"No way? Aren't they trying to trick us into going? How could they not come pick us up?" Xia Hou analyzed.
"Could it be that we've been discovered?" Gao Mingqiang said.
I shook my head, "Everyone, don't be nervous. Keep waiting. Maybe the ship will arrive soon. It's only been a few minutes, right?"
"Let's keep waiting! Everyone, keep a close watch!" Liu Yuning ordered. No one dared to slack off, their eyes highly focused on a direction not far from the seaside, hoping the ship would appear soon.
However, the more eagerly we waited, the more disappointed we became. We all looked at the sea curiously, staring intently, with a strong urge not to leave.
Yet, it was already 7 PM, and the ship still hadn't arrived.
Liu Yuning couldn't help but say, "There shouldn't be such a long delay, right? It seems we really were tricked. I'm calling Director Huang now!"
"Don't! Look over there!" Gao Mingqiang excitedly pointed to a beam of light not far away and shouted.
Our attention was immediately drawn. At the same time, we witnessed an extremely large but ancient-looking iron ship. It appeared to be steam-powered, with several huge chimneys in the middle constantly emitting thick black smoke. As it approached, we could hear a roaring sound.
We were all quite surprised. What era was this, that they were still using such a ship? Was this deserted tourist area that poor?
As the ship neared, it carefully docked beside the pier. A wooden plank was then laid out in front of us.
We didn't move, but an old woman wearing a yellow leather coat slowly walked down from the ship.
"Excuse me, are you the lucky few invited by Long Teng Company this time?"
"Yes, are you the one driving the ship?" He Xin inquired.
"What do you mean by that? Do you think I'm not capable of it?" the old woman asked disdainfully.
"No, just a bit curious!" He Xin quickly explained.
The old woman snorted and made a gesture, "Everyone, please come aboard!"
We exchanged glances and then slowly walked across the deck onto the ship. Once inside, we first went to the cabin area. The old woman introduced herself, "I am the ship's driver, Granny Huang. You can call me that. I assume you are all tired. There are quite a few suites on the ship, so please choose one for yourselves!"
Upon entering the ship, we discovered that the interior design was very modern, with elegant chandelier decorations and an exceptionally comfortable environment. It felt like entering the lobby of a five-star hotel.
"Great!" everyone replied, and began to choose their rooms. Liu Yuning initially wanted to stay with He Xin, but I pulled her, saying, "We're married, we have to sleep together!"
"What the... but..."
"We're just acting!" I whispered.
"Alright, for the sake of the mission, we'll do it this way!" Liu Yuning was reluctant, but if we were separated, we would easily be suspected.
We entered the rooms. He Xin and Xie Chuchu shared one, and Gao Mingqiang and Xia Hou shared another.
After the rooms were assigned, Liu Yuning and I sat on the bed, maintaining a distance.
I took out a packet of instant noodles from my luggage and poured some hot water, preparing to eat. The room was actually quite good, designed like a hotel room outside.
While I was eating, Liu Yuning's stomach started to growl. I smiled and asked, "Do you want a packet?"
"Eating instant noodles all the time is bad for your health!" Liu Yuning said with feigned seriousness.
"Then I'll give you some braised eggs!" I reached out to get them, but Liu Yuning coldly said, "No need!"
Since she was like that, I didn't say anything more and continued eating by myself.
Perhaps it was because I was eating with such gusto, but Liu Yuning stared intently at me. I could even hear her swallowing.
Noticing that I was also looking at her, Liu Yuning said very seriously, "Don't overthink it, I won't get in bed with you!"
*Puff!*
I almost spat out a braised egg. I quickly wiped my mouth and said with a bitter smile, "I didn't mean anything by it. You should rest if you're tired. I'll sleep on the floor later!"
"How can I sleep if you're in the bed!" Liu Yuning retorted.
"Okay!" I quickly finished my noodles and took out a mat I had prepared in my luggage bag. Liu Yuning was surprised, "You even thought you might have to sleep on the floor?"
"Heh, of course. This kind of situation is quite normal. You go ahead and sleep if you're fine!"
"No!"
"Hmm?"
"I still need to take a shower!" Liu Yuning said, quickly taking out her pajamas from her bag and running to the nearby bathroom.
I sat on the mat, holding a pillow. Suddenly, I felt the ship start to move. I didn't know why, but the weather was getting colder. I guess it was due to the snow.
Lying on the floor, I felt a bit uncomfortable, and without a blanket, I figured tonight would be tough.
However, hearing Liu Yuning's splashing sounds, I suddenly felt a warmth spread through my body. Even though I kept telling myself not to think too much, my heart was still pounding.
About 5 minutes later, the bathroom door opened. Liu Yuning surprisingly said, "Close your eyes, don't look!"
I said, "Okay, hurry up!"
Despite my words, I squinted one eye open. I saw her wearing a purple nightgown walking to the bedside, picking up a wooden comb, and starting to comb her hair while looking into a mirror.
What the hell! She was wearing clothes. Why did she tell me to close my eyes?
Just as I was about to speak, Liu Yuning, with her back to me, said, "You can open your eyes now!"
I was completely bewildered, unable to understand this woman's mind. I sat up and asked, "What's wrong?"
"When we sleep later, don't you come up! Otherwise, I'll stomp on your... thing and crush it!"
Uh...
"I wasn't thinking about anything else, don't worry. Just treat it as being for the mission!"
"Okay, good. I'm going to sleep!" Liu Yuning didn't say anything more and lay down, pulling the covers up.
I also lay down, but on the floor.
The night was truly cold. As I drifted off to sleep, I sneezed. Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound. I quickly sat up, only to find Liu Yuning eating instant noodles!
As soon as our eyes met, her face flushed crimson. "Uh, I got a bit hungry in my sleep, so I took the instant noodles from your luggage!"
"Oh? It's okay, it's okay. Everyone gets hungry. How did it taste?"
"It was alright. Where did you buy it? I've never seen it before."
"Some friends gave them to me!"
"Huh? Aren't you a shut-in? How do you have friends!"
"Being a shut-in doesn't have a direct logical connection to having friends! They're two different things, okay!"
"Uh, forget it. Thanks for the instant noodles."
Liu Yuning said, eating with gusto. She finished the noodles in no time. I thought she would just go to sleep, but then she looked at me and said, "If you're cold, you can come up."
What the hell?! What did she mean by that?