Chapter 3 Part 2

“Then there’s the Guan Family, one of the three snakes below the Zong and Sheng families. But the one on the ship isn’t worth mentioning. He’s low-key, joins in the fun but hates the spotlight and rarely leaves his room. I haven’t seen him around.”

Jie Wen held nothing back. Seeing Zhong Nian listening intently while jotting notes on paper, he asked curiously.

“Just in case.” Zhong Nian brushed it off casually, tugging at Jie Wen’s sleeve. “Jie Wen, you know so much and you’re an old hand here. You must know the Ship Captain, right? I want to ask him something.”

Jie Wen’s ears turned red at the young man’s coquettish gesture and tone, turning him into a piece of heated iron. “I’m not that big a deal. How could I know the captain? At most, I chat with the waterhead.”

Zhong Nian: “Do you know what the captain likes?”

“I think I’ve heard he loves sweets… especially doughnuts that are so sweet they choke you.”

With the intel gathered, Zhong Nian pocketed his paper and pen, thanked Jie Wen, and found Zhan Lu.

“What? I’m busy prepping ingredients. Don’t bother me.” Zhan Lu wore a mask, his knife flashing as he gutted the fish on the board, back to his initial aloof chef persona.

Zhong Nian clasped his hands under his chin, staring unblinkingly with his watery eyes, as if devoutly making a wish to a god. “The world’s greatest chef, Lord, you can definitely make me some delicious doughnuts, right?”

…

An hour later, Zhong Nian slipped out of the second deck with a large box of doughnuts.

He asked a few crew members along the way and easily found the bridge at the bow.

The doughnuts smelled heavenly, fried to a golden hue—some dusted with powdered sugar, others drizzled with chocolate. The aroma seeped from the box seams. Zhong Nian couldn’t resist sneaking two on the way.

He rearranged the doughnuts to hide the gaps, confirmed it looked full, and headed to security.

“I’m delivering doughnuts to the captain. The head chef said I should hand them over personally and relay a message.” He delivered his pre-rehearsed lie with a straight face, flashed his employee badge, passed security, and entered successfully.

As soon as he stepped in, a burst of golden-orange light blinded him.

The bridge’s panoramic windows were vast and expansive, offering a sweeping view of the sea.

It was dusk, the setting sun dipping to the horizon, casting a lavish glow of molten gold across the waves—floating light leaping gold.

Zhong Nian rubbed his eyes and smiled at the curious stares from the crew. “Hello, I’m looking for the captain.”

Their faces flushed slightly as they pointed him in a direction.

Due to the angle, Zhong Nian had to walk around a row of consoles before spotting the person seated there.

The man’s long legs propped on the console, body reclined so the chair’s front legs lifted off the ground, hat covering his face as if napping.

His uniform was crisp and handsome, exuding captainly flair.

Probably only the captain could nap so brazenly.

Zhong Nian stopped in front of the man, holding the doughnut box in one hand, the other behind his back, and greeted softly. “Hello, Captain Sir.”

Fearing the captain hadn’t woken, he brought the box closer, fanning the scent. “I brought your favorite doughnuts.”

Sure enough, at those words, the man stirred, lifted the hat from his face, and looked up.

Zhong Nian stood there, lowering his gaze to meet the man’s.

He was a bit surprised—this captain was much younger than he’d imagined.

He’d pictured a fat uncle.

Far from it; the man was dignified and handsome, with striking features.

Perhaps part Western blood—deep bone structure, light hair tied in a small ponytail at the back. He looked less like a captain and more like a gentlemanly noble educated in refinement.

Zhong Nian licked his red lips and opened the box, presenting the tempting gift. “Captain Sir, doughnuts.”

The man’s pale eyes swept over the young man’s obedient, eager face, a spark of interest curving his lips. “Really for the captain?”

Zhong Nian inexplicably felt a chill down his spine under that gaze and stammered. “O-of course.”

“Oh…” The man’s voice had a uniquely luxurious timbre. He slowly raised a hand, tapping his lip corner. “Then how come you snuck a taste?”

Zhong Nian jolted, his tongue darting out—and sure enough, it brushed a hint of powdered sugar sweetness.

“This… this wasn’t sneaking. I must’ve gotten some while tasting. No eating.” He said.

The man chuckled ambiguously. “Fine, hand it over.”

Zhong Nian placed it in his hands but didn’t leave. “Captain Sir, work must be tough. The parade went so smoothly thanks to you.”

The man merely smiled faintly at the flattery.

“The weather this year has been great—clear skies and gentle breezes. The crew’s electronics have no signal either. Wonder how the next few days will be…”

The man fiddled with the console, showing Zhong Nian the forecast. “Don’t worry. It’ll be sunny like this.”

Seeing he wasn’t hard to talk to, Zhong Nian inwardly rejoiced and continued. “To be honest, I have a bit of catastrophe phobia. I always worry something bad will happen. You know, first time on a ship—like some people overthink flying: hitting a reef, leaks, fires, explosions. Wondering if there are proper rescue gear and protocols…”

The man smiled wryly. “Mm, I get it.”

Zhong Nian leaned forward, radiating sincere trust. “But Captain Sir, with you here, none of those safety issues exist, right?”

“Of course.”

“You’re so reliable—the handsomest I’ve ever…”

Zhong Nian’s praise cut off midway as a sudden voice interrupted.

“Charles! You have doughnuts and don’t share? Hogging them all!”

Zhong Nian turned to see a pot-bellied middle-aged man approaching. His eyes locked on the epaulets on the dark uniform—four dazzling gold bars studded with diamonds.

At that moment, the lounging man in the captain’s chair stood, smiling. “The sneak wasn’t me, esteemed Captain Hall. You’ve got the wrong guy.”