"When the roads are paved in the spring, I'll buy you a few cars. Darlene and Marianne are only fifteen this year—they'll turn sixteen after the New Year next year. They'll have to wait another year before they can drive, but they can practice around the manor, so I'll buy you some first." Jiang Hai paused thoughtfully. His parking lot was empty anyway, so buying a few cars for Bernice and the others wouldn't be inconvenient.
Bernice's eyes lit up at Jiang Hai's words, and she immediately started imagining what kind of car she might get.
But that would have to wait until early spring, and there was still a quarter left. As these thoughts crossed his mind, Jiang Hai's car drove into the town.
Before arriving, Bernice had called Cindy Clive to let her know they were coming. After learning Cindy was at the town government office, Jiang Hai and the others parked directly in the town government parking lot. Then they walked into the old building.
It wasn't Jiang Hai's first time here, but this visit felt much quieter than before.
As winter approached, the number of tourists dwindled, and the town's workload dropped sharply.
More tourists meant more work: resolving local disputes, addressing tourist complaints, and dealing with pressures from Boston and Massachusetts. But with winter and the year's end coming, business slowed.
Both state and municipal governments were less busy now. With fewer tourists, the town's workload had decreased significantly.
Currently, the town government operated on a five-day workweek, with about three and a half days of actual work. The rest of the time—two full days and three and a half half-days—was rest.
When Jiang Hai and his friends arrived just after ten in the morning, the town was clearly not busy.
Groups of three to five people chatted about dinner plans, sipped coffee, and ate desserts. It was a relaxed atmosphere.
In the U.S., government agencies were actually much more laid-back than private companies—because no government job was truly permanent.
All government employees were hired on short-term contracts—no lifelong agreements, no five-year deals. Most contracts lasted only one or two years. Salaries were modest, definitely lower than in private firms.
Lower pay came with greater freedom. That was why American civil servants enjoyed a relaxed work environment.
Mayor Wallis wasn't sentimental, so no one fussed over anyone here.
As long as work was done, people could play games or watch sports, as long as they didn't disturb those who had actual jobs.
But with no pressing work at the moment, it was a good time to gather and chat.
When Jiang Hai and his friends entered, the town staff froze momentarily, then brightened and greeted Jiang Hai enthusiastically.
"Hey, Jiang Hai's here! How do you have time to visit today? I heard you're performing at the dinner?" The greetings reached Jiang Hai's ears. Smiling, he responded to each warmly.
Darlene and the others were proud to see Jiang Hai so popular—after all, they were his closest companions.
After the greetings, Jiang Hai and his group walked toward the office area, where Cindy Clive had just stepped out. She came out specially upon hearing that Jiang Hai was arriving.
"You're early, just in time to go together." Cindy's eyes flashed oddly when she saw Jiang Hai and the others, but she quickly smiled and stepped ahead to lead them inside.
Originally a primary school teacher, Cindy had a stellar reputation—second only to the principal and dean. Parents all wanted their kids in her class.
When tourism developed in the town, Mayor Wallis first seconded her to assist. Later, he discovered she was not only a great teacher but also adept at handling political affairs, so he made her a key town official.
In the U.S., town, city, state, and federal governments operated independently. Town mayors and senior civil servants wielded significant power locally.
Seeing Cindy's potential, Mayor Wallis nurtured her growth. After recent tourist incidents, she proved her abilities to everyone. Just last month, when things quieted down, the mayor promoted her to town clerk.
This clerk role, unlike in China, wasn't more powerful than the mayor. It mainly involved recording town affairs and proposals and supervising the town's administration—documenting both the good and the bad, then reporting it.
The position ranked among the town's top five, which was why Cindy had her own office.
"Finished your work for today?" Jiang Hai asked Cindy as he looked at her, recalling last year when she was the mistress of Tamron Manor—before she somehow went off track.
"Not much left now. Mostly helping plan the program and process. You know, this dinner is a big event for Mayor Wallis. Besides the annual Poseidon Festival, Winthrop hasn't had such a Christmas dinner in over ten years. Everything else in town has been put on hold—this is the top priority." Cindy smiled, but Jiang Hai felt a strange distance in her expression.
"Let's go. There's a nice coffee shop right across the street. We can check it out." Bernice interrupted, sensing the odd atmosphere between Jiang Hai and Cindy.
Everyone smiled and left the town government building, heading to the coffee shop across the street. They ordered drinks and snacks. Jiang Hai didn't like coffee—he preferred tea, but American coffee shops rarely served tea, so he settled for juice. Cindy and the others ordered a lot.
After Jiang Hai paid, they chatted comfortably. Bernice and her friends had already clarified their purpose on the phone, so Cindy didn't have to guess.
Looking at the five of them, Cindy hesitated and said, "I originally planned a small stage play for the show, but there's a shortage of actors. When you said you were coming, I thought of the roles I'd saved for you..." She glanced at Bernice, thinking a moment before explaining.
Four girls exchanged surprised looks—performing a stage play was high-profile.
Jiang Hai raised an eyebrow—this might be trouble.
A stage play meant acting in front of everyone—pretty embarrassing.
"The play is adapted from the animated film Frozen. Do you know it?" Cindy asked.
Bernice scoffed, "Who hasn't seen that? Even if you haven't, you've heard the songs!" She smiled contemptuously and sang a bit from "Let It Go"—or as it was translated.
"That's the one. Xiaoya, can you sing it? You look like you'd make a perfect Elsa." Cindy smiled warmly at Xiaoya.
She had met Xiaoya before at Jiang Hai's place. Originally, Cindy planned to stage The Little Mermaid, but changed it to Frozen upon hearing Bernice's group was coming—Xiaoya was perfect for Elsa.
"Me? Really?" Xiaoya looked shy. She had seen Frozen, and while Anna was the heroine, Elsa was the standout character. It felt intimidating for a newcomer to take such a role.
"Of course. Try singing 'Let It Go.'" Cindy encouraged her.
Xiaoya glanced at her sister and Jiang Hai, then began to sing. She was a little off-key at first, nervous, but quickly found her pitch. Compared to Bernice's voice, Xiaoya's was clearer and more pleasant. Even the café staff looked over, curious. Jiang Hai and the others were impressed—not amazed, but pleasantly surprised by her singing.
"I didn't expect you to be a musical genius!" Jiang Hai applauded with a smile.
"You're perfect! The best Elsa candidate in my book," Cindy said approvingly.
Bernice clapped excitedly, "Awesome! Since you're Elsa, I get to play Anna, right?"
"No, I'll play Anna. Look—I don't even have to dye my hair." Cindy smiled at her.
"What? Then what role do I get?" Bernice frowned.
"Darlene, you're Kristoff—the ice harvester, a cross-dressing lead role. Marianne, you'll play Hans, the prince from another country." Cindy continued assigning roles without waiting for Bernice's protest.
"What about me? I want a main role, not Olaf!" Bernice anxiously pointed at herself, clearly annoyed.
"You? No role. Neither do you, Jiang Hai. Don't forget, you told Mayor Wallis there'd be three programs. I've helped with one—you two have to handle the other two yourselves." Cindy laughed and winked at Jiang Hai and Bernice.
"Okay, girls, you have to come with me this afternoon. We still need more actors. Once the script's finalized, we'll order costumes and rehearse. I don't have much time." Without waiting for a reply, she took Darlene, Marianne, and Xiaoya with her, smiling as they left, leaving only Jiang Hai and Bernice behind.
"How can this be?" Bernice glared at the disappearing trio. They had abandoned her and Jiang Hai—it was too cruel. Jiang Hai just stared blankly and continued sipping his juice.
"You still have the leisure to drink juice? I thought Cindy Clive was our lifeline, but now she's taken my sister away. What kind of show are we supposed to perform?" Bernice patted Jiang Hai, frustrated.
"Well, if it doesn't work out, just sing," Jiang Hai said thoughtfully. If acting failed, singing was his fallback.
"It doesn't have to be amazing, but at least not too dramatic," he added quietly.
"Sing? What will you sing? 'Your Steel Pot'?" Bernice rolled her eyes, recalling Jiang Hai's odd songs from last night.
"No, I learned another song from South Vietnam last night," Jiang Hai said seriously.
"South Vietnam? You know their songs?" Bernice's curiosity was piqued, though her sixth sense warned her she might be tricked. Still, she asked.
"Yes, that's how it goes: 'Braces girl, but beauty, sister has such a strong... die!'" (To be continued.)