Trafford's Trading Club

559: Golden Week 559: Golden Week Editor: TheSloth “Total length 223 meters, hull width 29 meters, maximum width 32.5 meters, gross tonnage 47,500 tons, max speed 19.3 knots per hour.

There are 739 cabins on board, maximum capacity for 1,897 guests…

Baiyu Cruise.”

The ship’s whistle sounded especially loud, almost like a battle hymn.

The tourists were boarding the cruise orderly and steadily.

Luo Qiu frowned, glancing over his shoulder—behind him were none other than Officer Ma carrying two duffel bags, and Officer Ma’s wife hauling even bigger bags.

At this moment, Ren Ziling, Lizi, and You Ye walked up through the crowd.

Subeditor Ren shook what was in her hand, “All the paperwork’s done, let’s get on board!

So… here we go!

Our Golden Week!

Our journey at sea!”

Why did we end up here anyway?

Luo Qiu found it all pretty unbelievable… …

Back to two days ago.

When Boss Luo was home watching TV, it was unexpectedly Ren Ziling, who typically came home wearing the look of a defeated dog, that kicked off her shoes at the door as usual and just flopped right onto… the couch.

Feeling like something was off, Boss Luo instinctively got up intending to head to his room, but he was yanked right back by brute force.

Subeditor Ren, emanating strong mafia boss energy, clapped a hand on Luo Qiu’s shoulder, smirking, “Kid, I heard you don’t have to go to school lately, just lazing around on vacation, huh?” “And?” “How about a three-day, two-night cruise adventure!” “No.” “If so, I’m not washing dishes after dinner, and laundry gets dumped on the couch unfolded, tonight I’m marathon-ing dramas in the living room till sunrise, and I’m gonna squeeze toothpaste from the middle…” “…” … … “Baiyu Cruise… that brings back memories.” Officer Ma looked up at the ship by the boarding gate.

Trailing behind Officer Ma in the line, Luo Qiu chuckled, “Uncle Ma, you’ve taken her out before?

I think you and Auntie went sailing last summer, right?” “That wasn’t this ship.” Officer Ma shook his head, then smiled, “You know what?

This Baiyu Cruise was our first cruise ship around here.

I sailed on it when I was young.

Not just me, your dad rode it too.

Really have to thank Ziling this time—never thought she’d score tickets for Baiyu.

Word is, this is its last voyage.

After we’re back, it’s officially retiring.” “So that’s why you took leave specially for this trip?” Luo Qiu nodded.

Officer Ma grinned, “I already asked for time off, it was supposed to be Golden Week overseas with Auntie visiting our kid.

But that brat said he had an event and couldn’t make time.

Chatted with Ziling about it a couple days ago, and next thing you know she roped me in.

Plus, Auntie is keen to see what your girlfriend looks like.”

As he said this, Officer Ma patted Luo Qiu’s shoulder, then quietly slipped two tiny bottles into his hand, speaking like an old sage: “This stuff is gold!

All herbal formula, I rely on it myself!

You got this!

Luo Qiu!”

Boss Luo stared at the two little bottles he was holding: medicinal energy drink for boosting stamina. “Old Ma!

What are you two still dawdling for?

Hurry up and get on!” Up ahead, Officer Ma’s wife called out, turning to face them. “Coming, coming!” Officer Ma hoisted the bags and hustled after her.

The maid appeared at her master’s side, smiling gently, “Master, shall we board too?

Ms.

Ren is already urging us.”

Luo Qiu nodded, smiling as he walked, though behind his back his hand was quietly waving—and with barely a sound, he tossed the two little bottles… into the river.

Who would actually use that stuff?

But before he could take more than a couple of steps, Luo Qiu stopped, turning his gaze to the left front—quite a distance away, near the bow on the deck.

Two men seemed to be locked in some kind of struggle.

Judging by their uniforms, it looked like high-ranking cruise ship staff… one old, one young.

Both seemed to be straining to keep themselves in check.

Though their expressions were a bit heated, at least they weren’t coming to blows.

Soon enough, the younger man, maybe thirty, jerked his head away and walked off.

The older man watched him go, then suddenly clutched his chest, grimacing in pain like he had a heart condition.

The old man fumbled inside his clothes and pulled out a small bottle, poured a few pills into his palm, and swallowed them straight down…

His breathing slowly steadied.

He just clung to the railing on the deck, gazing out at the bow, lost in thought. “Luo Qiu!

What are you spacing out for?

Don’t tell me you’re trying to ditch us!” Ren Ziling, already up on the ship, shouted down at him from the gangway.

Boss Luo shook his head and raced upstairs.

The walk was uneventful.

Once on board, everyone found their reserved cabin and stashed their luggage—three rooms for six people.

Even before getting on, Luo Qiu had expected this arrangement, so he didn’t bother saying anything, just grabbed You Ye and headed straight into their room. “Not bad.

This room’s pretty clean.” The maid gave the place a sweeping glance…

Which, considering how intense her hygiene standards ran, was actually high praise.

Luo Qiu peered out the little window, smiled, and wiped a fingertip across the windowsill, rubbing his fingers together, then said, “This ship’s been sailing for almost thirty years, keeping it like this is impressive… must be some great crew members around.”

The maid walked over, just about to help her master out of his jacket.

Luo Qiu suddenly said, “Since we’re here and we’ve got nothing pressing to do, come stroll around the ship with me.” “But what about Ms.

Ren?”

Luo Qiu shrugged, “She’s probably scheming up some weird plan again.

Just let her be.

Let’s check out the deck—might be some interesting business opportunities.” … “Sister Ren, no matter how hard you try, you won’t hear a thing—the soundproofing in these cabins is top notch.” Lizi pointed out.

Barely inside the room, Ren Ziling didn’t even take off her shoes before plastering her ear to the wall.

Lizi’s comment finally got Subeditor Ren to sigh in defeat.

Ren Ziling crossed her legs on the bed, then grinned at Lizi, asking, “So, did you bring the goods?” “If I said I left it at home, would you chuck me overboard?” Lizi blinked.

Ren Ziling snickered and thumped Lizi’s shoulder, “How could I!

Do I look like that kind of person?

Worst I’d do is lock you in the room and feed you bread three times a day, nothing to worry about!” “Honestly, that’s way more cruel…” Lizi slumped, quickly rummaging through her bag.

Soon, Lizi flipped over her hand and pulled out a tiny plastic box, handing it to Ren Ziling. “So this is your family’s secret recipe, huh…” Ren Ziling shook the box.

Inside, two pitch-black pills clacked against each other. “Are you sure this works?

Any nasty side effects?

Bad for the body or something?” “I already cut the dosage—humans should be able to handle it.” said Lizi offhandedly. “Humans?” Ren Ziling blinked.

Lizi laughed, “I mean, the regular dose is fine for pandas.

It’s a stamina-booster pill; if it doesn’t work, it’s basically a health supplement, nothing to worry about!”

Lizi beat her chest, “If anything goes wrong, I’ll starve myself for three days!”

Seeing Lizi use such a brutal condition as a guarantee, Ren Ziling nodded, “Yeah, boosting stamina is good.

If one dose doesn’t work, a few more should do it—better safe than sorry!”

Lizi was already tearing open a rice cracker, glancing at Ren Ziling, who now looked like some witch fresh off brewing a weird potion, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Guess…

Luo Qiu must have it tough on the regular?