After sailing through the fog for about an hour, the boat finally emerged, and an island appeared before Chen Xiao's eyes!
This is clearly a volcanic island, with towering peaks at its center, surrounded by lush Southern Hemisphere jungle. However, it is evident that after human development, large areas of human-built structures can be vaguely seen at the foot of the mountain.
To Chen Xiao's disappointment, based on his impression of the service company—high-tech "equipment," precision instruments, detectors, anti-electromagnetic suits—he had a preconceived notion that the service company's headquarters would be like a base in a science fiction movie.
But before my eyes, although the island was very large, the human-built structures were much simpler than I had imagined… it was as if…
It looks like a very unremarkable island town.
Several small boats were moored at the western pier of the island. Lao Tian steered his yacht over there. Several men dressed as sailors immediately came out from the pier, jumped onto the boat without saying a word, and helped to tie up the mooring lines and other equipment.
Chen Xiao noticed that someone immediately took away the satellite device that was placed at the bow of the ship.
From beginning to end, these people didn't say a word to Lao Tian. They just worked silently, and after they finished, they nodded to Lao Tian with friendly looks and quickly left.
"Alright, let's get ashore, kid." Old Tian was the first to jump onto the dock: "Welcome to our home—our home!"
Peace and tranquility were Chen Xiao's first feelings after getting ashore.
As you exit the pier, you'll see a stone tablet with the same sentence inscribed in English, Chinese, and several other languages:
"Every life deserves respect!"
Chen Xiao stood in front of the stone tablet for a long time, his expression calm, but his eyes subtly changed. Old Tian said nothing and simply led Chen Xiao forward.
There was a row of wooden huts by the sea, where several shirtless men in beach shorts were busy with tools. Some were repairing the motors on the boats, others were filling oxygen tanks with air pumps, and still others were carefully painting a sampan with a bucket of paint.
Next to it was a place that looked like a small bar.
As Chen Xiao passed by the cabin, he could hear country music, lively chatter, the clinking of beer bottles, and the rich aroma of beer coming from inside…
All of this seems no different from any other seaside resort in the world.
Chen Xiao couldn't help but stop and take a look inside. There were about a dozen customers in the bar, men and women of all kinds, dressed in casual beach clothes and beach shorts, looking no different from beach tourists from all over the world.
Everything inside was made of wood: the wooden bar counter, the wooden beer glasses, the wooden beer barrels…
People didn't pay attention to the two Asians at the door. Only occasionally would someone glance at them, but they would quickly look away, as if they weren't curious at all.
"I still miss this place." Old Tian took a deep breath. "The beer here is pretty good, want to try some?"
After saying that, he pulled Chen Xiao into the bar before Chen Xiao could speak and led him to the bar counter.
"Hey, old Billy, look who's here." Old Tian slapped the bar.
Soon, a figure leaped swiftly onto the bar counter...
That's right, he "jumped" onto the bar!
This was a dwarf, only about one meter tall, with a long beard that reached his knees... and even tied in a bow. His face was covered in wrinkles, and he had blue eyes.
He looks like a dwarf from a fantasy novel!
"Look! Guys, look who's back! Our martial arts master has returned home! Hahahaha!!"
The dwarf spoke in a loud and cheerful voice, surprisingly in fluent Mandarin. Soon after, with a loud thud, a wooden beer mug filled with beer was slammed onto the table.
"This drink is on me. Welcome home, old friend!" the dwarf laughed heartily.
Many guests in the room raised their glasses, and some laughed heartily, saying, "Old Tian, welcome back!"
"Haha, how long are you staying this time?"
"Could it be that they've come back to buy cell repair fluid again?"
"My God, I heard you bought out all of Pete's cell repair fluid stock last month, haha."
"Old Tian, please pass on a message to Zhu Rong: get rid of that Gonggong guy quickly. We all love her. Hahahaha..."
Amidst a burst of laughter, Old Tian raised his glass and downed it in one gulp. Only then did he let out a satisfied sigh and wipe his mouth vigorously: "Awesome! Old Billy's beer is the best in all of Australia!"
"Wrong, it's the best on Earth!" the dwarf named Old Billy shouted in dissatisfaction.
Then, those green eyes looked at Chen Xiao, who was standing behind Lao Tian: "Huh? Lao Tian, who is this kid behind you? An Eastern boy... could he be your son?"
“My son? Don’t be ridiculous.” Old Tian shook his head: “Have you forgotten? My last son died during World War I.”
This statement shocked Chen Xiao.
“Oh, yes.” Old Billy sighed. “God bless that boy. Alas, my poor daughter…”
Old Tian glanced at Chen Xiao and explained in a low voice, "My last son married one of Old Billy's adopted daughters. He died in Burma during World War I. Old Billy and I are related by marriage."
Chen Xiao couldn't help but glance at this old Billy... How old was he?
"Beer. Old Billy! Stop glaring at me, get a glass for the kid I brought too." Old Tian smiled slightly.
Soon, Chen Xiao picked up the beer in front of him and paused for a moment. Then, he subconsciously reached for his wallet in his pocket.
"No." Old Tian quickly stopped Chen Xiao's actions and laughed, "On this island, currencies from all over the world are not universally accepted."
Um?
"Then... what will we use to buy things?"
Old Tian shook his head, offering no explanation, but simply smiled faintly at Old Billy: "Put it on my tab."
He then downed the rest of his beer in large gulps, patted his belly, and said, "Alright, you guys keep having fun. I have some things to take care of, but I'll come over when there's some space tonight."