Chapter 171: Money Moves the Heart

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Money Moves the Heart

Just now, Cao Jun had gone to the bridge specifically to memorize the coordinates where they had dredged for scallops.

Captain Qi already felt something was a bit off about Cao Jun, and now, hearing him speak, he grew a little worried.

"Cao Jun, I’m not trying to stand in your way of making a fortune, but think about it. Xiao Han Shipowner’s boat... it used to belong to Wu Guangfu."

"You know Wu Guangfu, right? He’s a famous figure in our fishing community. What a driven man he was back in the day! He bought a large fishing boat right alongside our own captain, Brother Yang."

"Our captain is lucky, and he’s also more experienced, which is why we almost always catch fish and are able to make money."

"But look at Wu Guangfu. He ended up having to sell his boat, unable to even pay his crew’s wages! Was that a problem of skill? No, it’s luck!"

Cao Jun nodded. "I know, Uncle Qi. These last two times we’ve gone out with Xiao Han Shipowner, our hauls have been bigger than ever."

"Once is a coincidence, but you can’t explain it away twice. No wonder my dad wanted to beat me half to death the moment I mentioned buying a boat!"

Hearing this, Captain Qi nodded. "If I were your dad, I’d beat you too! If you buy a small boat, you’ll have to deal with the fact that there are fewer and fewer fish in coastal waters."

"A new large fishing boat costs 400,000 these days, and there’s a two to three-year wait. You’d take out a loan for a boat, and you’d be making payments for two years before you even caught a single fish. Not everyone can afford that!"

"Besides, I heard they’re implementing a fishing ban around here. Who knows what things will be like in two years! That’s why I’m telling you not to buy a boat. Just focus on earning steady money, build a house, and get married!"

Cao Jun grinned. "My family has already set the date. I’ll be inviting everyone for wedding drinks next month!"

Captain Qi clapped him on the shoulder. "Congratulations. I’ll bring the whole crew to celebrate with you when the time comes."

Someone shouted from behind them, and Captain Qi got up and headed for the bridge.

Cao Jun sat at the bow, gazing at the fishing boat ahead. The desire in his heart to own a boat of his own hadn’t faded one bit despite Captain Qi’s advice.

’Sometime in my life, I have to get a boat of my own.’

’Even if I can’t afford it myself, I’d be willing to go in with a partner. I’d still be a shipowner then.’

Cao Jun became even more diligent than usual, learning from Captain Qi and frequently seeking advice from the experienced crewmen.

Everyone was eager to get home, so no one paid much attention to Cao Jun.

Han Xiaorui said goodbye to Xiao Dai, telling it not to follow them any further. The vast ocean was its home.

If it got too close to shore, it was very likely to be captured.

After all, the Turtle not only had high medicinal value, but its shell could also be crafted into beautiful jewelry.

Xiao Dai wasn’t happy and insisted on following.

Exasperated, Han Xiaorui gave it a bit of her Water Ability.

’This little trickster. It acts like a little rascal if there’s nothing in it for it.’

Sure enough, after getting its reward, it did a little spin on the surface and then dove deep into the sea.

The little sea snake was clueless; it simply followed wherever the fishing boat went.

Its one and only strategy was shameless, relentless pursuit.

Han Xiaorui was already used to it and had actually grown quite fond of the little sea snake.

The little sea snake wasn’t a protected species, nor was it valuable. Even if someone spotted it near the shore, nobody would bother to catch it.

Han Xiaorui smelled pretty bad herself. With no fresh water to wash, she didn’t go to the main cabin, opting instead to doze in the pilothouse.

Wu Mengyue piloted the boat while Chen Yishui slept nearby. By taking turns sleeping, they could ensure whoever was at the helm was fully focused.

They traveled nonstop, arriving at the shore at one in the morning.

There weren’t many people at the pier, but the management staff were still on duty.

After the two boats were docked, they each called their clients.

Last time, Zhang Guangnan had come to her house specifically to ask if they could continue working together.

At Chen Nanyang’s urging, Han Xiaorui had agreed.

However, the deal was that the price would not increase for the next three catches, but it would on the fourth. He had agreed to these terms.

Zhang Guangnan had just returned from his seafood restaurant and was about to get some rest when he received Han Xiaorui’s call. "Ms. Han, rest assured, I’m heading over to pick up the shipment now."

Han Xiaorui reminded him, "This haul is quite large. We have two big Yellowlip Fish, each weighing 200 catties, and a lot of Big Yellow Fish."

As soon as he heard that, Zhang Guangnan excitedly rubbed his hands together. "Great, I’m heading over now. It’s just that the banks are all closed, so I’ll have to transfer the money to you tomorrow morning."

"No problem!" Han Xiaorui wasn’t worried at all about Zhang Guangnan not paying. It wasn’t just a matter of his credibility; he was the one begging to work with her. ’How could he possibly dare not to pay?’

After hanging up, Zhang Guangnan called Xiao Liu and Xiao Zhao. The two men had previously worked under his own father, Zhang Fa Cai, handling procurement and were very experienced.

After Zhang Fa Cai died, the two had taken the initiative to pledge their loyalty to Zhang Guangnan, promising to work diligently.

It was all about making a living; loyalty didn’t really enter into it.

Zhang Guangnan had readily agreed and even gave them a twenty-percent raise, which made them promptly forget all about their former boss, Zhang Fa Cai.

While waiting for the driver, Zhang Guangnan retrieved a very expensive Nephrite Jade Bracelet he had at home. He had originally bought it on a business trip as a gift for his new wife.

He had finished his work early, changed his ticket, and returned a day ahead of schedule, only to walk in on his own father and his wife sleeping together.

’At that moment, I wanted to kill that shameless pair. But if I died, what would happen to my mother and sister?’

He forced himself to swallow his anger, insisted on a divorce, and rejected his father’s guarantee that he would stop seeing his daughter-in-law.

That was his bottom line.

’This thing is just sitting at home, and I have no use for it. I might as well give it to Ms. Han to thank her for being willing to work with me at such a critical time.’

Ms. Han’s lawyer was incredibly competent. The money his ex-wife had transferred out from her accounts had been successfully frozen.

Now he just had to wait to win the lawsuit, and all that money would be his again.

He had initially thought recovering a few million would be a great outcome, but he never expected the total to be as high as fourteen million.

Zhang Guangnan’s disappointment in his father deepened, and at the same time, he lamented the fact that his mother would likely have to pay with her life for that heartless man.

Carrying the gift, Zhang Guangnan got into the refrigerated truck driven by Xiao Liu and headed straight for Jinshan Bay Pier.

Xiao Zhao followed close behind in a larger refrigerated truck.

The wholesalers from the seafood market arrived even faster. Yang Zhigang was already waiting on his boat, haggling with them and inspecting the cargo.

After getting things settled on his end, Yang Zhigang came over. "Xiao Rui," he asked, "how was your haul this time?"

Han Xiaorui smiled. "Pretty good. I estimate it’ll give people something to talk about for a while."

Hearing this, Yang Zhigang’s eyes lit up. "Got some good fish?"

"Over three thousand catties of Big Yellow Fish, and two Yellowlip Fish, each weighing over two hundred catties..."

After Han Xiaorui finished, Yang Zhigang was both shocked and overjoyed. "You... It’s been a long time since anyone in Jinshan Bay caught Yellowlip Fish that big. This will absolutely cause a sensation."

Suddenly, Yang Zhigang remembered that Han Xiaorui’s home had been cased by people with malicious intent. If word of these two massive Yellowlip Fish got out, it would only attract more criminals.

Noticing the change in his expression, Han Xiaorui asked, puzzled, "Uncle Yang, did something happen at home while I was out at sea?"

Her guess was spot on.

Yang Zhigang didn’t hide it. He sighed. "The very night you set sail, someone was watching your house. Wu Jiao discovered them and scared them off."

Hearing this, a sharp, cold glint flashed in Han Xiaorui’s eyes.

’The "little treasures" I prepared should come in handy now.’