Chapter 217: Chapter 207: Returning to Port

After six days at sea, the total catch of Emperor Crab was 596 tons.

This included 496 tons of standard crab and 96 tons of oversized live crab.

Based on the prices given by Young Master Xu, standard crab sold for 20 US Dollars a pound, and oversized live crab for 30 US Dollars a pound.

The 496 tons of standard crab equated to 1,093,492 pounds, selling for 21.87 million US Dollars.

The 96 tons of oversized live crab amounted to 211,643 pounds, selling for 6.35 million US Dollars.

Total revenue: 28.22 million US Dollars.

After paying crew salaries, accounting for vessel wear and tear, giving Alvin his 10% commission, and covering the cost of fishing quotas and various taxes...

Feng Mountain’s personal profit was around 7 million US Dollars, 10% more than his earnings from the last snow crab haul. The largest expense by far was still taxes.

As he looked over the final accounting sheet, Feng Mountain sighed to himself.

’No wonder Americans hate the Internal Revenue Service with a passion.’

’They don’t have to lift a finger, and they still take millions of US Dollars right out of my pocket.’

’They make money so damn easily.’

As the sun began to set, the River Beach appeared in the bay.

Its massive hull, bathed in the twilight, seemed to be draped in a coat of gold.

Waves lapped gently against the hull, their rhythmic sounds a seeming welcome for the brave crabbing boat’s return.

Crab buyers stood on the docks, craning their necks and watching eagerly as the River Beach approached. Among them, standing at the very front, were two particularly unwelcome figures.

They had deliberately tried to lowball the price last time, creating friction with Alvin and losing their eligibility to do business with the River Beach.

Now, as the River Beach returned, its waterline was low in the water, a clear sign that its hold was laden with a heavy cargo.

As for what it was loaded with...

That was self-evident. A crabbing boat would be carrying crabs.

’Dammit, is God blind?!’

’Why does the River Beach get to come back with a full haul every single time?’

Due to the incident with the Hollywood, as the River Beach slowly pulled alongside the dock, the crew’s families who had gathered to greet them didn’t cheer or shout. They simply waited in silence for the crew to disembark.

Feng Mountain, having showered and put his fur coat back on, was the first to jump off the River Beach, leading the crew as they disembarked.

"Brother Feng."

"Brother Feng!"

Young Master Xu and Su Ziweng hurried forward to greet him.

Feng Mountain froze when he saw the state of their faces.

They had dark circles under their eyes, which were dull and lifeless. Their lips were pale, and they could barely stand, looking utterly drained.

’It’s only been a week. How could they have changed so much?’

"Did you two run into a Bai Gujing?"

Su Ziweng’s lips twitched in an awkward smile. "More vicious than any Bai Gujing. We nearly died."

"It’s all Wenwen’s fault," Young Master Xu said, his face sallow as he passed the buck to Su Ziweng. "I told him not to go to Anchorage, but he just had to."

"Bullshit! Who was the one who insisted on taking on ten at once? Didn’t I try to talk you out of it?"

"You said you could take on a hundred!"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Feng Mountain couldn’t be bothered to listen to their sordid stories.

’There are so many people around. If you’re not embarrassed, I am for you.’

"You two, stop arguing. You go talk to Alvin about offloading the Emperor Crab."

Young Master Xu nodded and prepared to board the ship to find Alvin. Su Ziweng started to follow, but Feng Mountain stopped him.

"I’m heading back to the Crown Territory. Are you coming or not?"

Su Ziweng thought for a moment before shaking his head decisively. He replied with a straight face,

"You head back first. I need to look into a project on the island."

’Look into a project my ass.’

’He’s probably just going to go fool around somewhere.’

Feng Mountain knew the two of them had been letting loose and going wild lately.

Taking a crate of Emperor Crab from a crew member, he left the dock. He planned to deliver it to Lady Margaret before returning to his cabin for the night to wait for Yves to pick him up by plane.

When he arrived in front of the inn, he saw a group of island residents standing by the road, discussing something.

Among them were Nick, the Saint Paul Island Sheriff, and Lady Margaret.

Feng Mountain walked over. "Lady Margaret, I brought you some Emperor Crab. It’s fresh from the hold."

"Thank you, child. A good haul this time?" Lady Margaret smiled, but the large styrofoam cooler was clearly too much for an elderly woman to handle.

"It was decent. Let me put it inside for you!" Feng Mountain belatedly realized her difficulty. He carried the heavy cooler into the inn’s kitchen, then returned to the roadside. Looking at the islanders who were still deep in discussion, he asked curiously, "Is there a festival or something, with so many people gathered?"

Lady Margaret shook her head, her face tinged with sadness.

"We’re planning tomorrow’s memorial for the crewmen of the Hollywood who were lost."

The Sheriff, Nick, who was standing nearby, suddenly turned to Feng Mountain. "Mr. Feng, you’re the one who rescued the crew of the Hollywood. I think you should participate as a guest of honor."

Before he had even finished speaking,

all the islanders who had been in discussion turned their heads in unison to look at Feng Mountain. Among them was Bo Wen, his arm in a sling and a look of delight on his face.

"Mr. Feng, you’re back!"

"Yes, I just arrived at the dock," Feng Mountain replied with a nod and a smile.

Bo Wen brought his wife and child to Feng Mountain. "Mr. Feng, please, you must attend tomorrow. You saved me, you saved the other crew members. Riven and I don’t know how to thank you."

"Yes, sir," Riven said, bowing deeply to Feng Mountain. "Thank you for helping, for saving Bo Wen."

"Please, there’s no need for that. We’re all children of the sea. It was the right thing to do." Feng Mountain quickly helped her up, then turned to Sheriff Nick. "What time is the service tomorrow? I’ll be there."

"8 AM tomorrow!" Bo Wen quickly replied. For Feng Mountain to attend the memorial service would hold a special significance for Saint Paul Island.

After bidding the islanders farewell, Feng Mountain returned to his cabin.

He had just sat down when his phone rang. The screen showed an unfamiliar number.

Feng Mountain frowned slightly, wondering who could be calling him at this hour.