The situation became somewhat complicated for a time, mainly because I knew very little about Yang Hanxue, and we had left in such a hurry that I hadn't considered many things.
However, it was too late to regret it now. The ship had already set sail, and the people on board were not to be trifled with. Returning at this point was clearly impossible.
All I could do now was take it one step at a time…
Fortunately, I had Song Bing by my side. Without him, I probably wouldn't even be able to get a good night's sleep.
The next day at noon, while eating in the mess hall, I didn't see Yang Hanxue. Instead, Old Yuan greeted me warmly.
“Brother Xiang, did you sleep well last night?”
I smiled and nodded, “Brother Yuan, where are we now?”
“Still in the eastern peninsula area. It’ll probably take another two or three days to reach the place Captain Yang mentioned.”
As Old Yuan spoke, he asked, “Where is the young lady who boarded with you yesterday? Isn’t she eating?”
“She’s a bit seasick. I’ll bring some to her later.”
“Is that so? I have some seasickness medication. I’ll get you some later,” Old Yuan said.
I nodded.
Just then, the man who had attempted to make a move on Bai Hanyan the previous night also entered the mess hall.
Several people followed behind him. When that fellow saw me, he quirked his mouth and smiled at me.
“Brother Yuan, what does that brother do? What’s his name?” I asked.
Old Yuan glanced sideways, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. Although it was only for a moment, I still caught it!
“His name is Niu Gang, and he’s in charge of logistics,” Old Yuan said. “Why are you asking about him?”
“Nothing, I was just asking,” I said with a smile.
Old Yuan hesitated for a moment and said, “Brother Xiang, the situation on this ship is a bit complicated… If anyone gives you trouble, feel free to come to me anytime.”
Hearing this, I suddenly thought of something and my eyes darted around. “Brother Yuan, do you have anything to do after eating? Shall we go to the deck for a smoke?”
Old Yuan nodded, “Okay.”
After finishing the meal, Old Yuan and I went to the deck. He offered me a cigarette, and I hesitated before taking it and lighting it.
It was my first time smoking, and it made me cough uncontrollably.
Seeing this, Old Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, “Brother Xiang, you don’t smoke?”
“Rarely,” I replied with an embarrassed smile.
“You asked me over not just for a smoke, did you?”
I smiled and said, “I have some things I’d like to ask Brother Yuan about…”
Before I could finish, he said, “Captain Yang hasn’t been sailing much for over a year. All matters on the ship are handled by the captain…”
Hearing this, I finally understood and asked directly, “Is that Niu Gang one of the captain’s men?”
Old Yuan smiled and nodded, “Yes.”
“Then is there something between Captain Yang and the captain…”
“This isn’t something I should be telling you. Since Captain Yang mentioned earlier that you are his friend, I have nothing to hide.”
Old Yuan sighed as he spoke, “Actually, Captain Yang shouldn’t have set sail at this time…”
According to Old Yuan, Yang Hanxue had returned to Yan Jing half a year ago for some business and had been away for over half a year. The subordinates were very opinionated.
Thus, the crew was divided into two factions: one led by Old Yuan, who was loyal to Yang Hanxue, and the other supporting the captain, hoping the captain would replace Yang Hanxue.
These two groups usually kept to themselves. This time, when Yang Hanxue announced his intention to set sail, the captain didn’t say anything, but some of his subordinates were not happy.
Old Yuan didn't mention what they did for a living as he explained all this.
“They say family shame should not be aired, but the current situation is indeed difficult to manage…” Old Yuan said with a wry smile. “We old timers naturally have no complaints about Captain Yang, after all, we’ve worked under him for so many years. As for the newcomers… alas, the internal situation is a complete mess.”
After chatting with him for a while, I had a general understanding of the situation.
“Where is Captain Yang now?” I asked.
“In the captain’s cabin. Does Brother Xiang want to find him?”
I nodded.
“Perhaps Brother Xiang should wait a moment?” Old Yuan suggested. “The captain is probably discussing matters with the captain.”
I nodded, “Alright. If Brother Yuan sees Captain Yang later, please tell him I’ll be waiting for him in the cabin.”
“No problem.”
Back in my cabin, I explained the situation to Song Bing. He didn’t seem surprised at all after listening.
“Internal factions often result in such situations,” Song Bing said, looking at me. “Mr. Xiang, what are your plans now?”
I said, “Let’s see what Yang Hanxue has to say first. We were brought onto the ship by him. As long as he stands by our side, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”
Song Bing nodded, “By the way, Miss Bai has woken up. Should I tell her about it?”
I thought for a moment, “Does she remember what happened last night?”
“It seems not.”
“I’ll tell her when the time comes.”
Song Bing nodded.
After about an hour, Old Yuan found me and said that Yang Hanxue was waiting for me on the deck and asked me to go over.
I went to the deck, and Yang Hanxue was standing not far away, with his hands behind his back, enjoying the sea breeze.
When I approached, he smiled at me, “Did you rest well last night? I had some matters to attend to this morning, so I didn’t come to find you.”
“I rested well, but there was a problem with Miss Bai…”
I decided to tell him directly about what happened to Bai Hanyan last night. My purpose in doing so was to gauge Yang Hanxue’s attitude.
If he was willing to provide an explanation, I could relax for the days to come. But if not, it would mean I had truly boarded a pirate ship.
“There’s such a thing?!” Yang Hanxue frowned, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
After a long period of thought, he finally said, “I will give Miss Bai an explanation before dinner tonight.”
With that, Yang Hanxue turned and walked directly towards the cabin.
In the afternoon, I found Bai Hanyan and told her about last night’s events. After hearing it, the woman jumped up from her seat, “Who was that guy? I’ll skin him alive!”
I quickly pulled her back, saying, “The situation is a bit complicated now, and we are on a ship, not in Guangling.”
Hearing my words, Bai Hanyan looked wronged and gritted her teeth tightly.
I comforted her for a while before she calmed down.
This little firecracker was indeed a firecracker. If any other woman heard about such a thing, her first reaction would likely be to feel lingering fear.
But she actually wanted to go and settle the score.
I suddenly felt so lucky that during the time I spent with her, she hadn’t skinned me alive.
“Since Yang Hanxue said he would give you an explanation, let’s see what kind of explanation he gives. And considering the current situation on the ship…”
I sighed, “I shouldn’t have let you come back then.”