After such a long price war, finally making Yixing the hardest bone, they admitted defeat. Boss Su didn’t know what urgent matter required money—the day before, he was still competing openly and secretly with foreign trading houses, the next day, it was heard that he had scattered his wealth and sold all his ships, withdrawing from the shipping arena forever.

Several foreign companies celebrated together, eagerly dividing up Yixing’s quality assets.

“Thanks to your blessing,” the first mate wore the expression of a successful petty person, spreading his hands in gestures, “this humble one is commanding such a large ship for the first time, quite an eye-opener. So fast, so efficient! Not to speak ill, but these foreign steamships sail better in foreign hands. Look how you arranged this ship—what’s that word?—tacky! Too tacky! Hehe, had to repaint it completely. See if it looks more proper now…”

Su Minguan let him mock freely, only saying mildly, “Please exchange for a second-class ticket.”

The first mate smiled crookedly, “What’s this attitude? Who exactly is the ship owner here? This humble one is getting a bit confused.”

Su Minguan cupped his hands and bowed, saying coldly: “Please exchange for a second-class ticket.”

The first mate laughed, beckoning over a servant.

“Fine, fine, for the sake of being compatriots, this humble one will try to help—but since all cabins are full, for you, a Chinese person, to squeeze out foreigners, you must… ahem, show something, right?”

This was blatant overcharging. Feed the first mate’s appetite enough, and he might graciously help arrange something.

“Unnecessary,” Su Minguan said. “I remember there are several empty restrooms at the end of the third deck corridor that could serve temporarily.”

The first mate’s eyebrows shot up, speaking viciously like a fighting cock: “How can that work! Those are for the taipan and foreign managers! Though they’re not on board, those rooms can’t be touched! I say, Boss Su, are you still thinking this ship is yours? Look clearly—Baoshun Trading House—Dent & Co.! You are now just an ordinary passenger. On a foreign ship, you must obey foreign laws. This isn’t a place for you to boss people around!”

The first mate’s voice was loud. His sarcastic speech had already attracted many sailors and crew members, whispering around the office door.

“This is the previous owner of this ship! Bankrupt, fallen on hard times, still thinks he’s somebody! Hehe!”

“Hmph, could a Chinese person have owned such a foreign steamship? I don’t believe it.”

“What was it called? Yixing Shipping?—tsk tsk, wasn’t it quite successful? How did it suddenly collapse?”

“I heard they were fined by customs—hmph, Chinese merchants have always been crooked. How many do business without cutting corners? This one hit the muzzle of the gun, deserved it!”

…

Su Minguan listened to these remarks expressionlessly, as if they weren’t discussing him.

Lin Yuchan couldn’t bear it. She slammed the cabin door shut, stepped forward, leaning on the desk in front of the first mate, saying coldly: “I’ve repaired this ship’s steam engine and know every pipe. Where to knock for leaks, where to chisel for explosions—I know better than you. Third class is on the bottom deck, just a few corridors from the engine room. There are plenty of maintenance access points, and I know where they all are. If this ship breaks down halfway, even if you arrest and report me, you’d better think about how to explain to your foreign boss and whether you can afford the repair costs.”

The first mate’s face turned pale with anger, furiously sizing up this boastful girl.

“You… you dare threaten… I’m an employee of the trading house! For the sake of you being a mere woman, I won’t hold it against you; otherwise, I’d have you arrested and sent to the police station when we dock!”

Lin Yuchan looked up, casually grabbing a rubber tube overhead, saying boldly: “For instance, I know this is an air vent…”

Su Minguan gently tugged her sleeve: “A’Mei.”

His voice sounded somewhat weary.

Lin Yuchan couldn’t stand hearing him speak in that bullied tone, sternly telling the first mate: “Arrest me if you want, but won’t your rice bowl be lost too?”

The argument attracted another person. Quick footsteps were heard as someone stepped through the door, asking dissatisfiedly: “Who’s arguing in here?”

Lin Yuchan turned around—she knew this person. Xu Run, Baoshun Trading House’s deputy comprador. He was born with red lips and white teeth, sporting a cheerful mustache, eyes like spring breeze, seeming to see everyone as an old friend not seen for years.

Generally, when foreign steamships sailed, they’d have a ship’s comprador to handle complex negotiations with Chinese and foreign institutions along the route.

Xu Run had only seen Lin Yuchan a few times at cotton purchasing points, with little impression, but he and Su Minguan were old acquaintances. He quickly smiled and cupped his hands: “Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. This first mate has a bad temper, don’t stoop to his level—you want an empty cabin? Why don’t you arrange it immediately? Just use that foreign restroom, remove the carpet, seal the cabinets, and take down the hanging paintings! When the foreign master returns, don’t let him notice, and that’s that! This is Shanghai’s famous young talent, my fellow townsman who started from nothing. No one is permitted to slight him!”

A fallen tiger bullied by dogs. Xu Run had perspective—he wasn’t that dog.

In business, there were too many ups and downs, comebacks. Everyone had to leave room for each other.

Su Minguan pulled himself together and thanked Xu Run.

“Not to criticize, Minguan,” Xu Run said with some regret while leading the way, “back when our trading houses welcomed you with smiles, piling up silver to invite cooperation, you wouldn’t give face. How is it now—finally know business isn’t easy? Minguan, admitting defeat isn’t shameful. Mid-year, I speculated in land and lost most of my fortune, but aren’t I starting over now? You’re so young, you could come work for a trading house again! You’ve done it before!… Haha, is this your wife? Haven’t congratulated you yet…”

Lin Yuchan sat in the familiar yet cramped cabin, surveying the empty surroundings, thinking it wasn’t bad. By area, it counted as first class; by conditions, second class. Though the single bed was small, from previous experience, it was enough for two people.

Only by playing rogue, relying on personal relationships, could one fight for normal treatment on foreign territory.

Su Minguan remained silent, carefully inventorying their luggage, spreading bedding on the bed frame.

Those paradise-like days spent in Tianjin seemed erased from his memory overnight. His brows were again tinged with gloom, his manner somewhat at a loss, like a lion driven from its territory.

Lin Yuchan opened her arms to him, wanting a hug.

He obediently embraced her, chin rubbing against the hair on her forehead.

How competitive his nature used to be, yet today he was unexpectedly listless, unwilling to argue with people. His eyes flashed with dejection.

But this was his own choice. He couldn’t tell others the truth. Could only lie flat and accept ridicule and mockery.

“A’Mei,” he complained softly, “they’ve changed this ship into a mess.”

Lin Yuchan was silent a moment, joining him in condemnation: “And dirty.”

“All good positions given to foreigners. Making all the Chinese on board uncomfortable.”

“The paint color isn’t nice either.”

“Engine room workers don’t wash their hands before starting work, the helm is all black.”

“…”

Lin Yuchan didn’t want to continue this criticism relay. She cupped his face, saying seriously: “I will repay…”

“Who asked you to repay? Did I make you write an IOU?”

Su Minguan suddenly grew angry, shaking off her hands and turning to face the wall in anger.

Fundamentally, he had choices. Everything was self-inflicted, deliberately finding trouble for himself.

But his nameless fury only burned for a few seconds. He turned back, seeing Lin Yuchan’s pale expression, a flash of apology in his eyes.

“Sorry.”

Lin Yuchan shook her head, not blaming him at all, only feeling heartache.

This wasn’t his first time experiencing a fall from grace. But this time was different. His childhood family destruction hadn’t ruined his enterprise after all; later stowing away from Guangzhou, abandoning that trading house position he never liked anyway, only this time, he dismantled the high-rise he built brick by brick, leaving behind scattered debris.

She forced a smile, changing the subject: “How can I help you?”

Su Minguan shook his head slightly.

“Before, I thought our predecessors foolish, wasting money and time on impossible goals,” he suddenly said quietly. “But I’m no smarter than them, just experienced fewer things. I thought as long as I was strong enough, vigilant enough, decisive enough, I’d be invincible in this world.”

He smiled self-mockingly, reaching to bolt the door, gently stroking her hair.

“But I never imagined that just living on this Chinese soil, most people’s fates are controlled by that small group of stupid, disgusting people. Saying things like ‘my fate is not determined by heaven’ is pure self-deception.

“You know, when I thought your case had no hope, knowing you were locked in some drafty little room in Beijing’s inner city while I was powerless to help, I had the impulse to take a knife and kill my way to the Forbidden City. Even if it meant being cut to pieces, I wanted those men and women inside to know that others’ lives aren’t cheaper than theirs!”

He slowly unclenched his fists, turning away to hide that moment of loss of composure.

Luna was being driven at full speed without care, the rumbling engine shaking the ship’s planks and wooden walls, creating trembling glimmers in his eyes.

Lin Yuchan pulled down his neck, standing on tiptoe in the swaying cabin, struggling to kiss those confused eyes.

“They’ll know eventually,” she said softly, “though it might take a long time. It’s not something that can be solved by killing your way to the Forbidden City with a knife. As long as we work hard to live, gradually becoming stronger, we’ll eventually reach the day of accumulated strength bursting forth.”

“I know,” Su Minguan wasn’t comforted by this chicken soup prophecy, his voice hollow, “but I have nothing left.”

She said, “You have me.”

Su Minguan lowered his head to kiss her. Starting gently, then suddenly intensifying, venting by seizing her breath, holding her head, making her unsteady, repeatedly, and plundering, pressing her against the empty wall corner in response.

Lin Yuchan was left breathless by his fierce attack, suddenly becoming a bit frightened, and pushed him lightly. But he wasn’t as perceptive as usual, instead holding tighter, wantonly pressing against her skin like a vine growing symbiotically with her, winding and clinging in the boundless ocean…

Finally, taking advantage of when he paused for breath, Lin Yuchan struggled to turn her head away.

“A’Mei,” Su Minguan turned her face back, deep restlessness in his eyes, suddenly saying, “will you always like me?”

Lin Yuchan was slightly stunned, nodding. She felt this question didn’t need asking.

“In the future, too?”

She hummed in agreement.

“No matter what I become? Even if I have nothing in the future? Even if I’ll still make you angry, do foolish things?”

He indeed had nothing, only her left beside him. Knowing these questions were more ridiculous than the last, he still couldn’t help losing himself in childish self-doubt, indulging in her soft responses again and again.

He didn’t know if he should believe. Without the gods’ or ancestors’ approval, without a death contract of bondage. When passion passed, when she discovered he was just an ordinary man full of flaws, when she tired of his little cleverness and schemes, when she grew accustomed to intimate entanglement with men, would she still nod so firmly?

Perhaps he was being too indulgent. She suddenly began struggling forcefully, grabbing his hands, reminding: “Not now…”

Su Minguan’s expression darkened slightly. She was so guarded against him…

His heart was instantly occupied by countless dirty, selfish thoughts. What if he didn’t listen? This ship was no longer his, but he could still do as he pleased on it. He could make her have a child, then forever bind her to him…

He bit her lips hard, hearing her sharp intake of breath, then suddenly released her, turned around, and cupped cold water from the basin to wash his face.

Lin Yuchan looked at his back in confusion, momentarily feeling somewhat unfamiliar.

Su Minguan carefully washed his hands, back to her. After a long while, he said muffledly: “I wasn’t thinking that.”

Lin Yuchan wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, tasting barely detectable sweetness.

He added: “I just want to make you happy.”

To make you never think of leaving me.

She took his sleeping robe from their bundle, saying quietly: “You need rest.”

As if echoing her words, the ship’s bell rang from the bow, and corridor lights were gradually extinguished, reminding passengers to sleep.

Lin Yuchan felt for the flint, groping for the wall lamp.

Luna had been drastically transformed beyond recognition, but fortunately the oil lamp position in the cabin hadn’t changed.

She blew out the flame. The light flickered and finally settled at a dim yellowish brightness, casting two blurred shadows, one tall and one short.

Su Minguan seemed not to have heard her words. He dried his hands, went out to fetch water to brush his teeth, found small scissors to trim his nails, then washed his hands again with soap. Silent throughout.

Lin Yuchan then washed herself. Just as she finished washing her face, her body suddenly felt light. Su Minguan, expressionless, lifted her onto the narrow single bed and began removing clothes.

Lin Yuchan was both angry and amused. There were limits to sulking and willfulness!

“I just said…”

“I promised you. Don’t move.”

Su Minguan saw her fully alert appearance and finally smiled slightly, looking at her somewhat teasingly, suddenly reaching out to lightly scratch the skin below her collarbone.

He had just trimmed his nails and carefully filed them, so it didn’t hurt at all, just tickled a bit.

He had no intention of undressing himself, remaining fully clothed from neck to waist, every button properly fastened. Only rolled up his sleeves to expose clean, nimble hands, continuing to quickly remove her clothes.

Lin Yuchan suddenly blushed past her ears, twisting and turning to hide in the wall corner, reaching for the quilt.

“What are you doing…”

He pursued and pressed her down expressionlessly, gently kissing downward. His teeth carried the sweet fragrance of imported tooth powder.

Her body was thin and light, like early spring flower petals blooming, soft and cool, covered with cold dew. Being kissed inch by inch until trembling, she involuntarily unfolded, gently wrapping around him.

“Making you happy.”

He answered calmly.

The winter Shanghai port was bitterly cold, and ice was already forming at the Huangpu River mouth. The steamship “Valkyrie” broke through ice, slowly docking.

A group of people waited anxiously at the dock. Boya Company’s employees, large and small, rubbed their hands in the cold wind.

“Miss Lin!”

“Little sister!”

“Boss!”

Seeing Lin Yuchan disembark completely intact, the group of old and young was delighted beyond measure. Disregarding propriety between men and women, they all crowded forward.

“I thought you were in grave danger this time, wuu wuu…” Aunt Hong couldn’t stop wiping tears, lowering her voice, “You scared us to death…”

“Third Madam often thought of you, thinking you’d be exiled to the north. Worried you’d be cold, she knitted scarves and hats for someone to send.” Chang Baoluo covered his ears, somewhat embarrassed, “Good thing you’re safe. Rest assured, this year’s cotton prices were ridiculously high, at least six pence per pound, practically making money lying down. Honestly, I feel guilty taking this salary, hehe…”

Lin Yuchan had originally been immersed in the “eager to return to work” mindset when disembarking, her mind listing a long string of tasks. But hearing these familiar tones, seeing old friends not seen for months, somehow, tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Usually, everyone focused on work and earning money. Sometimes they’d even argue over business conflicts. But unknowingly, this diverse little collective had grown as close as family.

“I bought things for everyone, but unfortunately couldn’t bring them back, wuu wuu… Please forgive me…”

Aunt Zhou shouted several times from behind, “I called carriages, let’s talk slowly when we get back,” but was drowned out by everyone’s chattering greetings.

Lin Yuchan asked a couple of questions about Boya’s operations, then suddenly looked around.

“Where’s Minguan?”

Others then realized: “Hey, where’s Boss Su? Don’t leave, let’s eat together, welcome you back!”

During Lin Yuchan’s two months of detention in Beijing, Su Minguan was hardly idle, running back and forth between Tianjin and Shanghai several times, discussing rescue methods with Boya’s people. Just as Lin Yuchan had once led the effort to rescue Rong Hong, everyone cooperated sincerely and trusted him deeply. Later, he sold his vast fortune, and though the specific operations were unknown, Lin Yuchan’s safe escape and reputation restoration were inseparable from that money.

Now he returned empty-handed, but no one dared slight him.

But in just a few minutes, he had quietly left!

Lin Yuchan’s sharp eyes spotted Su Minguan standing under a shipping company sign at the dock, receiving a letter from what seemed to be a Heaven and Earth Society member.

He used his personal razor to open the letter, scanned it, his expression growing grave. He gazed at the ships coming and going on the water, then looked back at Lin Yuchan, smiled and waved, meaning she should go back first.

Lin Yuchan naturally wouldn’t comply. During the journey back from Tianjin on the “Valkyrie,” Su Minguan was unusually emotionally unstable, speaking fewer than fifty words in five days, spending most time sitting on deck in a daze.

She glanced at the letter in his hand. The corner showed a three-long-one-short secret marking.

Su Minguan didn’t hide it from her, saying openly: “Yixing’s dissolution is known to all. The Jiangzhe branch sent someone to ask if I want to continue that three-year wager.”

Lin Yuchan had almost forgotten this matter. Three years of vast changes—even the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was gone—yet these Jiangzhe brothers still remembered, just couldn’t stand a Guangdong person leading Shanghai’s Hong Men.

The letter subtly suggested that if Jin Lanhe planned to wash his hands of it, he might as well abdicate gracefully—no shame in that.

The original wager was for Yixing’s member network to cover half of the Small Sword Society’s peak territory. Though unrelated to the shipping business, such secret society organizations required money to maintain.

Without Yixing’s financial backing, the merchants and common people Hong Men had painstakingly gathered could easily be stolen by other gangs.

Su Minguan suddenly turned to her, saying seriously: “Miss Lin, I want to withdraw my shares.”

Lin Yuchan was startled. “What?”

“My shares remaining in Boya—though they were Yixing’s investment, the contract was signed in my name. What are they worth now?”

That original three-thousand-tael investment, after a year’s growth, if he withdrew shares including year-end dividends, he could take back at least four thousand.

But she didn’t voice this figure, instead asking: “What do you need the money for?”

Su Minguan looked up at the “Valkyrie” crew washing the deck, saying nothing.

The messenger who had delivered the letter hadn’t left. He also knew Lin Yuchan, cupping his hands, saying quietly: “Shanghai Yixing has flourished these two years. We, Jiangzhe branch members, have watched admiringly, often providing secret assistance. But this sudden great trouble—Jin Lanhe has his difficulties, emergency measures, we all understand as brothers. Mr. Li’s meaning is that, as long as Jin Lanhe can restore Yixing to its scale of three years ago, this matter will be written off. Everyone will still be brothers. If there’s danger in the future, we’ll still help each other without grudges.”

Lin Yuchan was silent for a long time, then turned to ask Su Minguan: “You’re withdrawing shares for this? To restore them to a three-year-old facade?”

Su Minguan’s brows trembled as he smiled at her: “Go back and check accounts, give your subordinates more bonuses.”

Lin Yuchan ran back. Boya’s employees still waited patiently nearby.

“Thank you all for coming to meet me,” she said quickly. “You go back first. Finish today’s work, then quit. We’ll discuss business matters tomorrow.”

Aunt Hong: “But we reserved a table at ‘Yipin Pavilion’…”

Lin Yuchan apologetically bowed to everyone.

“You all go eat. Come to me tomorrow for meal reimbursement.”

“Brother, don’t go!”

Lin Yuchan called the messenger.

He probably knew what she wanted to say, bowing deeply again, saying solemnly: “Our Hong Men has weathered hundreds of years of storms. Yixing’s sign has never fallen…”

“I know. This time he was excessive, reflecting on the journey.” Lin Yuchan said pleasantly, “Brother, you’ve worked hard running errands. I’ll host—let’s have some tea.”

The messenger had attended the Fenglin gathering years ago, remembering this clever little “Bai Yushan,” looking at her somewhat warily, nodding.

Su Minguan helplessly followed her obediently.

In the teahouse that still bore Yixing’s markings, certain words could be spoken. Lin Yuchan focused on brewing tea.