563: Time 563: Time Editor: TheSloth The old captain’s name was Mu Enli.
The vice captain’s name was Mu Qinghai.
Word is, back when Mu Qinghai was still a baby, no one knows who abandoned him near the docks.
Later, Mu Enli happened upon him, and though he’d always been single, Mu Enli decided without hesitation to adopt the child and named him Mu Qinghai.
In the beginning, the Baiyu Cruise was used not only as a pleasure ship, but also took on some cargo work and long-haul voyages.
So Mu Enli simply kept Mu Qinghai onboard to look after him.
Although this father and son both owned property in the city, just as Mu Qinghai always said, the Baiyu Cruise was his real home… And to be honest, it was true.
He grew up on the ship right up until he was old enough for school.
After graduation, he returned to work on the Baiyu Cruise, and because he was so petent at his job, he was promoted to vice captain at only thirty years old.
…
Taking off the hat on his head, Captain Mu Enli placed it by his side.
Then he pulled a stainless steel flask from his pocket, unscrewed the cap, and drank from it slowly, alone.
This was the highest area on the Baiyu Cruise where guests could go to look out—any higher, and you’d be entering crew-only territory.
At this hour, nobody else was around.
Mu Enli sat on the bench in front of the guardrail, drinking as he gazed at his pocket watch.
He seemed a little lost in thought.
“Dad, I knew you’d be here.”
Mu Qinghai approached him from behind.
Mu Enli stowed his pocket watch away, didn’t turn around, and took another sip on his own.
Mu Qinghai came up at that moment, reached over, and snatched the flask from him, frowning, “The doctor said you can’t drink.”
“Give it back.” The old captain held out his hand, but Mu Qinghai shook his head.
The old captain glared, with a hint of drunkenness and irritation in his voice: “I’ve spent over thirty years at sea—I’ve drunk more liquor than you’ve drunk water!
I know full well what my limits are!”
“When did you turn into such a stubborn old man?” Mu Qinghai sighed and sat down.
The old captain snorted, turned his body away, leaning into the back of the bench so his back faced Mu Qinghai.
Mu Qinghai spoke gently, “Dad, weren’t we supposed to record the show today?”
Captain said, “You agreed to it, I never did.
I already said this morning, I’m not joining in on this nonsense… Let’s not bring up what happened this morning, it just gets my blood up!”
Mu Qinghai said helplessly, “Dad, I know I was a little harsh this morning.
Don’t be angry.”
“Easy for you to say.” Mu Enli muttered, “Saying it’s the pany’s plan—don’t think I don’t know it was your suggestion.
You just want some glory, a shot at promotion, right?”
Mu Qinghai frowned.
“Dad, I’m your son.
Don’t you want to see me succeed?”
Mu Enli was silent for a while, then suddenly said, “What father doesn’t want his child to do well?
I want to see you start a family, I want to see you thriving in your career.
But not like this… Qinghai, you’re too eager to get ahead.
You made vice captain at thirty—there’s still plenty of time.
You don’t need to use your old man as your stepping stone!”
“Dad, how can you say that!” Mu Qinghai protested.
“You’ve worked on the Baiyu Cruise for thirty years, dedicated and diligent, everyone sees that and respects you.
Now the Baiyu Cruise is retiring, and you’re about to step down too—what’s wrong with shooting a documentary?
Someday when you’re old and can’t walk, you can look back at the memories.
Isn’t that worth something?”
“I can still walk!
I eat and sleep just fine!
Don’t worry about me!”
“Dad, can’t we just have a proper conversation for once?” Mu Qinghai said in a low voice.
“Ever since I came aboard, when have we not ended up arguing?
I know business is business—on the ship, you’re my superior.
I get that, it’s fine.
But I never tried to use your position!
I started as the lowest rank on board, worked my way up.
I did it all on my own!”
“You really are a petent vice captain.” Mu Enli shook his head, and said calmly, “But you’re still not qualified to be captain.”
“You never acknowledge me.” Mu Qinghai clenched his fists.
“All my life, you’ve refused to admit I’m good enough… Is it because I’m not your biological son?”
“What did you just say!
Say it again!” Mu Enli’s eyes widened, glaring at him in fury.
“Sorry, I lost my temper again.” Mu Qinghai took a deep breath and stood up.
“Captain, the pany assigned responsibility for this shoot to me.
Please don’t make things harder for me.
Since you’re also an employee, please follow the pany’s orders and do your duty.”
“Mu Qinghai, you dare talk to me like that!” The old captain sprang to his feet, his face full of anger.
“It’s getting late.
You should rest, Captain.
I’ll let you know before tomorrow’s shoot.” Mu Qinghai turned and walked away without looking back, but said softly as he left, “And remember to take your meds.”
Watching Mu Qinghai leave, the old captain started gasping for air, his face suddenly contorted in pain.
He clutched his heart with all his might and finally collapsed to the ground.
Struggling, the old captain tried to reach into his pocket and pulled out a bottle of pills, swallowing a few in a hurry.
But his plexion remained pale.
Medicine that had always eased his symptoms seemed useless this time.
The old captain felt as if his heart was about to rip apart, cold sweat covering his body as breathing grew more and more difficult.
But just then, the old captain somehow found a surge of strength, his trembling hand reaching for more pills to swallow.
“Captain, if you take any more of those you’ll drop dead on the spot… Even the best medicine is still poison—you know that better than anyone.”
A voice suddenly broke the silence… Cool and gentle.
…
The old captain tried with difficulty to look toward the voice, his consciousness beginning to blur… His vision too, fading, and he could just make out two hazy figures—looked like a man and a woman.
“I… I can’t… fall here…”
“Captain, you’ve always had a habit of abusing your meds, haven’t you?
And you never give up the booze.
Your heart can’t take it anymore.
If you take the pills, you’ll die.
If you don’t, you might not last two days.
You’ll probably pass away while unconscious.”
They say that as people get older, they e to know their fate, especially for those close to dying—their intuition is far more accurate than even the most advanced medical equipment.
The old captain slowly reached out toward the night sky… as if something out there was also reaching back for him.
He moved his lips, pleading: At least… at least let him finish this voyage; at least let him acpany it on this last journey.
“Let me… Let me… Just give me… a few more… days…”
Mu Enli’s hand suddenly dropped down, and he closed his eyes.
“Understood… sir.”
…
…
“Captain!
Captain!
Captain!
Wake up!
Wake up!
Captain!”
His body was being shaken.
The old captain slowly opened his eyes, vision gradually clearing—he saw a young crew member.
“Captain!
You’re awake!
Thank God!” The crew member breathed a sigh of relief.
“Captain, I’ve already called the medical team, they’re on their way!”
With the crew member’s help, the old captain sat up.
Instinctively, he put his hand to his heart… After all these years, he’d never felt it beat so strongly, and his breath was miraculously steady.
“Captain?
I’ve notified the vice captain, he’s ing over!”
“I’m fine.” Mu Enli shook his head, braced his knees and stood up, picked up the captain’s hat from the bench, and put it back on.
“No need for all this fuss.”
“But captain, just now you…” The crew member tried to say more.
Mu Enli cut him off, “Do I look like someone you need to worry about?”
The crew member paused… and realized the old captain actually did look rather well, more energetic, almost as if he’d grown younger by a few years.
“Shouldn’t you get back to your post?” the old captain suddenly barked.
The crew member jumped, instinctively saluted and stood ramrod straight.
“Yes!
I’m going now!”
“Wait.” Mu Enli walked up to the crew member, reached out and straightened his hat and collar, lowering his voice: “Don’t embarrass me.”
The crew member lifted his chin, chest out, barely daring to breathe… Captain Mu Enli was notorious for being strict and old-fashioned.
“Work hard, son.”
Mu Enli turned away, hands behind his back, and walked off, leaving the young crew member behind.
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