Trafford's Trading Club

574: As Clear As Glass, Both Inside and Outside 574: As Clear As Glass, Both Inside and Outside “By the way, little brother, did you return the room card already?” Mu Zi asked, using it as a way to start the conversation.

“I left it at the lost and found.”

“You really helped me out this time.

If I hadn’t had something come up at the last minute, I should’ve brought it back myself.” Mu Zi’s eyes suddenly softened.

“Everyone has times when things aren’t convenient for them.”

Luo Qiu gazed toward a tiny black dot on the horizon—probably a small island or something like that.

“You look like a student, aren’t you?

Did you come here for Golden Week with your girlfriend?”

She seemed to be a very talkative woman, and somehow the conversation turned naturally to Luo Qiu—but surprisingly, some of Mrs.

Mu Zi’s questions didn’t make him feel uncomfortable.

Maybe it was the warmth she had as a woman, or maybe her social skills.

As the conversation opened up, Mrs.

Mu Zi began sharing things about herself as well.

“…If you get the chance, you really ought to go visit the Qinghai-Tibet plateau sometime.

If you like traveling, I’d recommend it.”

“If I get the chance,” Luo Qiu replied with a gentle nod and smile.

Mrs.

Mu Zi twined her fingers together, stretched comfortably into the sea breeze, looking utterly content with the air’s softness.

Exhaling, she said, “Mm…

I’ve rested enough.

I quite enjoyed chatting with you, little brother.

I thought there’d be a generation gap with someone as young as you.”

Luo Qiu thought for a moment before saying, “Generation gaps mostly come from arguments.

If we talk about other things, it’s fine.

People of different ages can always find something in common.”

Mrs.

Mu Zi was taken aback, then subconsciously said, “But, when people interact, you can’t only talk about things you both like.

As time goes by, friction happens.

After all, people are all independent, unrepeatable, and complicated beings.

If our dealings stay shallow, we might never find any truly close friends.”

“Thank you for your wisdom.” Luo Qiu nodded.

Suddenly, Mrs.

Mu Zi opened her tote.

“Little brother, take this as a thank-you for delivering the room card for me.

I bought it when I was traveling in the Siberian plateau earlier this year.

I hope it will bring you good luck.”

A small string of wooden beads.

Luo Qiu took it with curiosity.

Every bead was engraved with a Sanskrit script, each different from the next.

At first glance, they seemed rough, but on closer inspection, a subtle and indescribable fineness shone through.

“The body is like crystal, radiant inside and out.” Mrs.

Mu Zi said softly.

“That’s what the script on the beads means.

I hope you’ll be true to yourself inside and out, and live without worries.”

“This is too valuable.” Luo Qiu shook his head, planning to give the bracelet back.

Mrs.

Mu Zi just smiled, “Meeting is destiny.

I’m not really a Buddhist, but I like that way of thinking.

If I can give you a little kindness, and you can pass that kindness along to someone else, life gets a little more beautiful.”

As she spoke, Mrs.

Mu Zi stood up, gently patted Luo Qiu on the shoulder, then glanced slyly at You Ye by Luo Qiu’s side before smiling, “Of course, make sure you treat those around you well, too.”

…

“This Mrs.

Mu Zi is really cultured.” The maid, usually not one to compliment others, spoke up.

“The body is like crystal, radiant inside and out.” Luo Qiu turned the wooden bead bracelet in his hand and suddenly smiled, “Looks like this sea voyage turned out to be pretty good.”

“Master, it seems this bracelet carries a faint trace of spiritual power… it’s very gentle.” You Ye shared her thoughts.

“If an ordinary person wears it, they’d probably feel refreshed, and there wouldn’t be any unpleasant side effects.”

“Probably had a blessing from a high monk there,” Luo Qiu said, glancing at You Ye.

“I’ve never actually been, but I’ve heard those little objects blessed by monks are popular at the plateau.

Still, truly blessed ones are hard to find.”

Saying this, the boss simply put the bracelet on his wrist…

His sensitivity was far greater than that of ordinary people, and the faint, peaceful power from the bracelet was immediately grasped by him.

“Mu Zi, Mu Zi…

Li.”

Luo Qiu smiled softly, still gazing at that slowly approaching black dot on the sea… The travel brochure beside him said that was an island called Shellfish Island.

…

…

The lid scraped against the neck of the stainless steel flask, making a sound of metal on metal.

The old captain had already drunk about half the vodka inside, and his body was pleasantly warm.

Standing on the second deck, the old captain watched the people below… He often stood here, looking at the tourists on the deck, sometimes for half an hour at a time.

But this was probably the loneliest Golden Week he’d seen in over ten years… there was hardly anyone around.

Only a couple, looking like young lovers, were sitting on a bench on the deck, quietly gazing out to sea… it’s been a while.

The old captain naturally recognized the young couple… They were the ones traveling with Officer Ma.

“Companionship, in silence…” The old captain’s gaze grew cloudy, as if lost in memories.

He took another swig of the strong drink, then pulled out his pocket watch.

Behind him came footsteps—the sound of leather shoes striking the deck.

There was no need to turn around; he already knew who was coming, since he’d asked to meet this person.

“Dad, you were looking for me?”

The person approaching… was Mu Qinghai, the first mate.

The old captain shook the bottle in his hand, then suddenly handed it out to Mu Qinghai.

Mu Qinghai paused, frowned, and said, “Dad, you’re drinking again?”

“There’s not much left,” Mu Enli shook his head and said suddenly, “Drink a little too… It’s been ages since we’ve had a drink together.”

“I’m on duty.

I don’t drink,” Mu Qinghai insisted, shaking his head again.

But Mu Enli said, “For people like us who’ve spent a lifetime at sea, without drink, it’s like losing half your soul.

I can’t believe you don’t get that.”

Mu Qinghai still shook his head.

“When we get ashore, I’ll be happy to have a drink.

As first mate of the ship, I never touch alcohol on board, no matter what.”

Mu Enli smiled to himself and took a swig, then turned to lean against the railing.

The wind nearly snatched his cap off, so he took it off altogether.

Mu Enli examined the badge on his cap and said calmly, “Everyone on this ship is afraid of me, but I can always find someone to drink with me.

You, on the other hand, can’t… Whether it’s on or off duty, people keep you at arm’s length.

Do you know why?”

Mu Qinghai answered calmly, “Work has its own rules.

If any of the crew have doubts about me, they can speak up.

If I’m in the wrong after discussion, I’ll change.

As for keeping a distance… I’m just strict with myself.

If they’re afraid of me, it means I’ve earned my authority on board.”

“You’re wrong.”

Mu Enli shook his head, “Wrong.

It’s not about authority.

It’s that you don’t know how to drink.

What matters most on this ship is neither you nor me, nor the officers, but every single sailor aboard.”

“Dad, times have changed.

That old sailor stuff—it’s outdated now,” Mu Qinghai retorted.

“Maybe it helps deepen bonds with the crew, but it doesn’t make us more efficient.

Crew turnover is high every year, and it’s a waste of time to build bonds with each of them… Besides, they’re just employees, not sailors in the old sense.”

Maybe he felt he’d gone too far with his words.

Mu Qinghai took a deep breath, then softened his tone, “Dad, after this voyage, you’ll retire.

After that, take it easy and enjoy yourself, don’t worry about things anymore… From here on, I’ll do better.

Leave it all to me now, and don’t keep worrying.”

Mu Enli was silent for a while, then suddenly asked, “Qinghai, last night, you were really in the control room the whole time?

You didn’t leave?”

“Except when the power went out and I stepped away for a bit, I didn’t leave.” Mu Qinghai’s face was unreadable, then he asked, “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” Mu Enli shook his head, “No reason.

Anyway, we’re almost at Shellfish Island.

Go get ready, see how many tourists still want to go ashore for sightseeing.”

“Alright,” Mu Qinghai nodded and turned to leave.

The old captain lingered a while longer before deciding to go, too.

But before leaving, he glanced one more time at the couple sitting on the deck, gazing out at the sea, and murmured, “If only companionship could last… How wonderful, how wonderful…”

He put his captain’s hat back on and straightened it against the wind, then strolled, hands behind his back, into the great ship he’d called home for thirty years.