After Reincarnating as the Dragon King, I Made a Fortune with Seafood – CH33

Chapter 33: Inspecting the Boat

Lu Ao searched for quite a while and finally settled on a fishing boat numbered Qianming Fishing 0356.

This fishing boat was a domestically produced fishing vessel from 2013, with a steel hull. The hull was 26.7 meters long, with a gross tonnage of 77, a net tonnage of 28, a beam of 5.6 meters, a molded depth of 2.3 meters, and a total power of 106 kilowatts.

For a fishing boat this size, if it were brand new and bought from a shipyard, the price would start at over a million no matter what. He would also have to place an order first and slowly wait for delivery.

But the starting price for this judicial auction was only three hundred thousand, less than one-third the price of a new boat.

Xiao Du was quite familiar with this boat. After one glance, he said, “The original owner of this boat went bankrupt, so the court put it up for auction. I heard it’s been maintained pretty well. The core components inside are good, but the exterior looks pretty average.”

Lu Ao said, “I’ll note it down first.”

Xiao Du asked, “You’re not choosing any other boats?”

“There aren’t any others suitable.”

“I thought you’d prefer a larger boat.”

Lu Ao said, “As long as it’s enough to use.”

This boat was actually already on the larger side. It was just that the price was cheap, and there were no other suitable boats among the auction listings, so Lu Ao temporarily chose this one.

Xiao Du glanced at the page. “There are still seventeen days before the auction starts. The boat is docked in Qianming Bay. If you’re interested, you can go take a look first. If it suits you, then you can pay the deposit and enter the auction process.”

Lu Ao acknowledged him.

He continued searching for other information online.

The expert team still had not finished, and no one came to call Lu Ao over for questioning. Xiao Du simply wrote his report while slacking off together with Lu Ao.

Lu Ao had boxed lunch at the Public Security Bureau for lunch.

After waiting for a while, Lu Ao grew a little impatient and wanted to go out for a walk. Captain Zhang quickly came over to soothe him and brought him the final draft of the written report from yesterday to review one last time.

After Lu Ao confirmed there were no problems, he signed it and directly asked, “Captain, when can I go back?”

“Wait a little longer. It’ll definitely be done tomorrow. If it’s fast, it might be done today. Since you’re here, we’ll continue calculating your daily wage as usual.” Captain Zhang comforted him. “You were simply too quick. You helped us retrieve the laptop after only one day of salvage work. We applied for a bonus for you too, around twenty thousand. It’ll be transferred to your account when the time comes.”

After hearing this, Lu Ao could not very well bring up leaving again.

Captain Zhang put away the report and smiled. “Aren’t you interested in bidding on that judicial auction boat? The expert team should be done soon. Once they finish asking questions, I’ll have Xiao Du drive you over to take a look.”

Lu Ao’s expression softened a little.

Seeing that he had finally managed to calm him down, Captain Zhang gave Old Gao a look, telling him to keep an eye on Lu Ao, then went over to communicate with the expert team and ask whether they could finish Lu Ao’s part of the work first.

The experts were quite interested in Lu Ao and had no objections. After finishing what they had on hand, they called Lu Ao over.

Lu Ao had become rather good at dealing with this kind of questioning. He said what he could say, and for what he could not, he simply claimed not to know. He did not leave the experts a single loophole.

They went back and forth for more than an hour, recording video and having him sign documents. Lu Ao’s part was finally finished.

There was nothing else for him after this. Lu Ao found Captain Zhang and said, “Then I’ll head back first. I’ll go check out of the guesthouse later.”

Captain Zhang also breathed a sigh of relief, but still tried to keep him. “You’re going back today? We’re having a celebration banquet tomorrow.”

“I won’t attend the banquet. I have livestock at home. If there’s a chance next time, we can work together again and eat then.”

“Alright then.” Captain Zhang said warmly, “How about I have one of our colleagues drive you back?”

“No need. I can go back by myself. I’m also meeting a friend tonight. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“That’s fine too. Then I wish you a smooth journey.” Captain Zhang said, “Let’s work together again if we have the chance.”

After finishing matters at the Public Security Bureau, Lu Ao returned to the guesthouse to pack. He had only brought some clothes. Once they were packed into his suitcase, he could leave.

Song Zhou got off work quite early today and appeared in Lu Ao’s room shortly after five in the afternoon.

When Lu Ao saw him, he was playing on his phone. Seeing Song Zhou, he breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought you’d arrive later.”

“No. I got off work early today.” Song Zhou asked, “Shall we set off now?”

“Mm. I’ll check out first and leave my luggage at the front desk.”

The two went downstairs together to handle the storage.

As the receptionist worked, she could not help feeling puzzled and glanced at Song Zhou a few more times.

She had been sitting in the lobby all afternoon, staring outside without blinking, but she had not seen when this man had gone upstairs. Logically speaking, with someone this distinctive, she would not have missed him.

Song Zhou noticed the receptionist’s gaze and nodded at her.

This receptionist was not the one who had received Lu Ao earlier. When their eyes met, her ears quietly reddened. She pursed her lips and smiled. Even her voice softened a little as she said to Lu Ao, “Sir, your storage has been processed. This is your claim slip.”

“Alright, thank you.” Seeing that her gaze kept falling on Song Zhou, Lu Ao quickly put away the slip and said to Song Zhou, “Let’s go.”

“Where are we eating?”

Lu Ao became interested. “Let’s go to the food stall where I had late-night food. I asked them. They’re open twenty-four hours, so there’ll be people there even now.”

“You like that place that much?”

“The ingredients there are quite fresh. Their roasted pig trotters are especially good. I’ll take you to try them.”

A trace of a smile appeared in Song Zhou’s eyes. “Alright. Later, I’ll see if I can figure out how they make them.”

“That might be hard.”

“Then we’ll have the chef in our courtyard see if he can recreate it.”

“I think if it’s your chef, there probably won’t be a problem. But didn’t you say he’s too lazy to even cook?”

“He should be fine helping out once in a while.”

The two went to eat roasted pig trotters together. Lu Ao ate with particular satisfaction.

If there was any pleasant surprise from coming to Qianyong City, it was probably discovering this food stall.

After dinner, it was only a little past six. The sky had not yet darkened, but the evening glow had already appeared.

Lu Ao pulled Song Zhou into a taxi and headed to the pier. “I saw a judicial auction boat today. It looks pretty decent. Want to go take a look?”

“You want to buy a fishing boat?”

“Mm. I can’t keep freeloading off other people, and I don’t want to stay limited to fishing near the village entrance forever.”

“Are judicial auction boats usually rather old and worn?” Song Zhou pondered for a moment, choosing his words. “If you don’t have enough money, I have some.”

Lu Ao waved his hand. It was not a matter of money.

He had donated tens of thousands at a time to Project Hope. Even if the money he had now was not quite enough, if he saved a little more, buying a new boat within the year would be no problem at all.

He simply felt that a boat was a tool, and there was no need to be too wasteful.

The two soon arrived at the pier. Following the address Xiao Du had given him, Lu Ao searched boat by boat and quickly found the Qianming Fishing 0356 boat he wanted to bid on.

This boat had already been in service for more than three years. Perhaps because it had been neglected, the boat was covered in rust, with many miscellaneous items piled on it.

The cabin was not open, but through the dusty glass windows, one could see that it was also full of clutter. Many of the instruments had faded.

Lu Ao had not expected this scene and felt rather disappointed.

Song Zhou glanced at it. “Why not buy a new boat?”

“Let’s look a bit more.” Lu Ao was unwilling to give up and looked around.

It was a good boat. The main body was made with good materials. It was just that it had been badly mistreated.

Lu Ao knocked here and there. “Sit for a while. I’ll ask Brother Zhang and the others.”

Song Zhou found a clean spot nearby and sat down, listening to him make the call.

When Lin Manzhang received the call, he was a little surprised. He only knew that Lu Ao had taken on a job these past few days, but he did not know that Lu Ao was in Qianyong City.

After hearing Lu Ao say he wanted to buy a boat, he asked, “You’re buying a boat so soon? Weren’t you going to fish for two years first?”

“Buying one more boat gives me one more option.”

Hearing how lightly he said it, Lin Manzhang reminded him, “Have you thought it through? Fishing boats aren’t cheap. Buying the boat is a big sum of money, and maintaining it is another big sum. Fuel costs, berthing fees, and so on are all unavoidable every month.”

“I’ll buy one first and try it.”

Lu Ao got to the point. “Brother Zhang, do you know Xinluzhou Manhehai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.? How are their boats?”

“Manhehai? They’re an old-brand shipbuilding company. The boats they build have a good reputation. But I heard their orders are already booked for two years from now. What, are you planning to place an order with their shipyard?”

“Not exactly. I want to buy a judicial auction boat. It’s 26.7 meters long, with a gross tonnage of 77. It was manufactured in 2013, and the starting price is only three hundred thousand. I want to give it a try.”

“That price is very cheap!” After hearing this, Lin Manzhang quickly calculated in his mind and asked, “What’s the current condition of the boat?”

“According to the documents, all equipment and facilities are complete and intact, but the exterior is quite battered, with rust everywhere.”

“Then has this boat ever had an accident? Has it ever been repaired?”

“According to the documents, no.”

“If not, then it’s feasible. Boats are like this. Out at sea, with strong winds and waves, if you don’t maintain them, they get old very quickly. If you only care about this, after buying it, you can send it for maintenance, repaint it and so on. It’ll look just like new again. Simple maintenance should only cost around ten or twenty thousand.”

“Alright. So this boat is actually pretty good?”

“Based on the documents, it’s good, if all the information you found is true. Actually, I don’t understand this too well either. If you’re really worried, you can find someone who repairs boats to help you inspect it. The consultation fee won’t cost much, and it’ll be more accurate than checking it yourself.”

Lu Ao had not thought of that before. “Brother Zhang, do you know anyone?”

“No. Aren’t you in Qianyong City? There are plenty of capable people there. Ask around?”

After the call, Lu Ao felt that Lin Manzhang made a lot of sense.

After thinking it over, he eventually asked Xiao Du.

Xiao Du had just gotten off work and finished dinner.

Rarely having free time, he carefully thought for a while before saying, “I don’t know many people either, but Old Wen’s younger brother seems to be an engineer. How about asking him?”

Old Wen had nearly given Lu Ao psychological trauma. For a moment, Lu Ao did not respond.

Xiao Du quietly tried to mediate. “When nature calls, it calls. Old Wen and the others didn’t do it on purpose. He wanted to apologize to you this afternoon too.”

Lu Ao said, “That’s not the problem. I’m not very familiar with him. Going to him for help feels a bit strange.”

Xiao Du volunteered, “What’s strange about that? If you feel embarrassed, I’ll make the connection for you.”

Lu Ao said, “Then I’ll trouble you. I’m willing to pay five thousand as a consultation fee. Help me ask whether his brother is willing to make a trip.”

“Alright, I’ll ask right now.”

After agreeing, Xiao Du asked again, “You don’t have the key, so you can’t go inside, right? Should I ask for the key so you can go in and take a look?”

“Alright.”

“Okay then. Wait for my good news. I’ll reply to you later.”

Lu Ao hung up the phone and saw Song Zhou looking at him. “What?”

Song Zhou shook his head, his eyes carrying a smile. “Watching you set people up is rather interesting.”

Lu Ao touched his nose uncomfortably. “It’s alright. I didn’t really set anyone up. Xiao Du volunteered to help.”

“Didn’t Xiao Du dislike you a little at first? Why did his attitude change so quickly?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he admires me a little.”

The two stood on the deck, feeling the wind.

A while later, Xiao Du called to say that Old Wen had already persuaded his younger brother and that he could come over around eight.

Lu Ao immediately transferred six thousand yuan to Xiao Du. Five thousand was for Old Wen’s younger brother’s fee, and one thousand was for Xiao Du’s trouble.

Xiao Du quickly transferred it back, saying that his profession was special and he could not accept it. He could not accept gifts either.

Lu Ao did not force him. He planned to repay this favor next time there was a chance.

Xiao Du and Old Wen’s younger brother, Little Wen, arrived quickly.

Little Wen was also in his thirties, with a square face and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He looked rather refined.

After both sides greeted each other, Little Wen did not delay. “I’ll take a look at the boat first.”

Lu Ao nodded. “Thank you for the trouble.”

The streetlights here were quite bright. Xiao Du had brought the boat key, and they entered the cabin and turned on the lights.

The boat was brightly lit.

Little Wen inspected the hull item by item. He had specially brought a notebook and recorded each piece of data for later analysis.

Xiao Du was not a professional. He walked at the side and could not help much, so he simply turned around and chatted with Lu Ao. His gaze occasionally landed on Song Zhou as well.

Lu Ao asked, “What are you looking at?”

“Your friend. Both of you have such good temperaments, and you look like you have a great relationship. Where does Mr. Song work?”

Song Zhou smiled slightly. “Xinluzhou.”

“That’s pretty far. Is Mr. Song here on a business trip?”

“Not exactly. I came to eat with Lu Ao.”

Xiao Du was rather envious. “A special meetup?”

“Sigh, I also want a friend who would travel so far just to meet up with me.”

Xiao Du did not think in any other direction. He was simply making idle conversation.

Over there, Little Wen finished inspecting very quickly. Before long, he returned and analyzed each point for Lu Ao.

Professionals always spoke very concisely.

Lu Ao listened for a while and asked, “So overall, there are no problems, and this boat is worth buying, right?”

“Yes. Very worth it.” Little Wen said, “If you have it overhauled and refurbished, it should cost around a hundred thousand. After that, this boat won’t be much different from a new one.”

Lu Ao’s heart stirred. “Mr. Wen, do you have a factory you can recommend for that?”

Little Wen pushed up his glasses. “Our factory can do it. If you send it to us, we can give you a discount.”

Lu Ao raised his eyes.

Little Wen explained, “It’s my father-in-law’s factory. The craftsmanship is decent, and the price is fairly cheap.”

Lu Ao had not expected things to go so smoothly. He asked, “May I ask which factory?”

“Qinyin Ship Repair Yard. I’ll send you the materials later. If you want modifications, we can also do those within legal limits.”

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