Aruk's trembling voice came from behind.
Su Wei turned around.
The burly man from Alutiiq was leaning against the door frame of the cockpit, looking completely exhausted, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.
He looked at the boat full of fish, his lips trembling, and suddenly lunged forward.
Aruk gave Su Wei a tight hug.
A strong smell of sweat, fish, and cheap tobacco hit me.
You are my lucky star. You are a lucky star sent by God.
Aruk roared and slapped Su Wei's back hard, almost knocking back the Red Bull Su Wei had just drunk.
"This isn't fishing, it's robbing a bank. This trip... even including the fuel costs and losses, I'll get at least two thousand US dollars. Two thousand US dollars, Su Wei."
Su Wei struggled to break free from the suffocating bear hug.
"Calm down, Aruk."
He straightened the crumpled collar of his windbreaker. Although his tone was calm, his heart couldn't help but beat faster as he looked at the boat full of spoils.
A pale blue light screen appeared before my eyes.
[Crab catching complete.]
[Prey obtained: Alaska Snow Crab (LV1) x42]
[Evaluation: Precise placement and excellent luck. You didn't spare the baby crabs out of greed, adhering to the principles of sustainable hunting.]
[Gain Experience: Fishing Module +45]
[Current Progress: Fishing Module LV2 (77/300)]
The experience bar is steadily rising, and the next upgrade is getting closer.
Su Wei quickly calculated in his mind.
The purchase price for snow crabs fluctuates between $6 and $8 per pound, and these dozens of crabs weigh approximately 80 to 100 pounds. This is in addition to the previous high-value catch of fish.
The output over these few hours has already exceeded five thousand US dollars in total value.
This is only an initial assessment.
"It's not time to celebrate yet."
Su Wei patted Aruk's broad shoulder and pointed to the waterline.
"Look at the ship's side. Our freeboard is less than thirty centimeters right now. If we encounter big waves on the return voyage, we'll be the most expensive shipwreck in this sea."
Aruk followed Su Wei's finger and his expression changed.
The ship's gunwale, which was originally much higher than the waterline, was now half submerged by seawater.
As the waves rise and fall, seawater occasionally overflows into the drain holes along the edge of the deck.
I was so focused on pulling in the net that I completely overlooked the load limit.
"Now, return to the cockpit immediately."
Su Wei issued the order, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Returning at full speed is impossible. Maintain a speed of ten knots, try to sail against the waves, and avoid sideways impacts. I'll keep an eye on the aft deck to prevent cargo from sliding."
"Understood, Captain."
Aruk dropped his playful grin and nodded solemnly. He knew the seriousness of the situation.
If the boat capsizes at this point, it will truly be a case of extreme joy turning into sorrow.
The Wavebreaker clumsily turned its bow around.
The engine roared, the propeller churned the seawater, and propelled the overloaded boat toward the faint lighthouse of the distant St. Paul Harbor.
Su Wei leaned against the crab trap, which reeked of fish, took out the piece of marching rations from his pocket, tore open the packaging, and took a bite.
The rough, dry texture melted in his mouth, giving him a sense of comfort.
The cold wind was still raging, but he no longer felt the cold.
The engines of the Wavebreaker emitted a series of deep, rumbling roars.
Each time the boat climbed to the crest of a wave, the propeller at the stern would make a murky churning sound due to the deep draft.
Su Wei sat in the passenger seat, with only half a piece of wrapping paper left of his marching rations.
He stared at the windshield.
A thick layer of salt frost had formed on the surface, and the wipers struggled to move, making a harsh screeching sound.
The 24-foot-long aluminum alloy boat didn't seem to be sailing on the surface of the sea at this moment; it looked more like it was half-submerged in the sea.
The drainage holes on both sides of the ship were completely submerged by seawater, and the seawater on the deck could not be drained in time, so it could only be tossed about by the swaying of the ship.
The mountains of black cod and huge halibut were soaking in this layer of cold seawater.
Keep the accelerator steady, don't let up.
Su Wei swallowed the last bite of his dry rations, his voice calm.
Aruk gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands, his knuckles bulging.
This usually boisterous and tough guy Alutiiq, didn't even dare to breathe loudly at this moment.
He knew very well that the several thousand kilograms of cargo behind him were already overloaded, and if he made a single mistake, a side wave could hit him, posing a huge risk.
As they drew closer to the St. Paul Harbor, the raging waves were finally kept at bay by the breakwater.
The moment the ship entered the harbor, the previously violently rocking hull suddenly became stable.
Aruk let out a long breath, his whole body slumped in the driver's seat as if his bones had been removed.
"He survived..."
He wiped his face, took out a flattened cigarette from his pocket, and tried to light it several times with trembling hands.
Su Wei pushed open the hatch, and the cold air mixed with the smell of diesel fuel rushed into his nostrils.
There were already quite a few people on the dock.
This time of year coincides with the peak period for vessels operating in nearshore areas to return to port.
Several trawlers were unloading their catch, cranes were roaring, and a group of fishermen in yellow rubber overalls were busy on the shore.
The Wavebreaker slowly approached its berth.
Its waterline was frighteningly low; the seawater was practically lapping against the edge of the deck.
This unusual posture immediately attracted the attention of the experienced anglers on shore.
"Hey, is that Aruk's boat?"
An old fisherman, who was sitting on a mooring bollard smoking, squinted and pointed at the Wavebreaker, shouting.
"This is so heavy, is the cabin taking on water?"
"It doesn't look like it... it looks more like it's full."
Amidst the murmurs, Aruk skillfully tossed the cable toward the dock.
Su Wei stepped ashore, wrapped the cable around the iron stake in a standard figure-eight knot, and tightened it forcefully.
The boat's hull creaked as the cables pulled on the crash pads.
"Hey, Dad."
Aruk stood at the bow of the ship, waving to the back of the crowd, his voice filled with undisguised smugness.
The crowd was separated.
A stocky, middle-aged man with dark skin stepped out.
Old Kash.
He wore a faded old leather jacket, his hands in his pockets, his sharp gaze sweeping over the ship's gunwale, which was almost submerged in the water.
He ignored his son's call and walked straight to the edge of the berth, peering out onto the deck.
This glance made the veteran hunter, who had spent decades navigating the treacherous waters of Kodiak Island, pause for two seconds.
On the aft deck, two enormous flounders, each the size of a door panel, occupied the visual center, surrounded by shiny black cod, while in the makeshift storage box, a huge snow crab was waving its pincers, making a clicking sound.
"My God..."
An elderly fisherman who had come over nearby gasped in shock.
"Did they seize Bering Sea's entire fortune?"
Old Kash withdrew his gaze and looked at Su Wei, who was tidying up the cables.
Su Wei patted the rust off his hands and nodded slightly to the old man.
"A successful haul, Uncle Kash."
Old Kash's deeply lined face twitched very slightly at the corner of his mouth.
He knew these kids' capabilities all too well.