[comprehensive] red tide

Passing by Sift station, not long after, through the window of the fast-moving sea train among the waves, the islands floating on the vast expanse of ocean crashed into my eyes like this.

The capital of the seven waters, which is famous for its great waterways in the shipbuilding industry, is the brightest sea pearl among the countless islands dotted with seven routes in the first half.

The first time I saw it, I fell in love.

That is the love of homesickness, the pain of branding the blood, even if you die, you can't bear to forget it.

Seven Water Capital, even though my memory is fragmented, I still remember that this is the only one where the prototype of the island comes from the real place, or it should be said that the Seven Water Capital has the shadow of Venice, the Western European water capital.

Even though I was born in an eastern country on the other side of the earth, standing here at this moment, I still feel a sense of time and space disorder.

As if in a flash, I finally went back to the past. After many years, I was exhausted from travel and dust, but my hometown was still peaceful and peaceful.

In a trance, I just felt my heart constrict, and suddenly the pain was so painful that I couldn't restrain myself.

…………

Coming to the island, the buildings are densely packed, and the end can not be seen at a glance. The waterways are densely covered like spider webs, connecting the whole city. Under the bright sun, the sparkling waves embroider a faint outline for all the scenery. The waves, reflecting up and down, are dazzling.

The highest point of view is said to be where the shipyard is located. A few years ago, all the shipyards in the capital of seven waters merged to form Carrera Corporation. The president (囧) Mr. Esbagu, the islanders nicknamed it 'Iceberg'.

Originally, according to the plan, he should go to the Carrera Company as soon as possible, but for some reason, his feet were still unwilling to take that direction. I think this is probably caused by a nostalgic mentality.

After several hesitation, I still couldn't make up my mind, so I could only shrug my shoulders, let the greed in my mind suppress the scheduled schedule, and look for a temporary habitat instead.

…………

Due to the special urban construction of the City of Seven Waters, [-]% of the island residents' access and transportation depend on water conservancy. A creature called a calf fish swims through the waterways with a flat-bottomed boat, and countless shops will also be opened. The location is set at the water's edge, and even a slightly larger boat is used to move around.

I declined the advice given by the person who stopped me to ask for directions, and I held the little guy in my arms, and strolled along the waterfront road slowly.

In the mid-air, there are large flocks of birds fluttering over the houses, and children playing and making noise from the corner of the alley from time to time, accompanied by the woman's doting scolding.

In addition to the sea-salt-flavored warm air, there is also a few traces of ordinary people's fireworks overlaid on the nose.

Perhaps the happiness of every peaceful island seems familiar. In addition to evoking my homesickness here, it also looks a bit like O'Hara in the West Sea.

After I realized it, I seemed to be more slack, and because of this greed in my heart, I had to apologize to the deputy captain who was waiting in the Chambord Islands—— anyway, he had been waiting for more than [-] years. Let me stay a few more days.

I know that this is the first half of the great channel, and I remember that O'Hara in the West Sea disappeared 20 years ago, but I was so addicted because I knew too much, even if it was just an illusion, I couldn't bear to wake up.

…………

I found a branch of a world government/holding bank on the commercial street, handed the items to be exchanged to the staff behind the counter, and was ushered into the VIP reception room 10 minutes later.

The person in charge of the reception is the manager here, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, but he talks warmly without losing his demeanor. He sits opposite me and carefully examines a plate of gems placed on the table with a polarizer.

Thick and deep red like blood, blue and clear like the sea, tender and tender like the first buds blooming from the branches in spring, crystal clear and bright like stars, each one the size of a knuckle, scattered on the black velvet and shimmering with cold and glamorous light.

They come from the trees full of gems on Wish Island. They were collected along the way when I went to the island for the second time. Although there are not too many of them, they can also be solved. At present, I am penniless and urgent.

After waiting for a while, the man let out a shallow breath, put down the testing instrument in his hand, raised his gaze, and said with a sincere expression, "Do you need to deposit these gems?"

"No—" I leaned back on the sofa, folded the swaddling clothes in my arms, and replied with a smile, "Sell them all, can your bank buy them?"

"Well——" the man rubbed his hands, glanced at the velvet tray, paused, and said in a low voice, "Actually, we don't have this business, but..."

"They are so beautiful, I am honored to contact the buyer for you." The man's voice was lower, and there was some kind of deep meaning in his eyes, "Why don't I estimate the price for you first, and then-"

"Then trouble you." The corner of my mouth was bent, and I paused for a few seconds. I said again in the vaguely happy expression of the other party, "I need a boat. I think the husband has someone he knows."

"Ship?" The man was stunned for a moment, and asked back, "Why don't you go to Carrera Company?"

"I'm in a hurry." I looked down at the little guy who was sleeping soundly wrapped in swaddling clothes, and pursed the corners of my mouth, "It doesn't matter if it's second-hand, sir, there should be a way."

After thinking about it, I leaned forward slightly, and I freed my hand to pick out two gems from the tray, and threw them into the man's hand, "One is for you, and one is for me to exchange for some cash, and the rest will be sold at a valuation." Buy a boat and come back."

"If it's not enough, I'll think of a way to do these things. I will pay you another commission. Money is not a problem."

As I spoke, my eyes fell, and my hand turned to the tray on the table for entertaining guests. I picked up a teaspoon inside, slowly kneaded it into a metal ball, and then let go of my fingertips to let the A discarded teaspoon hit the glass table, knocking and rolling some distance.

In the end, I raised my eyes a little bit, squinted my eyes, and stared at the man whose face became a little horrified, and smiled softly, "Just don't play tricks on me."

With his eyes wide open, the man said in a breathless tone after a long time, "Devil Fruit?!"

"No, I have strong hands." Leaning back to the original position, I withdrew my hand, patted the little guy who was a little restless in his sleep, and softened my voice slightly, "Then, how long can you give me news?"

The man's expression changed several times, and finally he seemed to be gritting his teeth. The hesitation and panic disappeared between his brows, revealing professional shrewdness, "Three days, I can give you definite news in three days."

"Okay - I'll come back in three days." I nodded, picked up the cup of scented tea that was not completely cold, and raised the cup to the man, "I wish us a happy cooperation."

…………

The first step in completing the original plan is to find a temporary residence here.

The hotel where we stayed is located at the junction of the commercial street and the residential area. It is a family-run business model. It is a two-story building with white walls and red tiles. Half of the yard is filled with seawater. The host family has three members, plus a local specialty calf As a means of transportation, the vacant rooms are leased to tourists who visit the island.

The proprietress of the hotel is a slightly fat woman. I don’t know what she misunderstood on the day of the stay. She has shown considerable enthusiasm for the past few days. First, she gave me some children’s clothes, and from time to time brought me some food suitable for children. So thoughtful that I could hardly resist it.

Although those clothes were only worn by the brats of this family, and Pinocchio's physique made him useless because of Pinocchio's physique, but the behavior of such an ordinary family made people feel soft.

…………

I live in the farthest room on the second floor. Through the window, I can have a panoramic view of most of the island. These two days when the little guy is awake, he likes to let me sit in front of the window and watch the scenery.

Outlining the meandering flowing water channel is like a crystal embedded in the edge of the building. In the daytime with sufficient light, the scenery reflected on the glass is as beautiful as a painting.

The little guy seemed to be fascinated by this place too, his eyeballs rolled around, and his mouth was humming. Although he didn't understand what it meant, the joyful expression on his fleshy face was very obvious.

When the appointed day came, I tidied myself up a bit and went downstairs to go to the bank with my little guy who was still very energetic at this time of the year in my arms.

Then I met the proprietress of the hotel in the yard and learned that I was not going out for a walk but to do some business. She kindly suggested that I leave the little one for her to help with.

I looked down at the unusually lively little thing writhing in my arms, thought for a while and declined, thanked her again for lending the calf fish, and then walked out of the hotel slowly.

At this time, it was close to noon, and the commercial street in the middle of the day was very lively.

Walking through the streets and alley corners, whether it is passers-by passing by, or a cow fish boat driving on the water, every face in the field of vision is peaceful and comfortable.

The little guy is wearing the jumpsuit given by the proprietress today, round like a little frog.

Now this little frog is jumping up and down on his feet, trying to grab my hair, but because of my prescient ponytail, the little guy failed to do so.

It didn't take long for the little thing to turn his attention away, look around, especially like to chatter at the fish swimming in the water, and then those chubby creatures would lean towards the shore uncontrollably, humming strangely. Syllables, like responses.

And at this time, the people in the cattle and fish boats will smile unconsciously.

…………

The journey was delayed for a while. When I saw the bank's signboard, I also saw that man standing outside the door that day, looking left and right, with a very peaceful expression.

From this point of view, it seems that the expected bad situation has not happened?

Surrounded by a wave of people, when I stood nearby, the man stared at the little guy for a few seconds, then looked me up and down, and finally seemed to recognize him, "Ah—you... "

I looked down at myself in a T-shirt and trousers, and the corners of my eyes twitched slightly, but changing the cloak, how could the effect be better than changing a face?The murloc last time was also very dull.

Do the residents of the islands of the Great Channel even have the same way of recognizing people?In this way, will I be able to swagger to the Navy headquarters next time I change my clothes?

Xu Shi noticed that my complexion was not good, the man laughed dryly, his eyes wandered a little, "The boat you want, the broker you know happened to have such a deal in hand, would you like to come with me to have a look?"

"Now it's parked in the dock, and the seller is also a resident of Seven Waters."

Seeing me nodding, the man took the lead in walking in a certain direction, introducing the details as he walked.

The name of the boat for sale is [Marianna], which is only two and a half years old this year, because the owner wants to return to land to spend his old age in peace, and hopes to find a new owner for his boat before retiring.

"Old Mike is a well-known trader, and his integrity is good."

"It's just that there are business rules for doing business. I haven't seen the [Marianna], I hope you don't mind. I asked another person to evaluate the ship.

Speaking of which, the man glanced sideways at me, seemed to hesitate for a few seconds, and then continued, "That guy is a boatman from Carrera Company, and he is an expert in things related to ships."

"Of course I don't mind. After all, I don't know anything about those things." I smiled, thought for a while, and nodded, "You need to pay a commission and you can figure it out. By the way, is the money enough?"

"The specific amount will not be decided until after the negotiation, and it is sufficient according to the budget at present."

The man's calmness made me immediately decide to reciprocate, "The extra part is also yours."

I'm a layman when it comes to ships, and I'm not familiar with the capital of the seven waters, so I paid enough fees to leave all kinds of chores to this man.

The so-called equivalent exchange.

…………

The [Marianna] is moored in a rather secluded dock, as the man said, it does look quite young.

There were two people waiting on the shore, the older man might be 'Old Mike', and the other younger man was dressed like a boatman, with bright orange hair, goggles on his forehead, and a cigar in his mouth.

The man stepped forward quickly, stood in front of the two, and then turned his head and raised his voice to introduce to both parties, "Old Mike, Parry—this lady is the buyer of the [Marianna]."

"Please take care of me." I followed and walked forward, smiling and nodding.

Leaving aside the young man's reaction for the time being, the seller's expression seemed a little strange for a moment.

The man called Old Mike looked at me with a slightly surprised look, and then there was a bit of reluctance on his face, "This lady... doesn't look like she will cherish her with her heart." Pause , the other party turned his face, watching the quiet ship with loving eyes, and his voice was full of emotion, "My Mariana deserves better."

Eh?This kind of rhetoric... It really is a long-term drifting experience. I was stunned for a while, raised my eyebrows, and then followed the man's gaze and moved my gaze to the ship [Marianna] moored aside.

Taking a closer look, I was suddenly slightly startled.

Before I recovered from my astonishment, the little guy in my arms yelled happily, giggling, kicking his hands and kicking his feet desperately to jump on the boat.

If one is not careful, I almost let the little guy go away.

"Hey!" I hurriedly stabilized the little thing who was extremely excited/excited for a moment, I sighed, turned my face, and whispered to the seller, "You are right, this boat is really not suitable."

Holding down the little guy in my arms, I glanced at [Mariana] out of the corner of my eye, through the condensate, the young ship exhaled light air, paused for a few seconds, and I sighed, "Or, it doesn't Fits Pinocchio."

…………

For a moment, Old Mike's face showed a trace of relief, or a little worry.

"But—" The man who led me over looked blank, obviously not knowing why, "It is the most suitable for now."

"But it doesn't want to." I changed the little guy to hold it with one hand, raised one hand slightly, touched the ship in the air, felt the layer of air attached to it shrink and condense as if terrified, and removed my fingertips The thin black silk thread that faltered, turned his face to the side, and smiled slightly, "You are a good master~"

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Old Mike raised his voice sharply, "What did you do to her?"

"Huh?" I was startled, squinting my eyes and looking him up and down for a while, then asked, "Can you see?"

"I can't see it, but I can feel it." Old Mike stepped back half a step, posing an attacking posture ready to attack, his angry eyes were like an old lion, "Marianna is afraid."

"So you are a good master." Re-embracing the little guy with both hands, I moved slightly to the side to show that I didn't have any malice, "It's very happy~"

After the words fell, Old Mike seemed to have been severely impacted, and his momentum was slumped in vain. After a long silence, he stared at me with shocking and sad eyes, "You...can you feel it too?"

With a hoarse voice, the tone was so low that she seemed to be talking to herself, "Marianne has been out at sea for a while, and I can often feel the emotion of this boat like a dream."

"I am very happy when the weather is calm, and I am brave and fearless when there is a storm. I have encountered danger a few times. I thought I would die, but the ship was able to escape the predicament very cleverly."

"It's almost like she came to life."

…………

"Hmm~ Do you see children occasionally?" I raised my eyebrows, my gaze dropped a little, and stopped at the faint shadow beside Old Mike's leg.

The translucent little girl was clutching Old Mike's trouser legs, hiding most of her body behind him, revealing a small half of her head, her eyes were timid and seemed to be full of joy.

It is the little thing in my arms that is watched so complicatedly by it.

"How do you know?" After asking back, Old Mike suddenly stepped forward, "You—"

When I raised my gaze to meet his, he froze again, lowered his head, and glanced at his side indiscriminately, with an anxious and sad expression on his face, "It really is Mariana, right?"

"I'm sorry, I just hope that when I still have the ability, I can find you a master who will love you wholeheartedly. I just—"

As he was talking, he suddenly became speechless. He squatted down, covered his face with his hands, and transparent water stains poured out along his fingers.

Quietly looking at the old man who was crying silently in front of him, and the figure beside him so transparent that it almost merged with the air, the little girl was eagerly patting the old man's back, silently comforting him.

I closed my eyes, sighed, then opened my eyes, and said in a deep voice, "In this case, why not let him stay with you for two more years? Two years is enough time for you to slowly find someone you can trust."

…………

Old Mike, who has not yet fully recovered, stayed in the dock, and the rest of us returned without success.

On the way back, the atmosphere seemed a little dignified, maybe it was a little weird?Of course, the dissonance in this is the squinting gaze from time to time across the bank manager's bright orange-haired man.

When our party approached the bustling commercial area, the boatman named Parry hesitated to say goodbye before returning to Carrera Company. Finally, he ignored the bank manager's winking hints and squeezed the other party to stop me. In front of him, he asked in a very, very curious tone, "Why two years?"

After squinting at the other person for a while, I replied in a slow voice, "Because that person only has two years left to live."

"Ah?!" The man's eyes were blank, and it took a long time before he seemed to come back to his senses, his expression was distorted, and he asked again, "What did you and him see?"

"Hey! Parry!" The bank manager yelled at this man who was like a curious baby, "Why are you—" His tone was unceremonious. staring at me.

"It's okay." I shook my head amusedly. The reason why I didn't care was because in the dock, as soon as this Parry saw me hugging the little guy, he immediately took off the cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, and automatically stood a certain distance away.

And when the little guy is too lively, this person’s eyes are not wrong, he only pays attention to Pinocchio, and when I am distracted talking to the seller, he is very worried, and his hands are unconsciously opened, obviously to be wary of the little guy accident.

He is a rough man on the outside and delicate on the inside.

For such a man, I am more or less willing to tolerate.

"Isn't what we saw the same as what you boatmen have been talking about?"

Seeing that the bright orange-haired man looked blank, I squinted my eyes and smiled happily. I lowered my head and gently teased the little guy who was forcibly taken away from the dock and looked very unhappy, while giving an explanation:

“The ship spirit of the [Marianna].”

That's the real reason why I couldn't buy that ship, a conscious ship isn't suitable for little ones.

Unless————I shot to kill the born ship elves.

It's just that if you do that, the little thing must be very sad, so let's forget it.

The Pinocchio in my arms is now swollen and looks more and more like a little frog, and it deserves better.