Li Jin's heart skipped a beat, and his expression naturally revealed his shock.
"Are you saying that boat is going to sink?"
The Shipmaster was built very sturdily, looking like he could be Zhang Fei's brother.
He had a face full of thick whiskers and wore an unbuttoned vest that revealed a chest and arms full of muscles.
The muscles on his arms bulged like small hills.
Li Jin felt that if they were somewhere else, this Shipmaster would make a perfect fitness coach.
The Shipmaster stood at the bow of the boat with his hands on his hips, looking like an iron tower.
"That's right, I said it! If you don't believe me, we can make a bet!"
In truth, Li Jin already believed him for the most part.
However, since the time spent on the boat was boring, Li Jin also intended to build a closer relationship with the Shipmaster.
"Sure, what are we betting?" Li Jin joked.
The Shipmaster glanced at Li Jin. "Seeing as you are an educated man, I won't make things difficult for you."
"That boat is definitely going to sink, just you wait and see!"
Li Jin was actually a little surprised.
He thought that since he had taken the bait, the Shipmaster would definitely try to fleece him for a sum of money.
To his surprise, the Shipmaster actually let it go!
It seemed this man was not as crude as his outward appearance suggested.
As the river widened, the large boat ahead began to speed up.
The people on that boat also came out of the cabin, standing outside to admire the scenery.
They pointed at the boat behind them, gossiping and gesturing.
Their voices were so loud that Li Jin and his companions could hear them very clearly.
"They really have more money than brains. They have a good boat available but choose to ride in a broken one!"
"Well, thanks to their stupidity, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to get such a nice boat."
"Exactly! I bargained with the boat owner just now, and he actually agreed!"
"With so many of us, we only paid the price for one person! What a steal!"
"Why don't we use the silver we saved to go drinking and listen to some music tomorrow night?"
"Hey, that's a great idea! It's settled then!"
...
Hearing those people's remarks becoming increasingly outrageous, Li Jin prepared to take Duoduo back into the cabin.
Duoduo pointed at the boat. "The boat is crooked!"
Sure enough, the boat ahead swayed and tilted to one side.
The passengers, who had just been discussing which top courtesan was the prettiest, immediately fell into a panic.
However, the boat soon leveled out again.
"That was close, we must have hit a hidden reef just now!" Someone pretended to be knowledgeable.
"Right! Our boat is large, so it naturally sits deeper in the water. The chances of hitting a reef are definitely higher!"
Where there is a sleeping dragon, there is bound to be a fledgling phoenix.
Immediately, someone else started shouting.
"Why do I feel like this boat is constantly sinking?"
"How is that possible? You've definitely never been on a boat before, have you? This is just how boats are in the water!"
"No, the boat is sinking! Help!"
"Ah! Look, the boatman has abandoned the ship!"
"Ah! Help! Help!"
Upon realizing that the boatman had abandoned the ship, everyone panicked and began waving frantically at Li Jin's boat.
The Shipmaster calmly steered his battered boat, steering clear of the sinking vessel.
The people on the sinking boat watched despairingly as the battered boat sailed past them.
"Help! Just save my life! I'll give you silver!"
"Yes! We have silver, hurry up and save us!"
Those people reached out toward the Shipmaster, wishing they could instantly grow wings and fly over.
"Bah! I don't lack silver!"
The Shipmaster gave the order to bypass the sinking ship and head toward the wider expanse of water.
Duoduo watched that boat, and in just a short while, half of it had already submerged into the water.
She patted her chest in lingering fear.
Thank goodness!
Otherwise, she would have become a fish in the river!
Seeing Duoduo's reaction, the Shipmaster let out a scoff.
Duoduo tilted her head up, her face full of confusion. Did the Shipmaster have a bad temper?
"You little girl, you're quite different from other children," the Shipmaster said, sizing Duoduo up.
Duoduo blinked her eyes. "How am I different?"
The Shipmaster rested his hands on his knees and looked at Duoduo.
"Why aren't you asking me why I didn't save them just now?"
Duoduo tilted her little head.
"Why should you save them? They were just mocking your boat for being old and broken."
"Plus, they even mocked you for being a pauper!"
"You took our silver, so you have to guarantee our safety."
"If they came aboard and meant us harm, wouldn't that be inviting wolves into the house?"
"Besides, we aren't far from the pier here. Someone will definitely come to rescue them."
"And just now, I saw your crew throwing wooden boards into the water."
The Shipmaster stared at Duoduo, and after a long moment, he suddenly straightened up and burst out laughing.
Li Jin hurriedly pulled Duoduo back, shielding her behind him.
Seeing Li Jin's protective gesture, the Shipmaster held back his laughter. "This little girl might look like a tiny thing, but she speaks with perfect logic. She's not simple at all!"
"The person inside the cabin must not be an ordinary merchant either, right?"
Li Jin tightly gripped Duoduo's hand, ready to defend themselves.
"Shipmaster, don't try anything funny!"
"No matter who we are, since you accepted our business, just honestly take us to our destination. From then on, we will mind our own business."
"If you try to mess around, I can guarantee you will suffer the consequences."
The Shipmaster shot Li Jin a glance.
"I, the White Stripe in the Waves, Li Jiangyu, have been sailing the waters for decades. I don't need you to teach me!"
After saying that, the Shipmaster flashed what he thought was a friendly smile at Duoduo.
"Little girl, what's your name?"
Li Jin tugged at Duoduo, signaling her not to answer.
Duoduo patted Li Jin's arm. "Teacher, he doesn't mean any harm!"
A look of astonishment appeared on Li Jiangyu's face.
He stroked his thick beard. The boatmen always said that his appearance looked incredibly fierce.
Yet, this little girl in front of him actually said he meant no harm?
This was the first time he had met such a bold little girl!
Li Jiangyu developed a deep interest in Duoduo.
Duoduo stepped out from behind Li Jin. "My name is Duoduo, and this is my teacher. His surname is also Li."
"Who knows, maybe eight hundred years ago, you two were from the same family."
Li Jiangyu looked at Li Jin's demeanor with a face full of disdain.
"Our Li family doesn't have weaklings like him!"
"Your name is Duoduo? How old are you?"
"I am three years old! Li Jiangyu, have you lived on a boat since you were little?"
"That's right! Let me tell you, it's so much fun on the boat! Look, the river stretches as far as the eye can see, isn't it especially beautiful?"
Li Jiangyu pointed at the water ahead, the occasional waterbirds flying by, and the scenery on both banks.
Duoduo nodded in agreement. "It's beautiful."
Li Jiangyu's interest was piqued, and he began pointing out the scenery on both sides, telling Duoduo mythological stories.
Duoduo listened with great relish.
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Li Jiangyu and Duoduo had practically become the best of friends despite their age difference.
He even offered to take Duoduo to see his treasures.
Li Jin watched the two of them from the side, suddenly feeling that he was somewhat redundant.
"Li Jiangyu, how did you know that boat was going to sink?"
