pets finally calmed down, and the two girls took them upstairs to play.

Meanwhile, Jiang Hai retrieved some tea he had purchased, specifically West Lake Longjing, one of the finest green teas. He brewed a pot and placed it on the table, ensuring everyone had a cup.

"Boss, what's this?" Philemon asked, looking curiously at the tea leaves floating in his cup, releasing a rich aroma.

"This is Chinese tea—West Lake Longjing, one of the top ten green teas. Try it. If you don't like it, I'll make you coffee instead," Jiang Hai explained, motioning for them to give it a taste.

Robbins, intrigued, picked up his cup first. He had tried tea years ago while working in Texas. Initially, he hadn't liked the light flavor, but over time, he had grown fond of it. Now, he found himself nostalgic for that refreshing taste.

Taking a sip, Robbins smiled as the fragrance filled his mouth.

Edward and Philemon, on the other hand, were less impressed. Accustomed to the rich, robust flavor of coffee, they found tea somewhat underwhelming.

Jiang Hai chuckled at their reactions. At least he hadn't planned to give tea as gifts.

"Now, tell me about the recent situation at the manor," Jiang Hai said, sipping from his own cup.

Robbins began the update. The snow had melted, and the grass on the pasture had survived the winter. There was no need to replant, and the cattle could soon be let out to graze. With their experience over the past months and the help of the cattle dogs, this process had become much smoother.

The vegetable garden had also been reclaimed, though Jiang Hai needed to decide what to plant. Additionally, if Jiang Hai intended to start winemaking this year, preparations needed to begin soon.

(To be continued.)