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Zhang Hongmei, having given up all hope, decided to stop thinking about it. She figured it would be another half hour before dinner, so she'd use that time to read a book.

It was Wang Xinyi who came to call her, and only then did she put down her book. By then, people were already getting their food, and the longest line was for the spicy squid.

The flavor was so rich and intense, it really stimulated the taste buds. Zhang Hongmei hadn't tried it before, so she was ranked lower in the list. Wang Xinyi was in charge of serving the rice, which was the same stewed fish that she had with every meal. Just like Xiao Wanxiang said, stewed fish is no longer as popular as it was in the first day or two.

Before it was her turn, the whole bowl was gone, and the kitchen staff quickly brought over another one. Zhang Hongmei only scooped one spoonful; there were still many people queuing behind her. It was her first time making it, and regardless of whether it tasted good or not, at least the flavor was strong, so of course everyone wanted to try it.

The two sat together. Wang Xinyi knew Zhang Hongmei's appetite: a bowl of rice for herself and a stewed yellow croaker for herself, plus a spoonful of spicy squid. It was quite a lot, and Zhang Hongmei was worried she'd get a sore throat.

However, once I picked up a squid tentacle, I was immediately won over by the flavor. I felt that there was a little too much sugar, but the spicy flavor made up for that.

"Aunt Wang, would you like to try some? I think this is especially delicious and appetizing."

Wang Xinyi also ate a piece. She nodded, "Yes, it's really delicious. But after you finish eating, you need to drink chrysanthemum tea to cool down."

"Hehe, give some to the kitchen staff later so everyone can have a drink and cool down."

After finishing her meal, Zhang Hongmei remained seated, observing the people in the dining room. She noticed that everyone seemed to enjoy the spicy flavor, and it was indeed very popular.

The squid they prepared today was all gone. Dong Yuping, who was not far from them, said, "Zhang Hongmei, I didn't expect your cooking skills to be so good. This tastes absolutely delicious."

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it, but you can't eat too much. The flavor is too strong, so don't get a sore throat."

"Sigh! There's no more food left. How about we go find the captain again and ask if we can catch any more squid this afternoon? I bet everyone is still hungry and has the same thought."

"That's a good idea. The head chef already knows how, and I reckon he'll make it even better than I can. I think the captain will agree."

After dinner, Zhang Hongmei returned to her room and looked inside her ring. The lunchbox containing the spicy squid was gone, but there was a piece of paper. She took it out and was speechless.

Honestly, it's all self-criticism. I tossed the paper into my ring and decided not to reply.

Five days passed peacefully. Zhang Hongmei finished reading her senior year economics textbook, lay in bed, mentally reviewed it, and shook her head with a smile.

We'll be docked in a week, and I'm glad we're still in contact with Zhang Shouyi. I wonder what arrangements the people in charge here in Southeast Asia have made? Actually, I don't really have much to do in Southeast Asia. The arrangements don't matter. I just hope I'll have the opportunity to visit Japan. Their agriculture is the most developed, and the supporting facilities should be the most complete.

If we could get the harvester back now and use it for the autumn harvest, that would be perfect.

Thinking about this and that, Zhang Hongmei felt she was starting to have delusions.

I was a little surprised when I heard the knock on the door. It turned out to be Zeng Zhongkang.

"I was just about to go out, how about we go to the deck for a while?"

Zeng Zhongkang had no objection. The girl must have just gotten out of bed, but he wouldn't expose her.

"Okay, let's talk on the deck."

Seeing how serious he was, Zhang Hongmei was a little puzzled. Was something really wrong?

Both of them were holding onto the railing, looking at the sea in the distance.

Zhang Hongmei wouldn't ask him what was wrong. She could say whatever she wanted.

"Zhang Hongmei, we arrived in Southeast Asia in about a week. Do you know how it was arranged?"

"I don't know, there should be someone in charge over there. What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"Yes, I'd like to spend a day in Southeast Asia."

"Hehe, I really don't know. You can ask the person in charge after we get off the ship."

Zeng Zhongkang looked at Zhang Hongmei with a complicated expression. "This is a private matter for me, and I can't go through the proper channels, so I came to you."

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, but I really don't have the ability." Zhang Hongmei thought to herself, if your personal affairs endanger the country, I would be an accomplice, and I wouldn't get involved. Even if it really was a personal matter, I was just one of the international students; what right did I have to help him?

After more than ten minutes of silence, Zhang Hongmei grew tired of staying there with him in the sea breeze. "Sorry, I have to go back now," Zhang Hongmei said, smiling at Zeng Zhongkang before turning and leaving.

Zeng Zhongkang stood there, gazing into the distance, thinking that he probably wouldn't have the chance to see her this time; perhaps it was fate.

Zhang Hongmei had just returned to the house when she heard another knock on the door. When she opened it, she saw Cheng Guangxu standing there.

"Zhang Hongmei, do you still have any of my books with you now that I've finished reading them?"

Yes, they're all here. You can choose for yourself.

"Huh? So you only brought textbooks? How could I forget to bring textbooks?" Cheng Guangxu slapped his head in annoyance.

"It's alright, I have a math textbook here too. Besides, you can look at other things as well. So, have you just been reading books all this way? Haven't you learned anything else?"

"What did you gain?"

"The scenery along the way?"

Cheng Guangxu gave Zhang Hongmei a disdainful look. "What are you thinking? The whole way is the same. Can you tell the difference in the sea?"

Zhang Hongmei was embarrassed; it really was true.

"However, I am very impressed with the seafood. I had never even heard of it before, but now I can eat it. That is what I am most satisfied with."

"That's good. As long as you have good memories, it's worth it for you to have spent more than twenty days at sea."

"And what about you? You don't read books every day either, so what memories do you retain?"

"Hehe, my only memory is of life on the ship without any vegetables."

"Hehe, it really is. But it'll be soon, I heard them talking about it while I was eating. We'll be in Southeast Asia in a week."

"I bet it'll take us a while to adjust once we get on land. Do you think it'll feel just like being on a ship, with everything under your feet feeling light, even when you're standing on land?"

"Is that possible?" Cheng Guangxu asked, somewhat skeptical.

"How would I know?" Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes. Honestly, chatting with this kind of person is such a hassle.

"Hurry up. Once you've made your selection, go back to your room and read."

"Wait, I haven't finished yet."