Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 610: Encountered What I Didn’t Want to Encounter

Chapter 610: Chapter 610: Encountered What I Didn’t Want to Encounter

The vast sea stretches out in all directions, all around is a stranger environment, devoid of navigation, the thick clouds overhead offer no sun to point the way. Their current location is a mystery, even the captain feels at his wit’s end.

The captain had obtained a sea map when they had just escaped from the pirate’s island. The position of the Pirate Gang island marked on the map helped to determine the correct sailing route.

Now, the captain had no choice but to maneuver towards the ideal direction to avoid the tornado. But in the end, buffeted by powerful gusts and waves, the ship was forced to an unknown location.

What to do? Everyone looked at the captain, increasing the pressure on his shoulders. He too was trying to find a solution, but how effective could his abundant navigating experience be in a strange place like this?

The pirate’s ship had no navigation system. The pirates relied entirely on their familiarity with the central region of the Triangle Sea Area, and the sailing map they had drawn up, to traverse these seas.

It felt like being thrown into an unfamiliar city without a navigation system, without a map, unable to see the sun, not knowing your location, without anyone to ask for directions. Every street, every sight, was foreign.

Just as everyone was sinking into despair, Ouyang Jin noticed the direction of the seawater’s flow and furrowed his brows before saying," We still have a chance. The tide is rising right now. By following the flow of seawater, we might be able to reach Eastland."

After hearing this, everyone felt hopeful, all eyes turned to the captain. The captain nodded, indicating that it was a valid idea, though the chances of success were not high. Any deviation in angle could lead them to sail for extended periods. But one thing was for certain: they would definitely leave the central region of the Triangle Sea Area.

"That’s great, Ouyang Jin. I am so grateful for you." Gu Fan embraced Ouyang Jin in a big hug, and the others followed suit. They were appreciative that while in this place, they had the most trustworthy guide, and were grateful for this heavenly arrangement.

"Enough, have you all hugged me enough? I’m overheating and finding it hard to breathe." Ouyang Jin, hugged from all sides, felt a little overwhelmed by their warmth.

"Alright, let’s set off quickly and first leave the central region of the Triangle Sea Area." Gu Fan was not concerned about where the ship would land, all he wanted was to reach a safe zone. If everything went smoothly, it would take half a day.

Just half a day, that’s all they needed. Gu Fan prayed silently. He hoped to first return to Eastland to settle down Xiaohu, to fulfill his promise of taking Xiaohu home, and at the same time, he did not want to involve the irrelevant captain and crew members.

However, the appearance of the tornado had delayed everyone’s plans and left them disoriented about their position. The twists and turns of the return journey had given Gu Fan a bad premonition. It felt as though an invisible force was preventing him from leaving the central region of the Triangle Sea Area.

"Sorry, I am not going to disappear after I leave. I just want to come back fully prepared after I reach home, so please allow me to sail smoothly this time." Gu Fan prayed silently once again.

Suddenly, Gu Fan thought of something and went to find Ouyang Jin: "Buddy, you’ve been here for quite some time now. Do you know anyone who is familiar with the central region of the Triangle Sea Area or someone who has extensive navigating experience, who could plot out a route just by looking at the sea map?"

Hearing this, Ouyang Jin stammered, then understood what Gu Fan meant. After Gu Fan, the captain, and the crew members part ways once they return to Eastland, who would replace the captain and the crew?

Ouyang Jin scratched his head, making a troubled face, "It’s complicated. Certainly, there are many with sailing experiences, but only a few would dare to venture into the central region of the Triangle Sea Area. I do know a few, but convincing them won’t be easy. It will cost a considerable amount, and what about my referral fee?"

Gu Fan looked at him derisively, thinking that Ouyang Jin was true to form, he had not become any less cunning - instead of hiking prices, he had now started charging various kinds of fees.

With no other alternatives, Gu Fan deemed it worth the cost and agreed to pay 500,000 to the suitable candidate, and an additional 100,000 as a referral fee to Ouyang Jin. Of course, this expense was to be borne by Du Jun.

"What? I have to pay!" Du Jun was naturally not happy at first, but after being persuaded by Gu Fan he eventually agreed: "Du Jun, listen, it’s for everyone’s good to pay what needs to be paid. Xiaohu’s role is no longer necessary. When we reach Eastland, we should send him home. As for the captain and the crew, if they want to go, let’s let them go. Wouldn’t it be better to find someone who is more familiar with the Triangle Sea Area to steer the ship?"

Gu Fan’s argument made sense, and while Du Jun agreed that the money should be paid, he still felt wronged. He felt as if he was always singled out in matters involving money, much like a tourist being overcharged by unscrupulous tour guides.

"Oh well, let’s just do it. Those with money, pay money. Those with strength, lend strength. My biggest advantage is that I have money, and I am willing to shell it out. We’ll do as you say, Gu Fan. I don’t mind losing some money for everyone’s sake, as long as I don’t go broke." Du Jun puffed out his chest and spoke generously.

Lu Yi looked at him admiringly: "Well-done Du Jun, I always thought you were a narrow-minded, self-centered, and unruly, rich second-generation. No one expected that after all these experiences, you have turned into the kind of generous person that I like. If I were a girl, I would definitely compete with Qin Jia for you."

After hearing these absurd words, Du Jun felt nauseous. But Lu Yi didn’t care, he even gave Du Jun a big hug, and held on for a long time, refusing to let go. It made Qin Jia, who was standing next to them, feel awkward, as if she was the redundant one.

"Alright, Lu Yi, I appreciate your recognition. If you’ve gotten enough of hugging me, please let me go now," Du Jun pleaded, unable to bear Lu Yi’s affection anymore.

Lin Xi watched this silently, feeling gratified. Du Jun initially didn’t get along with Gu Fan, Lu Yi, and Jie. It was surprising to see that after all the experiences they had been through together, they could now put aside their differences, becoming true friends who stick with each other in trouble. As the saying goes, everything has two aspects: there’s a positive to every negative, there are losses, but there are also gains.

Just then, the captain ran out of the cockpit, pointing in the direction of the ship’s bow: "Everyone, look at the island over there."

Hearing this, everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. They thought there must be another emergency, and hurried to look in the direction that the captain pointed.

Not far away, there was an island, and there seemed to be a large freighter stranded on it. The situation seemed very similar to what Gu Fan and the others had experienced. But when Gu Fan picked up the telescope to look, he was shocked because the stranded ship belonged to the Lengbing Ocean Shipping Company.