Chapter 515: Boarding the Cruise Ship
Chapter 515: Chapter 515: Boarding the Cruise Ship
The Chuncheng Public Security Bureau took the injuries of Qiao Wensong and Chen Sheng very seriously. The specialists invited from Hai City and Beijing were a comprehensive team, including practitioners of both traditional Chinese and Western medicine. After holding a joint consultation for the two men, the specialists and the doctors from Chuncheng First Hospital developed a treatment plan together.
After two days of treatment, the conditions of both Qiao Wensong and Chen Sheng began to improve. Furthermore, the toxins in their bodies seemed to have diminished considerably, which delighted everyone. The treatment plan was effective.
Su Qing stayed in Chuncheng for five days, taking every opportunity to infuse Qiao Wensong’s and Chen Sheng’s bodies with some green mist. She didn’t dare use the Green Liquid. After all, both men had knife wounds. If she used the Green Liquid, their injuries would heal instantly, and that would cause a major commotion.
Fortunately, the green mist was more than enough to handle the poison in their bodies. So, five days later, after confirming the toxins had been completely purged from both Qiao Wensong and Chen Sheng, Su Qing bid farewell to Director Qi and left Chuncheng.
After leaving Chuncheng, Su Qing traveled by car to Guang Province. She found a small town nestled against the mountains, the one closest to Xiangcheng, and headed directly into them. Then, under the cover of night, she swam across the sea to Xiangcheng.
This way, even if someone were to track Su Qing’s movements, they would only trace her final destination to that mountain in Guang City.
After arriving in Xiangcheng, Su Qing didn’t go into the city center; she went straight to the docks. She had no local residency documents, let alone a passport. To get to A Tai, she had to find an alternative method. So, Su Qing found a local fixer and, for the price of five Big Yellow Fish, acquired a fake passport and a ticket for a cruise ship to A Tai departing the next day.
The cruise from Xiangcheng to A Tai would take seven days. The ship Su Qing had booked, the Jixiang, was headed for Pusun Port in A Tai.
The Jixiang was a super-luxurious cruise ship. A deluxe suite was priced at over ten thousand Xiang Coins, costing Su Qing two Big Yellow Fish. Fortunately, this fee covered seven days of room and board. Although the price was exorbitant, Su Qing had heard the Jixiang was Xiangcheng’s most luxurious cruise liner, with exceptionally lavish food and accommodations. She decided to seize the opportunity and experience it for herself. Besides, the Big Yellow Fish in her space were piled up into a small mountain, so she didn’t feel the slightest bit of pain spending a few.
The Jixiang had five decks in total. The first deck housed a buffet restaurant, the second was a recreation area, the third held the business-class cabins, and the fourth had the first-class cabins. The fifth deck was an observation area, complete with a massive swimming pool and a solarium.
As Su Qing boarded the Jixiang, the private butler for her deluxe suite handed her a key. "Miss Susan, your room is 408," he said with a smile. "Here is your room key. I wish you a pleasant journey. My name is Jim, and I’m the private butler assigned exclusively to your room. I will be at your service for these seven days. Please don’t hesitate to find me if you need anything at all."
The name on Su Qing’s fake passport was Susan.
"Thank you, Jim." Su Qing smiled as she accepted the key.
Jim carried Su Qing’s wicker case and respectfully saw her to her room before departing.
After Jim left, Su Qing surveyed the suite. She had to admit, the deluxe suite on the Jixiang was indeed luxurious. The decor was vintage and lavish, in a European style. The floor was hardwood, covered with a handmade rug. The walls were adorned with silk wallpaper, and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.
The suite consisted of a bedroom, a study, a large living room, a private bathroom, and a small observation balcony.
The bedroom featured a large, carved, solid-wood bed, a matching wardrobe, and a vanity. The study was furnished entirely with solid-wood desks and chairs and decorated with antique curios. The living room contained a sofa, a television, and a refrigerator. Out on the observation balcony, a lounge chair and a solid-wood coffee table were set up.
Su Qing walked out onto the observation balcony. As she gazed at the seagulls soaring in the distant sky and the undulating sea, her brow smoothed, and her expression softened.
Soon, the cruise ship set sail. Su Qing checked the time. It was ten in the morning. Since she had already eaten breakfast before boarding, she rested in her room for over an hour before deciding to head to the first deck for lunch.
Just as she stepped out of her room, a young man’s voice came from her left. "Oh, beautiful lady, to think you’re staying right next door to me! I’m truly honored." Su Qing turned to see a blond, blue-eyed foreign man in his twenties. He was looking at her, a clear smile in his eyes.
Su Qing gave him a faint, indifferent nod.
The young man was thrilled that Su Qing had responded. Just as he was about to speak, another young, blond, blue-eyed woman suddenly rushed forward and looped her arm through his. "Yarn, aren’t you surprised to see me?"
’Surprised?’
’More like horrified!’
Yarn stared at the blond woman in astonishment. "Angela, when did you board the ship? No, wait, when did you buy a ticket? How come I didn’t know?"
"I had to keep it a secret, of course," Angela said, looking overjoyed. "Otherwise, how could I surprise you?" Then, she glanced at Su Qing. "Who is this? Do you know her?"
As she spoke, Angela sized up Su Qing, her gaze appraising.
Su Qing didn’t appreciate Angela’s stare. Frowning slightly, she said, "I don’t know him. We just happen to have adjacent rooms."
With that, Su Qing paid the young couple no more mind and headed for the buffet restaurant on the first deck.
"Angela, that was very rude," Yarn said, looking at her with displeasure.
Angela pouted. "Aren’t you happy to see me? I specifically booked a ticket on the same ship just to give you a surprise."
Yarn sounded exasperated. "Angela, we’re not a good match. I remember telling you that."
"How are we not a good match?" Angela pouted. "Our families are well-matched, we’re childhood sweethearts, we grew up together in Xiangcheng... all our elders think we’re perfect for each other. Why do you think we’re not? Have you fallen for another girl? Or is it that one from before? Have you taken a liking to her?"
"Don’t be ridiculous." Yarn’s head began to ache. "It has nothing to do with her. I literally just met her myself a moment ago. I don’t even know her name."
"What? So you wanted to ask for her name? Were you hoping for some kind of romantic encounter? Or if I hadn’t shown up, were you planning to have a romantic voyage with her?" Angela’s initial joy evaporated, and she glared at Yarn accusingly.
Seeing Angela act like this, Yarn’s headache intensified. He was inwardly furious at their elders for their misguided matchmaking. He only ever felt a brotherly affection for Angela; there had never been a hint of romance between them. He had no idea how it had happened, but Angela had somehow latched onto him and wouldn’t let go.