Chapter 6

Zhong Nian held the vacuum cleaner as he cleaned and let out a big yawn.

He rubbed his eyes at the sea surface welcoming the morning glow, then glanced back at the long carpeted corridor behind him and sighed.

How was this damn cruise ship so huge? How long would this take?

The previous night, he had helped Ke Zhengchu tend his wounds, and he still wasn’t used to that bed padded with three layers of bedding yet still hard as a rock. His mind had been full of the bomb-related conversation he had overheard, so he hadn’t fallen asleep until very late.

The next day, he got up at the crack of dawn and was assigned to clean the carpets on floors five through seven.

It was truly exhausting.

He lazily dragged the vacuum cleaner, which felt a bit heavy to him, and worked haphazardly, secretly slacking off.

Coincidentally, he caught sight of a familiar figure on the deck below without meaning to.

The tall and upright figure wore a complete black-and-gold uniform, with the naval cap tucked between his small arm and waist. His other hand held a cup of coffee as he leaned lazily against the railing, seemingly gazing at the sea view.

He looked as leisurely as if he were on vacation.

Zhong Nian wouldn’t forget the three bars on that man’s shoulder epaulets.

It was that malicious Charles the First Mate.

As expected, high positions were great; he could slack off openly.

Zhong Nian pursed his lips and grumbled inwardly.

Suddenly, the man below looked up and met his eyes unexpectedly.

Zhong Nian quickly composed his expression and flashed a deathly smile. “Good morning, Charles the First… Mate.”

He deliberately emphasized the last two syllables.

“Good morning.” Charles returned the smile. His roguishly charming face, when narrowed in laughter, looked to Zhong Nian more like a sly and hypocritical fox.

“I just inexplicably felt a burning sensation on my back. Were you secretly glaring at me?”

“How could that be, First Mate?” Zhong Nian maintained a smile devoid of any warmth. “I was just curious why you’d be here enjoying the view. I thought senior crew members were especially busy.”

Charles smiled without replying.

Zhong Nian said more seriously, “First Mate, if you’re feeling bored, why not thoroughly inspect the entire cruise ship from top to bottom? What if some dangerous item was overlooked, or some dangerous person is hiding? That would be terrible.”

Charles raised an eyebrow. “You’re just a cruise attendant, yet you’re so concerned about the ship’s safety?”

Zhong Nian replied flawlessly, “I’ve said it before—I have catastrophe delusion.”

Charles nodded thoughtfully. “Wait here.”

With that, he left Zhong Nian’s sight.

Zhong Nian waited puzzled for a moment, thinking he wouldn’t return and was just toying with him again, so he resumed his work.

Until a pair of handmade leather shoes appeared in his view. He looked up and saw a box of doughnuts.

Zhong Nian: “?”

The man, wearing black gloves, pushed the box forward a bit more.

“An apology.”

Seeing Zhong Nian still dazed, he asked with a smile, “Weren’t you mad about yesterday? I’m apologizing with this—surely that’s enough?”

Originally, Zhong Nian had felt justified and had been able to sarcasm him confidently just moments ago. But this move from the man scattered all the resentment in his heart.

There were four doughnuts in the box, sprinkled with colorful sugar strands, looking even tastier than the ones Zhan Lu had made.

His eyes lit up, and he said softly, “Thank you.”

After thanking him, he felt a bit spineless for being so delighted over mere doughnuts, so he quickly restrained his upturned lips, puffed out his chest, and said, “I accept your apology, but please, First Mate, don’t do anything misleading or embarrassing like yesterday again.”

His expression was earnest and proper. “One day, you might get promoted to captain too. Pretending to hold that title isn’t advisable. Don’t lose heart—I’ll support you!”

Charles grew more helpless the more he listened. He tilted his head slightly, scratched his temple with one index finger, and said with a wry smile, “…I don’t want to be captain that badly.”

Zhong Nian looked at him strangely in return, thinking inwardly: He doesn’t want to be captain? Then why make me misunderstand on purpose and sit in the captain’s chair? If the real Captain Hall showed up, he’d probably keep up the act from start to finish.

He waved dismissively, not entirely believing it. “Alright, alright, let’s say that’s the case.”

Charles offered a feeble clarification. “I really didn’t want to.”

“Mm-hmm. If you want, I can call you captain in private to let you enjoy it.”

“I really…”

“Captain Charles.”

“…”

“Captain Charles, you’re smiling—you’re secretly thrilled, aren’t you?”

Charles couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into low laughter, which snowballed once it started.

He doubled over laughing, one hand resting on Zhong Nian’s shoulder, his head leaning over too.

Zhong Nian could feel the vibrations in his chest.

For the sake of the doughnuts, he let the man lean on him and laugh for a while.

“Alright, Captain Charles, I still have work to do.” Zhong Nian pushed him away and picked up the vacuum cleaner from the floor as a hint.

“No problem, I’ll help.” Charles took the thing from his hands. “Can’t let you call me captain for nothing.”

Zhong Nian didn’t refuse.

He grumbled inwardly: See? He was just being stubborn earlier, but now he’s happy enough to help with the work.

He could now stand by with a clear conscience, eating doughnuts and supervising Charles as he vacuumed the carpet.

A crew member passed by, and Zhong Nian’s heart tightened, but Charles remained unfazed.

The crew member, however, looked as if he’d seen a ghost first thing in the morning. He jumped in fright and greeted shakily, “Good morning, Charles the First Mate…”

“Mm.” Charles nodded. “Be careful not to dirty the carpet I just cleaned.”

“Y-Yes, sir.” As the man left, he glanced at Zhong Nian, probably shocked too.

Zhong Nian licked the sugar strands from his lips and started on the second doughnut.

By the time he finished the entire box, Charles had already cleaned the carpets in two floors’ worth of corridors for him.

After this incident, Zhong Nian completely changed his view of Charles.

He just had a bit of vanity, but he was a good guy at heart.

–

In the afternoon.

Zhong Nian was notified of a transfer to the Boxing Arena on Floor 7. That evening, it would host a boxing performance—the biggest event of the day and one of the cruise ship’s top selling points.

Those spoiled rich kids, used to lives of luxury, naturally craved excitement.

The boxing shows prepared especially for them weren’t just for show; they were real brawls, punch after punch landing with full force. The fighters were all ruthless characters who had signed liability waivers.

That’s why such performances were hugely popular in elite circles, always featured on every voyage.

Zhong Nian’s job was to escort VIP guests to their seats, serve drinks, and follow all orders—in short, provide top-notch service.

These positions were highly coveted. Serving VIPs often meant generous tips; one night could net six or seven figures, far better than the chaotic, hectic kitchen.

Zhong Nian had been recommended by the team leader because of his good looks.

“If you make it big, remember to thank me.” The team leader’s expression was meaningful. “Here, take it. Go back and change into it properly.”

Zhong Nian noticed Jie Wen’s complicated look and Zhan Lu’s grim expression.

Why did he have a bad feeling about this?

Back in the dormitory, he opened the new uniform and paused slightly.

It was a black-and-white outfit similar to his current one: white shirt, black trousers, black vest, and small bow tie. The fabric was still high-quality and expensive, but much more form-fitting.

The key was the two unusual items tucked between the uniform pieces—one of which fell to the ground unnoticed.

Black and fluffy.

A long Rabbit Ear Hair Clip and a round Bunny Tail.

Zhong Nian suddenly understood.

So he was going to be a Bunny Boy at the Boxing Arena.