"How is it possible? Oh my god, is this still an Angus cow? Maybe it was given some kind of drug!"
"I think so too. We all know what Angus cows are typically like—how can such a small cow produce so much high-quality beef? I think Tenglong Manor must have used some shady methods."
"Alright, stop talking nonsense. If he really cheated, would he dare to show up at a national competition? Do you think the appraisers hired by the organizers are there just for show? If something was off, don't you think they'd notice?"
"Maybe they were bribed?"
"Yeah, maybe they're in on it!"
"If this guy really has a secret formula to improve beef quality, why isn't he sharing it?"
"Exactly, that's suspicious!"
As the price of Jiang Hai's beef was displayed on the booth, many ranchers and manor owners below started murmuring. In their eyes, something about Jiang Hai's cattle had to be off.
Pra Walton was also sitting among the audience. As a manager at Sam's Club, she naturally had a seat in the VIP section. Hearing the accusations and whispers around her, she couldn't help but sneer. She knew better than anyone that there was no foul play in Jiang Hai's beef.
It's the same no matter what country you're in—people tend to cry sour grapes when they can't have something.
As the saying goes, "cutting off someone's income is like killing their parents." Jiang Hai hadn't taken money from them directly, but he did have a way to raise superior beef, and he wasn't sharing it. In their eyes, that was a crime.
Thankfully, Jiang Hai was in the United States.
This isn't meant to disparage China—it's just that the systems are different. In the U.S., wealth means power. Even though the country is governed by laws, it's ultimately the major corporations who call the shots. But these corporations won't easily rock the boat. They need examples of the "American Dream"—people who come from nothing and succeed wildly. So even if they know Jiang Hai has a secret technique, as long as he doesn't step on any toes or disrupt their interests, no one can force him to hand it over.
That's how personal property is protected in the U.S. There are many inventors who hold incredibly valuable patents. If they don't want to share them, the government can't just seize them.
Sure, private investigation or imitation might happen behind the scenes—but legally, ownership remains intact.
China, on the other hand, operates differently. Stability and balance are emphasized. If Jiang Hai had this kind of breakthrough in China, someone would undoubtedly come knocking to ask him to turn it over—whether to the state or to powerful individuals. If handed to the state, it might be for the public good. But if handed to an individual, Jiang Hai would be seen as a threat, an upstart to be dealt with.
Again, this isn't criticism. It's just the way things are. Consider the case of the late Academician Yuan, who invented hybrid rice. He gave the patent to the state. If he were American, the royalties alone would have made him a billionaire. In China, such contributions are rewarded with respect and modest financial compensation.
Jiang Hai still held Chinese nationality. He had to walk a fine line.
But that's enough social commentary.
For now, Jiang Hai was in the U.S., so no matter how jealous or scheming others might be, they could only watch.
"To be honest, the ranking for Tenglong Manor's cow feels way too low. I don't even know what to say anymore. Anyway, let's move on and welcome the sixth cow—this one's from Frankville Ranch in Texas. A Hereford cow named Sir Gaul."
The host remained composed despite the undercurrent of doubt. He glanced at the cue card and moved on to the next contestant: the Hereford cow. Despite the French-sounding name, the breed was actually British—originating from Herefordshire in southern England.
It's the world's oldest breed of small-to-medium beef cattle. But even "small" Herefords are bigger than Jiang Hai's Angus cows. A mature one weighs between 1,000 to 1,100 kilograms.
This Hereford cow was decent—definitely better than the eighth-ranked Charolais cow—but after what Jiang Hai's Angus had just shown, it couldn't compare. It still managed to fetch about $110,000, but it simply wasn't in the same league.
After that came the fifth-ranked cow: Tenglong No. 1.
As Jiang Hai's cow entered the stage, gasps echoed through the crowd. They had assumed he'd brought one freakishly good cow—but now, clearly, he had several. When the butcher began slicing, the murmuring below intensified.
Just like Tenglong No. 3, this cow had been handpicked by Robbins Garcia. Once again, the results stunned the audience. It was estimated at over $160,000.
A lightweight Angus cow worth that much? Most people couldn't even fathom it. As they looked toward Jiang Hai standing behind the curtain, more and more eyes burned with envy.
But others were deep in thought—like Luke Sean, who had also come to observe.
Though most of Luke's assets were tied up in shares, he himself was a rancher. His family had raised cattle since the Spanish colonial era. After losing their ranch during the Mexican takeover, they regained it when the U.S. retaliated, and were even rewarded with land. Later, Luke invested early in internet giants like Microsoft, Google, and Apple—he was even once a partner of Texas tech mogul Mark Cuban. But his true roots were always in ranching.
Now, as he stared at Jiang Hai's cattle, he realized five premium cuts were no longer enough. He wanted Jiang Hai's technique. But knowing Jiang Hai, he also knew he wouldn't give it up easily.
Also watching closely were agents from Japan and their American representatives. After seeing Jiang Hai's cattle, they had no hope of winning. Now their only goal was to find a way to get his secret.
Jiang Hai, aware of their gazes, simply chuckled. These spoiled brats thought they could push him around? Naive.
After Tenglong No. 2 was judged, the competition was essentially over. There was no longer any debate about who would win the top prizes.
Even in Texas, on their own turf, there were limits to how much bias could be tolerated.
After all, even if a referee manipulates a game, they can't just invalidate a goal by saying "we weren't ready." There has to be some integrity.
Once Tenglong No. 1 was done, the fourth cow—another from Texas, a Limousin—was next. While decent, it still fell short.
Third place? Another of Jiang Hai's cows. Tenglong No. 2 crushed the field.
Second place went to a Tajima cow from Montana—a premium Wagyu breed. But even it couldn't match Jiang Hai's Angus. The gap was simply too wide.
Finally, the last contestant entered—a Matsusaka cow from Texas. This was the cow Jiang Hai had noticed earlier. From size to coat to overall form, it was top-tier. Robbins Garcia practically drooled.
The data didn't disappoint. Net weight: one ton. Meat yield: 670 kg. Premium beef yield: 64 kg—the highest among the others, though still far behind Jiang Hai.
Even the Montana Tajima only had a 4.5% premium yield—under 5%. In the beef world, 5% is a golden threshold. Cross that line, and you're in a whole new league.
But Jiang Hai knew that any cattle raised on his grass could become champions. That was his true edge.
"We picked the wrong cattle in the beginning. If we'd gone with bigger ones, we'd have made even more money," Robbins Garcia sighed.
"There's nothing to regret. I think Angus are just fine." Jiang Hai smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Alright, it's time. The beef from these three cows will be divided—part to the organizers and judges, the rest goes to Pra Walton. Let's wrap this up."
With that, Jiang Hai stepped out from behind the curtain. The eight cows had been shown, and now it was time to score and award medals.
At this point, the formality seemed almost unnecessary...
As expected, Jiang Hai didn't receive the bronze or "participation" awards. When it came time for silver, Tenglong No. 2 and No. 3 won. Gold went to Tenglong No. 1.
Jiang Hai accepted the gold and silver trophies, smiled politely, gave a short speech, and left backstage.
Outside, Pra Walton had already arranged a car to pick him up. Robbins Garcia and the others had left separately.
Jiang Hai climbed in and was whisked away.
Not long after, a crowd of people arrived, looking for him—but they were too late. Their intentions were obvious, and not pure.
"This time, Winthrop's Tenglong Manor has really made a name for itself," Pra Walton said with a smile. Jiang Hai nodded—at last, it was over.
"Next up is the Boston Fisheries Exhibition. That's your home turf, so I won't worry about it. Now that you're famous, I'll talk with headquarters about raising your beef prices." She grinned. Business negotiations and strategy thrilled her—second only to her time with Jiang Hai.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Though I really don't want to see you go," Jiang Hai said, pulling her onto his lap and looking into her delicate, smiling face. Over the past few days, he had grown genuinely fond of her. In Jiang Hai's heart, her place was second only to Qi Li.
Few people could support him in business—Qi Li was one, and Pra Walton was the other.
But while Qi Li's role was clear, things with Pra Walton remained uncertain. They were friends, yes. Partners, yes. But lovers? Maybe. They had slept together, more than once. Maybe that relationship was evolving.
"I expect a proper thank you tonight—because tomorrow, I'm leaving," she teased, tapping his nose playfully.
And just like that, the next chapter began.
To be continued...