Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 200 - 196: Happy Things

Chapter 200: Chapter 196: Happy Things

Leaving Luofu Port, the merchant ship proceeded upstream towards Yazhi City. The downstream flow of the Roen River was calm, so even without the help of boat trackers, the oarsmen alone could fight against the current, though the speed would be much slower.

However, the ship Luo’er and others were riding was somewhat unusual. It was a rudimentary paddle steamer made of wood and powered by steam engines. It was called a paddle steamer because large paddle wheels could be seen on both sides of the ship.

Driven by the steam engine, the paddle wheels propelled the merchant ship upstream. This was much faster than rowing and more stable than a sail. The ship’s body mostly assumed a wooden structure, and only key parts were made of metal.

Seeing the paddle steamer, everyone actually longed more to see the emergence of trains. Over a month of continuous walking had indeed left a profound impact on their psyche, especially in a mountainous country like Masya.

"If only the Otherworld could develop as well as Earth, we’d have everything we need, mobile phones and computers included!" Jin said, leaning on the deck railing, Hu Daoke couldn’t help but sigh.

"Stop dreaming, the Earth of today will never let the people of Otherworld live such a life," said Cheng Ziang, who was also leaning on the railing, with a touch of coldness.

"Why not?" asked Hu Daoke.

"The Otherworld is still in the feudal era of Earth. To change that, it would take at least a century. Remember Japan’s Meiji Restoration? It took nearly fifty or sixty years to bear fruits," Cheng Ziang said.

"But we have Earth’s help, along with their experience. This matter should be expedited," Hu Daoke said.

"The countries of Earth are currently at each other’s throats fighting over the management rights of the Otherworld. They have no time to develop it. Besides, people of the Otherworld aren’t easy to manage. No country from Earth would be willing to develop the Otherworld without establishing absolute order first," Cheng Ziang replied while shrugging.

"Sigh, it all boils down to politics after all," Hu Daoke lamented.

Suddenly, as though recalling something, he continued, "Now that you’ve brought that up, I really find Yue’er’s behavior quite strange. Especially after returning from Helros, she’s been smiling foolishly all the time, and her eyes look weird when she sees Luo’er."

"For a big rugged guy as yourself, how are you so inclined towards gossip!" Hearing Hu Daoke change the topic, Cheng Ziang said helplessly.

"What do you mean gossip? Doesn’t it make you curious?" Hu Daoke asked, putting a hand on his shoulder affectionately.

"With matters like these, you should just ask her directly," said Cheng Ziang, rolling his eyes at the pull from Hu Daoke.

"What do they say about a woman’s heart being like a needle at the bottom of the ocean? You this steel-hearted straight man!" Hu Daoke said, "If I ask her directly, she will surely not tell me!"

Cheng Ziang shook his head and glanced over at Baiyue, who was in a conversation with Luo’er. He could distinctly see that when looking at Luo’er, Baiyue’s eyes also changed, becoming particularly womanlike.

He turned back and could’t help but gossip, "I think something must’ve occurred between her and Luo’er."

"Exactly, you thought so too!" Energized by Cheng Ziang’s gossip, Hu Daoke suddenly sprang to life.

"Something joyful must’ve happened, prompting her to giggle every now and then," Cheng Ziang analyzed.

"Something joyful, could it be...?" Hu Daoke recollected with a startled expression.

Cheng Ziang coughed and said quietly, "Don’t overthink matters unsuitable for children. Luo’er isn’t that type of person!"

"Indeed, a straight-laced man like him wouldn’t do such a thing," Hu Daoke admitted with a nod.

Cheng Ziang turned his head around to check on the two again. Their conversation was over and Luo’er has been taken away by Tangmo. Looking at Baiyue’s self-satisfied demeanor, Cheng Ziang seemed to have an idea. He beckoned Hu Daoke towards him.

"What’s up?" Hu Daoke curiously leaned in.

"Listen," Cheng Ziang started, glancing at Baiyue, continuing mysteriously, "If someone experiences something joyful, they’ll surely want to share their joy with people around them."

"You mean, I should go ask Sister Moumou?" Hu Daoke inquired.

"No," Cheng Ziang knocked on his head lightly, "About Luo’er... Baiyue wouldn’t confide in Moumou. They’re competitors."

"About Luo’er, something joyful..." Hu Daoke pondered, "Could it be that they’ve really done something not suitable for children?"

"Can you not always think of such bizarre things?" Cheng Ziang grumbled.

"Then what are you trying to say?" Hu Daoke asked.

"What I am saying is, Baiyue is your partner, from one perspective, she should count as your good friend. If you ask her directly, I guess she’d be willing to tell you," Cheng Ziang replied, whispering in his ear.

"You reckon it’d work?" Hu Daoke asked hesitantly.

"Don’t you like gossip? This is a great opportunity!" Cheng Ziang egged him on.

"Wow, I never knew you were also into gossip!" Hu Daoke said laughingly, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Give it a rest, it’s because you’ve been pestering me endlessly!" Cheng Ziang flicked his hand off, giving a pretentious cold response.

"Fine, I’ll go!" Hu Daoke pointed at Baiyue.

"Go, go quickly, remember to share with me after your questioning!" Cheng Ziang gestured with his hand.

"And you say you’re not into gossip!" Hu Daoke shot him a look before he walked off towards Baiyue.

He approached her cautiously. She was still thoroughly immersed in her conversation with Luo’er, not noticing Hu Daoke approaching.

"Um... Yue’er!" he called softly.

"What is it?" Baiyue came back to her senses and looked up at him, her face flushed, giving Hu Daoke the impression of a woman in love.

"Have you recently encountered something that made you happy?" Hu Daoke asked, awkwardly rubbing his hands and forcing a smile.

"Hap..." Baiyue paused, then recognized what he was implying, and quickly covered her blush with her hands, leaving only her big eyes staring at him.

"You don’t have to be so nervous, I just want to ask," Hu Daoke said, quickly waving his hands to reassure her.

"That is, you, and, um, Luo’er, did something happy happen between you two?" Hu Daoke, scratching his head, stuttered out a question.

"Luo’er..." Baiyue immediately understood that he was referring Lars, and her face reddened even further, extending to her ears.

"We’re not gossiping, really, we are partners, friends, right? If there’s something that makes you happy, can you share it with us?" Hu Daoke said, struggling with his own words.

After hesitating for a long time, Baiyue finally looked up at him and softly asked, "You won’t tell Sister Moumou, will you?"

Hu Daoke was taken aback. He had assumed that Baiyue would want him to promise not to tell anyone, but she specified only Sister Moumou, which made him all the more curious.

"I promise, I swear! We’re partners, we’ll have many more chances to work together in the future, I wouldn’t lie to you!" Hu Daoke quickly defended him.

Upon hearing Hu Daoke’s pledge, Baiyue felt relieved. Although she wanted to share, she found it difficult to spit it out.

"I, I, I..." Baiyue stammered, her face becoming even more flushed. She didn’t know how to tell it, and covered her face with her hands.

"What is it? Just say it. Did Luo’er do anything bad to you?" pressed Hu Daoke, looking at her anxious expression.

"No, no, not Luo’er, not something bad..." Baiyue became even more flustered and her words turn into gibberish.

"What is it?" Hu Daoke was becoming frantic.

"It’s about, about, when we were at the lake..." Baiyue said in an increasingly softer voice.

"And then?" Hu Daoke pressed eagerly.

"Then we plunged into the lake, and then, and then..."

"Go on!" Hu Daoke felt he was about to explode.

"Then I sunk to the bottom of the lake, tried to grab my gun and almost died. Then, then, Luo’er he..."

"What did he do?" Hu Daoke, focusing intently on her, asked anxiously.

"He dove under the water, then, then..." Baiyue’s words became even more shy.

"He dove under and then?" Hu Daoke was about to collapse.

"Then, he gave me, uh, mouth, mouth-to-mouth..." Baiyue said, blushing and shyly avoiding his gaze.

"Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, what’s wrong with that," Hu Daoke looked confused, then a sudden realization dawned on him, "You mean, mouth to mouth resuscitation?"

"Hmm!" Baiyue nodded, burying her head even lower.

Hu Daoke took a deep breath, not exhaling. He then turned to Cheng Ziang who was not far away and gestured to him vaguely. Cheng Ziang seemed to have understood and gave him a return gesture, summoning him over.

So Hu Daoke left Baiyue, who was still blushing and giggling, and walked over to Cheng Ziang. As soon as he got there, Cheng Ziang grabbed his collar and asked in a low voice, "What’s up?"

"Well, Baiyue..." Hu Daoke looked at Baiyue, then turned back and whispered into Cheng Ziang’s ear, "At the bottom of the lake, Luo’er kissed her!"

"Kissed her, what does that mean?" Cheng Ziang asked with a frown.

"I mean mouth-to-mouth, the resuscitation kind!" Hu Daoke continued explaining.

"Ah!!" Cheng Ziang nodded, finally understanding why Baiyue has been behaving unusually these past few days.

"Who would have thought our captain was so bold!" Hu Daoke said, chuckling.

"Indeed, indeed!" Cheng Ziang added, also chuckling.

"What are you both laughing about?" Seeing them both chuckling mysteriously, Luo’er made his way over and asked.

"Nothing, just feeling really happy!" Hu Daoke waved and said.

"Exactly, feeling really happy!" Cheng Ziang echoed, smiling.

Not often seeing Cheng Ziang goofing with Hu Daoke, Luo’er shook his head and decided not to bother asking again.

"But on the other hand, wouldn’t Sister Moumou be..." Hu Daoke began, seemingly having thought of something.

But before he could finish, he was kicked from behind by Cheng Ziang. He looked back and found Cheng Ziang gesturing him to shut up.

Hu Daoke understood and looked at Luo’er, then at Baiyue, and obediently closed his mouth.