Chapter 94 - 86 Ashamed of One’s Ugliness

Words : 2016 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 94: Chapter 86 Ashamed of One’s UglinessToday, Port Supervision is coming for an on-site inspection, and 001 not only has to enter the Yangtze River for a towing test and navigate waters deeper than twenty meters, but also organize firefighting, rescue, and anti-hijacking drills. Han Yu arrived at the shipyard before dawn, checking the completeness of documents with Master Zhou. Captain Wang, Zhu Baogen, and Liang Xiaoyu were busy cleaning 001, while Manager Wu hurriedly organized workers to clean the dunship, wanting to present the best side of 001 and the dunship to the ship inspection department. Xu Sanye, according to the test plan, meticulously arranged the exercise scheme where there was opportunity. He sent Old Zhang to the ship lock and the riverside gas station to see how the preparations were going and personally went to the passenger terminal. The firefighting responsibility of Bailong Port originally falls under the jurisdiction of Bailong Port Police Station, and the firefighting drill is critical, especially since Xu Sanye was not only conducting a firefighting drill; Zhang Junyan had specifically rushed back from Binjiang to help. While Han Yu was busily spinning around, Zhang Lan rode her bicycle to the shipyard. "Zhang Lan, why did you come so early." "The inspection’s done, and then I can get the permit, this is a big deal, Master Ding told me to come over early." "Is Master Ding coming?" "Master Ding has three meetings today, he can’t make it." Zhang Lan greeted Zhou and took out a newspaper from her bag: "Han Yu, you’re in the newspaper, your station is famous now!" Han Yu instinctively asked: "Is this Reporter Wang’s interview report?" "Yes, they came the day before yesterday, and it’s published today, that’s fast efficiency." "Let me see." "Look how happy you are, take a quick look, I need to show it to Director Xu afterward." Unknown until seen, Han Yu laughed upon opening it. Indeed, there were photos of himself, Director Xu, and Liang Xiaoyu in the "Binjiang Daily" on the second page. Reporter Wang is absolutely a talented man; even the headline was well crafted–– "I Station at the Yangtze River Tail, Guardian of the River’s Flow Eastward". The people came for a follow-up report on the many scalpers in Bailong Port and the difficulty in buying boat tickets, but the news report was not limited to Linghai Police Station collaborating with Bailong Port Police Station of Binjiang Port and the onboard police squadron of Changhang Police Bureau East Sea Branch to combat the scalpers selling boat tickets. It not only talked about the ongoing large shoreline patrol and waterway security inspection before the Spring Festival but also extensively reported an incident from the morning before last about handling a dangerous situation on the river, ensuring the safety of passenger and cargo transportation in the Yangtze North Branch Channel. An ordinary rescue operation was written thrillingly, and Han Yu felt a bit embarrassed reading it. Seeing him reluctant to put it away, Zhang Lan snatched the newspaper and turned to the sixth page. "Reporter Wang called Master Ding yesterday, talking about how many of the letters from folks living and working afar were well written and touching, expressing gratitude to you guys, and revealing a deep homesickness. From their perspective, one can even sense the earth-shattering changes in Linghai and Binjiang since the reforms and opening up." "I’ve read this letter, just haven’t had time to reply, how did it get published?" "Reporter Wang said the editor in charge of the cultural section, upon seeing the community letters he brought back, treasured them like gems. Today only the first letter is published, and there will be a series following." Reading and replying to letters is tiresome but also interesting. Being able to get to know so many people working in far places, understand some things one normally cannot, and feel different lives through words. Han Yu grinned and said: "Serializing is good, serializing is right. The ones who write well are either leaders or officials, including military personnel, university students, and even a journalist." "So, these are not just letters, they are literature." Zhang Lan admired those who could write articles, sighed, and curiously asked: "Han Yu, how do you reply to them?" Han Yu scratched his neck, looking embarrassed: "They write just one letter, while I have to reply to so many, I can’t write each like an essay." "So, how do you write them?" "First, I thank them for their letters, then I apologize, explaining that the station is busy and there are many community letters, so replies are delayed. Next, I mention the progress of the 9.17 case and some basic situations of our station, and finally, I invite those from Linghai to often visit their hometown, and those who pass by or come on business trips to Linghai are welcome to visit Linghai if they have time." Han Yu smiled and added: "If they encounter any issues in Linghai, especially at Bailong Port, they can come to Yanjiang Police Station, and we will offer help as much as we can." Zhang Lan watched him with a smirk and asked: "Is that your standard reply for everyone?" "Yes, just change the salutation, otherwise how can I reply." "Ha ha ha ha." "What are you laughing at?" "They write so well, so emotionally, and you just shirk, not sincere at all!" Sёarᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It’s easy for you to say while standing, reply to so many letters and show me your sincerity." "Enough talking, I’m going to find Director Xu." "Wait." "What now?" Zhang Lan turned back. Han Yu asked with a troubled frown: "Zhang Lan, did Director Xu say Brother Xu wants me to come warm your beds, is that true?" Zhang Lan burst into laughter: "That’s true." "Warming beds is work for kids, I’m nearly seventeen, is it appropriate for me?" "If you don’t grow taller, even at twenty, you’ll still be a kid." "Do I have to go warm the beds?" He must be afraid of being laughed at, Zhang Lan also found it funny, patted his arm: "It’s not me who asked you to warm the bed, it was Director Xu and Ming Yuan who asked you to go. If you really don’t want to go, you can tell Director Xu and Ming Yuan." If Xu Sanye asked to go, then you must go. Han Yu couldn’t express how depressed he was, muttering: "Sister Zhang, after you get married, should I continue calling you sister, or should I call you sister-in-law?" "Of course, keep calling me sister. I don’t like being called sister-in-law." "Alright, I want two wedding candies." "Okay okay, two it is, being a kid has its perks." Zhang Lan giggled, put away the newspaper, and walked away. She had just left the workshop when she suddenly remembered something and quickly turned back to ask: "Salted Fish, regarding the inspection, they are giving us special treatment, we can’t skip meals, how did you arrange lunch?" For Yanjiang Police Station, vessel registration inspection is just redundant and unnecessary. But for Bailong Port Shipyard, this is a good opportunity to establish a relationship with the ship inspection department. Thinking about the improved meal they could have at noon, Han Yu grinned and said: "Manager Wu arranged it, everything is ready, we are going to Bailong Port Restaurant at noon." "The restaurant that just opened next to the post office?" "The very one, Manager Wu said there are private rooms on the second floor!" Today they are not only inspecting Vessel 001, but also the dunship. As the builder of the dunship, Boss Wu should host the meal. Zhang Lan, thinking about no longer needing to get Master Ding’s signature for the reception fee, said with a smile: "That’s great, you go ahead with your tasks, I will go find Director Xu." Mountains of documents others had come to inspect. Han Yu, according to the catalog, sorted everything neatly and was just about to go to the ship to see how well Captain Wang and his team had prepared, when an instructor, accompanied by four Port Supervision officials dressed in uniform, arrived. Binjiang Port Supervision Bureau is wealthier than local Port Supervision and even local police. This point can be seen from their uniforms. Whether a leader or a newcomer at work, all wore the dark gray wool polyester "Huadani", styled just like the officers’ uniforms of the liberation army. Their overcoats were dark gray "Navy wool", with "Beauty Satin" linings! Just as he was feeling like a beggar in contrast to them, a tall figure in a "Navy wool" coat without a cap appeared before him. "Salted Fish, is that really you!" "Han... Squad Leader Han, you... why are you here too." Han Xiangning came up with a bright smile, looking him over as she happily said: "What Squad Leader Han, we are family. I’m older than you, call me sister." They both graduated from Binjiang Shipping School, she got assigned to the Ministry of Transport Port Supervisor and he ended up at the police. She wore a "Navy wool" coat, and he could only wear a wrinkled cotton-padded jacket. Han Yu really felt somewhat ashamed, glanced at Boss Wu who was warmly greeting the ship inspection staff, and said with an embarrassed face: "I didn’t tell Chief Zhu that we were classmates, it was our Director who told your Chief Zhu. He thought anyone from the Shipping School should be classmates." What a poor kid, assigned to such a remote corner. Han Xiangning felt very sympathetic toward her junior, laughed and said: "No worries, we are still classmates even from the same school. Yesterday, I made a call to your Manager Wu, he already knew you were assigned to the police system." She was too pretty, even more than Lin Xiaohui, who was the school belle. Han Yu, unable to look directly, whispered: "I’ve spoken to Manager Wu." "You even asked Manager Wu to help you find a job." "Manager Wu told you?" Han Xiangning looked back to ensure that the old instructor from the station was talking to the head of department before whispering into his ear: "Manager Wu told you not to worry, just keep working here, and once you turn eighteen in a couple of years, he will arrange for you to become a seaman." This is too embarrassing! Why did Manager Wu have to tell her everything, Han Yu felt so humiliated he wished he could just crawl into a crevice and hide. In Han Xiangning’s eyes, he was just a kid, her heart overflowing with sympathy, and she covered her mouth discreetly saying: "I heard you were here and came to take a look, actually I’m not in the ship inspection department." "Which department are you in?" "Seaman Examination Department, your unit has ships, and service years definitely aren’t a problem, come to me when it’s time for the exams." Seeing his well-to-do senior noticing his disheveled appearance already made him extremely uncomfortable, thinking about the promotion exams he would later need to take made Han Yu even more embarrassed, and he felt he couldn’t escape. Since they are from the Transportation Department’s Port Supervisor, not only do Binjiang’s seamen have to go there for the examinations to get certified, seamen from several nearby cities also have to go there. Unaware of what her junior was thinking, Han Xiangning continued: "Actually, being a seaman is quite good, working a month on the ship is equivalent to a year ashore. Now, the salary for dispatched seamen abroad is even higher, two to three thousand a month, many people come to us to get their certificates." ... PS: Finally launched, four Chapters presented, kindly request brothers and sisters who have read Salted Fish stories elsewhere, come and subscribe here. 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Chapter 94 - 86 Ashamed of One’s Ugliness

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