Nianyang was startled by the sudden uproar, turning to see rows of people on the vehicle jeering at her and Li Tingyan, causing her face to flush slightly.
Li Tingyan shot a sharp glance at the boisterous bunch, "Shoo shoo shoo..."
"Oh~ Oh~ Oh~"
When they’re not out at sea, these people aren’t afraid of Li Tingyan.
It’s known that only a handful on this ship have wives, with most being lifelong bachelors. They originally thought their master Li would remain a bachelor to the end, but unexpectedly, he got out of singlehood so quickly, which made them green with envy.
At this moment, their feelings were like, "We agreed to stay single together, yet you secretly got yourself a dog," inciting grievances, they naturally seized the chance to create a ruckus.
Li Tingyan glared at the clueless lot, resolving to give them a good drilling someday. Then with a swoop of his hand, he picked up Nianyang and carried her into a narrow bridge tunnel nearby.
The light under the bridge was not great. Li Tingyan placed Nianyang on a clean patch, but his hand around her waist never loosened its grip.
"Tingyan, what mischief do you want to get up to dragging me in here?"
Nianyang looked up into the man’s passionate eyes; his hand rested on her waist, sending a tingling current through the thin fabric.
"Nini, I’m heading south for a sea voyage, came specifically to tell you."
Li Tingyan, stroking the girl’s soft hair, spoke with great reluctance.
"Sea voyage? When?"
"About to leave soon."
"So soon?" Nianyang bit her lip and said, somewhat dejected.
She hadn’t prepared herself at all, and now he was going to sea. What if something happens?
"Nini, I’m sorry. I’m a Sea Merchant, and I’ve signed a contract, so I must obey the company’s arrangements. Besides, if I don’t go to sea, how do I make money and get promoted?
So I can’t accompany you, don’t be angry."
Li Tingyan said apologetically, feeling troubled. He had just confirmed his feelings for Nianyang a few days ago; if he wasn’t by her side, what if she liked someone else?
Even though Nianyang was reluctant and distressed, she understood Li Tingyan’s obligations. Him coming specifically to tell her was already quite thoughtful... Hold on...
"Tingyan, you said you’re going south, but I’m here in the west, so far apart. Did you take a detour just to see me?"
"It’s nothing, just a half-day delay at most."
Li Tingyan said lightly, not intending to tell Nianyang that he hadn’t slept all night to rush over just to see her before going out to sea.
He didn’t say it, but Nianyang could see it. This silly man thinks I’m blind? Can’t I see his dark circles and glaring eyes from staying up late?
But since he didn’t want her to know, Nianyang had to play dumb.
"Then be careful, going out to sea is dangerous. Natural disasters are not to be trifled with. You must protect yourself and come back safely, you mustn’t have any accidents, got it?"
Nianyang said, her eyes reddening. She was a bit scared, afraid that Li Tingyan would end up like the last life, dying at sea. She’s not yet a formal Doctor and can’t use that title to accompany him on the voyage.
"I know, I haven’t even married you yet, how could I let anything happen to me? I’m not going to let other men have you for nothing."
Li Tingyan said deeply, while reaching into his pocket to pull out a thick envelope handing it to Nianyang.
"What’s this?"
Nianyang instinctively opened it and found several property deeds in Pingjing and a bankbook worth fifty thousand.