Miami lives up to its reputation as both a city of sin and a gateway to paradise.
Jiang Hai led Aphra and the others from the parking lot into the port, where they were met with a strikingly different scene. Just a single door separated two worlds—outside was the ordinary, everyday reality, but inside lay a realm reserved for the wealthy.
Surveying his surroundings, Jiang Hai saw countless yachts docked in a private harbor within the Port of Miami. Unlike the so-called "yachts" in China, which were often just modest boats, the vessels here were true luxury yachts. Even the smallest ones measured over 30 meters in length, with multiple decks, easily distinguishable from fishing boats. These were exactly what Jiang Hai had come for.
Alongside these magnificent yachts, muscular men stood guard, providing security. But it wasn't just the guards that caught Jiang Hai's attention—there were also men and women scattered about, the latter dressed in revealing outfits. These women were mostly in their twenties, representing a mix of ethnicities and styles. Yet, they all had one thing in common: stunning faces and flawless figures, attributes they depended on for their livelihood.
Some of these women were celebrities, but most were models. Unlike those in China who gained fame as "internet goddesses" simply by posting a few photo sets online, these models were the real deal. They traveled the world for fashion shows, though their income was not as extravagant as many assumed. For them, marrying a billionaire was often a practical career move. Of course, if it was just a casual fling or an arrangement, they had to weigh their options carefully—these women were not disposable. Their beauty and charm came at a cost, and anyone who thought of discarding them too easily would likely pay a price.
Clusters of women gathered on the yachts, mingling with older men, laughing at their jokes, and vying for attention. The larger the yacht, the greater the crowd and competition. Women who didn't have the youth or allure to stand out in such fierce rivalry often opted for smaller yachts, knowing that catching a millionaire was still a worthy consolation prize if a billionaire was out of reach.
The men present were a mix of ages—some young, but most in their thirties, forties, or even fifties and sixties. They reveled in the attention, cracking dirty jokes that elicited playful giggles from their admirers.
At first, Aphra and the others had been quite striking, but within this world of extravagance, their beauty no longer stood out as much. After all, when surrounded by people with looks in the same league, even a 90-rated face lost some of its shine. Furthermore, by comparison to the more scantily clad women, their attire was considered rather conservative.
"Sir, may I help you?" As Jiang Hai and his group walked in, two burly men in black tight vests approached. They were bald, broad-shouldered, and exuded an imposing presence.
"I'm here to buy a yacht." Jiang Hai's gaze swept over the luxurious vessels as he considered his options.
"Sir, do you have an invitation?" The guard hesitated. By now, the whole world knew that Chinese buyers had deep pockets, but this was not a place where just anyone could walk in.
"I don't have one of those, but will this do?" Jiang Hai didn't argue. Instead, he casually produced a black and gold card. Sometimes, money spoke louder than words.
"Oh, my apologies, sir. I didn't mean to offend you. Would you like a personal shopping guide?" The security guard's demeanor shifted instantly. A black gold card was a clear indicator that Jiang Hai was not an ordinary customer.
"Sure, bring one over," Jiang Hai replied, knowing he could use some guidance in making his decision.
Within five minutes, a figure approached at a brisk pace. It was a woman, about 26 or 27 years old, with blonde hair and blue eyes—an all-American beauty. She wasn't just attractive; she was stunning. Her golden curls were pulled into a high ponytail, and she wore stylish black glasses. Her white shirt was neatly tucked in, but the top three buttons were undone, revealing an eye-catching neckline. With every hurried step, her curves swayed provocatively. She paired the blouse with an ultra-short skirt and black high heels, at least ten centimeters high. Yet, despite the impractical footwear, she moved gracefully, showing clear experience in handling them.
"Hello, sir. Are you looking to buy a yacht? I'll be your guide. My name is Jennifer," she said, placing her hands on her knees and slightly bending forward. From Jiang Hai's angle, he couldn't help but notice the dramatic view she offered. She lingered in that pose for several seconds before straightening up with a charming smile.
However, as soon as she lifted her head, she was met with sharp, dagger-like glares from Aphra and the others. Only Darlene and Marianne remained indifferent, having seen her tactics for what they were. Still, they couldn't do much about Jiang Hai's reaction, so they remained on guard instead.
Jennifer, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by their hostility. After all, selling yachts was no different from selling cars or houses—commission was commission. If a little flirtation helped close the deal, so be it.
Jiang Hai, sensing the tension in the air, cleared his throat and smiled awkwardly. "Uh, nice to meet you. My last name is Jiang. Let's take a look around first, and you can introduce me to the ones that stand out."
Jennifer nodded and walked beside him, leading him toward the yachts.
It's often said that the truly wealthy invest in yachts, and Jiang Hai hadn't given it much thought before. But seeing the sheer luxury before him, he realized just how true that was.
How expensive could a top-tier car be? Setting aside limited-edition models or gold-plated gimmicks, the priciest mainstream supercars, like a Bugatti Veyron convertible, maxed out at around 40 million RMB (roughly 7 million USD). Private jets were more expensive, ranging from 20 million to 100 million USD for high-end models.
But yachts? A hundred million dollars was just the starting point for the ultra-rich.
The yachts Jiang Hai viewed were arranged in alphabetical order. First was the Italian brand Azimut, with its UT95 model priced at 9 million USD—an entry-level option. With better configurations, it could go up to 12 million USD. Measuring just under 30 meters, it was considered small in this world.
Next were French and German brands: Beneteau and BV. BV yachts were similar to Azimut, small yet high-end, all around the 30-meter range and priced at over 10 million USD. German craftsmanship was solid but came at a premium.
Beneteau, however, offered more variety, including smaller boats starting at six or seven meters—barely more than glorified speedboats. The larger, double-decked 12-meter models featured full satellite positioning, leather interiors, and three guest rooms (a master bedroom and two secondary rooms), along with a lounge for hosting parties. Priced at 1.05 million USD, it was a tempting option. A slightly smaller 11-meter model went for 860,000 USD but had more compact bedrooms.
Jiang Hai carefully weighed his options. He had come with a budget of around 27 million, so choosing wisely was essential. (To be continued.)