70 Chapter 70

Chapter 70 - What's Wrong with the Cat Eating Fish

After understanding Adrian's intentions, Goodman said, "I've got this matter covered!"

Subsequently, a thorough inspection was conducted both inside and outside the ship: "Old-style sailboat, 20 meters in length, slight damage to the keel, still within repairable range, mast relatively intact, hull with collision and explosion marks, sails damaged and graffitied, severe corrosion and damage to the deck, cabin interior..."

"These damn pirates, clearly a fine ship, yet they have no idea how to cherish it!" As a shipworker, Goodman grew angrier the more he inspected. There were many damages that could have been avoided, but they still ended up in a sorry state.

Adrian also grew angrier as he listened. These damn pirates have no idea how to protect my ship properly! How much will these damages affect the price?

Tom was equally furious, following Adrian's lead in his anger.

Goodman said, "If the ship were intact, you could sell it for over a hundred million berries as a second-hand ship. But in its current state, it needs a comprehensive repair and some wood to meet the selling standards. The price we can offer for salvage at our dock might be a bit lower, around thirty to forty million."

It was a bit of a letdown, but still somewhat acceptable. After all, it was unexpected income. Adrian felt that with Goodman's character, he wouldn't swindle him over this matter, "Then let's sell it to the dock."

"Actually, there's another option. You could pay a fee to leave the ship with us for repairs. Afterward, when potential buyers come, we could recommend it to them, and maybe negotiate a higher price. Of course, the dock will take a small commission from the final transaction amount. The downside is that it might take a long time to sell, and the price might not be higher. So, it's best to consider it carefully."

Adrian understood this. Ship repairs carried risks, and investments needed caution. Based on his laissez-faire attitude toward financial matters, he waved his hand, "No need to trouble yourself. Let's just sell it to the dock."

"Then let me take you to see the boss." Goodman winked, "I'll help you negotiate the price."

Immediately, Adrian thought of the scene where the uncle helped argue with reason when he was buying the tavern. But your tough-guy face doesn't look cute at all when you're winking.

Adrian hugged Tom and rubbed him to comfort himself a bit, deciding to go back and spend more time with Artoria to soothe his eyes.

Goodman truthfully explained the situation to the boss. Even if he wanted to help Adrian, he wouldn't conceal the ship's true condition. He had a responsibility to his shipworker identity. At most, he would haggle a bit with the boss during the price negotiation.

The boss of the dock, Dakota, initially intended to press down the price to the lowest, but he couldn't stand Goodman pestering him and ultimately decided to offer Adrian 38 million. He mentioned they could go to the tavern later to enjoy some drinks.

Adrian naturally patted his chest and invited him to come anytime. Good wine was abundant.

After bidding farewell to Goodman, Adrian and the others got back into their Bubble Car. The purchased goods were still in the car.

Rui Mengmeng rode the car, Adrian held the money box, and he dialed Old Bob's phone number from the backseat.

"Yes, the pirates have been dealt with. They were taken away by the Marines."

"Yes, your fishing equipment is still there. You can continue fishing."

"Oh, don't mention it. We did it for the bounty, right? By the way, pass a message to your friend for me. Make sure to save a giant elephant tuna, I'm coming to buy it."

"No need, no need. Just sell it to me at the regular price. Can't let someone else suffer a loss, right?"

"Got it."

Hanging up the phone, Adrian said, "Let's go. Let's take the stuff back to the tavern and then buy the fish."

This time, they didn't encounter any disturbances. They smoothly obtained the peculiar fish.

Nearly two meters in length, with a black back covered in spots, thick lips, a nose as long as an elephant's trunk, and even two tusks.

Of course, this pair of short tusks definitely wasn't worth 900 million.

"Can we really eat this fish?" Rui Mengmeng looked at the unusual ingredient with some doubt.

Artoria nodded confidently and opened her notebook, "It's confirmed to be edible. There's a report that mentions this kind of giant elephant tuna, mainly found in the South Sea. It can be steamed or fried, combining the firmness of beef with the tenderness of fish meat. Especially the nose part, it offers a unique texture that's hard to forget..."

As she spoke, Artoria's eyes practically lit up, and her tuft of hair on top of her head quivered expectantly.

Her enthusiastic tone was highly infectious, even making Tom's mouth water uncontrollably.

After a bit of effort, it was about time for lunch. Adrian swallowed a mouthful of saliva in anticipation, "Let's have it for lunch. Steam some parts and pan-fry others. After all, we don't even have a steamer big enough for the whole thing, and it would be troublesome to cut it up."

Tom rubbed his hands in excitement, motioning for Rui Mengmeng to help carry the fish. It was too big for one person to handle.

In a short while, the aroma wafted out from the kitchen. Tom and Rui Mengmeng pushed a small serving cart out with the fish meat arranged on the dining table.

Adrian picked up his chopsticks, "Huh? Is it an illusion? Why do I feel like the trunk is a bit shorter?"

With his hands behind his back, Tom's gaze drifted away, and he started to whistle, pretending to know nothing.

Witnessing this, Rui Mengmeng maintained an awkward silence.

But she didn't need to say anything. The truth was clear. Adrian and Artoria chose to forgive him. What's wrong with a cat eating fish, after all?

A flash of silver, and a petite kitchen knife divided the elephant's trunk into four pieces, flying into their respective plates.

While others were still dazed, Artoria had already used her fork to take a small piece of meat and was chewing on it blissfully.

...

After enjoying a delicious lunch, Adrian lazily opened the tavern's door. He always tended to feel drowsy after a meal.

Adrian sat behind the bar, resting his chin in his hand, and listened idly to the customers' chatter, trying to extract useful information from the sea of idle talk.

Most of the time, these people chatted about trivial matters—how they didn't like the boss and wanted to quit their job, whose child got into a fight and cried loudly, or their plans for a fancy dinner tonight.

When the topics ran dry, they'd analyze the situation of the world based on news from the newspapers. Except for badmouthing the world nobles, they dared to speak about anything, especially those who got tipsy.

It seemed that the

impact of the incident hadn't completely faded. Adrian, reflecting on his inexperience last time, resolved to avoid setting off too many firecrackers next time.

Listening and listening, someone finally let slip a slightly more interesting piece of news:

"I heard that there was a commotion at the 'Career Stabilization Center' this morning."

"Come on, that can't be true, right? It's the 'Career Stabilization Center' we're talking about!"