Shi Yubai stood behind Jiang Lai, looking down at her.

"Dad, don’t worry, just leave Lai Lai to me."

That evening, the containers were all loaded neatly, and a long whistle sounded as this giant ship, weighing over two hundred thousand tons, slowly set sail.

Once on board, Jiang Lai saw two familiar faces standing at the door of her cabin.

"Sister, long time no see."

The brothers Jiang Xun and Jiang Zhuan greeted Jiang Lai.

"What’s the matter? Didn’t expect to see us?"

Jiang Xun was smiling happily, anticipating Jiang Lai’s reaction.

Unexpectedly, she calmly handed her suitcase to her assistant, leaned against the rail, and pointed at them.

"Great, over a month with no playmates, let me think... have you grown up enough to still play horse riding games?"

"Jiang Lai!! But you hired us to work! Recognize your own identity!"

Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow.

"Both of your elder brothers work for me. Can you figure out who the real boss is?"

Jiang Xun was so angry he couldn’t speak.

Jiang Zhuan, however, remained calm, patting Jiang Xun’s shoulder to keep him from causing trouble.

"We’re here to help our big brother with the cargo this time, everyone should focus on their own tasks and stop playing those childish tricks."

After saying that, he dragged Jiang Xun’s clothes and returned to their room.

Jiang Zhuan seemed to have matured quite a bit recently.

It seems Jiang Li wasn’t reassured, so she arranged for her two brothers to board the ship to monitor and report in real time.

Jiang Lai couldn’t be bothered with them, as they were all on the same ship. If they caused any trouble, she would settle both new and old scores together.

——

Today the sea was calm, Jiang Lai stood on the fourth-floor deck looking into the distance.

The moon over the sea was particularly round and bright, and it seemed so close, as if one could reach out and touch it.

"Do you like the moon that much?"

A clear and pleasant voice came from behind.

Jiang Lai didn’t turn her head, continuing to look at the moon overhead.

"It’s the first time I’ve seen such a large moon, brighter than a lamp."

"The moon at sea is always like this. If you can’t see the moon, you need to be careful, a storm might be coming."

Jiang Lai turned her head to look at him.

"Do you often go out to sea?"

"Yes, my work involves the sea, so I have to interact with it."

Jiang Lai nodded, pondering.

"The sea is so vast, even if one or two people were thrown in, it wouldn’t leave a trace, right?"

"Yes, not even a trace for one or two hundred people."

Shi Yubai answered Jiang Lai’s question seriously.

Jiang Lai smiled.

"Why are you answering my question so seriously? Do you often do this?"

"Occasionally, but not often."

"At least you’re honest, are you honest about everything else too?"

Shi Yubai walked up beside Jiang Lai, leaning on the rail.

"What do you think? Do you know what happens to people who are too honest?"

"I don’t know."

"They die early, perhaps before they even get to know you, I’ve already died."

"Alright, let’s not talk about death at night, it’s not auspicious.

It’s getting late, I’m going to sleep."

Jiang Lai obviously lacked interest.

Shi Yubai looked at her, a hint of disappointment crossing his eyes, then he followed her, speaking in a low, cautious voice.

"There’s hot pot on the ship, would you like some?"

Jiang Lai’s eyes brightened slightly.

"What kind of hot pot?"

"Whatever kind you want, we have."

Shi Yubai led her to the dining room, which was no different from a high-end restaurant in the city center. Under the luxurious ceiling, the floor was so shiny you could see your reflection, and to the left was an open bar and Western cuisine. In the center, there was a stage with a glamorous piano, where a woman in a red dress was playing passionately.

To the right was a variety of Chinese cuisine.

Stir-fried dishes, stews, hotpot, all sorts of dishes dazzled the eyes.

A cargo ship equipped with a commercial restaurant comparable to a luxury cruise ship.

Once Jiang Lai sat down, the waiter brought a red soup hot pot, while the remaining items for dipping were ordered from a menu in buffet style.

"Who is this restaurant for?"

Everyone on board, except Shi Yubai, were workers, and Jiang Lai didn’t believe the boss would provide such a good restaurant for her employees.

"It usually serves guests, most of the time I eat here."

"Do you need such a large dining area just for yourself?"

"Now you’re here eating with me."

Extravagant.

Truly extravagant.

Even Jiang Lai had to curse capitalism a little.

Jiang Lai loved eating spicy hotpot. She used to be unable to eat spicy food. After being ill for a long time and recovering, she craved intense flavors.

Gradually, her tastes changed.

Opposite, Shi Yubai barely touched his food, occasionally taking a few bites, then having to put down his chopsticks to drink a glass of water.

"You shouldn’t eat spicy food if you can’t handle it."

Eating should be enjoyable, but watching Shi Yubai’s flushed face was unpleasant.

"There are other dishes, you don’t have to eat with me."

It’s more comfortable to eat alone.

"I actually like spicy food."

"You can’t eat it, don’t torture yourself."

As soon as she spoke, the waiter brought a bowl of spicy crayfish to the table.

Jiang Lai didn’t order it.

The crayfish smelled delicious, its aroma filling the air.

Shi Yubai picked up a crayfish, and just as he was about to peel it, he sneezed.

It was the first time Jiang Lai had seen him make such a move beside her.

Jiang Lai simply stopped persuading him and just watched him quietly.

His skin was very fair, and now it was turning a soft pink from his neck up due to the spice.

Especially his ears, which were so red they seemed about to bleed.

Usually, he was as cool and aloof as an immortal, always composed, yet now his eyes were slightly misty, his nose was red, and his usually thin and pale lips were slightly swollen and red.

He coughed, avoiding Jiang Lai’s gaze.

Finally, Jiang Lai handed him a napkin.

"You can’t eat spicy."

"Cough... but it improves tolerance."

"I’ve never heard of someone training themselves to eat spicy stuff. If you can’t eat it, don’t. It’s not like you can’t afford something else, anything you want can appear anytime. Why bother with this?"

Shi Yubai put down the napkin, his long and narrow eyes were red, but his pupils were perfectly dark. He stared at Jiang Lai, his voice a little hoarse.

"But I just want to eat spicy."

"Then endure it, nobody’s forcing you."

Jiang Lai continued eating, even thoughtfully pouring him a glass of her favorite soda.

"Cola pairs with hotpot, beer with crayfish, have a drink."

In his lifetime, Shi Yubai could count on his fingers the number of times he’d had cola, but today he drank three cans.

He also drank two bottles of cold beer.

Afterward, he didn’t continue the conversation with Jiang Lai and, after saying goodnight, returned to his cabin.

At night, while Jiang Lai was sleeping, she was awakened by a loud knock at the door.

Outside was Shi Yubai’s assistant, whom she had met earlier that day.

"President Jiang, sorry to disturb you."

"What’s the matter?"