For sea urchin hunters, time is precious, and conditions on the sea surface can change in an instant.
Oxygen levels, physical condition, and certain marine creatures pose constant threats to their lives.
Compared to the docile great white shark, the seven-gill shark is smaller in size but far more ferocious. They bite divers’ hands and feet, dragging them underwater and causing drowning.
In addition, one must be cautious of seals on the shore, especially those with pups. These creatures have a strong territorial instinct.
All this knowledge had been shared with her by the coach and her teammates.
Zhong Xiwang kept her hands busy while nervously scanning her surroundings.
Fortunately, she saw no sign of seven-gill sharks—only many beautiful fish swaying their tails.
On the seabed, apart from the seaweed swaying with the currents, the most prominent features were the spiny sea urchins.
As bag after bag of sea urchins was delivered to the small boat, the two large containers quickly filled up and needed to be transported to the fishing vessel for refrigeration.
Sitting on the boat, Zhong Xiwang deliberately ignored the strange glances the crew members occasionally cast her way, discreetly touching the small pistol tucked behind her waist.
Feeling reassured that her self-defense weapon was still in place, she relaxed a little.
Sea urchins are not called “gold in the water” for nothing. Worldwide demand for this delicacy far exceeds supply. As long as the weather permits, experienced hunters can earn up to two thousand dollars a day.
After delivering the sea urchins, everyone returned to the small boat once again.
With her first experience under her belt, Zhong Xiwang became more adept at plucking sea urchins from the seabed.
In her eyes, the spiny sea urchins transformed into stacks of U.S. dollars, and she eagerly gathered “money from the ground.”
Just as Zhong Xiwang was fully engrossed, the rope attached to the top of her collection bag was tugged.
Her teammates above used this method to signal her to surface.
Seeing her look up, Jess made an upward gesture.
Zhong Xiwang nodded in immediate understanding.
Upon reaching the surface, she saw a dark cloud looming in the distance. With the sea breeze, it was likely to drift over soon.
Paul on the small boat took her collection bag, pulled her aboard, and quickly led the team back to the fishing vessel.
Once everyone was on board, Parker steered the boat away from the approaching dark cloud, his expression grave and serious.
The weather at sea is unpredictable like that.
For everyone’s safety, he had no choice but to change locations.
At first, the atmosphere remained relatively relaxed, with occasional jokes Zhong Xiwang couldn’t understand.
Jess, however, didn’t join their conversation. He sat close to Zhong Xiwang, his light gray eyes openly scrutinizing her.
Feeling his gaze, Zhong Xiwang suppressed her annoyance and turned to him with a smile, initiating a conversation.
“How long have you been in this line of work?”
Jess averted his eyes. “Almost ten years. I started learning spearfishing with my father when I was fifteen. After winning a spearfishing championship, I joined the sea urchin team.”
Zhong Xiwang feigned surprise and admiration. “Wow, you’re really impressive.”
Inside, however, she felt nothing.
Yet she continued to listen to Jess with apparent curiosity, occasionally gasping in feigned amazement.
Jess’s vanity swelled. He suddenly leaned closer to Zhong Xiwang and whispered in her ear, “There’s so much more. If you want to know, I can tell you everything after we get off the boat…”
His suggestive tone immediately made Zhong Xiwang grasp the deeper meaning, her lips curling with a hint of coldness.
If it weren’t for the need for practical qualification certificates to join a formal hunting team, she would never have sat with such a group of addicts.
To avoid returning empty-handed today, Parker had no choice but to lead everyone to a more remote stretch of sea.
It was also at this moment that they finally moved completely away from that dark cloud.
However, Parker’s expression remained tense.
Because this place was unfamiliar to him—aside from being unable to guarantee the plumpness and quality of the sea urchins, there were also uncertain dangers.
Considering Zhong Xiwang, he offered a few reminders.
Jess once again played the role of protector, declaring that he would take good care of the new team member.
Seeing his meaningful gaze, the other teammates exchanged knowing smiles before leaving.
Zhong Xiwang, indifferent, adjusted her gear and descended into the water.
As they made trip after trip transporting sea urchins, deep within the nearby island, among a grove of tall fir trees, a tall, slender, and eerie figure quietly watched the humans on the sea.
His grayish-white head was bald and featureless, with only two hollows where eyes should be, like an unfinished clay doll. Listening to the chatter of these unfamiliar creatures, he slowly turned his head to “look” in Zhong Xiwang’s direction.