“Rumble rumble~”
The moment the [Demon Ship] approached Zheng Hao, he jumped onto the deck like an impatient monkey.
“Thump~”
As soon as he landed, Zheng Hao even took off his shoes and neatly placed them to the side. Barefoot, he lay on the deck and began examining the planks beneath his feet.
The dark purplish-black boards were covered with crooked, twisted wood grain, giving off an eerie feeling.
“Brilliant~ brilliant~”
“These old black wood textures naturally create that aged feel of an ancient ship…”
“This wood, this color…”
“And the atmosphere on this ship…”
“Perfect! Absolutely perfect!”
His fingers continuously stroked the wooden planks. He even pressed his face against them, feeling every inch of detail.
From the deck to the railings, his hands kept moving over the worn wood, his eyes filled with delight.
“You…”
“You…”
Mo Yurou’s face had already turned red, and she did not dare to speak.
Never… never had anyone appreciated her ship so carefully.
Even the dock workers, when seeing these dark purplish planks, showed only disgust and had never stepped onto her deck.
Every time they delivered cargo, they simply threw it onto her deck and left.
But now…
Zheng Hao’s ecstatic expression left her not only surprised, but also confused.
So…
There really were people who liked a ship like hers?
Murmuring softly, even the untouched [Helm] inside the [Captain’s Cabin] seemed to grow warm.
“Incredible!”
“This aged appearance, combined with the Demon Ship’s structure…”
“Oh~ and this slightly worn sail…”
Grabbing the old mast, Zheng Hao rubbed it up and down enthusiastically, causing the entire ship to tremble slightly.
“You…”
“You… stop touching it!”
“Stop touching it!!!”
A shy voice came from the [Captain’s Cabin]. Zheng Hao finally snapped out of his excitement and looked suspiciously toward the black triangular cabin.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…”
“I’m ticklish… the mast is my sensitive spot…”
“If you keep touching it, the propeller… the propeller might lose power and stop turning…”
“Uh…”
“Sorry… sorry about that…”
“You’re just too beautiful. I couldn’t hold back…”
Scratching his head apologetically, Zheng Hao genuinely loved the Demon Ship’s form.
That sense of decay, distortion, and the aged color of the wood… wasn’t this the perfect Lovecraftian-style vessel?
Who wouldn’t love it?!
“…”
Tap… tap…
For a moment, the ship fell into silence. The atmosphere turned slightly awkward, with only the distant sound of waves hitting the hull.
“Rumble rumble~”
After a while, the Demon Ship’s sails filled with wind as it began moving southeast.
The Zheng Family of Shanhai Region was well known to occupy the most resource-rich southeastern corner.
Even without Zheng Hao guiding her, Mo Yurou knew the direction.
“Whoosh whoosh~”
The evening sea breeze was cool and sharp. Zheng Hao leaned against the railing, his gaze drifting toward the black triangular [Captain’s Cabin].
A man’s instinct told him: he wanted to go inside.
He wanted to explore Mo Yurou’s internal structure more deeply.
Unfortunately…
In this world, [Ship Maidens] could only connect mentally with their contracted [Navigators].
Only those who had formed a contract could enter the [Captain’s Cabin].
It was said that some proud, high-quality [Ship Maidens] would only ever contract with one [Navigator] in their entire lives.
But from what Zheng Hao knew of Demon Sea Star’s story, the protagonist Zhou Hang would later go to a place called the [Merchant Assembly], where “B-grade Ship Maidens” were sold and competed.
They…
Though called [Ship Maidens], were more like commodities.
Their contracts had likely been changed countless times, and no one knew how many people had entered their [Captain’s Cabin].
Perhaps those Ship Maidens had already become numb to life.
As for Mo Yurou, in the original story, after being abandoned by Zhou Hang, she too eventually ended up in the [Merchant Assembly] due to her unstable life…
There was no helping it…
A low-quality Ship Maiden that had already been used by others found it extremely difficult to find a suitable [Navigator] again. Without a navigator partner, they could only perform basic transport, earning barely enough to maintain themselves.
Over time, a Ship Maiden’s lifespan would decline.
Gazing quietly at the Demon Ship, Zheng Hao muttered softly.
“Don’t worry…”
“If one day you really follow me…”
“Even if I die, I won’t sell my first Ship Maiden…”
The glow of the sunset reflected on the young man’s face, scattering faint warmth across the deck.
Suddenly…
The ship slowed down, and Mo Yurou’s quiet voice sounded.
“Hey…”
“You…”
“Why do you like a ship like me?”
She knew that Zheng Hao’s earlier reaction had not been fake.
More than anything, she was puzzled.
Puzzled why this young master, who could easily have far better ships at home, would become so excited upon seeing her ship.
“I told you…”
“I like your kind of body. Do you believe me?”
“You…”
“Have some decency!”
“Hey…”
“How about becoming my Ship Maiden? As long as I’m living well, you won’t go hungry for a single day!”
Zheng Hao suddenly became serious. In a few steps, he stood before the [Captain’s Cabin], his hand stroking the wooden surface, his eyes filled with possessiveness.
“You… you…”
“You know I’m an E-grade Ship Maiden, right?”
“You…”
“Are you playing with me?”
Looking at Zheng Hao warily, as his hand touched the [Captain’s Cabin], a strange warmth spread through her, making the entire ship feel light and floating.
“I’m playing with you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“If people outside heard that the dignified young master of the Zheng Family casually contracted a Ship Maiden only to abandon her…”
“How would I ever contract other Ship Maidens in the future?”
“So…”
“Mo Yurou, I’m serious!”
Smack!
His heated palm landed on the cabin door. Mo Yurou’s heartbeat sped up rapidly, and the ship’s propeller suddenly stalled, stopping abruptly on the sea.
“You… why did you choose me?!”
“Can’t you tell? I just like your type!”
Thick-skinned and confident, Zheng Hao could see the Demon Ship’s sail swelling unusually.
He knew Mo Yurou was hesitating.
As he was about to gently touch the cabin door again, Mo Yurou scolded softly, “Take your hand away!”
“Sorry…”
“Your Captain’s Cabin looks really good…”
“Besides, the agreement only says I can’t forcibly enter the Captain’s Cabin. It doesn’t say I can’t admire it, right?”
Retracting his hand, Zheng Hao revealed an innocent expression.
“Rumble rumble~”
The propeller spun with a slightly annoyed rhythm. Mo Yurou remained silent for a long time.
“Hey…”
“If I want to prove my sincerity…”
“How about this…”
“If one day I awaken an SSS-grade support talent, I’ll be the first to contract with you. That way, you won’t reject me, right?”
Leaning against the [Captain’s Cabin], Zheng Hao said casually.
“…”
“Rumble rumble~”
Mo Yurou did not respond. Only the sound of the propeller echoed around them.
“Hmph~”
“We’ll talk about it when that day comes~”