Chapter 742 - 224: Night Talk in the City of No Return
He didn’t make a sound, but the crew member’s attitude improved a bit. He stepped closer and lowered his voice: "Manager Niu always charges a hefty price. I suppose you’re well-off—so, how about making your journey on this ship a bit more comfortable?"
Chen Yan was taken aback.
Soon, he figured it out. This guy... probably wants to make some pocket money.
He wasn’t really interested at first, but since the other person took the initiative, if he refused outright, it might be seen as disrespectful. Considering he’s on their ship now, offending them might not be a good move.
"What kind of comfort are you talking about, Fellow Daoist?"
"I guess you can’t get much food in the cargo hold and have been relying on Fasting Pills these past few days.
Actually, there’s food on the ship. If you want it, just let me know.
Just to be clear, this food is meant for our crew, but if you want it, you just need to pay."
Chen Yan chuckled: "I’m short on funds. If it’s too expensive, I’m afraid I can’t afford the ship’s meals."
"It’s not expensive, not at all. Since you could afford the fare, you can afford the meals." The crew member smiled: "One meal a day, it’ll cost you two cents a day, how about it?"
Two cents a day, for a month-long journey, would be around sixty cents.
For these crew members, it’s considered extra income.
Besides, Chen Yan suddenly had a thought, looked up at the upper deck, and saw the ship’s steward’s figure quickly flash by. Just as he looked in that direction, the person walked into the cabin.
Chen Yan immediately understood.
This isn’t just a little crew member trying to make money; it’s probably the steward’s pawn for making money.
Indeed, making the best of where you are, even in these great families with strict rules, the lower levels often can’t be monitored thoroughly. In far-off places, the grassroots people find their own ways to make money, and it’s hard to stop them.
Moreover, even if he refused, it would be unwise—not exactly a forced sale, but certainly a veiled extortion for a bribe.
If he refused to pay this "meal fee," the other party might not throw him off the ship, but could certainly make the journey unpleasant.
For example, no longer allowing him on the deck—being confined to the cargo hold for a month would be tough.
Forget it, just shelter under the eaves, Chen Yan sighed inwardly. With some spare cash, spending a little for peace seemed worth it.
Seeing Chen Yan hesitated for a moment and then nodded, the crew member’s eyes showed more amusement.
Soon after he left, he returned with a plate of food.
The food was simple, just a bowl of meat and a bowl of vegetables—at least it was suitable for a cultivator.
Yet, what left Chen Yan speechless was that the rice was ordinary rather than the pearl rice he ate in West Platform City.
The dishes looked crudely made, likely what the lower-level crew were served.
Most annoyingly, after leaving the dish, the crew member just stood there, staring at Chen Yan.
Chen Yan sighed and took out sixty cents from the Storage Jade Pendant to hand over.
Only then did he accept it and smiled contentedly: "Every night from now on, come to the deck for fresh air, and I will deliver your meal here."
Then, surprisingly, he sat down on the ground and sat down with Chen Yan.
The tray originally had more than one pair of chopsticks, and he took a pair to eat by himself.
Chen Yan found it amusing... Was he going to take even this little advantage?
Despite saying it was the meal purchased for himself, two cents a day for two dishes and one rice, yet he stayed to eat with Chen Yan?
This guy’s skin was thick; despite Chen Yan’s gaze, he seemed indifferent, even blatantly inviting Chen Yan to sit and eat.
Chen Yan took a deep breath, sat down, and picked up chopsticks, but only tasted briefly without further action—this taste was far worse than the skills of his own servants.
The person drank wine given by Chen Yan while eating, and soon finished most of the two bowls of food and drink—they didn’t touch the rice made of ordinary rice.
Seeing Chen Yan remained composed, seemingly swallowing anger, the person smiled: "You’re perceptive, smart indeed, unlike that other fellow, who was loud and annoying."
The other fellow?
Upon hearing this, Chen Yan was intrigued and casually said, "Oh, so there are other passengers on this ship?"
The crew member was indifferent to conceal, and replied casually: "Everyone finds their way to profit. The steward makes money selling tickets, while we earn a few cents for meals from passengers like you."
As he spoke, the man reached out to pat Chen Yan’s shoulder and smiled: "I see you as a good person, knowing not to act impulsively outside, knowing how to conduct yourself—I’ll be honest, in the past three days, I’ve secretly watched you on the deck, knowing you’re sensible, hence I approached to ask if you wanted food."
Chen Yan pursed his lips into a smile, not saying a word.
"Don’t think I’m heartless." The crew member sighed: "The sixty cents meal fee you gave me, the ship’s steward takes thirty cents alone—he doesn’t have to do anything, just show a little face for you on the deck, doesn’t need a word with you. This business, I have to busy myself preparing meals, secretly observe upfront whether you’re willing to humble yourself or if you wouldn’t mind spending money. After these thirty days, I have to deliver meals to you daily—fear you might feel annoyed, I’ll probably chat with you, talk or share idle conversations."