novelraw Chapter 264: Plans for the Club
Chapter 264: Plans for the Club
Chapter 264: Plans for the ClubWith the name decided, the salesman immediately arranged for someone to paint it on.
They chose a standard script font. Soon, the three characters for "Poseidon" were painted on the side of the hull and below the pilothouse window.
The other boat was named "White Dragon." Zhang Wei had actually wanted to name it "Giant Spear," but since the boat wasn't his, Chen Yang had refused.
After the insurance policy was issued, the salesman handed them the boat's certificates and asked, "Should we arrange for the launch now?"
"Of course!" Chu Mingcheng and Chen Yang nodded in unison. The money was paid—why leave the boats here?
The sixteen-meter fishing boat was launched first. Compared to a person, a sixteen-meter boat was huge, but for a shipyard of this scale, it was just a small vessel.
Under the operation of the staff, the boat was lifted by the shipyard's dedicated crane and slowly lowered into the water.
The shipyard's exit gate was already open. After the boat was in the water, Chen Yang climbed aboard, went to the pilothouse, started the engine to warm it up, and drove the boat out.
This wasn't actually the boat's first time in the water. After a boat is fully assembled, the shipyard arranges a trial run to confirm there are no issues. During the trial, they also handle all the necessary certifications.
So Chen Yang had no problem driving it out now.After his boat was out, it was Chu Mingcheng's turn.
"Luoluo, you drive. Ah-Wei and I will take the car to the pier. We'll meet there."
Jiang Luoluo didn't refuse. After the boat was launched, she boarded, went to the pilothouse, and started the fishing boat. Chu Mingcheng and Zhang Wei quickly drove to the pier.
The boat route was much shorter; they had to drive in a big circle.
This time, Chu Mingcheng drove to the medium-sized pier. With a bigger boat, they couldn't squeeze into the small berths anymore.
Jiang Luoluo and Chen Yang had already docked and rented berths.
"How does it feel?" Chu Mingcheng asked with a smile as he boarded.
Jiang Luoluo knew what he was asking. "The view is so much wider than on the small boat, and it's a lot more stable."
"We need to get the boat set up in the next few days, buy everything we need."
"Oh, right, we still need to go to the Fisheries Authority to get a high seas fishing permit. Don't forget that."
Chu Mingcheng scratched his head. He hadn't expected to have so many things to do after returning. "Let's take it one step at a time. Even after the fishing ban is over, we don't need to rush out to sea."
He wasn't in a hurry. For one, he'd just returned from Australia and was in no mood to work immediately.
Secondly, the tuna fishing season was generally from September to March of the following year. The fishing ban ended in August, and the chances of encountering tuna weren't as high as next month, so it didn't matter if he went out to sea now or later.
"That's good. You have to spend more time with me now that you're back."
Jiang Luoluo had originally thought Chu Mingcheng would prepare to go out to sea as soon as he got the boat, and she wasn't very happy about the prospect.
Her studio had just opened, and she couldn't get away for the time being, so she naturally didn't want to be separated again so soon.
Now, hearing that he planned to rest for a while, she happily wrapped her arm around his and leaned in close.
Feeling the soft warmth pressing against him, Chu Mingcheng leaned close to her ear and teased in a low voice, "Luoluo, you're playing with fire."
But Jiang Luoluo just gave him a seductive glance. "I've been working out whenever I have free time lately—yoga, diving, swimming, I haven't missed a thing. Hmph, I won't lose this time!"
Chu Mingcheng skeptically checked her data panel in the Aquatic Species Codex.
When he saw that the experience for 'Effortless Swim' had become seventy-four, he was a little surprised.
She really hadn't been slacking. Before he left, her diving experience was only around thirty sessions. He hadn't expected her to max it out after another twenty-six practices.
Her physical fitness had improved by 7.4% compared to before. This kind of improvement was indeed noticeable, so it was no wonder she was confident enough to challenge him.
"You seem pretty sure of yourself. If Ah-Yang and the others weren't waiting, I'd show you what 'carried on board, helped off' really means."
Jiang Luoluo lifted her chin proudly. "Tsk, I'm afraid a certain someone will be the one holding his back every day, and I'll have to go buy oysters to help him recover."
After not seeing each other for over two months, she'd already forgotten the "hard days" of the past, fully embodying the spirit of renewed confidence after a period of recovery.
"Remember to buy the ones with a thick, dark mantle, otherwise I'm afraid you'll still have the energy to go to the studio and practice dancing."
"Why the ones with a thick, dark mantle?"
"Because the dark edge on an oyster's meat is where the nutrients are most concentrated. That's what helps with stamina."
Jiang Luoluo had a sudden realization and decided to go to the seafood market when she had time to buy some of every variety and see which was best.
Just as the two were chatting, Chen Yang and Zhang Wei also came aboard.
"Ah-Cheng, it's already past four. Should we go find a place to eat?"
"Sure." Chu Mingcheng had no objections; he also wanted to talk about the club.
The fishing ban had a few days left. Currently, apart from some imported seafood, everything else on the market was frozen and not fresh, so the group found a decent barbecue restaurant.
They arrived early, and the restaurant was still empty.
They casually found a comfortable spot, ordered some food, and started chatting about Chu Mingcheng's time in Australia.
With only one table, the waiter was very fast with the food. The group ate and talked, never stopping their grilling.
When they were mostly full, Chu Mingcheng asked Zhang Wei, "Ah-Wei, are you still in touch with that Han Baola?"
"Not really. Why?" Zhang Wei shook his head, looking puzzled, not understanding why he'd suddenly brought up the Korean woman.
Chu Mingcheng didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly. "It's nothing major. We were planning to open a diving club before. I just wanted to ask if you guys still want to do it."
As for Han Baola, it didn't matter if she didn't want to come to Xiamen.
After all, she was Korean, and that country was always causing trouble. Chu Mingcheng didn't have a good impression of the place at the moment, and by extension, he didn't have particularly warm feelings toward Han Baola either.
Chen Yang immediately said, "Let's do it. We have a certain advantage in opening a club. You and Sister-in-law have a lot of fans. A little promotion could probably bring in plenty of customers."
"Especially Sister-in-law. She has a lot of female fans, so our main customer base will probably be hers. If we can verify they're her fans, we can even run a promotion and give them discounts."
Jiang Luoluo blinked, suddenly realizing she could capitalize on her fanbase like this.
Chu Mingcheng hadn't thought of this. Now that he heard it, he felt that opening a club had great potential.
Never mind the promotion. As long as fans knew Jiang Luoluo was a partner in a diving club, once she released her underwater dance videos, she could definitely attract a large number of female fans.
But in that case, they'd have to hire one or two full-time instructors.
His own main job was still sea fishing, and Chen Yang and Zhang Wei's current diving skills weren't good enough to be instructors.
Xiamen has nine months of summer a year, and the winters aren't very cold, so opening a diving club was quite suitable.
Now they just needed to rent a suitable place and convert it into a club.
Chen Yang was quite interested in opening a club, so he took the initiative to handle the venue rental.
In reality, he also knew that even if he didn't volunteer, these tasks would most likely fall to him anyway, so he might as well be proactive.
After dinner, Chu Mingcheng took the initiative to pay. He'd earned so much in Australia; it was his turn to treat.
Then he went to Chen Yang's place to pick up Mimi and her family.
As soon as he entered, Mimi and the others immediately looked over.
When they saw Chu Mingcheng at the door, they all ran over.
"Aww, you still remember me, your owner, after so long? I thought cats were supposed to be aloof."
Seeing this, Chu Mingcheng immediately squatted down, wanting to pet them.
But Mimi and the others decisively dodged his hand and went straight to Jiang Luoluo, sniffing at the unseasoned barbecue they'd specially packed.
"Hahahaha!" Chen Yang and Zhang Wei burst out laughing at the scene.
Jiang Luoluo couldn't hold back either. "You haven't taken care of them for so long. Even if they remember you, they're not close to you anymore. Cats aren't dogs."
Chu Mingcheng was both embarrassed and a little helpless. "I should have gotten a dog. At least it would stay enthusiastic."
Zhang Wei chimed in, "You know, once Ah-Yang's boat is ready, I'm planning to get a Labrador."
Chu Mingcheng nodded in approval. "A Labrador is a good choice. They're smart and love to play in the water. Maybe it can even fetch a fish for you someday."
Zhang Wei laughed. "That's the plan. Want me to get one for you too?"
Chu Mingcheng looked at Jiang Luoluo. She immediately understood and nodded with a smile. "Sure, it'll be lively on the boat with a cat and a dog."
"If we get a puppy, we won't have to worry about it bullying Mimi and the others when it grows up."
"Labradors are gentle; they won't do that." Seeing that Jiang Luoluo also agreed, Chu Mingcheng was quite happy.
If raising Mimi and her family was a coincidence, then getting a dog was something he truly wanted. He personally preferred dogs.
It was a pity they weren't in Russia, otherwise he might have been interested in getting a tiger or a brown bear.
After resting at Chen Yang's for a while, Chu Mingcheng took the now full and content Mimi and her family home.
Back at home, after settling Mimi and the others, he found Jiang Luoluo standing at the door of the guest room, seemingly deep in thought.
Chu Mingcheng's heart skipped a beat. Is she planning to kick me into the guest room tonight?
Her house had always had a spare room. Was she planning to use it now?
"Ah-Cheng, what do you think about turning this room into a pet room?"
Chu Mingcheng let out a sigh of relief. So she was planning for the pets to live there.
"Is that necessary? Besides, this is a rental. Will the landlord give us trouble if we turn it into a pet room?"
Jiang Luoluo gave him a surprised look. "Who told you I rented this place? I bought it. The mortgage will be paid off in three years!"
"..." Chu Mingcheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly rushed forward and hugged her long legs. "As expected of a rich woman. This soft rice tastes so good!"
Jiang Luoluo was at a loss for words. "What are you doing? Let go of me!"
"I'm claiming my prize!" Chu Mingcheng nodded emphatically, then, amidst her surprised cry, swept her up and carried her into the bedroom.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.