The Great Worm Lich

“Of course we’ll sail, otherwise it wouldn’t be called ‘a cruise party’. Haven’t I told you? This party will last from the afternoon till midnight so we’re going to stay overnight onboard. Why? Did you forget to tell your family?”

“No.” Zhang Lisheng looked out of the window again and noticed that the radiant sun had long returned to normal. After a moment of pondering, he said, “Actually, I rarely participate in any parties so I’m just asking.”

A perplexed look crept up on Tina’s face. However, she knew that the skinny young man in front would not talk much even if she continued to pursue. “Well, I don’t mind. Anyway, Lisheng. We have to go down now. The party is going to start soon and it’s time for us to make our appearance.”

Zhang Lisheng nodded silently before taking Tina’s arm.

After the waiters in the great hall of the cruise’s second floor busily straightened out the few distinguished guests’ formal attires, the Fordham Sisters and each of their respective male companions began to descend to the lower floor using the three cruise’s scenic elevators that had an open view of the sky, with the company of a well-known American song titled “She’s my eternal treasure”.

Abandoning the traditional staircase covered by a red carpet, while gracefully accepting the blessings from friends and relatives, they slowly walked downwards, taking Walter into consideration whose leg was inconvenient.

However, as the daytime-exclusive firework shot up to the sky from the patio, the three beautiful girls slowly descended from the transparent scenic elevators. The people taking part in the parties did not hesitate to cheer loudly in a deafening manner in the atmosphere that was bustling with joy and life.

Among the male companions of the three leading girls, the short and skinny yellow-skinned Zhang Lisheng should be the one who grabbed the most attention.

However, due to the makeup put on by the makeup artist, it added to the prestige of his appearance a lot. Even though Walter diligently tried to conceal it, he still walked in a crooked manner when he walked out of the elevator. The way his mouth was constantly twitching was just too weird. In comparison, the young man standing beside Tina seemed to be less noticeable at the moment.

The vast majority of the unidentified guests shifted the dumbstruck gaze that they thought had been concealed good enough towards Walter.

Under the astonishment of the guests, the party continued to go on, the three beautiful girls who made their appearance in the bright fireworks began to accept the coming-of-age gifts from their parents. Due to the reason that this was the most important day in the traditional culture of America, the three reputable parents were not too stingy in their gifts.

Tina received a first-class apartment in Boston.

Sheila’s gift was a brand new luxurious yacht.

Trish, on the other hand, received an antique cross that was priced at fifteen cities, and was engraved with diamonds inscribed with “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church”.

After the girls received the gifts from their loves of previous lives — their fathers, their current male companions presented them with their birthday gifts. Walter gave a female Rado dive watch and though it was slightly shabby, it was already the best that he could afford according to his financial ability.

The stand-in Dubin generously gifted a Cartier diamond bracelet, which fit quite good enough in such an occasion.

Lastly, Zhang Lisheng, who did not know any better, gave a necklace that had a pendant made up of transparent pink diamonds that were more than five carats. Just one glance, one could tell that this was either a fake jewel or one that had its own name that could be truly handed down to later generations. The moment the jewel appeared, the young people present at the party immediately exclaimed in astonishment.

“This is not fake right? But, looking at its luster, it should be authentic. Damn it, this is blatant conduct of the nouveau riche! How embarrassing!” Upon seeing the gift, even Dolby had shock written all over his face. “Still, this fellow is really quite generous…”

“Exactly, such legendary news of taking out a necklace worth millions of dollars just to celebrate for his girlfriend’s coming-of-age day may be circulated for many years. As for nouveau riche, my dear, this is New York where money never rests and not Paris where only elegance and taste are left. We’re all descendants of nouveau riche, right?” Upon hearing his wife’s words, Dolby pouted in disdain but he did not say anything else.

Just as his father was rendered speechless, Tina whispered to Zhang Lisheng who did not know what he should do next. “Lisheng, hurry up and put that necklace on me. How much money did you spend to buy that?”

“97,000 dollars.”

“My goodness! You’re absolutely crazy! Why did you buy such an expensive gift for me?!”

“You’re incredibly rich so my present shouldn’t be too shabby or I’d be looked down upon, right? Besides, hasn’t your dad given you a first-class apartment in Boston? That must have cost a few million dollars…”

“The hell… What does the present that my dad gave me for my coming-of-age gift has anything to do with you? In such an occasion, it’s already good enough if you buy a gift that is several thousands or tens of thousands of dollars!”

“Is that so?” Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a moment. “But I’m from China and we emphasize etiquette and reciprocity the most. According to our custom, the present that I give you should be equal to your dad’s…hah. It’s fine. You won’t get it even if I explain. Anyways, just take the present that I gave you.”

At this moment, dance music began to resonate. As one of the leading roles in the birthday party, Tina, who should start off the dance, began to dance with her male companion. “Lisheng, I don’t have any intention to blame you. I’m also very touched for receiving such an expensive gift from you, particularly now that you’re in need of money to expand your business. However, you really do need to Google what kind of present you should give for your girlfriend’s 18th birthday. Even if you add on ‘super rich family in Wall Street’ in front of your search, you won’t get any information that tells you to give a diamond necklace that costs a million dollars!”

“Are you sure there would be none?” Zhang Lisheng asked in a peculiar expression.

“Babe, you must have read a satire article.”

“All of you Americans are such hypocrites. Even though our China has this saying of ‘it’s the thought that counts’, that is meant for the friendship of two men with noble characters, or friendship between two so-called real gentlemen in your West.”

“Alright babe, let’s drop this topic. It’s only a small matter anyway. I was the one at wrong. Actually, as long as you’re willing to give me such an expensive present, I should be touched even if there are slight vanity and ignorance in the original intentions…”

“Tina, apologize sincerely if you admit your mistake. Don’t say anything about having ‘slight vanity and ignorance in the original intention’ or whatsoever anymore.”

“Ok baby, I sincerely apologize. Can you please not step on my foot anymore?” Tina said with a smile.

After a round of elegant ballroom dancing, the party music was immediately replaced with an upbeat modern dance. Upon hearing this kind of signal, the elderly guests chuckled helplessly. Only a few of them remained behind thinking that they were still young and started to twist their bodies in all sorts of directions violently.

The other people who were sensible enough walked out, heading to the lobby on the first floor, or went up to the cruise’s cabins that were at a higher level, spending their time at the sea in a way that was more suitable for their age.

“We’ve only managed to dance one song and they have already changed the music to shoo us off. I really don’t know what these young people think nowadays. The DJ of the party is also too…”

“My dear, it was you who told her that you have something going on at the moment and you’d not be able to accompany her for the sail.”

“This is Stevie’s fault. Who knew that he would suddenly agree to sell the minerals in South Africa? This fellow is not smart and I was afraid things would change once this issue is dragged over a long period of time…” Dolby argued stubbornly but when he saw the smile on his wife’s face, he sighed softly. “You were right, Lulu. It was me who was wrong at first. I shouldn’t have complained about anything.”

As they were speaking, they began to proceed to the hanging ladder of the Elizabeth Holiday along with the people leaving the scene and going down from the cruise dejectedly.

The guests who could not spend the night at sea due to various reasons left the ship. Afterward, the ship gradually lifted its anchor and raised its whistle “Woo Woo —”, leaving New York Harbor and sailed smoothly into the ocean.

At this time, at the topmost level of the steering room of the cruise, a muscular middle-aged first officer wearing a white uniform and a white wide-brimmed hat reported to the solemn-looking old captain who was gripping the rudder. “Captain, Elizabeth Holiday has left the New York harbor already! Right now, it’s moving at a constant speed of 30 nautical miles per hour and is expected to return to the New York Harbor after 24 hours.”

“Harry, it’s been almost a year since you were promoted to first officer. I am going to let you do this alone. What do you think?”

“Captain, I-I’m happy to do it!” The first officer was dumbstruck before replying in pleasant surprise.

Once an ocean vessel sailed to the sea, the captain automatically held the highest authority in commanding the ship. In Western law, the captain of an ocean vessel on the voyage and the commander at the fire command station in a fire field even had the so-called ‘temporary legislative power’. During an emergency, they could even invade the legal right of others moderately using the principle of discretional evidence to avoid the occurrence of a greater danger.

Even though the first officer and the captain might seem to only have a difference of one rank, the actual difference was entirely far apart. Most people could not overrule it in their entire lives.

“All the best.” The old captain’s taut face broke into a rare smile before he turned around and walked out of the steering room.

“Maintain the speed and report immediately if there are any abnormal conditions.” Turning around to watch the old captain’s back disappearing from outside the door, Harry with his hand on the rudder, who had his first taste of captain’s authority, ordered in a raised voice.

“Yes, sir,” The navigating officer and the wheelmen responded out loud.

After changing the helmsman, Elizabeth Holiday began to sail forward on the ocean without any difference. In fact, modern large tankers had been able to cruise automatically since long ago. In the past, the navigating officers who needed to memorize the long routes, familiarize themselves with the changes in the ocean currents throughout the years and understand astrology and weathers to navigate, would now only need to know how to look at the nautical instrument to do the job.

The wheelmen who needed to help the captain and the first officer turn the rudder had now evolved to become computer programs directly. After setting the route, they didn’t need to do anything anymore. One could say that driving a modern ocean liner wasn’t any harder than playing a simulation game.

Even so, controlling a ship with a draught of nearly 100,000 tons to sail in the Atlantic Ocean was still intoxicating enough for Harry. After having stood in the position of the helmsman for only god-knew-how-long in a daze, a familiar voice suddenly reverberated by his ears. “Harry, what are you doing?”

“Sailing a ship, of course, my lovely friend! That old fellow has handed the ship over to me and now, I’m the ‘captain’!” Snapping back to reality, Harry looked at his best friend who was also the service manager in the Elizabeth Holiday before whispering to him.