Chapter 598: Searching for Traces at Sea

Wu An waited for Fu Yongning to come to the lounge, then asked, "When did Ma Weiqun and the others go out to sea?"

Fu Yongning said, "Yesterday afternoon."

"About one o'clock, roughly the same as now."

"Few go out to sea at this time, those two trawlers are especially noticeable; I asked around and quite a few people saw them."

Wu An nodded.

He noticed the system's light dot hadn't moved, so he found it strange—could it be that Ma Weiqun and the others went out to sea without working?

Normally that dot wouldn't be stationary.

Last time their two trawlers came back with a pitifully small catch, which was also quite strange.

"Not right."

"Nine out of ten, something's off."

Wu An muttered to himself.

He had already been thinking about dealing with Ma Weiqun, so he paid extra attention, making him feel especially sharp; Ma Weiqun going out to sea didn't look like a fishing operation.

"So what is this guy doing?"

"Smuggling?"

"Or salvaging underwater treasure?"

Actually, out at sea there are only a few things one can do.

Ma Weiqun surely wouldn't bring a bunch of people and run two oil-guzzling, money-guzzling trawlers just to joyride at sea, would he?

Wu An's curiosity was piqued.

Too bad Hu Zi doesn't have a phone; he can't call over to ask what's up.

Coincidentally, Lao Fu Tou came over to ask where this trip was headed.

Wu An thought for a moment: "Head north."

The dot's direction is to the north; as long as the general direction is right, we can adjust the course based on the dot's exact bearing when we get closer.

The light dot in the system is just a lighthouse.

"Okay, I'll follow your lead." Lao Fu Tou responded, slightly adjusted the rudder, and the fishing boat set off on the new route.

Everyone also thought it was no big deal.

Anyway, no matter where we go, as long as Wu An's luck is strong enough, we'll surely gain something.

After about an hour of busy work getting the boat underway, aside from Lao Fu Tou and Mei Wu, everyone else went back to the lounge to rest.

Each was drenched in sweat, a bit smelly, but nobody said anything.

They're all rough guys.

Nobody looks down on anyone else.

These past two days without going to sea, nobody's been idle; everyone has their own things to do, and when sitting around with nothing to do, we just chat back and forth.

Fu Yongning showed off the big gold chain around his neck.

On the first trip out to sea, he made money, bought a study desk for his child, bought plenty of skincare products and clothes for his wife, and also got himself several outfits.

It was more elaborate than New Year's.

Not to mention providing for his parents, but he even ended up losing face—neighbors all knew he'd made money.

These days walking around the village, he holds his back straight.

He figured the second outing wouldn't earn less, so he took his wife and kids to the county for fun; seeing a gold shop running a promotion, he and his wife each got a gold chain.

"Brother Yongning, won't that big gold chain float away?"

"It's impossible for it to float; this thing is dead heavy, it makes my neck sore." Fu Yongning said, tugging the big gold chain so everyone could see it more clearly.

Fan Dali chuckled, "You're not as smart as me; I and A Zhu also bought gold, but I had a few gold teeth made for my old man."

Fu Yongning gave a thumbs-up: "You guys are genuine; your old man strolling around the village chatting beats me wearing a chain and walking around."

If you make money and don't show it off, what's the point?

Fan Dali looked at Mei Wu and A Qing and asked, "You didn't buy anything?"

Mei Wu said, "No."

A Qing also shook his head.

Fan Dali laughed.

Mei Wu then said, "I'm learning from A Qing, planning to build a villa; I've already found someone to draw up the plans."

Fan Dali's smile froze.

A Qing said, "I'm learning from my older brother."

Wu An, seeing the chat wasn't going anywhere, changed the subject: "A Qing, have you been practicing driving these past two days?"

A Qing shook his head: "No."

"I've been too busy these two days."

Wu An blinked; he'd also been busy these two days and hadn't attended to A Qing, and thinking about it, wow, these two days A Qing hasn't contacted him at all.

He curiously asked, "What have you been busy with?"

A Qing coughed twice, a bit embarrassed, and said, "Not really busy, just been on blind dates."

Wu An laughed: "Any luck?"

A Qing nodded.

Wu An curiously asked, "Got a photo? Let me have a look."

A Qing pulled out his phone.

He opened the photo album.

Then, one after another, they were shown to Wu An.

Wu An took a look, good grief, there must be seven or eight different girls' photos; after he finished looking, he asked, 'Which one?'

A Qing replied, 'What do you mean which one?'

'The girl you took a liking to, huh.'

'I took a liking to all of these I showed you.'

"" Wu An stared speechless. Holy shit, you're gonna get yourself killed, and you even liked all of them. Even if you're willing, and even if the girls are willing, the law definitely doesn't allow it.

Everyone laughed hysterically.

All we can say is, sure enough, it's A Qing.

His bone structure is extraordinary, quite unlike anyone else.

A Qing scratched his head and said honestly, 'What are you laughing at? I'm not joking, I'm serious.'

Wu An took a breath, he understood A Qing.

He said, 'You're dazzled, thinking they're all good, but you don't know how to choose.'

A Qing nodded repeatedly.

Actually.

A Qing simply doesn't know what liking someone feels like; he just thinks these girls are pretty, and if they want him to marry, he'll marry.

He doesn't object, and even finds it rather fun.

In this situation, Wu An needs to help him screen even more, first ruling out 'drama queens,' ideally finding a virtuous wife and good mother type.

Of course.

Being good-looking is definitely also a top priority; given his and A Qing's relationship, their future children might even be childhood sweethearts.

If things work out, they might even arrange a childhood betrothal.

As for genes and such, they ought to be improved; who wouldn't want their childhood sweethearts to be handsome and beautiful?

Actually, if Wu An were to say, A Qing is just 18, and that's nominal age; there's no need to rush into dating and marriage.

But back home it's different.

A Qing dropped out of school early and has been loafing around the village for several years.

Never mind that A Qing is already 18; even if he were under 18, if he wanted to marry, it could be done, and having children would pose no problem.

As for your saying you can't get a marriage certificate, then just don't get one.

Around here, plenty of people get married first and sort out the paperwork later.

Fan Dali and Fan Xiao Zhu also came over to look; Fan Dali said enviously, 'Sure, these blind-date girls are all pretty good-looking.'

'Especially this one, she'll surely be easy to raise children with.'

'Tsk tsk tsk.'

Fan Xiao Zhu also nodded along.

Mei Wu also squeezed over to look, and began to critique solemnly.

Wu An watched them getting excited, then suddenly realized, 'Damn, on this boat, aside from him and Fu Yongning, everyone else is single.'

Lao Fu Tou need not be mentioned; the two brothers Fan Dali and Fan Xiao Zhu are both around thirty, already considered old bachelors.

He said with a smile, 'Don't envy A Qing.'

Before long, you'll all be hot commodities in the surrounding villages.

Fu Yongning also chimed in, 'Exactly, by then the matchmakers might even wear down the threshold of your home.'

Hearing this, the two Fan brothers were about to smile so hard their mouths would skew.