"The person who sold the boat had long since disappeared, and my father couldn't bear the blow and fell ill."
“The family’s money was all swindled away, and we lost our father, who was the breadwinner. We also owe a lot of debt. As the eldest son, I have to take on this heavy responsibility and support the family.”
Si Gui's mood plummeted as she spoke of this.
He was still in school at the time, but when everyone learned that something had happened to his family, debt collectors came to his door one after another. They saw that his father had collapsed and that there were a bunch of young children and women in the family. They were afraid that the money would be lost.
His father was already seriously ill, and debt collectors came to the house every day and stayed until the middle of the night, refusing to leave. His mother was in tears all day long, and the fearful look on his younger siblings' faces as they huddled in the corner was even more painful to his eyes.
Having no other choice but to drop out of school and go out to sea to fish with others, he longed to return home.
When the debt collectors realized that the family really couldn't come up with the money, and that Si Gui had already gone into business, and promised to pay back the money as soon as possible, they gradually stopped coming.
He didn't own a fishing boat, so he could only go out with other people's fishing boats, and he had to give a share of the catch to the boat owners as rent.
There are still four mouths to feed at home. Let alone paying off debts, he would have to risk his life just to support his family.
He went to the deepest places, to dangerous places that others refused to go.
Fortunately, my father's health gradually improved, and my younger siblings were able to help my mother with tasks such as repairing fishing nets, cleaning fish, and making dried fish. The family's situation was starting to improve.
But the creditors outside were unhappy, as it had been two years and there was still no reason for them to repay the debt.
The creditors came knocking again, and he felt extremely distressed watching his once-admired father bowing and scraping before others.
He wanted his father to stand tall and be a respectable person, and he desperately needed money.
So when he learned that the "Ghana" was recruiting sailors, he secretly signed up.
Originally, the people there didn't want to hire him because of his young age, but he was not only an excellent swimmer, but he could also hold his breath underwater for a long time.
The recruiters on the Ghana didn't believe him and made Si Gui prove it on the spot. In front of them, Si Gui dove into the water, straightened his body, relaxed his muscles, reduced his heart rate, and minimized oxygen consumption. When he came up again, eight minutes had passed.
This skill shocked everyone present, and he was immediately selected by the recruiter of the Ghana.
Su Qingci looked at the boy with his head down and shoulders slumped, and couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.
Two years ago, he was only 14 years old when he had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of supporting his family and taking care of his parents and siblings.
At this time, Su Jindong was still constantly pestering Li Yueniang for pocket money to buy this and that.
The name "思归" (si gui) in inland China means longing to return to one's hometown.
Su Qingci had only a slight suspicion before, but now she was 30% certain that her father, who worked so hard to earn money and was frugal with himself and his family, and who wanted to buy a long-distance ship, might be Su Changzhi.
But whether it is true or not, we'll only know by meeting the person in person.
Su Qingci vaguely remembers that contact between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait began in 1979, and it was not until 1987 that applications for family visits could be made. In 1993, the postal departments on both sides of the Strait were able to officially start issuing registered letters, which means that ordinary people were able to officially communicate.
At this point, the relationship can be described as "tense".
If the other party is indeed Su Changzhi, buying a long-distance voyage to smuggle himself back to China would be his only way home.
"It's alright, as long as you're still alive, things will get better," Qianfu patted Sigui on the shoulder, comforting her.
Actually, I'm pretty much the same as you.
“My parents scrimped and saved their whole lives to get me into the Ghana ship as an apprentice. You may not know, but I’ve been working for Da Long for four years now.”
“At the beginning, I was not only a handyman, but also his slave. I did all the dirty and hard work on the ship and had to serve him. I washed his clothes, shoes and socks for four years, and I even washed his feet for two years.”
"Beatings and scoldings were commonplace."
“He was unwilling to teach me anything. Only this year did he stop being so wary of me and allow me to stand by and watch.”
“Every time I go home, my parents ask me with expectant eyes how it goes, and I can only nod and say it’s good, even though I’ve wanted to quit for a long time.”
Upon hearing Qianfu's words, Sigui's gloom vanished, and she began to comfort Qianfu instead.
After exchanging a few words, the two of them turned their gazes to Su Qingci.
"Sister Su, what about you? Why are you sitting alone on a cruise ship at sea?"
Su Qingci remained calm and composed. "I'm luckier than you. Didn't we encounter a storm a few days ago? Your boat sank, and ours almost capsized too."
"All the crew members on board were swept into the sea, and I was the only one who survived by hiding in the hold. Luckily, the ship did not sink."
Si Gui and Qian Fu looked relieved and had no doubt at all. "Then you're pretty lucky."
"Given the scene that day, any ship that encountered it would likely have met with dire consequences."
After chatting for a while, everyone became familiar with each other. Xu Dasheng was secretly relieved to see that Su Qingci didn't have any lingering resentment, and continued to pick up the rag on the ground and clean up.
Su Qingci knew he couldn't stay idle, so she let him go.
The next morning, Su Qingci stood on the deck, looking around with binoculars in hand.
Since yesterday, there have been more and more boats appearing. Fishing boats and small boats of various sizes have been frequently passing by in the distance, and Su Qingci knew that they must be getting close to the island.
Of course, Su Qingci didn't plan to sail the cruise ship to the island's dock.
"Qianfu, approximately where are we now?"
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