Chapter 6: The Emergence of Doubt

Diver? It seems that fishing doesn't require diving, right? I know, asking more questions would be pointless; he is a stubborn person. I smiled and handed him a cigarette, and then I stopped talking.

Apart from Jenny, there is another woman on this ship, who is said to be responsible for our meals, that is, the cook. However, I don't see her as a chef; the reason is simple: she is also a beauty. Have you ever seen a beautiful woman as a chef? Typically, women who are chefs are either too heavy or too unattractive; how many are there like her

I decided to seek clarification, so I informed Shunzi and then got up to head towards the cabin.

The fishing boat has been sailing for over six hours. I took a rough look around, and we should now be between the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. During this season, there are still quite a few fish in this area. Both Shunzi and I are fully prepared and ready to start working at any time.

The three of us followed her all the way from the deck to the cabin, and then from the cabin to the engine room, covering almost every part of the ship. The only two rooms labeled as storage rooms that we did not enter. The overall structure of this ship is quite good, and the materials used in its construction are excellent, making it a fine specimen among fishing vessels

"Aren't we on a deep-sea fishing vessel? What else can we do besides fishing?" I asked tentatively, hoping to elicit some conversation.

Gazing at the boundless ocean, one initially feels excitement, followed by fear. The excitement stems from the vastness of the sea, while the fear also arises from it. The open ocean, visible every day, presents an overwhelming expanse... Who can endure it? Especially at night, the sea appears like an unfathomable abyss, which is beyond the capacity of an ordinary person to bear

I smiled and then chatted with him for a few moments. During our conversation, I learned that everyone here calls him Heizi. He seems to know almost all the other sailors, as they used to work together. The reason he came here this time was also due to the higher salary, but he doesn't seem to know exactly what the job entails. According to him, when he came, they only mentioned it was ocean operations, without specifying fishing.

As I thought of this, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. "Hey, are you okay? What are you grinning about?" Jenny's words pulled me back to reality.

He said nonchalantly, "Whatever, do as you please, as long as there's money to be made. Besides, whether it's a diver or a sailor, I can handle it all."

The boat, however, showed no signs of stopping and continued to sail on. I was a bit puzzled; there were plenty of fish here, making it an ideal spot for work. Why weren't we stopping? I casually asked a sailor next to me, "Hey buddy, why isn't this boat stopping? We're missing such a great opportunity."

The entire morning has passed, and I still haven't seen Jiao Ba. That rascal isn't on the deck; who knows where he has gone to slack off. I can't be bothered to care about him. Today's lunch was quite good, with a nice balance of meat and vegetables, and the vegetables were relatively fresh. This is also because it's the first day out at sea; after a while, such good fortune won't last.

I organized my emotions and asked, "Ah, what did you just say?"

Shunzi sat there with a silly smile, not saying a word. The two of us sat at the bow of the boat, smoking, watching the seabirds, feeling the sea breeze, and occasionally boasting a little.

At this moment, Jenny walked out of the cabin and said, "Dinner is ready, everyone can eat first."

Jenny saw us coming and walked over with a beaming smile, saying, "Good morning, everyone"

This man is around thirty years old, with dark skin and a robust physique, clearly someone who has spent a long time at sea. He is smoking and speaking in a southern dialect, saying, "It doesn't matter, as long as you give us money, it’s all the same where we work."

There are two remaining maintenance workers, and two helmsmen, namely the second and third mates. The rest are almost all sailors, including the three of us. However, I suddenly noticed a problem: this fishing boat is not only peculiar in terms of personnel, but also in its equipment.

I glanced at him sideways and said, "Damn it, are you looking for a fight? Have you also learned to eavesdrop?"

I always feel that this time out at sea is not for fishing. Just look at these few in charge; not a single one of them is decent. Where is there anyone who looks like a fisherman? Especially Jenny and that female chef, the more I look at them, the more something seems off. Coupled with what that guy Heizi and the librarian said, my suspicions have only deepened.

I took a deep breath and said, "At first, there was a little, but now there isn't. With beautiful women by my side, I naturally won't feel lonely." As I spoke, I intentionally raised my eyebrows at her, which could barely be considered a form of teasing! Jenny's expression was not good; it was somewhat gloomy, and she seemed to be angry. She coldly said, "Please speak with more respect and put away your lewd behavior." After saying this, she turned and walked away. Tch, how boring; one can't even make a joke.

Shunzi took the cigarette box from my hand and said, "Stop pretending, I heard everything from the side just now."

I pondered for a moment and said, "Well, I feel the same way. Let's wait and see."

Isn't there a bit of reluctance? A voice rang in my ear. I turned my head to look, and it was Jenny. She was gazing ahead, a smile on her face. This girl, the more I look at her, the more beautiful she becomes, truly a feast for the eyes

With a loud roar, the fishing boat set sail. I stood at the bow, watching the bustling city recede further and further away. Suddenly, a sense of reluctance washed over me. Being at sea for too long can be unbearable; it is a form of mental torment. I have seen too many people suffer from mental breakdowns due to long voyages. I truly do not know whether this journey is right or wrong. In pursuit of a little more profit, one is indeed risking their life.

Good morning, by the way, let me introduce you, this is my partner, Shun Zi... I quickly made the introductions, as it would be awkward if someone asked later.

After they greeted each other, Jenny said, "Let's go, I will take you around to familiarize yourselves with the surroundings"

The entire ship has approximately twenty people, including the captain and the first mate. The captain is Jenny, and the first mate is an old man, at least sixty years old. He wears a pair of reading glasses, and his hair is completely white. However, he appears quite knowledgeable, giving off a vibe reminiscent of a contemporary 'scholar.' He does not have the typical sea smell associated with fishermen, and he certainly does not look like someone who works in this line of work

"Brother Yi, did someone dig it up?" Shunzi said as he walked over, a sly grin still on his face

Evening operations? What the hell are you doing? Previously, fishing boats operated during the day and rested as much as possible at night. If there were too many fish, that couldn't be helped. But you, on the other hand, have been idle all day and insist on working in the evening. Is there something shady going on here?

A deep-sea fishing vessel without fishing nets—what does it rely on to catch fish? Could it be that there are more advanced fishing methods? I have only been away from the sailor's life for two years; surely, developments cannot be that rapid. I am aware of the purpose of this large buoy; it is said to be used for salvaging sunken ships. But what are they using it for? ... Could it be that ...

I suddenly realized something; this time at sea will definitely not be lonely. In the past, every time I went out to sea, it was always filled with old men, and we would be out for a year or more. It would be strange not to get sick. Fortunately, I have good psychological resilience. Now there are women on the ship, and they are two beautiful ladies. Not only is there money to be made, but we also have beautiful companions. Just thinking about it is quite thrilling.

Although I have questions, I still did not voice them, as it is not my concern. What equipment they use is their business; I am merely a worker, and I just need to do my own job well

At that moment, the fishing boat suddenly stopped, and the old man with glasses stepped out and said, "Everyone take a break first; we will start working again in the evening"

We have made a large detour, and I discovered that there are actually no fishing nets on this boat; at least, I haven't seen any. On the contrary, there are many bundles of steel wire ropes, possibly dozens in total. Additionally, at the stern of the boat, I also saw more than a dozen large buoys, which further confuses me.

This old fellow is quite advanced in age, yet he is not afraid of straining his back while going out to sea. At such an age, he still insists on making a fuss; this truly shows he values money over life. When the time comes, he will surely find himself in deep trouble at sea. I have no interest in meddling in his affairs

When we finished lunch, it was already a little past 1 PM. Shunzi whispered in my ear, "Yige, why do I feel that this boat is a bit strange? We missed so many areas with fish schools before, what is going on?"

"Get lost, a man like me is simply beyond her understanding." I took out a cigarette, lit it, and took two strong puffs as I spoke

I said, "Aren't you a bit reluctant?" She shot me a glance and replied.