At that moment, the door leading to the bridge was pushed open.
Morel walked onto the deck with a nautical chart in hand.
He had originally come to confirm the plan after docking with Bai Zhu.
But the sight before him brought him to a stop.
Bai Zhu was lying down.
Piyu was lying down too, albeit in an awkward position.
Ging was lying down as well.
Gela Jiang and Milluki had moved the gaming setup onto the deck.
Several crew members stood around them, having already shifted from working mode to spectator mode.
Even Mynah was sprawled in its cage, basking in the sun.
The pipe in Morel's mouth nearly fell out.
"What are you doing?"
Bai Zhu lifted the brim of his hat.
"Team building."
Piyu immediately chimed in.
"Stress relief."
Ging did not even open his eyes.
"Conserving energy."
Milluki raised his controller.
"Testing equipment stability."
Gela Jiang nodded along.
"And training our reflexes while we're at it."
Morel looked at the group, his chest rising and falling several times.
"I've been in the bridge working out the route, in the conference room reviewing reports, contacting the tugboat crew, and dealing with those bastards from the Kakin Maritime Department. And what are you people doing? Sunbathing and playing games?"
Bai Zhu sat up, his tone earnest.
"Morel, have you ever considered that it's precisely because you're so capable that we can relax like this?"
Morel stared at him.
"Stop buttering me up."
"I'm not." Bai Zhu raised a hand and pointed toward the bow. "Look, who on this ship looks the most like a captain?"
"Obviously me."
"Then there you have it. The captain takes care of the ship, and we make sure not to cause the captain trouble."
Morel was left speechless.
Piyu quietly twisted the