Trafford's Trading Club

562: ‘Hunter’ and The Old Captain 562: ‘Hunter’ and The Old Captain Editor: TheSloth “Who’s over there!?”

Suddenly, a shout interrupted the fight between the two men.

Qian Guoliang and the man in the mask were locked in a stalemate, gripping each other, their eyes meeting with mutual wariness. “Uncle, this isn’t going to end well for either of us.

How about we cool down for a bit and have a little chat?” the masked man suddenly said, adopting a light, almost heroic tone. “You scared?” Qian Guoliang sneered. “Too bad, I never talk to shady characters whose backgrounds I don’t know.”

But the man with the mask just chuckled, “Uncle, let’s not beat about the bush.

With moves like yours, you’re definitely not ordinary…

You’re probably after something too, right?” “And what about you?

Who are you?” Qian Guoliang pushed the man toward the rail, looking like he might try to throw him off, but the masked man braced with his foot.

The stalemate continued! “Uncle, so you don’t deny you’ve got your own reasons for sneaking into the engine room?” the masked man grinned. “As for me…

I’m just a tourist.

Though, to be honest, I do have a little side hustle.”

Qian Guoliang snorted, “Side hustle…

More like a gentleman on the beam.”

The man in the mask laughed, “Uncle, gentlemen stand on the ground.

We, up above, live much more carefree.”

Qian Guoliang said coolly, “A thief?

Fine.

Even better catching a thief.”

The masked thief squinted and said, “Uncle, are you sure you can handle me?

All I have to do is shout right here, and you’ll be in trouble too, don’t you think?

Since we’re both here for the money, why hurt each other before we even see what we’re looking for?

If you want to fight, wait until we’ve found the goods, then let’s see who’s better, alright?” “Why should I trust you?” “Not like you’ve got a choice, do you?” the masked man smiled. “If we keep this up, neither of us is getting out.” …

When the crew member came into the engine room with a flashlight, he found nothing.

Scratching his head in confusion, he moved on to check elsewhere.

After the crewman left, in the dim light, two figures landed lightly from the pipes above.

Qian Guoliang, the moment he hit the floor, launched an attack at the masked man. “Uncle, you’re trying this again?” The masked man seemed ready, easily blocking Qian Guoliang’s strike.

Qian Guoliang then pulled back and said calmly, “Let’s get out of here first.” …

At the aft deck, Qian Guoliang leaned against the railing, lit a cigarette.

The masked man, hands in pockets, stood beside him, gazing out at the sea before suddenly saying, “Uncle, you’re after the Baiyu Cruise’s treasure too, aren’t you?” “What treasure?” Qian Guoliang replied coolly, “I really have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Then what were you sneaking around the engine room looking for?” “I’m an engineer.

I was just there to get some inspiration, that’s all.”

The masked man said, “Engineer…

That’s a good job, good pay.

Fine, you be your engineer, I’ll be my gentleman on the beam, and let’s not mess with each other.

But Uncle, gotta say this upfront—if I find the thing first, don’t come chasing me… Like you said, you’re just an engineer, right?

See you.”

The masked man turned to leave in front of Qian Guoliang.

Qian Guoliang stubbed out his cigarette on the deck, then suddenly called out, “Wait, come back.”

The masked man did turn around. “Uncle, you know… a good horse doesn’t eat the grass behind.”

Qian Guoliang said coolly, “I’m down to cooperate, but I need to know exactly what you’ve got.” “What about you?” the masked man shot back. “We say it together.” Qian Guoliang shook his head. “I’ll count to three.” The masked man nodded.

When he reached three, Qian Guoliang undid a button on his shirt and took out a strange, half-palm-sized round pendant from around his neck… it looked like a circular protractor.

The masked man pulled from his belt a piece of paper, folded into a neat square.

He said, “This is the original blueprint for the Baiyu Cruise.

My grandpa left it to me.” “This protractor, if I’m right, should be the only tool that can interpret the blueprint you’re holding,” Qian Guoliang said calmly.

The masked man looked surprised. “What a coincidence—could this be a destined meeting… so the legend of the Baiyu Cruise is real?” “Hmph, you weren’t even sure about the treasure, and you dared to come up here?”

The masked man shrugged. “My grandpa was obsessed with this before he died.

I never believed it; kept the blueprint as a keepsake.

But then I heard the ship’s about to retire, so I figured I’d come take a look.

Even if there’s no treasure, at least I’ll come away with something.” “You mean this stuff?” Qian Guoliang calmly pulled a watch and a few necklaces out of his suit pocket.

The masked man instinctively patted his pocket, then suddenly burst out laughing, pulling off his mask… a young man, maybe twenty-seven or twenty-eight, introducing himself, “Uncle, let’s do this properly.

Name’s Flying Eagle.” “Qian Guoliang.” “Uncle.” Flying Eagle came back, mulling it over, “So tell me, how did you end up with that protractor?” “Told you, I’m an engineer,” Qian Guoliang replied coolly. “I found this protractor at the Baiyu’s shipyard a while back, along with a message saying something was hidden on the ship.

I looked into all the previous reports about the Baiyu, but nothing.

Since it’s about to be scrapped, if there really is something hidden, it won’t stay hidden long.”

Flying Eagle gave Qian Guoliang a look and said lightly, “Looks like fate really did bring us together, since both of us hold the key pieces.

So, shall we go find somewhere to unlock this thirty-year-old secret?” “Sounds good.” Qian Guoliang nodded, tucking the pendant back under his shirt.

The two of them headed into the cabin, one after the other. … …

The gaze shifted from the lower deck…

It was Boss Luo, using the excuse of getting some fresh air after dinner, accompanied by his maid, Ms.

Ren.

Luo Qiu smiled and said, “Looks like Lizi was right.

Treasure hunters meeting at sea, launching a game of intrigue.” “Wonder what this treasure will turn out to be.” You Ye smiled softly.

But Boss Luo’s eyes looked elsewhere… he had been watching a certain spot here since before he saw Qian Guoliang and Flying Eagle.

Lights, cameras, microphones, a few men and women, and the old captain Luo Qiu had seen before… plus the man in his thirties who’d argued with the old captain earlier.

From their conversation, it was clear that the younger man was the old captain’s son.

The people with the filming gear were from a TV documentary crew that had been invited aboard.

Their purpose this time was to shoot an episode about the Baiyu Cruise’s final voyage—also the old captain’s last mission.

A ship about to retire, its captain serving faithfully for thirty years, both nearing the end of their journeys… probably going to be a touching episode.

The public always has a special fondness for stories that tug at the heartstrings.

But the old captain didn’t seem to like the camera much.

Even sitting in front of it, his face remained blank… even a little defiant.

But the old captain’s son, who was also Vice-Captain Mu of the Baiyu Cruise, sat beside him with a smile, facing the camera, “My father adopted me when I was young…

He was always busy, a man whose life was almost entirely devoted to this ship.

I basically grew up on the Baiyu.

You could say the Baiyu Cruise is truly my home…”

But just then, the old captain suddenly stood up, turned, and left without a word.

The crew were stunned.

The director hurriedly told them to shut off the cameras, then walked over to the vice-captain, frowning, “Vice-Captain Mu, this is the third time now.

He walks out halfway every time.

If this keeps up, our documentary will never get finished.” “Director, it’s fine,” said Vice-Captain Mu hastily. “My dad’s getting on.

Sometimes he just gets moody.

How about we continue tomorrow?

I’ll talk to him tonight.

As for you all, I’ve already arranged the best suites for everyone.

Please get some rest tonight.” “Hope things go better tomorrow.” The director nodded, then led the crew off to pack up.

Vice-Captain Mu frowned, his face darkening slightly, then set off in the direction his father had gone.