To escape the cruise ship unscathed upon its docking, meticulous planning was essential.
I mentally rehearsed every possible scenario, identifying opportunities and refining my approach. Once a plan was solidified and deemed viable, decisive action would be required to swiftly execute the escape as envisioned.
Only through a planned and prepared withdrawal could my chances of evading Ying Baolin increase significantly. Otherwise, even if not a dead end, the outcome would likely be akin to a caged bird, completely stripped of freedom.
Life and death would be firmly controlled by the person outside the cage…
As soon as Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun entered the room, I immediately shared my thoughts, seeking their input for an optimal escape strategy. After all, three minds are better than one.
Shortly after hearing my account, Cheng Minglang, after a brief deliberation, blurted out, "One word: Fight!"
"We fight our way out!"
Before I could object, Cheng Minglang continued, "On a cruise ship with nearly ten thousand passengers, our greatest advantage is our numbers!"
"Instead of trying to sneak away when the ship docks, it's better to disembark openly with the crowd."
"At that point, if Ying Baolin wants to detain us, he'll have to resort to force."
"As long as they make the first move, the moral high ground will be ours!"
"We can use the crowd to spread inflammatory remarks, creating panic and chaos."
"The more chaotic the situation, the more it benefits us!"
"Conversely, if we try to sneak away, Ying Baolin might concoct baseless accusations against us!"
"Once he finds a suitable excuse, we'll be at a disadvantage!"
I had to admit, despite Cheng Minglang's usual inclination towards brute force, his mind could occasionally devise a surprisingly nuanced plan. While his method wasn't the absolute best, it was the most fitting for the current circumstances.
Rumors were like the Sword of Damocles hanging over my head. They could help me break through obstacles and escape, but they could also deliver a fatal blow. The key was who spread the rumors and incited the crowd's emotions first.
If it were me, the outcome would likely be a narrow escape. But if Ying Baolin were the one, I would have nowhere to retreat…
Honestly, after Cheng Minglang proposed this simple, direct, and practical method, I found myself leaning towards his plan. I was, after all, a lone wolf compared to Ying Baolin, who wielded immense power in Wen Zhou. If I couldn't leverage every available advantage, I would surely lose if we came to a direct confrontation without any hidden support.
However, the question remained: at what precise moment should I blend in with the crowd?
With that thought, I decided to gauge Ying Baolin's movements before making any further plans.
"Here's what we'll do," I said to Cheng Minglang. "Help me find out the ship's exact departure time."
"And most importantly, the return route!"
"If Ying Baolin is determined to keep me, he might go to any lengths to achieve it!"
"While I hope it doesn't come to that, it's better to be prepared than to scramble at the last minute!"
"We absolutely must ascertain the return route!"
Only by understanding the return route could I have a slim chance of executing the desperate measure of jumping overboard using a lifeboat if the situation devolved into the worst-case scenario. Of course, this was a last resort, and surviving in the open sea with just a lifeboat had a success rate of no more than thirty percent.
I paused, then turned to Han Jinlun. "Your main task is to keep a close eye on Shen Lingyu! Since she has sided with Ying Baolin, she will undoubtedly try to gain favor by proving her loyalty."
"Oh, and be extremely cautious when you both go out. Pay attention to any suspicious faces around you."
"Also, observe carefully inside to see if any of the old Rui Chi gang members are present."
"If not, forget it. But if they are… remember to call me immediately!"
Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun nodded, then left to carry out their respective tasks.
After they departed, I didn't dare to waste a moment and immediately called Xu Shiyu for assistance. While Xu Shiyu might not be the most professional at setting up schemes, she was twice as effective as me when it came to getting out of trouble. Since I had already prepared for the worst, a cautious approach involving a two-pronged strategy was the safest bet.
Once the call connected, I revealed my current predicament to Xu Shiyu without any reservations, explaining everything in detail. I then offered a six-figure sum, hoping she could provide guidance. To my surprise, her response was: "Contact me again after you've confirmed the return time!"
"The time of the ship's docking will differ, and so will the methods for escape!"
"If we dock during the day, we can utilize not only everything on the ship but also the pier."
"However, if the ship returns and docks at night, we'll have very few cards to play."
Hearing this, I immediately replied, "Alright! I'll call you as soon as I find out the specific docking time!"
After hanging up, I settled down in the room to wait. Although I was eager to go out, I knew that the lounge area was the safest place on the ship.
About an hour later, Cheng Minglang and Han Jinlun both returned to the room.
Cheng Minglang delivered some unwelcome news upon entering. The ship was scheduled to dock in the evening, but due to natural factors like weather and wind direction, this estimated time was likely to be pushed back. In other words, the ship would likely dock at night. As for the return route, Cheng Minglang couldn't ascertain it, as there were no landmarks at sea, and most people paid no attention to such details.
If Cheng Minglang's news was bad, then Han Jinlun's subsequent report was even worse. Shen Lingyu was not in the ship's main hall; she was likely in a room somewhere, awaiting Ying Baolin's instructions. This scene was eerily reminiscent of the calm before a storm at sea. Or perhaps… a deathly silence.