Morning.
Gentle ripples stirred across the sea as a red sun slowly rose in the east.
The seawater reflected the sunlight, as though draped in splendid golden attire.
White clouds drifted across the blue sky while seagulls happily skimmed close to the surface.
Ye Yuan truly felt as though "the vast sea was for fish to leap through, and the high sky for birds to soar."
He took a deep breath of the air, which still carried a faint fishy scent.
This was the life he wanted.
"Eldest Brother, you're up early!"
Ma Hua spoke when he saw Ye Yuan standing at the bow, admiring the seascape.
"You brat, after more than half a year, you still have that bad habit."
Without turning around, Ye Yuan teased him.
Ye Yuan had long grown accustomed to Ma Hua's chatterbox personality.
"Hehe! Eldest Brother, you know it's been more than half a year?
Do you not plan on going out to sea with us anymore?"
Ma Hua laughed first, then asked in all seriousness.
"Why would you ask that?"
Ye Yuan turned around in confusion, asking with a trace of curiosity.
"I guessed. It's not just me—lots of people on the ship think so.
Otherwise, why haven't you gone to sea with us for over half a year?
I still miss the days when Eldest Brother led us fishing."
Ma Hua voiced what was on his mind, half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"You miss your bonus, don't you?"
Ye Yuan punched Ma Hua lightly on the shoulder and teased him.
"Hehe! Isn't working all about improving our family's situation?
Besides, my younger sister is still young. I want to send him abroad to study.
That'll cost a lot of money!"
Ma Hua scratched the back of his head sheepishly, making no attempt to hide