Chapter 82: Sailing the Winds in Search of Treasure

A week later.

The construction site in Licheng was gradually settling into routine. Tan Songming had taken over the project, smoothly assuming the role of the all-powerful client. He visited the site in person every day to oversee the quality of the work, lightening the burden on the old woman’s shoulders. She returned to her nine-to-five schedule, and when there was nothing pressing, she’d flirt shamelessly with her little rascal in the Yiren Group offices, to the envy of all the staff.

That afternoon, Mu Xia called. “Envoy Lu, planning to set out tomorrow. What about you?”

Lu Ye replied, “Let’s go tomorrow. Have you figured out that island yet?”

Mu Xia said, “No. The magnetic field on the island is rather strange—even with spy satellites, all we see is a blurred image, like a cloud of mist…”

Lu Ye’s curiosity was piqued. “Even satellites can’t see it? That’s uncanny.”

Mu Xia laughed, “Isn’t it more interesting to explore the unknown?”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

“Alright, I’ll go rent the boat now.”

Although Lu Ye had the Traveler’s Apostle, one of the world’s finest yachts, it was after all his private base, filled with secrets that couldn’t be exposed to Mu Xia. He didn’t volunteer it.

After hanging up, Su Qianqian, who was beside him, had heard everything. She was thrilled and delighted.

The old woman decided to take the lead in skipping out early that day, and at three in the afternoon, she whisked the little rascal away, driving to the largest outdoor adventure club in Mingzhu City.

Rows of survival gear and equipment glittered on the shelves, inviting Su Qianqian to browse with enthusiasm.

Lu Ye scoffed, “We don’t need to buy all this stuff, do we? The Traveler’s Apostle has everything, all better than these.”

Su Qianqian retorted, “I can’t get used to your non-mainstream gadgets.”

Lu Ye frowned and muttered resentfully, “But you handled the Thunder God Armor pretty well, didn’t you?”

Ever since he’d gifted her that Thunder God down jacket, she wore it every night to bed and dubbed it the Thunder God Armor. Not only was childbirth out of the question, Lu Ye didn’t even dare touch her now.

Su Qianqian burst out laughing, “Aside from the Thunder God Armor, I’m wearing it for this treasure hunt!”

“Damn, I’ll get Da Vinci to make me an insulated suit.”

“At that rate, if you show off, you’ll be hit again and again—are you afraid of that?”

The salesgirl nearby couldn’t help but snicker, “Sorry, hehe.”

Su Qianqian’s cheeks flushed crimson. She twisted Lu Ye’s ear and yelled, “How dare you say that in public? Are you looking for death?”

“Ouch!”

A group of young men in the club heard the commotion and gathered around, their eyes hungry and sparkling, eagerly asking, “Where? Where’s that public display?”

Damn, how embarrassing!

Dragging Lu Ye by the ear, she fled the scene…

Back home, Su Qianqian eagerly tried on her newly purchased outdoor gear, pairing a sporty short-sleeved top with camo shorts and strapping bands and a tool pouch to her smooth, jade-like thighs. She truly resembled Lara Croft from Tomb Raider—valiant yet with a hint of feminine allure, a unique charm.

…

The next day dawned bright and clear. The sea shimmered with gentle ripples, perfect for setting sail.

Mu Xia had rented a fishing boat—not large and a bit shabby, but fully equipped. She’d prepared all the essentials for living onboard.

Today, Mu Xia’s outfit was similar to Su Qianqian’s. Though it was still a bit chilly in early spring, both stubbornly wore shorts to show off their figures, driven by vanity even if it meant shivering.

Fortunately, the island was near the equator; as they sailed farther, the air gradually warmed.

The voyage would take a full day and night—long and monotonous.

Lu Ye picked up a fishing rod and retreated to the stern, while Su Qianqian grew more familiar with Mu Xia.

Mu Xia steered from the wheelhouse, while Su Qianqian sat cross-legged on the deck, asking naive questions.

“Xia Xia, why rent a fishing boat? It doesn’t look cool at all!”

Mu Xia patiently explained, “Sis, because fishing boats are simply constructed!”

“If there’s a malfunction, I can fix it alone, and these boats go out every day—even through storms. They’re incredibly reliable.”

Su Qianqian was enlightened. “You’re the professional here; I’m just along for the fun.”

Mu Xia smiled proudly, “Going to sea is easy. A couple of years ago, I climbed Mount Everest alone looking for climbers’ relics—almost died up there, buried with them.”

Su Qianqian was awed. “Wow, you climbed Everest alone?”

Mu Xia laughed, “Yes, I summited from the north slope.”

“Amazing! Have you been to other places?”

“Oh, sure. I once entered an active volcano in South America and found a chest of silver coins buried by Columbus…”

All day, Su Qianqian was enthralled by Mu Xia’s tales—she was a walking adventure.

Lu Ye, meanwhile, had a good haul, catching dozens of sea fish.

By dusk, he built a bonfire on the deck, warding off the night’s chill and eating grilled fish.

As night fell, visibility dropped. Mu Xia anchored the boat beside a large rock that sheltered them from the waves. The single-cylinder diesel engine, which had chugged all day, finally quieted, leaving only the sound of waves breaking on the rocks.

With the bustle of humanity gone, peace settled over them.

Mu Xia stepped out of the wheelhouse, stretching to ease her aches, while Lu Ye and Su Qianqian beckoned, “Xia Xia, come eat fish!”

Mu Xia smiled, “Alright, wait for me!”

She disappeared into the cabin, and soon reemerged carrying a crate of icy beer.

Cold beer with spicy grilled fish—what a feast.

After eating their fill, the three lay shoulder to shoulder on the deck, gazing at the stars.

Su Qianqian was still giddy with excitement. She’d fantasized about this countless times—lying carefree on the sea, basking in tranquility—but life and work had always kept her from realizing it. Now, with the rascal taking her treasure hunting, she even felt a touch of romance in the night.

Lu Ye, however, was silent for a long time.

Stars shone in his eyes, but his thoughts were of his mother.

He remembered, more than ten years ago in elementary school, saying to his mother, “Mom, I want to see the stars over the sea.”

Cheng Qimeng had just smiled and nodded, “Alright!”

He’d thought she was brushing him off, but the next day after school, she really rented a fishing boat. That night, she took him drifting on the sea, mother and son lying shoulder to shoulder on the deck, gazing at the stars.

In a blink, more than ten years had passed. Cheng Qimeng had vanished without a trace—neither alive nor dead. Now, the scene brought a wave of longing.

Su Qianqian propped herself up, staring at him for a while, before blurting, “Such deep thoughts—you must be thinking of another woman!”

Lu Ye snapped back and lied to cover up, “No, I was thinking about our chicken dinner last night.”

“Damn it, I shot that guy with a shotgun at close range and he only lost seven health?”

Su Qianqian: “…”

They spent the night in their sleeping bags.

“Chug-chug-chug!”

Before six in the morning, the damned diesel engine started up again.

Lu Ye, rubbing sleep from his eyes, came out and asked, “Xia Xia, starting so early?”

Mu Xia explained, “Envoy Lu, the wind’s perfect now for sailing—we can save a lot of time, and a storm is coming soon!”

“Oh!”

Barely ten minutes after her warning, a mass of black clouds rolled in from the horizon astern, bringing fierce wind and rain.

The sea grew restless, massive waves crashing one after another.

Lu Ye returned to the cabin, guarding the old woman from being injured by the tossing.

Mu Xia was alone at the helm, calm and steady.

The little fishing boat aimed straight for their destination, braving the storm.

Just as the clouds overtook them, the boat landed on the island’s beach.

Mu Xia deliberately grounded the boat to keep it from being swept away by the storm.

Once ashore, the three ran with heads covered across the sand, into a grove of coconut trees.

As they searched for shelter, Su Qianqian suddenly pointed deeper into the grove. “Is that a hut over there?”