"Goodbye, goodbye! I will be back!" Standing in front of the bus, Director Liu waved vigorously. Whether Delia and Mayor Wallis, who had come to see them off, understood his words or not, he wasn't sure, but he was undeniably excited.
After a long conversation, everyone boarded the bus and left the town of Winthrop.
"Why? Still reluctant to leave?" As soon as Director Qi sat down, the person beside him chuckled. Director Liu sighed at the remark.
"We've traveled many times before, and every time, we return exhausted like dead dogs, with nothing but a few photos. When it's time to leave, there's no nostalgia. But this time, it feels different. I really like it here. The pace of life is slow, there's so much to do, and everything is great. Honestly, I don't want to leave." Director Liu sighed again, realizing that coming here had been the right choice.
"Haha, if you're reluctant to leave, just come back next time!" his companion laughed.
"I really want to. Do you think we could move here after we retire?" Director Liu gazed at the town fading into the distance and suddenly voiced his thoughts.
"If this were a small town in China, it wouldn't be an issue, but this is abroad. That makes it impossible," his friend responded. Director Liu was momentarily stunned before laughing. His friend was right.
This was the United States. One couldn't simply decide to settle down here after retirement. A green card was necessary.
Unlike Jiang Hai, who hadn't become a U.S. citizen but still had a green card, they would need legal means to stay long-term. There were only three possible ways:
1. **Work Visa** – This required a job and tax filings, which was impossible for retirees.
2. **Skilled Immigration** – This applied to those with expertise valuable to the U.S. Generally, those seeking this path studied in the U.S., secured a job, obtained a work visa, and later applied for skilled immigration. However, China rarely approved such cases, and none of them met the criteria.
3. **Investment Immigration** – This was theoretically the easiest route, but posed a significant problem. The authorities would scrutinize the source of their investment funds. Their wages alone wouldn't justify the millions needed for investment immigration. Claiming they earned it through night shifts, like certain infamous officials, was laughable. The risk wasn't just failing to immigrate—it could lead to legal trouble back home.
Director Liu wasn't foolish. He had spoken out of sentiment, and after his friend's cold reality check, he quickly came to terms with it. It seemed he could only visit occasionally. Fortunately, traveling here wasn't too expensive.
Many shared the same sentiments. Even after boarding the bus, the excitement hadn't faded. Everyone scrolled through their phones, reviewing the memories they had captured: sea fishing, river fishing, shooting, horseback riding, shopping, historical buildings, museums, hymn singing at the church, and evening gatherings. This trip had exceeded all their expectations.
The food had been especially delightful. Whether at Jiang Hai's manor or in town, the cuisine was unlike anything they could easily find in China. Even if they could, their salaries wouldn't afford it.
The entertainment was another highlight. Though the town was small—walkable in just over three hours—there was plenty to enjoy, both on land and at sea.
Shopping had been a major success. Winthrop's commercial street was lined with shops, except for two museums and the largest store, an Indian shop co-managed by the town and the Iroquois.
Unlike the luxury brands on Fifth Avenue, the town sold everyday American fashion like Abercrombie & Fitch (AF), a favorite among high school and college students. Its sub-brand, Hollister (known as Seagull in China), was also available, alongside many other affordable brands. These clothes were far cheaper than in China. A pair of pants costing around $20—roughly 100 yuan—was much better in quality than anything at the same price back home. Through domestic agents, the same items would cost at least 300–500 yuan.
Young travelers bought clothes in bulk. Sports brands, including Nike, were also available at significantly lower prices. The latest LeBron James sneakers, selling for over 1,000 yuan in China, cost only around $50 here. Older models from the previous year were under $100, and even cheaper for older classic editions.
Compared to China, everything—food, lodging, entertainment, and shopping—was more affordable. Everyone had arrived with just one suitcase but was now leaving with two or more, especially the women, who were drawn to American cosmetics.
Surprisingly, mobile phones, which Jiang Hai had expected to be a top-selling item, didn't attract much attention. Even though Apple phones were nearly half the price in the U.S. and had better quality than Chinese versions, they came with a major drawback—limited internet access back home. Without WiFi everywhere, having a phone without reliable connectivity was inconvenient.
These travelers weren't exactly short on money. Spending over 6,000 yuan on an iPhone was just half a month's salary for them. They could afford it. However, due to connectivity issues, Jiang Hai's store had only sold one phone—purchased by a family as a gift for their child, who just needed it for calls and WiFi access.
"Alright, everyone! Our trip to Winthrop, USA, has come to an end. We're now heading back to New York, where we'll board a flight at LaGuardia Airport and return to Beijing, concluding our journey. So, how did everyone enjoy this trip?" Wu Shan, standing at the front, clapped his hands to pull everyone out of their wistful reflections.
The response was instant.
"Loved it! Very satisfied! Director Wu, how often will you organize these trips?" someone asked eagerly.
"This trip was a trial run. Now that we've confirmed how great this place is, we plan to send one, maybe two or three groups here per month. If you all enjoyed it, please help us spread the word when you return," Wu Shan said with a smile. Even with his extensive travel experience, he had to admit—this place was special.
"We will definitely come back!" Director Liu grinned.
Since settling down here wasn't an option, frequent visits seemed like the next best thing.
Laughter filled the bus, but in everyone's heart, a seed had already been planted. Winthrop, to them, was a paradise. They would return.
"By the way, I didn't see Jiang Hai when we left," a young man suddenly remarked.
Over the past few days, they had learned a bit about Jiang Hai, especially since they had purchased so much seafood from him. He had been generous, often adding extra weight or gifting items like lobsters, abalone, and sea cucumbers. While those were occasional indulgences, the Arctic shrimp and crabs he threw in had become a favorite.
At the mere mention of Jiang Hai, everyone's mouths watered. His seafood was simply unparalleled.
"I didn't see him yesterday either. The big guy who works for him mentioned that Jiang Hai left town and won't be back for a while," another person replied casually.
The discussion quickly turned away from Jiang Hai himself and back to his seafood. Even though it was five or six times cheaper here than in China, it was still a luxury. After all, premium seafood wasn't something the average person could afford daily.
But as the bus carried them away, they couldn't shake off the lingering taste and memories of Winthrop.
To be continued...