A table was set up on the deck.

A pot bubbled away, something cooking inside.

Du Zhaohui peered in to see shrimp, crab, octopus, and the like, with just two slices of ginger in the water – truly fishermen’s fare. He’d gone from Shenzhen to Guangzhou airport, flown to New City’s Gaoqi International Airport, and made such a huge detour, only to end up eating fishermen’s food!

“The conditions are humble, please forgive the poor hospitality.”

Someone emerged from the wheelhouse – like the others, he had some condition that made his footsteps silent.

Was this Master Qiu?

He’d imagined Master Qiu would be mysterious, with a flashy and pretentious entrance. Instead, he appeared utterly ordinary.

Master Qiu was indeed ordinary.

Neither tall nor short.

Neither handsome nor ugly.

Just somewhat thin, wearing black long clothing, without any boss-like presence.

The few people originally on deck had retreated, making Master Qiu seem even less impressive.

Du Zhaohui was deeply disappointed – he’d expected to meet some triad boss. Master Qiu was completely different from his imagination!

Zhou Cheng wasn’t disappointed.

Meeting an ostentatiously wealthy dealer wouldn’t be surprising.

Fierce, shrewd… “Master Qiu” could have any image – there were no rules dictating how a dealer should be. But this “Master Qiu” made Zhou Cheng even more vigilant.

For someone who had acquired wealth to remain simple and low-key, without a trace of arrogance, didn’t mean they were easy to bully. Rather, it suggested their current achievements might not yet match their ambitions.

“Master Qiu, I’ve long admired you!”

While Du Zhaohui was still dazed, Zhou Cheng had already greeted Master Qiu.

Master Qiu made a welcoming gesture, “Before Young Master Du and Mr. Zhou, I hardly deserved to be called ‘Master.’ In our line of work, we prefer not to reveal too much personal information – others just call me Master Qiu. Please, sit.”

Du Zhaohui laughed.

Everyone had nicknames – nobodies were called “Little So-and-so,” those with some status “Brother So-and-so,” and only those commanding real respect were called “Master So-and-so.”

Master Qiu was being modest.

Seeing Zhou Cheng sit, Du Zhaohui quickly sat too, afraid that sitting after Zhou Cheng would make him appear timid and less impressive.

Zhou Cheng observed Master Qiu, who was also studying him.

Du Zhaohui posed no real threat, but Zhou Cheng was different.

Zhou Cheng immediately noticed something odd: Master Qiu’s facial muscles seemed uncoordinated when he spoke.

Though not smiling, he had a “fake smile” quality – despite sitting so close, he seemed artificial.

There was little vitality about him; even the bubbling seafood pot couldn’t give him any warmth of humanity. Zhou Cheng felt something uncanny, but the evening sunlight limited his ability to see clearly.

Master Qiu had chosen his seat well, with his back to the sunset.

Since they’d boarded, the old fishing boat had slowly moved away from the dock toward open water. By now they were quite far from shore. Du Zhaohui hadn’t wanted to eat, but with only the seafood pot on the table, the sea breeze wafting its aroma to his nose, he found himself shamefully hungry!

“Please, help yourselves.”

Master Qiu picked up his chopsticks, and Zhou Cheng didn’t stand on ceremony.

How bad could boiled seafood be, with just ginger to remove the fishy taste?

Unlike the shark fins, abalone, and lobster enjoyed by Hong Kong’s wealthy, this was a return to simplicity for the taste buds.

Master Qiu’s hosting style matched his person.

It was quite tasty, thanks to the fresh seafood.

Soy sauce was available if the flavor seemed too bland.

Zhou Cheng set aside other thoughts and enjoyed the meal – an antique dealer, a wealthy young master, and an elite from a classified unit, three men of different backgrounds and ages sharing a meal at sea. It seemed both incongruous and somehow natural.

Even the initially disdainful Du Zhaohui ate plenty, proving Master Qiu’s hospitality successful.

Business talk began after the meal.

Instead of alcohol, Master Qiu served clear tea.

“Young Master Du contacted me first, so let’s address his matter first.”

Du Zhaohui looked uncomfortable, glancing at Zhou Cheng twice before coughing, “Chai Hai must have already told Master Qiu my purpose. I’ve heard Master Qiu can accomplish anything in antique trading. I ask nothing else but for Master Qiu to help me purchase a vase.”

Is Du Zhaohui buying a vase?

Zhou Cheng immediately realized he meant Grandmother Yu’s vase.

After receiving Xu Zhongyi’s note, Grandmother Yu had given up searching, and Xiaolan was temporarily holding back, letting Jim pursue more discreet investigations – only Du Zhaohui kept pushing, clearly unaware of the situation, purely trying to please Xiaolan.

Zhou Cheng found himself somewhat admiring Du Zhaohui.

Not for anything else.

But for his thick skin.

Most people who liked Xiaolan would back off seeing his stable relationship with her and her cold attitude.

This shameless Du Zhaohui not only wanted to do business with Xiaolan but hid his true intentions behind a frivolous exterior, trying to steal her from him.

Du Zhaohui felt that predatory threat again.

It was Zhou Cheng!

Hah, he had money and could buy whatever vase he wanted – what business was it of Zhou Cheng’s?

Better to lose the person than lose face. With Ah Hua beside him and Master Qiu present, Du Zhaohui didn’t believe Zhou Cheng would dare do anything!

This was a fearless provocation, and Zhou Cheng narrowed his eyes.

Master Qiu interrupted their brewing confrontation:

“Young Master Du, Chai Hai has told you many times – the vase’s owner doesn’t wish to sell. I agreed to meet you to clarify this matter. If someday the owner wishes to sell, I will certainly find ways to acquire it for you… Young Master Du, in our business, we believe in fate. Even if you particularly like something, it depends on whether you’re destined to have it. When you can’t get what you want, sometimes it’s better to step back. If it’s meant to be, it will eventually become yours.”

Du Zhaohui’s expression changed.

Master Qiu was talking about the vase, but Du Zhaohui felt guilty. With Zhou Cheng sitting beside him, he felt Master Qiu was hinting at something else.

“Master Qiu, this isn’t right. They say there’s nothing in Hong Kong you can’t buy. Could you make an exception and tell me who has the vase? I can negotiate with them myself?”

Master Qiu shook his head, “One exception leads to many. If I couldn’t keep my clients’ confidentiality, my business wouldn’t have reached its current scale.”

Du Zhaohui couldn’t smile anymore.

Not selling him the vase, yet this Qiu fellow had called him from Shenzhen just to feel the sea breeze?

Du Zhaohui wanted to flip the table, but seeing Zhou Cheng sitting there calmly, he forcibly restrained himself.

Behind him, Ah Hua sighed in relief.

He’d feared the young master would impulsively confront Master Qiu. This was someone else’s territory, on the vast sea. The young master couldn’t slip up here – he often talked about tying people to rocks and feeding them to fish, but ending up being the one tied up and sunk by Master Qiu’s men would be too embarrassing!

Master Qiu turned to Zhou Cheng, “Mr. Zhou sought me out presumably for the same reason as Young Master Du?”