Li Xian quickly assessed the situation, released the rope in his hands, and gripped the railing in front of him instead.
Just as the fish was about to fall, a figure flashed past Li Xian and delivered a vicious kick to its head!
There was no telling how much force Ji Xie had put into that kick. It actually changed the trajectory of the fish's fall. Li Xian even saw its body stiffen before it stopped struggling, plunging into the water with its body rigid as though it had passed out and sending up one final surge of waves.
Still shaken, Li Xian looked down. Only when the ship gradually steadied and the fish failed to resurface did he finally relax.
During the commotion, nearly all the newly hatched fish had flopped into the sea. Only a few stubbornly remained on the deck. After kicking them into the water one by one, Li Xian turned to glance at Ji Xie, who stood calmly behind him, then looked toward the man nearby who had been watching him all along-
The man looked about twenty-five or twenty-six. Despite the chilly night, he wore only a thin trench coat, its sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His exposed arms weren't particularly thick, but firm lines of muscle were faintly visible.
Li Xian quietly studied him without moving, so the man approached first and held out a hand:
"Thanks."
"My name's Ke Yi."
He introduced himself.
Seeing no sign of ill intent, Li Xian raised his arm and shook his hand. But just as he was about to give his own name, Ke Yi suddenly tightened his grip and pulled him closer:
"Li Xian?"
Narrowing his eyes, the man spoke Li Xian's name first.
Li Xian froze in surprise.
*Why did he know my