Chapter 797: Not a Single Tear
The great philanthropist, benevolent saint, and ever-compassionate Miss Zhu Yunque, after enduring a full day of hunger, decided to forgive Zhang Yi for his mistakes.
She sat on the bed hugging her knees, hesitating for a long time before sending Zhang Yi a message.
"There's no need for us to argue like children. How about we make up?"
At that moment, Zhang Yi was enjoying a delicious cheeseburger, its steaming hot juices dripping with every bite.
Seeing the notification, he picked up his phone, glanced at it, and tossed it back onto the table.
After a while, another message from Zhu Yunque arrived.
"If you don't reply, I'll take it as agreement."
"I'm a bit hungry. Could you spare some food?"
He smirked at his phone and sent a voice message in reply.
"I already gave you food! Didn't you give it all away?"
Zhu Yunque's eyes widened at the message. Fuming, she threw her phone onto the bed before clutching her stomach and collapsing onto the mattress.
Zhou Ke'er said to Zhang Yi, "You're really not going to feed her? Three days without food might break her."
Zhang Yi replied indifferently, "Those who've never experienced hunger have no concept of food's value. One day without eating and she can't handle it? Then why did she treat my provisions so carelessly?"
"This is her first lesson."
Zhou Ke'er sighed helplessly. "Starving her completely could cause stomach problems. A little hardship is enough—we've just set sail. No need to turn her into an enemy so soon."
Zhang Yi considered her words and found them reasonable. Still, punishment was necessary.
He retrieved a bag of whole wheat bread and some plain boiled chicken breast from his Dimensional Space—the ultimate diet meal.
"Take these to her in two hours."
Zhou Ke'er looked at the unappetizing food, knowing it would require tremendous willpower to consume.
When Zhou Ke'er delivered the meal, Zhu Yunque initially brightened, thinking Zhang Yi couldn't bear to starve her.
But her face turned green upon seeing the whole wheat bread and flavorless chicken.
Diet food's specialty was being unpalatable—especially whole wheat bread, which scraped the throat even when washed down with water.
"Zhang Yi expects me to eat this?" Zhu Yunque asked in disbelief.
Zhou Ke'er smiled. "Isn't this good? Very healthy."
Seeing Zhu Yunque's aggrieved expression, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, Zhou Ke'er added, "Miss Zhu, let me offer some unsolicited advice. This is just how Zhang Yi is—he doesn't indulge anyone."
"So when dealing with him in the future, it's best not to oppose him too directly."
Zhu Yunque bit her lip, on the verge of crying. "But that doesn't mean he can bully me!"
Noticing her distress, Zhou Ke'er quickly comforted her. "Don't be too upset. This will blow over in a few days. Just don't let those little pearls fall, okay?"
Hearing this, Zhu Yunque immediately lifted her head and forced a laugh.
"Don't worry! Not a single tear will fall!"
Zhou Ke'er suppressed a chuckle and left.
Once alone, Zhu Yunque locked her door—and the tears cascaded down her cheeks.
"Wuwuwu... Damn Zhang Yi, how dare he treat me !"
Glaring at the food, she stubbornly refused to eat.
Ten minutes later, Zhu Yunque huddled at the foot of her bed, washing down the whole wheat bread with mineral water while gnawing miserably on the chicken breast.
"So disgusting! Wuwuwu!"
After forcing down the meal—though the taste nearly made the pampered heiress vomit—at least her stomach stopped growling.
Venturing out for fresh air and ocean views, she passed the crew's lounge and caught a whiff of fried chicken.
Old Tian noticed her and greeted cheerfully, "Miss Zhu, where are you off to?"
Zhu Yunque's eyes darted toward the room, spotting tables laden with food.
Zhang Yi never stinted on his crew's meals—well-fed workers were productive workers.
"You all eat quite well," she remarked casually, turning her head to hide her longing.
Old Tian laughed heartily. "Of course! Mr. Zhang treats us wonderfully. Back in Tianhai City, we'd be lucky to eat once a month. Now it's feasts every day!"
Suddenly remembering Zhu Yunque's food situation, he offered, "Miss Zhu, haven't eaten yet? Join us if you'd like."
She nearly accepted—but couldn't bear giving Zhang Yi lifelong ammunition.
"Ha! No need. Mr. Zhang already provided food. Did you really think he'd starve me?"
Old Tian nodded. "True, you're an official from the district. Mr. Zhang wouldn't neglect you."
Zhu Yunque couldn't resist asking, "What exactly are you eating today?"
"Just some roast chicken, barbecue, grilled fish, and mashed potatoes," Old Tian replied.
Internally weeping rivers, Zhu Yunque thought: That bastard Zhang Yi feeds them better than me!
"Oh, I had the same things," she lied, quickly walking away.
The Golden Edge continued its voyage. Unnoticed, twenty-six days passed.
Originally, the trip to Rockflow Island should have taken twenty-eight days—but reality proved harsher than expected.
First, they had to detour around dangerous deep-sea zones.
Then came encounters with other factions—pirates, even foreign navies.
Frequent blizzards further slowed progress.
This was Zhang Yi's first ocean voyage. During stormy nights, howling winds rocked the icebreaker violently, the tempest roaring like monsters outside.
The experience was genuinely terrifying.
Zhou Ke'er clung to him shivering, refusing to let go.
As Zhang Yi marveled at nature's power, he soothingly stroked her back.
"It's alright, no danger here. With me around, everything's fine."
Though slightly nervous himself—a natural reaction for any first-time sailor—he knew his abilities could ensure their survival even in disaster.
After the blizzard passed, they sailed on... only to encounter more uninvited guests days later.