Chapter 248: Joining Forces for Mutual Benefit

Wu An ate and drank well, slept for a while, and in a daze heard A Qing shouting: "The rain has stopped, the wind has also died down."

"Brother, wake up quickly."

Wu An woke up, rubbed his eyes, and walked out of the cabin.

Old Fu Tou was at the helm, shouting: "We can already return."

Wu An nodded: "Let's set off."

He was already eager to return home.

He also didn't know how things were at home.

……

At this point, not to mention his home, even Xixi Village was in chaos.

After the Chen family's trawler returned, Chen Lao Da reported a piece of bad news: Old Fu Tou, who had been working on the ship, accidentally fell into the water.

It wasn't that they refused to help; they just found out too late.

Besides, the fishing boat was damaged, and after they collectively decided, they first came back to report the situation.

Upon learning of this, the leader in charge of the rescue operation was greatly shocked, fearing that this would lead to casualties!

He immediately demanded that the individuals be questioned separately, and the results came out quickly.

Everyone's accounts were consistent: it was an accidental fall into the water. Old Fu Tou was a 'five guarantees' household, had worked on the Chen family's fishing boat for many years, and had no major conflicts with anyone.

No one had a motive, and moreover, Old Fu Tou's accident indeed occurred during work, so it was ruled as an accident.

The leader urged that the rescue work must proceed; at this point, he no longer thought about gaining credit from this incident, just hoping not to be caught with a minor fault.

Although this loss of life wasn't because of him, after all, a life was lost.

When he went to report the work, the leader certainly wouldn't be pleased upon hearing it.

Upon learning that Old Fu Tou's incident was ruled an accident, everyone on the Chen family's fishing boat breathed a sigh of relief, only Fu Yongning wore an expression of grief and indignation.

Old Fu Tou's falling into the water was indeed an accident, but everyone's failure to rescue him is also a fact.

In fact, everyone is aware of this, but at this time no one wants to pursue it.

After all, failing to rescue someone is not illegal; strictly speaking, it's merely a mistake.

Having said that, this wasn't the decision of any one person, but a joint decision by everyone on the fishing boat; as the saying goes, you can't blame a crowd, so at most one can only condemn it morally and conscientiously!

The people of Xixi Village handled logistics, bringing them food and drink, but Fu Yongning refused, as if doing so would make him feel a bit better inside.

Chen Lao Da quickly sought out Chen Gui.

Although the trawler had been pulled back, it still couldn't just be tossed into the sea and left alone.

Upon hearing this, Chen Gui wore a troubled expression: 'At a time like this, it's probably impossible to divert manpower and resources to salvage the fishing boat.'

Chen Lao Da said anxiously: 'This fishing boat must be dealt with.' If handled promptly, the loss could be smaller; afterward, I will surely reward you handsomely.

Setting aside other matters, your enthusiasm for public service in reducing our losses means I will definitely write a thank‑you letter and send a banner of appreciation.

Upon hearing this, Chen Gui's eyes lit up instantly.

Now, the village's leadership transition is a critical moment; although he has already made preparations both above and below.

But Wu Yingwei has done many things in the village over the years and accumulated fame; not only the town, but even the county knows that Xixi Village has a figure like Wu Yingwei.

At this critical juncture, if someone writes a thank‑you letter and sends him a banner, it would not only bring him honor, but also boost his presence before the town leaders.

As for this matter of advancement, wouldn't it be as good as certain?

Moreover, aside from these obvious benefits, there could also be underhanded gains.

Seeing the change in Chen Gui's expression, Chen Lao Da knew this was a sure thing; after giving him benefits and then offering flattery, the effect would be doubled: 'Who doesn't know that in Xixi Village you are the most capable?'

"'I haven't asked anyone else; I only sought you out because I knew you could definitely help me.'"

"'If you say you can't help, then I truly have no other recourse.'"

"'You flatter me, you flatter me.' Chen Gui, embarrassed, rubbed his hands and said: 'Then I'll immediately call to find manpower and a crane.'"

"'I'm already so grateful.' Chen Lao Da grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously: 'I'll have people go to town to make the banner; if you don't lend me a place, I'll write the thank‑you letter myself.'"

The two shook hands, and Chen Gui grinned broadly.

Chen Lao Da was also very pleased, not only because Chen Gui was willing to help rescue the fishing boat, but also because he and Chen Gui had thus seized the opportunity to connect.

The dock in Xixi Village is good; his family's fishing boats are usually moored there.

In the past, he used to curry favor with Old Village Chief Shen, but now the old village chief can't work anymore, so we must replace him in the upcoming election.

And Chen Gui is the one most likely to succeed.

At this moment, he is currying favor with Chen Gui by helping him out, and naturally he will not miss out on future benefits.

By relying on this matter of rescuing the fishing boat, Chen Lao Da and Chen Gui can be considered to have achieved mutual benefit.

Chen Lao Da suddenly felt that, even though the catch was thrown away after the boat's mishap, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

It's just a case of 'a blessing in disguise'.

Chen Gui glanced not far off at Wu Yingwei, smirking to himself: 'Wu Yingwei, Wu Yingwei, what do you have to oppose me with?'

He himself has been busy with work all day, yet his son's fate is still unknown.

And I… have made all preparations up and down, plus I have the thank‑you letter and banner; the advantage is mine!

Chen Gui gazed at the sea, his eyes full of anticipation: if Wu An were to die in the sea, that would be just perfect.

The villagers were also all talking excitedly.

"The Wu family's second son still hasn't been heard from."

"Even the Chen family's trawler has met with mishap; Wu An's boat is small, so it's likely more misfortune than fortune."

"Who can be blamed? If blame there is, blame him for falling into the love of money; in such weather he still dared to go out to sea."

"That's right; we old fishermen wouldn't dare go out to sea in this weather."

"Alright, you two, cut back on the sarcastic remarks."

「Wu An that kid's luck isn't bad……」

Anyway, everyone was saying all sorts of things; Duan Dajie supported Mei Yueqin, and at this moment she didn't say anything disheartening, continually speaking kind words to comfort Mei Yueqin and Li Juan.

Saying no news is good news; good people will be looked after by heaven……

Mei Yueqin couldn't hear a word of these words; she was already frightened out of her wits, wiping her tears as she cried nonstop.

Li Juan was a bit better, but her eyes were also red.

Wu Yingwei was smoking, and the ground beneath his feet was already littered with cigarette butts.

Upon learning that the rescue ship would set out to sea, Mei Yueqin asked, "Dad, can you come along?"

Wu Yingwei shook his head and said in a stiff tone, "At a time like this, I'd better not come along and cause trouble."

Mei Yueqin wiped her tears: "But, but……"

Wu Yingwei set his jaw and said nothing.

He actually wanted to go too.

But even if he spoke up and said he wanted to go, he knew they wouldn't agree either.

With Mei Yueqin crying like that, he couldn't say anything.

Comfort?

He himself also needed comfort.

As the wind and waves subsided, the rescue ship set out; at the same time, the leadership was also contacting helicopter rescue, planning to launch the rescue simultaneously.

A rescue operation of this scale hadn't been seen in years.

No one expected that such a not‑particularly‑great storm would cause such a serious ship‑in‑distress accident.

All we can say is that worldly affairs are unpredictable.

The weather at sea is ever‑changing and inherently hard to predict.

Those who make a living at sea—who isn't risking their lives?

Nobody thought highly of it; frankly, going to rescue now is just doing one's best and leaving the rest to fate.