Naming Technique of the Night

Chapter 661: 402, Go to the sea! Chapter 661: 402, Go to the sea! “Congratulations to the Arctic for finding a new crew member! Cheers!”

In the dim light of Walnut Bar, a captain lifted his whiskey, though his tone had an indescribable tease to it.

The sailors burst into laughter, “Old John is getting old. The Arctic is left with all new crew members, they might not even be able to throw the grappling hooks properly.”

Zhang Jian glanced at the sailors, and said to Qing Chen in a low voice, “Let’s talk somewhere else, and we can discuss your salary and the job you’ll be doing.”

“Sure,” Qing Chen replied with a smile and a nod.

However, just as they were preparing to leave, a captain named Kreg stood up and said, “Wait a minute, this… Qing, my Alps also needs crew members. Why don’t you join us? You will definitely earn more than you would on the Arctic.”

The sailors were stunned for a moment.

The Alps was the crab fishing champion last year, and they were very strict in selecting their crew members, usually not opting for new ones.

On the deck, all sailors shared the risks, together facing waves that could reach up to nine meters, or even higher.

Everyone hoped to have an experienced old hand by their side when facing danger, as it would increase their own chances of survival.

After all, this is one of the most dangerous professions in the world.

For the sake of suppressing Zhang Jian and getting his hands on the quota, Kreg chose to poach from his opponent, which wasn’t a wise move, considering that the Alps was already fully staffed, and Qing Chen was still a novice.

But Kreg didn’t say much more. He looked at Qing Chen and said, “You just need to know how to cook, and the Alps can give you a spot.”

It dawned on everyone that Kreg was willing to pay to prevent Zhang Jian from gathering enough crew members, ultimately making it impossible for him to set sail.

If Zhang Jian sold the quota, then even if Kreg had to support one extra person, it would still be profitable for him.

Yet Qing Chen just smiled and said, “No need, I prefer adventurous stuff.”

Seeing that Qing Chen had made up his mind, Kreg didn’t say anything more. He then turned to Zhang Jian, “Are you sure you want to use this young man? Look at him, does he have the strength to pull the crab pots on deck?”

Zhang Jian hesitated for a moment, “That’s none of your concern.”

Qing Chen said with a grin, “I am very strong.”

After saying that, he turned and left the Walnut Bar.

Zhang Jian hurriedly followed.

In the cold wind, Zhang Jian asked with a hint of excitement, “How old are you this year?”

Qing Chen replied with a smile, “Seventeen.”

Zhang Jian was taken aback, “That young?”

The physical strength of an adult male typically fully develops around the age of 24. At 17, it’s not just about age; it’s about whether one’s vigor and physical endurance can keep up with the rhythm of a crab fishing boat.

However… Zhang Jian couldn’t afford to be picky now. He instructed, “Including you, we have a total of five crew members on our ship: me, Old John, Nedup, George, you. Once we’re on board, you just listen well to Old John’s instructions. He’ll take good care of you… Hopefully, you can withstand it.”

Qing Chen changed the subject, curiously asking, “Are you Chinese, do you speak Mandarin?”

“I can speak it, but not fluently,” Zhang Jian continued in English, “My grandfather settled in Europe in the 1940s, has always been in the fishing industry, it was not until my father’s generation that we got our own fishing boat, and worked hard to get the King Crab fishing license, only I might lose it.”

“Don’t worry,” Qing Chen said with a smile, “I’ll try my best not to drag everyone down.”

Zhang Jian then asked, “Which ships have you worked on before, a cruise ship?”

It was typical for cruise ships to hire sailors like Qing Chen to work as waiters, but strictly speaking, such waiters didn’t really count as sailors.

Qing Chen explained earnestly, “Actually, the upcoming crab fishing trip will be my first time out at sea.”

Zhang Jian looked at Qing Chen with his mouth agape in the dimly lit harbor street outside, “What? Your first time at sea?! You aren’t joking with me, are you? Do you know how fierce the storms are in the Barents Sea? I’ve seen waves as high as buildings during 50-knot hurricanes! You might not even know if you get seasick, and if you do, really no one on the ship has the time to take care of you.”

Qing Chen thought for a moment, “Don’t worry, I won’t get seasick.”

At that moment, Zhang Jian suddenly felt that when he was talking about the severe storms at the Barents Sea, the new crew member’s eyes lit up as if he was looking forward to it.

It was as if he was saying: Really? That’s great!

Zhang Jian said earnestly, “Qing Chen, it’s not that I disdain you for lacking experience as a sailor, it’s that I’m responsible for your life. Honestly, I would very much like to take you aboard just to make up the numbers, but you will die at sea, you have no idea what we are going to face!”

“So what?” Qing Chen asked.

“So I can’t take you to sea, you should go back,” Zhang Jian said, “This isn’t the place for you.”

“What if I asked for only the base salary, without a share,” Qing Chen asked with a smile, “Although I’ve never been out to sea, I’m a fast learner, and I’m also willing to work hard. You should know how hardworking Chinese compatriots can be.”

Zhang Jian was tempted…

The base salary for a crew member is very low, especially compared to a share of the catch.

When going out to sea, the biggest costs are the ship, fuel, and people. If Qing Chen only wanted the base salary, it was as if he were picking up a free laborer.

Qing Chen added, “If I come on board, I can help with the work. If you don’t let me on the ship, you won’t have enough crew members, and you might not even have the standard four people on deck.”