The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Complaints from a Comrade

Ye Feng smiled. ”I’m not too sure either. Different specifications, different performance—the prices all vary.”

”You’re asking now, do you want to buy one right away? Even if you have the funds, could you bear to leave Pingping and An’an?”

”An ocean-going vessel is hundreds of tons. A single trip can take two to three months, or even half a year.”

Upon hearing this, Han Xiaorui instantly deflated, her tone wistful. ”You’re right. I have two children, and they still need to attend classes for intervention. I can’t leave them during such a crucial stage of their lives.”

Ye Feng knew Han Xiaorui would react this way. She yearned for the sea, but she loved the people around her more. At least for now, deep-sea fishing was out of the question.

”You might not be able to leave for that long, but if you buy a slightly larger fishing boat and hire a few more crewmen, your income will be much higher.”

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment and felt he had a point. ”That’s true. My boat is too small. I need a bigger one.”

On the way, they discussed the sea, fishing, and ships. Han Xiaorui was particularly interested, chatting endlessly with Ye Feng.

Ye Feng had done his ”homework” beforehand. Although he didn’t have extensive fishing experience, he knew a thing or two, especially about some cutting-edge information.

”They have a type of freezing technology abroad that can make fish taste even fresher. It’s currently under research, but who knows when they’ll have a breakthrough.”

Han Xiaorui’s eyes lit up. ”Are there any materials on that? I’d like to borrow them.”

”Yes, the maritime affairs department has plenty of books. If you can’t buy them, you can borrow them,” Ye Feng said with a smile, trying to make things as convenient as possible for Han Xiaorui.

「At 8:20, they arrived at the grand auditorium.」

Ye Feng led Han Xiaorui inside, and they sat in their pre-arranged seats.

Whether it was the staff or the other fishermen, everyone was slightly taken aback when they saw Han Xiaorui.

Although Ye Feng had already made introductions, many people were reluctant to believe that this was the expert fisherwoman, Han Xiaorui.

Despite their disbelief, when Han Xiaorui appeared on the award stage, they had no choice but to believe it.

”Comrade Han Xiaorui, could you tell us how you’re feeling?” The male host walked up with a microphone. The female host stayed below, not daring to come up, afraid she would be outshone by Han Xiaorui.

Han Xiaorui took the microphone, poised and graceful. ”I am a citizen of Hua Country, and I will always defend Hua Country’s security. Although I’m just a fisherwoman, I know that national security is everyone’s responsibility.”

”People from the security department often come to our Jinshan Bay to raise awareness, and we take their words to heart. Comrade Ye Feng has given us help and guidance. In the future, if I discover any foreign surveillance devices during my fishing operations, I will still retrieve them without hesitation.”

Everyone below applauded enthusiastically. She proved that a woman can be the equal of any man.

Information travels fast among the fishing community, and many had heard that a ”Queen of the Sea” had appeared in Jinshan Bay.

’I never expected to see her today. She’s so young, and so beautiful!’

Ye Feng stood below, watching Han Xiaorui on stage—articulate, poised, beautiful, and dignified. He found this woman becoming more and more captivating.

She received the one thousand yuan prize money, a large red flower sash draped over her.

For the first time, many people felt the urge to rip off the red flower sash, feeling that it ruined Han Xiaorui’s exquisite outfit.

Many of the unmarried men started asking about Han Xiaorui.

As the saying goes, a fair lady is a gentleman’s desire.

However, upon learning that Han Xiaorui had been married, was divorced, and had two children, many of them backed off.

Not everyone could accept a divorced woman, nor could everyone accept a woman who already had children.

In truth, these men were clearly getting ahead of themselves. Han Xiaorui’s standards were very high.

She wasn’t short on money.

Even if she wanted to find a man, she would look for someone with good character and good looks, a man who could make her heart flutter at first sight.

After the award ceremony ended, Ye Feng took Han Xiaorui to greet the leaders of various departments.

In the future, if something came up, she would at least know which department and who to contact.

Ye Feng found his old comrade-in-arms, Yang Xuewen, who worked at the shipyard. ”Xuewen, Comrade Xiao Han wants to learn about sea vessels. Do you have any good recommendations?”

Seeing that she was brought by Ye Feng, and was also today’s model representative, Yang Xuewen took the matter seriously. ”Comrade Xiao Han, what size fishing boat do you have now? What model are you looking for?”

Han Xiaorui replied, ”My family has a small fishing boat right now. I’d like a large one.”

Yang Xuewen was taken aback. ”Those are very expensive.”

Han Xiaorui blinked and said with a smile, ”If it’s worth the price, being a little expensive is fine.”

Yang Xuewen smiled. ”This afternoon... Comrade Xiao Han, are you free this afternoon? I’d like to invite you to the shipyard for a look.”

Ye Feng was surprised. ”Yang Xuewen, what are you scheming? Spit it out!”

Faced with his friend calling him out, Yang Xuewen shook his head and laughed. ”Ah, I almost forgot about you, Captain. Since the captain brought you here, I’ll just be direct.”

”Our shipyard has a new ship that’s seventy percent complete—a thirty-six-meter large trawler. It’s the most advanced fishing vessel in our country. But the original buyer was in a maritime accident and can no longer afford the remaining payments. If you want it, we can transfer it to you.”

”A brand-new ship would take two years to build, but this one has already been in construction for a year and a half. There’s only thirty percent of the work left. If you want to add or modify anything, that’s still possible.”

Fishing boats always had to be pre-ordered; Han Xiaorui had learned that from Yang Zhigang.

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment. ”Let’s go take a look.”

Ye Feng knew Han Xiaorui would be interested. ”Thinking of buying?”

”Not necessarily,” Han Xiaorui answered noncommittally. ”Looking doesn’t cost anything!”

Ye Feng raised an eyebrow and looked at his old comrade. ”Xuewen, take us to see it. And don’t give me any of that roundabout nonsense, or I’ll beat you up.”

Yang Xuewen glanced at Han Xiaorui, then back at Ye Feng, and chuckled. ”Captain, with you, I’ll tell you the whole truth. I guarantee not a single word will be false.”

”Then let’s get going. I’ll treat you both to a meal,” Ye Feng said with a smile, urging them on.

Yang Xuewen waved it off. ”Captain, Comrade Xiao Han is here to see a boat. She’s our client, so our guesthouse will provide the meal.”

As Yang Xuewen spoke, he walked toward Ye Feng’s jeep. Just as he was about to open the passenger door, Ye Feng pushed him toward the back.

Ye Feng looked at Han Xiaorui. ”Comrade Xiao Han, please get in.”

Yang Xuewen was dumbfounded. ’The captain just brushed me aside! I’m totally in the way!’

’When did the captain become so considerate and thoughtful? Especially toward a woman!’

By the time Han Xiaorui had fastened her seatbelt, Yang Xuewen was still standing foolishly by the rear door of the car.

Ye Feng turned his head and frowned slightly. ”Do you need me to get out and open the door for you?”

”N-No, not at all!” Yang Xuewen snapped out of it, stopped his wild thoughts, and quickly opened the car door.

Yang Xuewen noticed that when the captain spoke to Han Xiaorui, his voice was gentle and he had a smile on his face.

’Is this still the same old ”Living Yama”?’

Then, a possibility struck Yang Xuewen. ’Their captain, the eternal bachelor, is finally about to bloom!’