Even if Bai Yuqi wanted to jump ship now, it would be too late.
Not to mention that other members of the Bai family were also on his ship. Even if he managed to swim back alive, his grandfather would likely throw him back into the sea as soon as he landed, preferring him to drown.
Realizing that retreat was no longer an option, Bai Yuqi calmed down.
"Enemies, oh enemies, I truly owe you," Bai Yuqi murmured, staring at the surveillance screens in the control room.
Their ship had now entered a sea area with chaotic magnetic fields. Here, he needed to keep a close eye on several fixed positions to see who was making small moves.
He hadn't expected it, but upon closer inspection, it turned out that half the passengers on the ship were carrying small devices like signal transmitters.
Were they all determined not to leave empty-handed?
"They really don't make things easy," Bai Yuqi noted down these people's cabin numbers while cross-referencing their personal information.
According to Lu Yaoyang and Xia Qingtian's original plan, they were supposed to reach the island where the treasure was buried tonight.
Every minute and second from now on was extremely important.
After compiling the list, Bai Yuqi went to meet Lu Yaoyang to discuss the next steps.
Lu Yaoyang already had a vague idea in mind, so when he saw the list Bai Yuqi handed over, he only glanced at it and realized his previous guesses were largely accurate.
"How is it? Did you find Xiang Xueyuan?" Bai Yuqi asked proactively.
When they had discussed it earlier, they had speculated that Xiang Xueyuan must have boarded the ship. It was just that they didn't yet know what alias Xiang Xueyuan was using or who his companions were.
"No rush," Lu Yaoyang said. "Go and inform everyone that we will arrive at our destination tomorrow morning. A party will be held on deck tonight, welcoming every guest to enjoy music and fine wine."
"So, you had your eye on my reserved wine all along?" Bai Yuqi's mouth twitched. "You didn't mention anything about a party before!"
Lu Yaoyang pointed a finger at the list Bai Yuqi had brought. "Then tell me, who among them is Xiang Xueyuan? If you can find him, this party doesn't need to be held."
"Uh, this..." This question stumped Bai Yuqi. He had been so busy keeping an eye on the guests specifically targeted by the killer that he was exhausted, constantly worried that his precious ship would be harmed.
"Don't worry, I'll compensate you double for your reserved wine when we get back," Lu Yaoyang said, looking at Bai Yuqi. "Of course, we need to ensure we get back alive first."
Hearing Lu Yaoyang say this, Bai Yuqi had no room to retort.
What a mess this had turned into. He wanted to get off the ship...
"Oh, Young Master Bai is here? Am I interrupting?" Xia Qingtian said with a smile as she entered. "What are you talking about?"
"Young Master Bai is hosting a party tonight to entertain the guests on the ship," Lu Yaoyang said, then looked at Bai Yuqi and smiled. "Right, Young Master Bai?"
Bai Yuqi's expression froze. His eyes widened, and after a moment, he curved his lips into a forced smile. "Yes, I love a lively atmosphere the most!"
"That's great! I'll go tell Qingyu. She's been feeling a bit bored on the ship these past two days," Xia Qingtian said, then turned and left.
Watching Xia Qingtian leave, Bai Yuqi let out a heavy sigh and muttered, "Enemies, oh enemies! I truly owe you from a past life!"
"Consider this your repayment when we return," Lu Yaoyang said to Bai Yuqi with a slight smile.
"Bah!" Bai Yuqi was indignant. "Don't you dare renege! You owe me now! You'll pay me back with interest! Understand?"
"Heh, don't worry," Lu Yaoyang replied. After saying that, he chuckled, took the list Bai Yuqi had handed him, and started studying it again. Noticing Bai Yuqi still pacing back and forth in his room, fuming, he asked, "Aren't you going to make the announcement now? What are you waiting for? Do you need me to draft the copy?"
"Just rest!" Bai Yuqi then cursed under his breath and stormed out, his short blonde hair slightly mussed, a stubborn look on his face.
Lu Yaoyang watched Bai Yuqi's retreating figure, smiled faintly, and then lowered his head to continue his work.
Meanwhile, as Xia Qingtian was walking back to her room, she saw Song Jiang, whom she had met a couple of days ago, standing by a lounge chair. On the chair, a woman with European features was resting with her eyes closed, chatting with Song Jiang.
"Song Jiang," Xia Qingtian greeted him first, seeing that Song Jiang had also noticed her.
"Miss Xia," Nie Qingkong, who was using the alias Song Jiang, had not expected to run into Xia Qingtian at this time. Seeing that Xia Qingtian was not accompanied by Xia Qingyu, Nie Qingkong breathed a slight sigh of relief.
It was precisely because Xia Qingyu was present that he didn't want Ciff to wander around carelessly.
What if they ran into each other?
Ciff had been able to stay obediently in her suite the previous two days, but today she refused to do anything else, insisting on going out for some sun.
Xiang Xueyuan had also indulged her, not seeing any issue with Ciff going out for a stroll.
With Xiang Xueyuan's support, Ciff became even more disobedient. Nie Qingkong had no choice but to brace himself and accompany Ciff, strolling with her. If she did encounter Xia Qingyu, he could prepare himself as early as possible.
Seeing that Nie Qingkong enjoyed her company so much, Ciff became even more pleased with herself.
She had chosen a bohemian-style beach dress to wear and was now reclining here, fully displaying her beautiful and captivating curves under the sun.
Although she had disguised herself, making her face look much older than her actual age to prevent recognition, and her hair was dyed a less conspicuous brown, her figure was still there.
She refused to believe that a stunner like herself would be inferior to Xia Qingyu, that underdeveloped little brat!
As Xia Qingtian walked up to the lounge chair, she spotted Ciff sunbathing.
Ciff also sat up, her fingers pushing up the sunglasses perched on her nose. The corners of her mouth turned up coldly, a challenging smile on her face.
"Who is this..." Xia Qingtian's gaze flickered between Ciff and Nie Qingkong as she asked, "Your mother?"
"No, no, this is my sister," Nie Qingkong said immediately, waving his hands. "Song Ye, the one I told you about before."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, my apologies!" Xia Qingtian quickly apologized. "Then your sister is quite a bit older than you, I'm sorry."
"It's fine, my sister is my father's child from a previous marriage, so we don't look very much alike, and there's a few years' age difference," Song Jiang said with a dry laugh.
"Not unlike, you two aren't even the same race," Xia Qingtian said with a dry laugh. "I mean no offense, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Ciff was about to explode. Was this Xia Qingtian blind?
She had merely adopted a more mature appearance, but she looked at most in her early twenties. How could she be Nie Qingkong's mother?
If you know how to speak, then speak. If you don't, then shut up!