458: Chapter 458 New Team Goes to Sea

The five former 'old fishermen' looked astonished. Could the resources in the sea now be different from before?

They had such a big haul, and it was still considered just average? Did they have to be so pretentious?

Finally, hearing from Zheng Tie that all these fishing spots were given by Yang Qi, the five men felt even more confident about the future of joining Yang Qi's team.

Yang Qi also received a message from Engineer Lin, transferred 3,000 yuan, and asked him to help buy some cigarettes—two packs per person.

He then called Yu Dafu and ordered three tables for dinner.

After unloading the catch, Zheng Tie invited Chen Sheng and the other five to his place to sit for a while, since they would all be colleagues from now on.

The business at Tide Cottage wasn't back to normal yet, so a few of them chatting in the living room wouldn't affect operations.

"Why don't we just set out to sea tomorrow? We'll use Yang Qi's 'setting sail' to get used to working together."

"It's just that his fishing boat only has one leisure cabin, so we can't go too far—just a one-day trip."

After passing out cigarettes to everyone, Zheng Tie suggested.

"Brother Tie, you just got back from sea. Don't you need to rest first?"

Wang Jinxi said.

"That's no problem. I'll rest tonight, and I'll be fine. I'll talk to Yang Qi and go refuel this afternoon."

Zheng Tie waved his hand, indicating he was fine, then immediately took out his phone to call Yang Qi and inform him of their decision.

Hearing this, Yang Qi was taken aback at first, then laughed and said:

"That's great. I'll go refuel in a bit. You all come over for dinner tonight. Their electric bikes are still at my place anyway."

After hanging up, Yang Qi said a quick word to Bai Xue, asking her to prepare dinner, then rushed off to refuel.

By the time he finished refueling and returned home, he saw that Uncle and the other six had already arrived and were drinking tea and chatting in the Sea-Viewing Pavilion.

When he went to the kitchen, he was surprised to find Yao Shanshan there too. It had been over a month since he last saw her.

"Oh! Shanshan's here?"

"Brother Qi, Happy New Year! I just arrived this afternoon."

Yao Shanshan greeted him with a smile.

"Happy New Year! You stayed in Yunnan for so long over the holiday!"

Since Yao Shanshan and Bai Xue kept in touch regularly, Yang Qi had a rough idea of Yao Shanshan's whereabouts.

"Yeah, I returned to my hometown on the 26th of the lunar year. I spent most of my time around Dianchi Lake."

"I heard from Xiao Xue that the new ship is almost ready for delivery and the crew is all hired. I wonder if I have a chance to join?"

Yao Shanshan said with a smile.

"Yes, those six outside are the crew. Also, the commission structure has changed. Initially, it's 0.5%, with a base salary of 5,000 yuan per month."

"That's much lower than your previous 5% commission, and the work will mostly involve long-distance voyages, which is very tough. Think it over first and see if you can accept it."

Yang Qi explained with a smile.

"Xiao Xue already told me all that. This is the normal salary and commission for crew members. I know you two were looking out for me last year, which is why the commission was so high."

"I also saw photos of the new ship—it's impressive! And I know about your fish-finding skills. I really want to join the crew and go to sea. I hope you'll take me. I'll work hard!"

Yao Shanshan said sincerely.

In truth, Yang Qi also hoped Yao Shanshan could join the crew, especially since her profession was as a mechanical maintenance technician.

The ship definitely needed someone with her skills—she was even more important than an ordinary crew member.

"Alright then, Shanshan, welcome aboard! Come on, I'll introduce you to the others!"

Yang Qi grinned.

"Everyone, let me introduce our mechanical maintenance technician, Yao Shanshan. Give her a welcome!"

Yang Qi brought Yao Shanshan to the Sea-Viewing Pavilion and introduced her.

Hearing that this tall beauty was actually a mechanic, everyone immediately pictured the rough, grease-covered guys they used to work with on ships. The contrast was just too stark!

"Hello!"

"Hello!"

Despite their surprise, everyone greeted her one after another.

"Uncle, you already know Shanshan. This is Wang Jinxi, Ding Kuan..."

Yang Qi introduced everyone from left to right to Yao Shanshan.

"Later, I'll create a group chat and add all of you for easier communication."

"Uncle, everyone, please enjoy your tea for now. I'm going to help Xiao Xue with dinner. I'll call you when it's ready!"

Yao Shanshan nodded to everyone and returned to the kitchen.

"Is that beauty really a mechanic? Tsk tsk, hard to imagine!"

Chen Sheng exclaimed.

"How could it be fake? She's Xiao Xue's close friend, and her specialty is mechanical maintenance. She sailed with us for over two months last year. She's a very competent and hardworking girl!"

Yang Qi explained.

"Tomorrow morning, just the seven of us will set out. We'll board at the town pier and return in the afternoon."

"Alright, we'll meet at the pier tomorrow morning."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

After dinner that evening, Yang Qi saw everyone off at the door, and they left together.

Bai Xue and Yao Shanshan already knew they wouldn't be going out to sea the next day. After cleaning up the kitchen, the two went to make gold jewelry again.

At three in the morning the next day, Yang Qi woke up early without disturbing Bai Xue. He took some supplies Bai Xue had prepared for him the night before and drove the 'setting sail' alone to Qingshan Town Pier.

From a distance, he saw Uncle and the others had already spotted his fishing boat and were coming over to meet him.

"Uncle, have you all had breakfast?"

"We just finished. You go eat first. We'll buy ice and bait."

Zheng Tie said to Yang Qi.

"Alright. Thanks, Uncle."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Zheng Tie waved his hand and left.

The others also started bringing their personal belongings onto the fishing boat—things like spare clothes, waterproof pants, gloves, and so on.

After happily finishing breakfast at a roadside stall, Yang Qi saw Uncle arriving by the boat with the bait delivery truck, which carried both frozen bait and Shrimps.

The ice delivery truck had just finished unloading. Everyone worked together to move the bait onto the fishing boat and store it properly.

After Yang Qi sounded the horn, the 'setting sail' slowly backed out of its berth and headed toward the planned destination.

After leaving the pier, the surroundings were still pitch black, with only a few faint stars visible in the sky, blinking as they watched the 'setting sail' journey forward.

Zheng Tie and the other six weren't idle either. They sat together on the deck, hanging chunks of frozen bait onto the hooks of the Longline Fishing gear.

Once these preparations were done, they could immediately deploy the Longline Fishing gear if they encountered a school of fish, saving a lot of time.

By now, it was already 4:30 a.m. The sky, which had been as dark as spilled ink, gradually began to lighten until it revealed the pale light of dawn.

The group of men watched the slowly rising sun with complete indifference. They just sat together chatting and smoking. Having seen the sunrise so often, they were practically sick of it.

It wasn't just them—even Yang Qi felt the same way.