"Put on your clothes."
Jiang Hai quickly turned to Afra and urged her without hesitation. There was no time to dwell on their personal matters. Standing in front of her like a shield, he knew something was wrong. Afra also sensed the urgency of the situation and didn't waste a moment.
She quickly pulled on her top. The swimming trunks were easier—just a quick knot, and she was ready. Once she had covered herself appropriately, Jiang Hai took two decisive steps forward.
As Jiang Hai approached, the group of girls who had been arguing with five aggressive men seemed to relax slightly. They instinctively leaned toward him, seeking protection. But the men weren't ready to let them go so easily. They stepped forward, blocking the girls' path.
Jiang Hai took one look at the situation and immediately understood—these men were here to cause trouble. Without a word, he sped up. The distance between him and the group was only a few dozen meters. And with Jiang Hai's speed, it took mere seconds to close the gap.
One of the five men, noticing Jiang Hai's approach, turned to yell at him. "This has nothing to do with you! Get lost!"
But before the man could finish his sentence, Jiang Hai was already there. Calm and silent, Jiang Hai walked straight toward the group, ignoring the man's warning.
This man wasn't ordinary. Standing about 1.85 meters tall with a muscular build and a sharp, military-style haircut, he exuded a palpable, dangerous aura. Jiang Hai could tell—this man was a soldier. Not just any soldier, but one who had likely seen combat. His demeanor screamed experience and bloodshed.
Jiang Hai didn't know why a soldier would show up here, but the man's hostility left no room for doubt—he was an enemy.
When Jiang Hai ignored him and continued forward, the man lost his patience. He reached out to grab Jiang Hai's shirt, but before his hand could make contact, Jiang Hai intercepted it with a vice-like grip. Turning to face the man fully, Jiang Hai's eyes narrowed.
"Are you planning to attack me?" he asked in a low, measured tone.
"Let go!" the man barked, his confidence shaken as he felt Jiang Hai's grip. Jiang Hai's strength was far beyond normal—his grip felt like steel clamps locking onto the man's wrist. The soldier tried to break free but found it impossible.
Growing desperate, he launched a vicious knee strike aimed at Jiang Hai's lower abdomen—a move designed to incapacitate instantly if it landed. It was fast, precise, and ruthless.
But Jiang Hai was faster. He sidestepped the knee effortlessly and used the momentum to lift the man by his wrist. With a forceful motion, Jiang Hai threw him onto the sand behind them. The soft ground prevented a fatal injury, but the impact still left the man dazed and in immense pain. His arm, twisted awkwardly during the fall, was clearly broken.
To his credit, the man didn't cry out, gritting his teeth against the pain.
"You bastard! How dare you fight back!" one of the remaining men roared in Chinese. His face contorted with anger as he stepped forward, but his companions held him back momentarily, creating an opening for the group of girls.
Dinah Taylor, Hilda Leonard, and the others quickly seized the opportunity. They darted toward Jiang Hai, taking refuge behind him. At the same time, Afra, now fully dressed, roused Darlene and Marian and hurried over to join the others.
"Damn it! Three more beauties like this? Kid, you're done for!" the man snarled, his expression darkening. "But don't worry—your women will be mine soon enough!" He let out a crazed laugh, shoving aside his bodyguards.
While the man ranted, Jiang Hai had already pieced together the situation. The girls had been playing in the water earlier when the man and his bodyguards showed up. He had tried to join them, but when the girls ignored him and headed back to shore, he became enraged. In his anger, he grabbed Sheila Rodney's arm, prompting her to scream and slap him in the face.
The slap had escalated the conflict. Jiang Hai silently praised Sheila for her courage.
"Master, the man's bodyguards are martial artists," Afra whispered as she assessed the situation. Jiang Hai nodded, his focus shifting to the three men standing between him and the arrogant fool who had caused all this trouble.
From their stance and composure, it was clear these bodyguards weren't amateurs. Judging by their build and demeanor, Jiang Hai guessed they were retired special forces or elite soldiers. While formidable, this was the United States, not China. Here, Jiang Hai was a rich man—a member of the privileged class. Challenging him? That was a mistake.
The man who seemed to lead the group stood out. He was around 23 or 24 years old, with silver-white hair, thick eyebrows, and sharp features. His muscular frame was complemented by a confident smirk that screamed arrogance. He looked like the stereotypical protagonist of a cheap online novel from a decade ago—except instead of exuding charisma, he radiated an air of idiocy.
"Take him down!" the silver-haired man barked at his bodyguards, his voice dripping with entitlement.
The two bodyguards at the front stepped forward without hesitation, their fists raised. Jiang Hai met their charge head-on. Despite being outnumbered, he wasn't at a disadvantage.
Years of self-defense training, combined with his enhanced physical abilities, gave Jiang Hai a decisive edge. His punches were fast and powerful, forcing his opponents to retreat. Their hard-earned skills and experience allowed them to deflect some of the force, but the pain was still evident in their expressions.
For Jiang Hai, this was more of a test—a chance to refine the techniques he had learned from Bell. His movements were calculated, efficient, and devastating.
Seeing their comrades struggling, the third bodyguard hesitated, torn between protecting his employer and joining the fight. The decision was made for him when the silver-haired man shouted, "What are you waiting for? Take him down!"
The third bodyguard joined the fray, but even three-on-one, Jiang Hai maintained the upper hand. His superior strength and agility kept the fight firmly in his control. Victory was only a matter of time.
Meanwhile, Afra and the other girls weren't idle. Realizing the man's bodyguards were occupied, Afra's gaze hardened.
"Let's go!" she shouted, leading the charge toward the silver-haired man, who now stood defenseless. The other girls followed, their determination burning brighter than ever.
Afra might have been playful and carefree around Jiang Hai, but her street-smarts and fiery spirit shone through when it mattered most.
(To be continued...)