My Manor

Shark fins have long been considered a treasure of the sea. However, the "shark fins" we often refer to are not actually the fins themselves, but rather the filamentous cartilage within them. Shark skin, which is made of tiny, tooth-like structures called denticles, is not edible. Many people mistakenly believe that sharks have no scales, but in fact, they do, though these scales are very small and difficult to see without a microscope.

There are three types of fish scales: shield scales, hard scales, and bone scales. Bone scales are found in bony fish like the yellow croaker and tuna, which are among the most common types of fish today. Hard scales are characteristic of species like dolphins and pufferfish. Shield scales, on the other hand, are found in cartilaginous fish, including sharks.

While sharks' skins have these tiny shield scales, they are indigestible and cannot be eaten. Consequently, no one typically consumes shark skin. The same goes for shark fins; although they are highly prized, they are not the actual fin tissue but rather the cartilage within the fins.

When Jiang Hai returned home with two dozen shark fins, Bernice and Xiaoya were stunned. They looked at the fins in confusion. "It's wrong to kill sharks," Xiaoya said, concerned. "The TV ads always say not to kill them."

Jiang Hai shrugged. "It's not like I wanted to kill them. They came into my territory and attacked my pets. If I didn't act, my pets and I would have been in danger. Plus, they were taking over my fishery, and I'd suffer major losses."

Though Jiang Hai's claim about the danger posed to his pets wasn't entirely true, the threat to his fishery was real. Sharks, though cold-blooded, have insatiable appetites, and if left unchecked, they would have wreaked havoc on his fish farm. This contradiction between human interests and nature is something everyone faces, as humans continue to interact with and exploit natural resources.

Despite the grim circumstances, Jiang Hai couldn't help but relish the taste of shark fins. They were rich and flavorful, a delicacy that had him craving more. "Tomorrow, I'll get some crabs and abalones for a proper shark fin dish," he thought. These marine treasures, though perishable, deserved to be enjoyed, and he wasn't about to let them go to waste.

The meal was a success, with the shark fins quickly devoured by Jiang Hai and his family. The charred beef and Kung Pao chicken that followed didn't disappoint either. Jiang Hai couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The experience of saving Xiaoya seemed to have paid off, and for the first time in a while, he felt truly content.

After dinner, Jiang Hai leaned back, patting his slightly bloated stomach, and smiled. "That was delicious." But as he relaxed, he didn't forget the task at hand. Finding dolphins had become his next priority.

Dolphins, as part of the cetacean family, were far more powerful than he had initially realized. In fact, most whales, including killer whales, false killer whales, and pilot whales, belong to the dolphin family. While blue whales are baleen whales and unrelated, the similarities between dolphins and many whale species were undeniable.

Dolphins are common in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the southern regions like Florida. However, finding them wasn't easy. Dolphins, much like sharks, don't have a fixed range and tend to wander. Jiang Hai needed to find them near his manor, but so far, he hadn't been able to locate any dolphins in the area.

"Maybe I can ask Edward and the others tomorrow," Jiang Hai mused, hoping the old fishermen might know something. He then tossed his phone on the charger and prepared for bed, exhausted from the day's events. Killing so many sharks had been no small feat.

Later that night, in a small villa in the residential area of the manor, the door to one of the rooms creaked open. A pair of eyes peeked inside, observing a scene within. Inside, Afra lay on her bed, having just finished a bath. One hand rested on her chest, while the other wandered lower, murmuring "Master Jiang, please..." under her breath.

The person outside the door leaned in closer, a muffled sound escaping. To be continued.