novelraw Chapter 154: The Mature Big Sister
Chapter 154: The Mature Big Sister
The sea breeze blew gently as the bonfire crackled, casting a warm glow on people's flushed faces. Chen Qi and An found an unoccupied table and opened a bottle of wine.
Pop!
They clinked glasses to celebrate both surviving the Dimensional Tide at this critical juncture.
"Tastes good."
Chen Qi happily chewed on a juicy beef rib, enjoying the rare pleasure of good food without having to cook it himself. As he ate, his attention drifted to the shipbuilder from Steam Hand Workshop nearby.
While An was a somewhat famous genius and he was known as a decent chef, currently no one was paying them any attention. All eyes were focused on that shipbuilder from Steam Hand.
A shipbuilder from Steam Hand Company was a rare sight even in Witch Sea. Chen Qi tried recalling information about this shipbuilder.
His name was Burry, a third-tier Hammer affinity mechanical engineer nicknamed "Steel Hand." He was secretly crew for the Ice Demon Pirates, gathering intelligence inland and along coastal regions. During mid-game, the Ice Demon Pirates' famous aquatic beast "Deep Sea Shark" was also built by this legendary shipbuilder.
Undoubtedly, he was one of the strongest shipbuilders in Witch Sea. Was his appearance here related to Little Crow's group? Chen Qi pondered.
An stared at Chen Qi's face and whispered:"Qi, if you want a new boat, you could approach this shipbuilder. I heard his craftsmanship is amazing."
Then her voice suddenly dropped:
"But this shipbuilder..."
Chen Qi predicted:
"An? Does this shipbuilder have some... troublesome personality quirks? So eccentric that even money can't make him build ships?"
Eh? An's eyes widened.
Chen Qi had completely guessed what she was about to say. That feeling of being seen through... An smiled wryly, having thought herself good at hiding expressions.
Chen Qi rested his chin on his hand.
While he'd heard of Shipbuilder Burry's reputation, he knew little about the man himself. The only thing he knew was that the shipbuilder wasn't quite right in the head.
Among the Ice Demon Pirates, aside from the hardworking, history-obsessed Palu, there wasn't a single normal person.
Seeing she'd piqued Chen Qi's interest, An continued explaining:
"I heard this shipbuilder is the son of a top Steam Hand engineer. He's over thirty but still unmarried - currently being pressured to wed. Maybe you could approach him from that angle."
"Pressured to marry?"
Chen Qi was stunned. Did this world have that too?
An sneakily glanced at her drunken father.
In Damarro Town, early marriage was common, but her father was the opposite - practically wishing his daughter would become a celibate nun. Her father believed she had the potential to become legendary!
Reaching legendary status meant having power to do as one pleased!
An thought so too, but becoming legendary was far harder than imagined. Just the first step - obtaining a fourth-tier Book affinity profession card - had stopped countless talented individuals.
An's fire magic teacher, also from humble origins, became a third-tier archmage by twenty. Yet by fifty, she still hadn't found a legendary profession card. Without opportunities or family backing, she likely wouldn't reach fourth-tier even by sixty.
As for Chen Qi, if he wanted to reach fourth-tier, the safest path would be marrying into a powerful family, then serving their deadly military conscription guarding the world's edges for three years to earn a fourth-tier card.
That's why An had been so shocked when Chen Qi refused Old White Seagull's invitation.
An shook off these complicated thoughts as she and Chen Qi observed Shipbuilder Burry from afar.
With ghost ships running rampant, only Burry could build vessels fast enough to outrun them. Hence the merchants' fawning expressions.
"Mr. Burry, I hear you're unmarried. My daughter has reached marriageable age."
A wealthy merchant presented his golden-haired, voluptuous daughter to Burry. Her only flaw was slightly thick lips.
Yet Burry didn't even glance, shaking his head:
"Everyone, please stop matchmaking. My standards are high - I only like mature older sisters and have no desire to marry. As for shipbuilding commissions, I'll take new orders after the ghost ship situation resolves."
Chen Qi sipped his wine.
"Mature older sister?"
Both An and Chen Qi simultaneously crossed arms, frowned, then shook their heads.
Damn!
Neither knew any mature older sisters.
Seeing their gloom, Deepsea Water Spirit No.1 poured them more wine.
An smiled bitterly:
"Qi, seems we're out of options. That merchant's daughter is famously beautiful."
"......"
Chen Qi pondered.
He did need a good ship now. If this shipbuilder took the job, his vessel could navigate the Rift Sea freely!
But to convince him, they'd need to target his psychological weak point.
"Any way to threaten or trick this shipbuilder?"
Chen Qi first thought of the Ice Demon Pirates' captain, Palu.
Game forums mentioned how Ice Demon Pirates crew highly valued their captain's and crew's image. Regardless of personal quirks, Palu was one of the Four Emperors.
But their captain was quite indiscreet - crossdressing and doing servant work, seriously damaging the crew's image!
If he could find Palu and photograph him crossdressing, maybe he could use those photos to blackmail crew members!
Unfortunately, Palu wasn't here, and doing this in his current position would be suicidal.
"Troublesome..."
Chen Qi muttered.
Sensing his frustration, An said:
"Qi, don't worry. Witch Sea has many excellent shipyards. I'll help you find a powerful small houseboat."
No, An - I need a large houseboat that can carry ghostfire cores! That requires a top professional shipbuilder... Chen Qi downed his wine:
"Let me try first."
"Eh eh eh eh?"
An bit her tongue, clenched fists, staring incredulously at Chen Qi!
Do you actually know a mature older sister? Since when?
Before An could interrogate him, Chen Qi took his wine and approached Burry:
"Mr. Burry, perhaps I can suggest a solution to your marriage predicament."
The long-single shipbuilder shook his head:
"Everyone, can't we just eat? I'm a devoted man - if I can't find my ideal, I'd rather stay single forever. Sadly, my dream woman doesn't exist."
Burry was sick of everyone's nagging. He came here just to eat the Water Spirit Restaurant owner's cooking and gather Blackfin Crew intel. Instead of food or information, he got endless matchmaking!
Chen Qi swirled his glass:
"The world holds endless wonders, Mr. Burry. Why not describe your ideal type? With so many people here, someone might know her."
Others chimed in agreement.
Burry lowered his head, scanning the crowd:
Impossible. Even his captain couldn't meet his standards!
Chen Qi said temptingly:
"But what if, Mr. Burry?"
"......"
After long hesitation, Burry relented:
"Fine. But this stays between us - my perfect woman."
He took out drafting tools and sketched his ideal type. Soon, he put down the pen, smiling:
"This is my mature ideal woman."
Chen Qi took the drawing and examined it closely.
The depicted woman was towering with bronzed, muscular physique - eighteen cubed abs, hard angular curves, eyes blazing with pale fire! Plus a sharply squared face, emitting scalding steam, wearing skin-tone light combat armor.
Burry rubbed his nose excitedly:
"Well? My ideal woman? Doesn't she radiate mature beauty?"
Chen Qi's brows furrowed uncontrollably.
You call this a "mature older sister"? More like a damn mecha!