153: Chapter 153 Shanghai, Peace Hotel

He took the fish out one by one, skillfully scaling, gutting, and cleaning them with a small knife, his movements clean and efficient.

The prepared fish meat shimmered with a white luster in the morning light; it was incredibly fresh.

He cut the grouper into chunks to steam, braised the small yellow croakers directly, and sliced the large sea bass into thin fillets for sashimi.

Hu Tian took the pre-prepared seasonings, ginger, scallions, a bottle of soy sauce, and a small bottle of cooking wine out of his bag.

The portable stove on the yacht was lit, and blue flames danced at the bottom of the pot.

He first boiled water, placed the steamer on top, arranged the grouper chunks on a plate, drizzled them with cooking wine, topped them with ginger slivers, put them into the steamer, and covered it with the lid.

Steam soon began to rise, carrying a faint aroma of fish.

Next, he handled the yellow croakers, heating oil in a pan and frying the fish until golden brown on both sides, then adding soy sauce, sugar, and water to simmer over low heat until the sauce thickened.

The sea bass sashimi was simple; he arranged the sliced fish on a plate, squeezed lemon juice over it, and served it with wasabi and soy sauce—a top-tier sashimi dish.

The sun had fully risen, making the sea surface sparkle, and golden sunlight spilled onto the yacht's deck, feeling warm and cozy.

Hu Tian took out the steamed grouper, lifted the lid, and steam billowed out; the fish was white and tender. He poured hot oil and scallions over it, and with a sizzling sound, the aroma burst forth instantly.

The braised yellow croaker's sauce had also thickened, coating the fish and making it look shiny and glistening.

He set the three dishes on the deck, took a can of beer from his bag, sat down, and began to enjoy this breakfast at sea.

The grouper meat was tender and delicate, retaining its original flavor after steaming, fresh and sweet; the braised yellow croaker was savory and perfect with rice, its skin soft and sticky, the meat flavorful; the sea bass sashimi melted in his mouth, carrying the fresh sweetness of the ocean.

Hu Tian ate slowly, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

The sea breeze blew in, carrying a salty, damp scent mixed with the aroma of the fish, which whetted his appetite.

After finishing breakfast, he simply washed the tableware, packed his things, started the engine, and steered the yacht toward the Min River Estuary pier.

The yacht cut through the waves on the sea, leaving a long white wake behind the stern.

About two hours later, Hu Tian could already see the buildings of the Min River Estuary pier.

He slowed down, steered the yacht smoothly into the pier, and parked it in the spot he had originally rented.

There were already many people busy on the pier: workers loading and unloading cargo, staff inspecting boats, and a few tourists like him who had come to return their boats.

Hu Tian got off the boat, picked up his backpack, and walked toward the rental company's office.

"Sir, returning the boat?"

The staff member behind the counter looked up; he was a young man with an enthusiastic smile.

"Yes, here is the key."

Hu Tian placed the key on the counter.

"Wait a moment, let me check the condition of the boat."

The young man picked up a walkie-talkie and called over an inspector.

The inspector spent about ten minutes, then returned to report that everything was normal and there was no damage.

"Alright, sir, your deposit can be fully refunded; please wait a moment."

After completing the formalities, Hu Tian walked out of the rental company and took out his phone to call a taxi.

A dozen minutes later, a taxi stopped in front of him, and he opened the door and got in.

"Driver, to the high-speed railway station."

"Got it."

The driver was a middle-aged man in his forties with an authentic Fujian accent; he started the car and drove away from the pier.

On the way, the driver was very talkative, asking Hu Tian if he was there for tourism, where he had been, and how he had enjoyed himself.

Hu Tian casually replied a few words, saying he was there to relax, had gone fishing by the sea, and looked at the scenery.

"Then you chose the right place; we have great seafood and beautiful scenery here, though the weather is a bit hot," the driver said with a smile.

"It is indeed quite nice."

Hu Tian nodded, his gaze fixed on the streetscape rapidly receding outside the window.

Half an hour later, the taxi stopped at the entrance of the high-speed railway station.

Hu Tian paid the fare, got out, and walked into the high-speed railway station hall with his backpack.

The hall was bustling with people: travelers dragging suitcases, parents carrying children, students with backpacks—a diverse crowd gathered together, noisy yet orderly.

Hu Tian looked at the train information on the large screen and found the train he had booked: G1234, departing at 10:25, destination Shanghai Hongqiao.

He took out his ID card, collected his ticket at the self-service ticket machine, passed through security, and entered the waiting hall.

With twenty minutes left before departure, he found a seat, sat down, and took out his phone to browse the news.

The headlines were still reports on international affairs; something happened in the Middle East again, and relations between certain countries had become tense once more.

Hu Tian glanced at them, but had no interest.

Putting away his phone, the announcement for ticket checking came over the loudspeaker.

Hu Tian stood up, followed the crowd to the ticket gate, scanned his code to enter, and walked onto the platform.

The Fuxing train was already parked there, its silver-white body gleaming in the sunlight, and the streamlined design of the nose was full of technological aesthetics.

Hu Tian found his carriage, boarded, located his seat, placed his backpack on the luggage rack, and sat down.

It was a window seat, business class, and passengers were gradually filling up the surrounding seats.

On his right was a young girl wearing glasses, looking down at her phone; across the aisle on the left was a middle-aged couple whispering to each other.

The train departed on time, slowly pulling out of the platform, accelerating faster and faster, and soon entered a state of high-speed travel.

The scenery outside the window receded rapidly; fields, villages, tall buildings, tunnels—frame after frame flashed by like a movie.

Hu Tian adjusted his seat to recline, lay on his side, and looked out the window, but his mind was on his upcoming plans.

In two days, the Christies Autumn Auction would begin.

Hu Tian wasn't very interested in the items at the auction, but he was interested in the stories behind them.

The train was speeding along, its speed already exceeding 300 kilometers per hour.

Hu Tian closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat to take a short nap.

He didn't know how much time had passed when the announcement came over the loudspeaker that the train was about to arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao Station.

Hu Tian opened his eyes and checked his phone; more than an hour had passed.

The train slowed down, pulled into Hongqiao Station, and came to a slow stop at the platform.

Hu Tian took down his backpack, followed the crowd off the train, walked out of the platform, went through the long passageway, and arrived at the exit hall of Hongqiao Station.

The crowd was surging, much livelier than the Fuzhou high-speed railway station.

Shanghai lived up to its reputation as an international metropolis; everywhere were people in a hurry, speaking various languages and dragging various suitcases.

Hu Tian walked out of the station, arrived at the taxi stand, waited in line for about ten minutes, and finally got into a taxi.

"Driver, The Bund."

"Alright."

The driver was a Shanghai local, speaking with a heavy Shanghai accent; he started the car and drove away from the station.

The taxi drove onto the elevated road, passed through the bustling city center, and about forty minutes later, arrived at The Bund.

Through the window, Hu Tian saw the familiar scene—the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai Tower on the opposite bank of the Huangpu River; these iconic buildings were shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

Tourist boats were coming and going on the river, and the river breeze was blowing through the plane trees on the bank.

"Here we are, The Bund, Peace Hotel."

The driver stopped the car in front of an imposing building.

Hu Tian paid the fare, got out of the car, and looked up at the historic five-star hotel before him.

The Peace Hotel, built in 1929, is one of the most prestigious hotels in Shanghai, with its Gothic architectural style and green copper-tiled roof, making it stand out among the international architectural complex on The Bund.

A doorman immediately came up to greet him and took Hu Tian's backpack: "Sir, welcome."

Hu Tian walked into the lobby; the high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and marble floors were all permeated with luxury and a sense of historical gravitas.

Black-and-white photos of old Shanghai hung on the walls, telling the story of the city's past glory.

The receptionist was a young girl wearing a qipao, with a polite smile: "Hello, sir, do you have a reservation?"

"Yes, Hu Tian, Presidential Suite."

The girl checked the computer and nodded: "Mr. Hu, your room is ready, Room 1208; here is your key card."

She handed over two key cards and added, "You booked for five days and four nights, check-in is today, and check-out is at noon on the seventeenth, is that correct?"

"Correct."

"Very well, have a pleasant stay. If you need anything, please feel free to contact the front desk."

Hu Tian took the key cards and, led by the doorman, took the elevator to the twelfth floor.

The Presidential Suite was at the end of the corridor; the doorman swiped the card to open the door, pushed open the heavy solid wood door, and inside was a spacious living room.

The floor-to-ceiling windows faced the Huangpu River, offering an open view with the river scenery in full sight.

The living room was furnished with leather sofas, solid wood coffee tables, and antique vases; oil paintings hung on the walls, and the decor was in a typical Art Deco style, both retro and luxurious.

"Sir, the bedroom is this way."

The doorman pushed open another door.

The bedroom was equally spacious, with a King Size bed, fresh flowers on the nightstand, and a wardrobe, desk, and lounge area, all fully equipped.

The bathroom featured a wet and dry separation, a marble bathtub, an independent shower room, and toiletries from international luxury brands.

"If you don't have any other needs, I will take my leave."

The doorman said politely.

Hu Tian gave him a tip, and the doorman thanked him and left.

Hu Tian was the only one left in the room; he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the river view outside.

On the opposite bank, the skyscrapers of Lujiazui stood in a dense forest, tourist boats slowly passed on the river, and the distant skyline appeared faintly in the thin mist.

Hu Tian took a deep breath, feeling his whole body relax.

The experience at the Min River Estuary over the past few days, although it yielded great gains, had indeed consumed a lot of energy.

Now that he was back in the Magic City and staying in such a hotel, he could get a good rest.

He took out his phone and checked the time; it was two in the afternoon.

He opened WeChat, and his girlfriend Zhou Waner had sent a few messages, asking where he was.

Hu Tian replied: "In the Magic City, at the Peace Hotel on The Bund."

Zhou Waner replied in seconds: "Wow, so high-class? Did you get rich again?"

Hu Tian smiled and replied: "Just out to relax, treat myself a little better."

Zhou Waner: "Alright, next week the academy is organizing an exchange trip to the Capital Academy of Archaeology. Do you have time then? Let's go play in the capital."

Hu Tian: "Okay."

Putting away his phone, Hu Tian took off his jacket, lay on the bed, and closed his eyes.

The soft mattress, the comfortable pillow, the faint sound of ship whistles from the river outside the window—everything was so quiet and peaceful.

Unknowingly, he fell asleep.

By the time he woke up, it was already dark.

A poem reads: Fresh seafood at sea accompanies the morning light, traveling a thousand miles to Shanghai and Hangzhou. Dreaming on The Bund while listening to the night rain, waiting to see the sharpness revealed tomorrow.