Chapter 23

“I was just looking for you over at the serving area.”

Zhan Lu had appeared out of nowhere, carrying a multi-layered insulated lunch box in his hand.

Zhong Nian had only just arranged the food on an empty table when that youth had tried to pull him over to sit and eat together.

He did not really want to share a table with these people. Even with his back to them, it was not easy to ignore the nearly hundred people behind him.

What was more, three of them had some history with him.

Zhong Nian did not dare turn his head openly to look. With his peripheral vision, he could only catch sight of the three whose hands were uniquely bound.

Zong Xing Yi’s blond hair was a messy tangle, his face bruised. Sheng Chu’s impeccably tailored suit was now full of wrinkles. Guan Shan Yue huddled to one side, heavy dark circles under his eyes, as if he had not slept a wink all night.

Even in this state, Zhong Nian could still feel their unabashed gazes upon him.

“What are you spacing out for?”

A heavy thermos flask was stuffed into his hand. Zhong Nian looked up at Zhan Lu in confusion. “For me?”

“Who else?” Zhan Lu raised the multi-layered insulated box in his hand. “There’s fried dumplings and mixed noodles inside this one too.”

“No thanks… There’s staff meals in the kitchen.” Under the watchful eyes from both sides, Zhong Nian felt like thorns were pricking his back. He hurriedly pushed the meal cart and fled.

He was supposed to wait for them to finish breakfast and clear the dishes, but no one stopped him.

“Little Nian?”

Zhan Lu did not manage to call him back and instead drew mocking laughter from the youth.

“Second Brother, you’ve really turned into a lickdog now. You got up at five in the morning to cook, won’t even let us mooch a bite, but who knew he wouldn’t even care for it~”

The youth did not laugh for long before he was beaten until he howled in pain.

Zhong Nian did not look back. At most, he glanced midway at Sheng Chu and the other two.

If it had been any other time, he might have gloated a little.

Who had let these three bully him before because of their status?

But now, he was not much better off himself. Working under the Kidnapper Gang was like walking on thin ice.

If he slipped up anywhere and annoyed those ruthless types who thought nothing of bloodshed, he might end up just like the miserable one sprawled on the ground.

Zhong Nian did not want to become a lame rabbit.

–

“…I was scared out of my wits back then too. Who would have thought that among the colleagues we saw day in and day out on the ship, some were their moles? They weren’t just trying to scare us. I saw it with my own eyes—a Young Master tried to resist and got beaten black and blue. The disobedient ones might even get locked up…

“But us crew members are still okay. As long as we obey, it’s fine. Otherwise, like those people, they have to pay so much ransom that their lives wouldn’t even cover it.

“Not to mention anything else, ever since they took over the ship, the atmosphere has improved a lot. At least we don’t have to put up with those nasty rich folks anymore.”

In the kitchen staff’s small break room, Jie Wen told Zhong Nian about what had happened yesterday while he was away.

“Those Rich Second Generations have power and money at home. They don’t treat us like people at all. Even if they cause trouble, someone covers for them. So for us, serving whoever is more or less the same.” Jie Wen shrugged.

Zhong Nian saw that he had adapted well to all these changes and nodded in understanding. “Mm.”

“There’s no need for their gang to bully us lowly ones anyway. There are so many rich ones up front, each needing separate arrangements to call home via satellite phone for money. Some pay more, some less.

“The cruise ship sailed into this stretch of sea where no one can control them. If they don’t pay, they send over photos or videos of them begging for mercy after a beating. Once they pay, it’s all good. They can go back to their rooms this afternoon. They’ll still be monitored, but at least they won’t be locked in the casino suffering from cold and hunger.

“The amount they demand sounds like a lot, but for them, it should still be manageable, right?”

Jie Wen’s tone was utterly indifferent.

Zhong Nian stayed silent and did not mention the scene he had witnessed that morning when delivering meals—the Kidnapper Gang jacking up the price on the spot.

Jie Wen asked again, “Want some smoked beef? Stuff like this high-end item never came our way before. Try it—it’s delicious.”

“No thanks. I’m going out for some air.” Zhong Nian left the break room.

He took the elevator up to the sixth floor.

The Buffet Restaurant on the sixth floor held the other crew members, guarded even more strictly. But Zhong Nian was not unprepared. He showed the guards the dozens of little breads in his large bag. “I’m delivering these inside.”

This was not really his job—he had taken it on himself precisely to get a chance to check out the situation inside.

After being searched, Zhong Nian was allowed in.

He hugged the large bag to his chest and deliberately held it high. It was tiring, but it blocked his face, making it easier to look around.

This glance surprised him a little. The Kidnapper Gang’s treatment of the crew was really not bad.

Even those unwilling to come out and work did not have it as rough as the “esteemed guests” in the casino sleeping on the floor. Some had pushed tables together, others padded with thick bedding. It was not crowded, there was plenty of food, and they could use the restrooms anytime.

Some even gathered bored to play poker cards.

From their looks, they had not suffered much mistreatment.

A few inside recognized Zhong Nian and greeted him happily. “How’d you end up here?”

It was the security guard from the Bridge. Zhong Nian always seemed to run into him on duty whenever he went there.

“Brought you guys some stuff.” Zhong Nian thought for a moment, stopped by his side, and asked softly, “Do you know where Charles the First Mate is?”

Earlier, from Jie Wen, he had learned that the Ship Captain was one of the Kidnapper Gang’s higher-ups. So Zhong Nian worried a bit, remembering how Charles had listened to him and gone to check the bombs. Had he perhaps been locked up because of that? That was why no one could find him during the fire that day?

Zhong Nian was very afraid that he had gotten him in trouble.

However, upon hearing his question, the Bridge security guard’s expression turned peculiar. “What do you want with him?”

“Has something happened?” Zhong Nian’s heart tightened.

“Not exactly, but I’d advise you not to…” Before he finished, the Bridge security guard seemed to see something. His face paled abruptly, and he lowered his head, saying no more.

Zhong Nian turned to look behind and to the side, his eyes widening.

To his great surprise, the very person he sought appeared before him.

The other man was no longer in that First Mate uniform with its three stripes. He wore only a simple black shirt and black trousers, the only constant being the black gloves on his hands.

“Charles, you’re okay?”

Zhong Nian stared blankly as the man strode toward him and grabbed his wrist.

“Come with me.”

…

Charles led him into a room that seemed like an office of some sort, with a simple cot for resting. The desk was covered in various documents.

Zhong Nian glanced over and saw they were all passenger records from the cruise ship.

“Sit.” Charles pulled out the chair behind the desk.

Zhong Nian did not sit. He simply stared fixedly at Charles. “You’re really okay?”

“You’re always worrying about me.”

When Charles smiled, his pale amber eyes took on a gentle, affectionate warmth that made one want to draw close and trust him.

That was one of the reasons Zhong Nian had relied on him so much before.

“I’m fine. But you—how did you get hurt on your hand?”

Zhong Nian did not know how Charles had spotted the chafe marks under his sleeve. He pushed it up to inspect closely, his fingertips brushing with utmost gentleness.

Zhong Nian felt an itch, his fingertips trembling slightly. He said, “Careless.”

“Is that so?” Charles looked thoughtful.

Zhong Nian pulled his hand back. “That’s not important, Charles…”

The crucial question had not yet left his mouth when the office door was suddenly flung open with a loud bang.

“Old Three—”

The newcomer froze along with Zhong Nian.

“Little Nian, why are you here?”

Zhong Nian schooled his face back from shock and furrowed his brows at Charles, questioning coldly, “You two already knew each other from the start?”