"Alright, go back to your rooms and change first, then we'll head to the beach to play," Jiang Hai said casually after hearing Aphra's suggestion. Though these girls had endured many hardships, they were still young at heart.
Over the past few months, with Jiang Hai's help, they had gradually emerged from the shadows of their past.
Jiang Hai preferred seeing them like this—playful and carefree—rather than the somber, withdrawn expressions they had when he first met them.
"Yeah!" The girls cheered happily upon hearing his agreement and quickly ran back to their rooms to prepare.
Meanwhile, Jiang Hai also changed into a pair of loose beach shorts, intending to enjoy the sun. Playing in the water didn't hold much appeal to him unless there was some treasure beneath the waves to spark his interest. But, as this was just a regular beach, Jiang Hai decided he'd stick to relaxing on the shore.
About ten minutes later, a knock came at his door. Standing outside were Darlene and Marianne, the first to get ready. Both girls, now fifteen, wore swimsuits that were relatively conservative by American standards.
Their one-piece swimsuits were modest, with extra fabric compared to typical bikinis. The tops resembled corsets, with ample coverage, and the bottoms featured small skirts that concealed anything revealing. These swimsuits had been thoughtfully selected by Cindy Clive, likely based on what her own younger sister wore at the same age.
"Jiang, we're ready!" Darlene and Marianne said with bright smiles as Jiang Hai stepped out.
"Alright, but we'll wait for the others," Jiang Hai replied, noting with satisfaction how much more cheerful the girls had become over time.
As they chatted, the doors to the other rooms opened, and the remaining girls emerged, each wrapped in towels. Once everyone was ready, Jiang Hai led the group down to the beach.
Taking the elevator down from the top floor, they attracted plenty of attention. However, their attire wasn't out of place—this was Miami, after all, and staying in a beachfront hotel practically demanded a visit to the water.
The elevator stopped three times on the way down. Aside from a man in a business suit, the other passengers were similarly dressed for the beach, including a particularly large man wearing nothing but swimming trunks.
The man, standing nearly two meters tall and weighing at least 300 pounds, chatted enthusiastically with Jiang Hai's group. His overly confident demeanor clashed with his bulging figure, but Aphra and the others paid him no mind, much to his disappointment.
Finally reaching the first floor, Jiang Hai and the girls exited the elevator and headed toward the hotel's private beach.
The hotel's beachfront stretched several meters to the waterline, reserved exclusively for guests. Private beaches like this offered a quieter, more luxurious experience compared to public beaches, which were often crowded and noisy.
Even so, there were still hundreds of people scattered across the sand, though the space was ample enough that it never felt cramped.
As Jiang Hai and the girls stepped onto the beach, their presence immediately drew attention. Many guests paused to watch, and some men nearby adjusted their positions, flexing or displaying their best angles in hopes of catching the girls' eyes.
However, the girls paid no attention to these attempts. For them, Jiang Hai was the only man who mattered.
Unbothered by the stares, Jiang Hai led the group toward a quieter spot. "Let's head over there. It's less crowded," he suggested, pointing to a cluster of lounge chairs.
The chairs were complimentary, a perk of the private beach, and provided a comfortable spot for the group to settle.
As the girls removed their towels, a collective gasp could be heard from onlookers.
The girls, thanks to Jiang Hai's spiritual energy and their diet of nutrient-rich beef, boasted flawless figures. Their toned stomachs, subtle four-pack abs, long, slender limbs, and perfectly proportioned curves caught the attention of everyone nearby.
But what truly stunned Jiang Hai were their swimsuits.
He had seen their swimsuits before—modest bikinis selected by Mrs. Philemon and others, designed to be conservative and practical. These, however, were something else entirely.
Aphra, for instance, wore a white bikini with intricate mesh lace overlaying the fabric. The top featured a deep V-neck and was tied around the neck with silver metal accents at the back. Her bottoms, tied with delicate strings at the sides, were barely held together.
Dinah Taylor opted for a strapless black bikini with minimal coverage, adorned with a small flower on the chest. The side-tied bottoms were equally daring.
The other girls—Hilda, Becky, Sheila, Oshilia, Bridget, and Tanis—all wore similarly bold swimsuits, each tailored to accentuate their best features. The variety of colors and materials made them look like models from a high-end fashion magazine.
"How do we look?" Aphra asked with a shy but playful smile, stepping closer to Jiang Hai and giving a little twirl.
Jiang Hai hesitated, torn between admitting they looked stunning and addressing the inappropriateness of their attire. "They… look fine, but where are your original swimsuits? Who told you to wear these?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Blushing slightly, Aphra replied, "It was your guest, Pra Walton. She said that if we want you to see us differently, we need to show you how beautiful we are. She insisted this would work."
Hearing this, Jiang Hai froze. Aphra, sensing his flustered state, sat beside him and teasingly rested her long legs across his lap, moving them lightly as if to test his reaction.
"What nonsense… Just go play. I'll check my phone for a bit," Jiang Hai said, clearly caught off guard but doing his best to maintain composure.
As the girls ran off toward the water, Jiang Hai leaned back with a sigh, wondering just how things had taken such an unexpected turn.
(To be continued.)