Waves surged throughout the journey, sending the fishing boats pitching up and down. The voyage was unsteady and rough, nothing like the smooth trip out.
The higher waves even washed over the decks, making things rather hair-raising. They had to grab something for support, or they could not even stay on their feet.
They had no time to check on the goods or pay them any attention. Their excitement had mostly worn off, and everyone was watching how high the waves rose, praying they would not grow any bigger. Otherwise, they would have to find somewhere to stop along the way.
The waves showed no mercy. Safety came first.
Fortunately, although the waves were a little high, after they left that stretch of water and sailed for another two or three hours, the waves eased somewhat, though the ride still was not particularly smooth.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They could not have something go wrong just as they were about to reach home.
"The wind and waves come in patches out here. That wave splashed all over me just now and gave me a real fright. I thought I was going to fall into the water."
"Same here. My hands were getting sore from gripping the edge. Thank goodness we're past that patch."
Ye Yaodong breathed a sigh of relief too, then fetched the basket from the boat cabin and took out the provisions. "Have a biscuit to settle your nerves and fill your stomachs. It's already three. We should be there in another three or four hours. The trip back is taking longer than the trip out. It'll probably take fourteen or fifteen hours altogether."
They each took a Salted Guangbing and started munching.
"It doesn't matter if it takes longer, as long as we get home