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The border collie up ahead was a fine specimen. It looked like a pedigree pet, its glossy coat showing how well its owner cared for it.

Chu Zeshen looked away from the dog and said, "Judging by what you're wearing today, don't you already have somewhere in mind?"

Xie Wen raised an eyebrow without denying it. He had guessed that Chu Zeshen would be in a good mood after closing the deal, so he had gone ahead and organized a yacht party under the pretext of a get-together without asking him first.

He draped an arm around Chu Zeshen's shoulders. "I've picked the place. A Sheng is already at the marina. All we have to do is head over."

Chu Zeshen glanced at him, utterly certain. "There are other people."

"You'll know when we get there," Xie Wen said mysteriously.

On his way out of the hotel, Chu Zeshen passed the border collie, but the well-trained pet with an owner didn't spare anyone else a glance.

The car picking up Xie Wen had already arrived at the entrance. The doorman stepped forward and opened the door for the guests.

With a ding, the elevator doors opened, and Mocha finally saw its owner.

Few things in the world were harder to resist than opening a door to find a pet with eyes only for you. The corners of Gu Bai's mouth lifted when he saw Mocha. He walked over and called, "Mocha."

After getting into the car, Chu Zeshen saw the border collie that had been sitting obediently by the entrance suddenly stand up, its tail wagging so fast it blurred, wildly excited.

It must have spotted its owner. Chu Zeshen was just about to turn back when the doorman shut the door. At Xie Wen's command, the driver started the car, leaving only a little exhaust outside the hotel entrance.

Gu Bai took the leash from the staff member and brought Mocha into the car.

He had already had someone prepare the equipment for sea fishing. He had also asked the hotel's pet care staff to pack everything Mocha would need for the outing. Today, he was going to take Mocha out and have all the fun they wanted.

Over the past few days, rumors had circulated that only the Gu Family's eldest daughter and second son were serious contenders. His appearance at the hotel alone at a time like this only lent further weight to that claim-

Gu Bai, the Gu Family's third son, had lost the fight over the family fortune.

Ever since that news broke, far fewer people had been hovering around him and flattering him. Today, he finally got to enjoy some rare peace and quiet.

He had rented the yacht himself. There was no one else aboard, only a captain to attend to him and Mocha.

When he arrived at the marina, staff were waiting to help carry his things, since his spending had already qualified him for VIP status that day.

Gu Bai held Mocha's leash, and the bags he carried were all filled with things Mocha needed for the outing.

The first thing the man and dog did after boarding the yacht was put on life jackets.

Having died once, Gu Bai cherished his life all the more. These good days had only just begun. He had better not kick the bucket before he had enjoyed them to his heart's content.

Gu Bai bent down and helped Mocha into its life jacket. Mocha was a little uncooperative and confused. It ruled the swimming pool, so why did it need a life jacket?

"Be good and put it on," Gu Bai said gently. "I'll let you go swimming in a bit."

After putting on the life jackets, Gu Bai took the sea-fishing equipment the staff had just helped carry aboard into the interior.

The fishing boat set off.

When the boat reached the fishing grounds, Gu Bai carried his equipment up to the top deck.

It wasn't particularly hot that day. A cool sea breeze blew, and the sunlight overhead was a little dazzling. Wearing a sun hat that provided full coverage, Gu Bai began his fishing trip.

In his previous life, fishing had been his favorite thing to do. Yet everyone had called this leisure activity-the only one that interested him-a waste of time. As the pillar of the Gu Family, he wasn't supposed to spend his time and energy on things he shouldn't be doing.

Now, Gu Bai sat at the bow, baited his hook, and cast his line with practiced ease.

Now he could do whatever he wanted. Doing things he disliked was the real waste of time.

The boat rocked with the waves. Pinpoints of light glittered on the sea, and the salty, damp ocean air washing over him carried away a trace of irritation.

Mocha came up beside Gu Bai. He reached out to stroke it and said, "Just wait. I'll catch you something tasty."

Mocha sat nearby, waiting for its owner to hunt for it.

It was a fine day for an outing. From the weather to the timing, all the conditions were right.

A private yacht approached from the distance. Mocha watched ahead, constantly on guard, while Gu Bai beside it remained wholly focused on the float on the water.

Several people stood on the yacht's top deck with champagne in their hands. Music for wild partying drifted up from inside the lower deck.

Xie Wen took a sip of his drink and nudged Chu Zeshen with his shoulder. "Why don't you go down and have some fun? Several people here came just for you. Go join them. What's the point of standing here alone?"

Lu Shengfan reached out and took Xie Wen's glass. "Don't drink so much."

Caught off guard when his glass was snatched away, Xie Wen huffed. "Your big brother here can drink a thousand glasses without getting drunk. But you-wasn't there an accident in these waters a while ago? We even saw a search team on our way here. Why did you choose this route?"

News of the Gu Family head's disappearance at sea had already spread everywhere. The Gu Family was now embroiled in a bloody struggle for power. The position of family head was like a piece of meat in a wolves' den, with everyone eyeing it hungrily.

When something like this happened in a powerful family, outsiders merely watched the spectacle. Those who wanted to have fun kept having fun, and those with their own business went about it. Those who enjoyed the drama and wanted more trouble tossed a few fish into the murky waters to stir things up further.

"With search teams coming through so often lately, isn't this the perfect time for a trip out to sea?" Lu Shengfan smiled carelessly. "If we're unlucky enough to get into trouble, they'll get here faster."

Xie Wen caught the implication in Lu Shengfan's words. "Exactly. The Gu Family head would have made every possible preparation before going out to sea. How could disaster have struck so easily? Given the Gu Family's usual travel arrangements, natural causes should be less likely than human involvement in this accident, right?"

The waters within powerful families ran terribly deep. Beneath a seemingly calm lake, there might lurk a monstrous creature that devoured people.

As the two chatted freely, Chu Zeshen stayed out of the conversation, his gaze fixed on the yacht floating on the sea ahead.