"Of course we're going out to sea. Otherwise, why would it be called a cruise party?
Didn't I tell you that the party will last from the afternoon until late at night? We're spending the night on the ship. What's wrong? Did you forget to ask for leave from your family? "
"No." Zhang Lisheng looked out of the window again and realized that everything was normal under the bright sun. He thought about it and said, "You know, I rarely attend parties so I'm just asking."
Tina had a puzzled expression on her face but she knew that the skinny young man before her would not say anything even if she continued to ask. "That better be the case.
Alright Lisheng, let's go down now. The party is starting soon, it's our turn. "
Zhang Lisheng nodded without saying a word and held Tina's arm.
After the waiters in the lobby on the ship's two floors were busy arranging the few distinguished guests' outfits, the Fordham Sisters and their respective male companions began to descend to the first floor from the three viewing elevators on the ship's skylight to the accompaniment of the popular American song "She's My Eternal Treasure".
Abandoning the traditional red-carpeted staircase, they gracefully accepted the blessings of their relatives and friends while walking down slowly. Of course, it was to take care of Walter who had difficulty walking.
However, as the colorful fireworks that were exclusively used during the day soared into the sky from the skylight and the three beautiful girls slowly descended from the transparent viewing elevator, the people attending the party still cheered deafeningly without holding back. The lively and joyful atmosphere did not diminish at all.
Zhang Lisheng who was short, skinny and had yellow skin should have been the most eye-catching among the three male companions of the main girl of the party.
However, due to the makeup done by the hairdresser, his appearance was much better. Although Walter tried his best to hide it, the way he staggered when he walked out of the elevator and the way his mouth kept twitching was just too weird. In comparison, the young man standing next to Tina became less eye-catching.
Most of the guests who had no idea what was going on shifted their shocked gazes that they thought they had hidden very well to Walter.
Under the shocked expressions of the guests, the party continued. The three beautiful girls who appeared in the fireworks began to accept the coming-of-age gifts from their parents. Since it was the most important coming-of-age day in a girl's life according to American tradition, all of the three wealthy parents were very generous with their gifts.
Tina got a top-of-the-line condo in Boston.
Sheila's gift was a brand new luxury yacht.
Trish, on the other hand, received a priceless antique cross that was engraved with 'Supreme Mo Ruotian, Supreme Mo Ruozhu'.
After the girls accepted the gifts from the father of their "previous life's lover," their male partners in this life presented their birthday gifts one after another. Walter's gift was an RNDO (radar) diving watch for women. Although it was a little shabby, with his financial strength, he had done his best.
Dubin, who was in the corner, generously gave out a Cartier diamond bracelet, which could be said to be standard on this occasion.
In the end, Zhang Lisheng, who did not understand the market, gave out a pendant. It was a necklace with a clear pink diamond that was more than five carats. With just one look, one could tell that it was either a fake jewelry or a real jewelry that had its own name on it. The moment the young people at the party saw this, they exclaimed in surprise.
"It can't be fake, right? But judging from the luster, it should be the real deal.
Sh * t! This is obviously the behavior of a nouveau riche! It's even more shameful! "Upon seeing this gift, even Dolby had a shocked expression on his face." But this boy is really generous … "
"That's right! Celebrating his girlfriend's coming of age day with a necklace worth millions of dollars? Such a legendary story might be passed down for many years.
As for the nouveau riche, my dear, this is New York where money never stops, not Paris that has declined to the point where only elegance and taste are left. We're all descendants of the nouveau riche, aren't we? "
Upon hearing his wife's words, Dolby curled his lips in disdain but said nothing more.
When his father was speechless, Tina was whispering to Zhang Lisheng who did not know what to do next after showing off the necklace. "Lisheng, put the necklace on me. How much did you spend on it?"
"970,000 dollars."
"Oh my god! You're crazy! Why did you buy me such an expensive gift?!"
"Your family is so rich so of course, my gift can't be shabby and be looked down upon. Besides, didn't your dad give you a top apartment in Boston? That should be at least a few million …
"Sh * t! What does my dad's coming of age gift have to do with you?
On such an occasion, it's already very appropriate for you to buy a gift that's worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. "
"Is that so?" Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a moment. "But I'm Chinese so I'm particular about reciprocity.
According to our custom, my gift should be with your dad … Ah forget it, you won't understand even if I explain it to you. In short, I'm giving you a gift so just accept it. "
At this time, the dance music began to play. As one of the main characters of the birthday party, Tina, who was responsible for leading the dance, began to dance with her male partner. "Lisheng, I don't mean to complain about you. I'm also very touched to receive such an expensive gift from you, especially when you're in urgent need of money to expand your career.
However, you should really search online 'what gift should I give my girlfriend for her 18th birthday'. Even if you add 'family is a super financial family on Wall Street' in the front, you won't be able to find any information that would make you give a diamond necklace worth millions of dollars. "
"Are you sure?" Zhang Lisheng asked with a strange expression.
"Oh baby, what you're looking at is a teasing post."
"You Americans are so hypocritical. Although we Chinese have a good saying that 'sending a goose feather from a thousand miles away, the gift is light but the sentiment is heavy', that only refers to the friendship between gentlemen, which is also the so-called friendship between real gentlemen in the West …"
"Alright baby, stop it. We're not talking about the same thing at all. It's my fault. Actually, as long as you're willing to give me such an expensive gift, even if your original intention is a little vain and ignorant, I should still be touched …"
"Tina, apologize sincerely if you admit your mistake. Stop saying that your original intention is a little vain and ignorant."
"Okay baby, I apologize sincerely. Can you stop stepping on my foot?" Tina said with a smile.
After an elegant ballroom dance song, the party music was immediately changed to a fast-paced fashion dance song. Upon hearing such a signal, the older guests smiled helplessly one after another. Only a few of them who thought they were still young stayed behind and began to twist their bodies in an incongruous manner.
The rest of them either walked out of the hall on the first floor or went straight to the cabins on the higher floors of the cruise, spending the leisure day at sea in a way that was more suitable for their age.
"They only danced for one song and they already changed the music to chase us away. I really don't know what the young people nowadays are thinking. The party DJ is just too …"
"My dear, it's you who said that you have something to do at the last minute and can't accompany her to the sea."
"It's all Stibby's fault. Who knew that he would suddenly agree to sell the mines in South Africa? This man is not smart. I'm worried that things will change if we drag this out for too long …" Dolby argued stubbornly. However, when he saw his wife's smile, he sighed softly. "You're right, Lulu. It's indeed my fault first. I shouldn't complain about anything."
As he was speaking, he and his wife followed the crowd to walk up the suspension ladder of the Elizabeth Holiday and disembarked from the ship in a gloomy manner.
By the time the guests who did not have time to stay at sea for a night had all left the ship due to various reasons, the cruise quietly raised the anchor and sounded the steam whistle. Slowly, it left New York Harbor and sailed steadily towards the ocean.
At this time, in the steering room on the top floor of the cruise, a muscular middle-aged first mate who was wearing a white uniform and a white wide-brimmed hat reported to the solemn-looking old captain who was steering by his side. "Sir, the Elizabeth Holiday has already left New York Harbor.
It's now sailing in a uniform arc at a speed of 30 nautical miles per hour and is expected to return to New York Harbor in 24 hours. "
"Harry, it's been almost a year since you've been promoted to first mate. I intend to let you complete this voyage alone. What do you think?"
"Sir, I-I'm very willing!" The first mate was stunned for a moment before replying in surprise.
Once an ocean-going ship went out to sea, the captain would automatically hold the highest authority on the ship. In Western law, the captain of an ocean-going ship at sea and the fire commander in a fire even had the so-called 'temporary legislative power'. In an emergency, they could use 'free evaluation' to moderately damage the legal rights of others to avoid the occurrence of greater danger.
The first mate and the captain seemed to only have a difference of one level, but in reality, the difference was like heaven and earth. Most people would not be able to surpass it in their lifetime.
"Then, do it well!" A rare smile appeared on the old captain's taut face. Turning around, he walked out of the steering room.
"Stabilize the speed and report any abnormal situation at any time!" Turning around to watch the old captain's back disappearing outside the door, Harry, who had tasted the captain's authority for the first time, raised his voice and ordered.
"Yes, Sir!" The navigator and the wheelmen responded loudly.
After changing the helmsman, the Elizabeth Holiday slowly moved forward in the ocean just like before. In fact, modern large tankers had long been able to cruise automatically. The navigator who used to have to remember the long route, be familiar with the changes in the ocean currents of the four seasons of the year, and understand astrology and celestial phenomena now only needed to know how to look at the nautical instrument to be competent.
The wheelman, who used to help the captain and first officer steer the ship, had now become a computer programmer. After setting the route, there was nothing else to do. It could be said that piloting a modern ocean liner was not much more difficult than playing a simulation game.
Even so, the feeling of sailing in the Atlantic Ocean while controlling a giant ship with a draft of nearly 100,000 tons still made Harry feel intoxicated. He stood at the position of the helmsman and looked at the open sea in front of him, feeling refreshed for a long time. Without warning, he heard a familiar voice by his ear. "Harry, what are you doing?"
"Of course I'm driving the ship, my dear friend! That old man handed the ship to me so I'm the captain now!" Harry snapped back to reality and looked at his good friend who was the service manager of the Elizabeth Holiday before replying in a whisper.
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