The Family Heirloom

Facing Nie Yun's question, Chu Xiaoxiao answered with complete composure.

"Didn't you say life at sea was terribly dull, so you needed robots for entertainment? I spent ages picking these out. Don't tell me... you don't think they're cute?"

As she spoke, she gave him a look that said he'd better not dare say no.

Nie Yun was startled to realize he really had said that. I've done this to myself!

He could only grit out two words: "C-cute!"

But how could robots this cute be used as sailors? They were the opposite of hardworking and dependable!

And why had they made the male robot look so much like me?! Now there'd be no way to tell me, the captain, apart from it!

"Is there... anything a little more realistic? I mean, a more realistic size?" Nie Yun asked cautiously, trying to reclaim a little of his captain's authority.

Size?!

At that word, Chu Xiaoxiao nearly exploded.

"How realistic do you want it?! Are you talking about a lifelike robot with a girl's appearance, meant purely for entertainment?!" A dangerous glint flashed in Chu Xiaoxiao's eyes.

At Chu Xiaoxiao's words, Nie Yun suddenly froze. Then...

Holy crap! So that's an option?!

Nie Yun suddenly saw the light. Right! Why did he have to use those miserable, skull-faced robots? Turns out the world could be a much better place!

A little late to the realization—way too late! How had he never thought of that?

But when the excited Nie Yun felt the murderous aura coming from beside him, he stiffened. He quickly calculated his chances of surviving if he went through with it, then decisively abandoned his plan to reach the distant shores of happiness.

"No way! Do I look like that kind of person? I'll take these two! I'm really... really satisfied!" Nie Yun said, though he didn't mean a word of it.

Only then did Chu Xiaoxiao nod in satisfaction.

Her personal bodyguard, standing beside her, listened to their conversation with a strange expression. But she was a true professional and stayed silent.

"Don't underestimate these two robots. They're the most advanced intelligent robots in the world. Their joints are precision-engineered, so they can walk as freely as humans. They can recognize 64 voice commands, and they can even be controlled remotely! This pair cost a million!"

As she spoke, Chu Xiaoxiao picked up a remote and fiddled with it. Sure enough, one of the robots moved its arms and legs nimbly in response.

Nie Yun smiled and nodded, looking quite satisfied. But inside, he was grumbling, The size! The size is the important part! I don't need any of this intelligent-robot stuff!

Once everything here had been handed over, Nie Yun suddenly leaned toward Chu Xiaoxiao with a mysterious air. "By the way, I've got something on my boat. Come with me!"

With that, he led Chu Xiaoxiao onto his Sea Wolf and sent all her bodyguards to the other boats.

The move displeased the female bodyguard, but Chu Xiaoxiao insisted, so she had no choice but to comply.

Nie Yun sneakily checked that no one was around, then dragged a metal case about a meter long out of a corner.

"What's this?" Chu Xiaoxiao asked curiously.

"My fleet... I mean, something good!" Nie Yun said, taking out a silver key and opening the case.

Chu Xiaoxiao leaned over to look inside. Uh, there was another case...

Nie Yun lifted out the case inside and opened it.

Inside... was another case.

Chu Xiaoxiao watched, face dark with dismay, as Nie Yun pulled out case after case like a Russian nesting doll. Before long, a huge pile of cases of every size lay beside them.

At last, five minutes later, Nie Yun brought out the little box secured with nine locks. It was... barely as big as two hands.

"Is there... another box inside?" Chu Xiaoxiao asked, her mouth twitching.

"Ahem! No, no, this time it's the real thing!" Nie Yun coughed awkwardly.

This box contained his entire fleet. How could he not be extra careful?!

Nie Yun unlocked all nine locks one by one. Then, crouching in the corner like a pair of thieves, they opened the box.

A dazzling golden light shone out.

"This..." Chu Xiaoxiao stared at the nearly hundred gold coins inside, speechless.

She picked one up. The front bore a king's portrait, and the back showed a fleur-de-lis. Even though Chu Xiaoxiao knew nothing about antiques, she could tell these coins were very old.

"These are the antique coins you said you found while you were out?" Chu Xiaoxiao pointed at the nearly hundred gold coins, looking at him as if he were joking.

"Ahem! I know there are quite a lot this time, but you have to believe me. I really did find them!" Nie Yun said with an earnest expression.

He really had found them. Besides that, he'd also found an ancient Spanish warship!

"Once I've had the coins appraised, I'll call you. Since there are so many, putting them all on the market at once would drive the price down. I suggest selling them gradually. It'll take longer, but you'll make more."

Chu Xiaoxiao had personally locked the box in her yacht's safe. Turning to Nie Yun, she explained her plan.

"Sure, do whatever you think is best. I owe you quite a bit this time, so feel free to deduct it from the proceeds. You don't need to give me the money after you sell them, either. I might need to buy something sometime," Nie Yun said.

Chu Xiaoxiao nodded, pleased by Nie Yun's complete trust in her.

Nearly a hundred million was nothing to her, but it was different for Nie Yun. Knowing he trusted her so much filled Chu Xiaoxiao with an inexplicable happiness.

"Oh, and remember to give me the box back once you've sold the coins," Nie Yun suddenly said, remembering something.

"The box? Why?" Chu Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.

"Ahem! Well... oh, right. The box's been in my family for generations. It means a lot to me!"

How could Nie Yun tell her he'd almost forgotten that the box was made out of Mechanical Insects? He could control the Mechanical Insects to slowly roll back to him from anywhere, but imagining the difficulty, it probably wouldn't be much easier than the Red Army's 25,000-li Long March...

"Been in your family for generations?"

Chu Xiaoxiao eyed him suspiciously but didn't ask any questions. She nodded and agreed.

By the time everything had been handed over, it was nearly dusk. Chu Xiaoxiao stood at the bow, watching the Chengjiang tow the Sea Wolf away at a crooked angle until they disappeared into the fiery sunset.

Manager Wu stood beside Chu Xiaoxiao, sweating profusely as he watched.

"Miss, are you sure this is all right? Mr. Nie is alone, and he's only learned the basics. He can more or less steer, but even if he says sailors are waiting ahead to meet him, going out to sea like this is still dangerous!"

"If he says he can do it, then he probably can..." Chu Xiaoxiao said hesitantly.

"But that guy's hiding plenty of secrets. He even acted all suspicious when he took over the boat. Hmph! Who'd believe he just happened to find gold coins while he was out? There's definitely something fishy going on! Sooner or later, I'll make you tell me all your secrets!" Chu Xiaoxiao thought, baring her little tiger teeth.

"Miss, it's getting late. We should head back," the bodyguard beside her reminded her.

"Mm, let's go back," Chu Xiaoxiao said with a nod.

Chu Xiaoxiao had no idea that danger was slowly closing in...