He decided to find someone to talk it over with tomorrow.

Usually Cao Mang didn't visit this person much. In fact, there was every reason why he should have become closer to him, but because he was slightly afraid of him, he didn't often go to his place. That man was his father, Cao De's best friend. After Cao De died, he was the person most naturally in line to take care of Cao Mang.

He was called "Old Ge," and he was an old man. Only a few years back he had finally retired from one of the Ministry of Ocean's ships and returned to live. He had been the Captain of that ship and had returned only after suffering a stroke. Because he had spent his whole life at sea, his temperament and appearance were somewhat unusual. So Cao Mang had an inexpressible sense of dread for him, He no longer had the use of half of his body and his speech was slurred. All the same, when it came to boats and the sea, no one on the sea coast spoke with as much authority Besides that, Cao Mang felt that, with his father gone, he ought to listen to Old Ge. If the old man had said "go," then no matter what, he would have to go.

The next day Cao Mang found himself caught in a new dilemma: to go and see Old Ge or not?

In the end, Cao Mang went to see Old Ge.

The old captain was at home reading a book. He read while lying down, Cao Mang looked at the cover of the book and could tell that it was a book about whaling. Beside the pillow was another book, but the title was too odd and he couldn't make it out. On the cover was a picture of two muscular men having a fist fight. Old Ge flipped several pages, then picked up the fist fighting book as though he hadn't seen his visitor. Only after Cao Mang called out, "Old Ge," did he slowly sit up.

Old Ge was very thin and was wearing a white shirt with a wide collar which left his hard, purplish chest exposed. He already had very few teeth left, and his mouth was sucked in tightly. This unexpectedly made him look very obstinate. His eyeballs were yellowed but extremely bright. As he stared at Cao Mang, it was as if he were piercing him with a pair of awls. His back was severely hunched and his head hung down, but at that moment he straightened stiffly to look at Cao Mang. Cao Mang said: "Uncle Ge ... Old Uncle Seven wants to take me on his boat ... but, but I'm afraid that something will happen. want to hear what you have to say!......

"Huh?!" The old captain had listened attentively at first, then issued a garbled bellow.

"Old Uncle Seven wants to take me ...... Cao Mang repeated,

"You ....... The old captain started to cough. He coughed violently until his face turned purple. Cao Mang was standing too close and could see several scars on his face shaking, so he took a step back in fright.

As the old captain coughed his voice became more garbled still. Cao Mang was virtually unable to make out a single word. Mesmerized, his eyes followed a couple of the broken teeth in that sucked-in mouth, But the old captain's eyes had never left his, and Cao Mang was discomfited by their piercing, awl-like gaze. It was as though the old man had suddenly become angry. His chest heaved up and down at the It was as same time as he continued to cough violently.

Cao Mang couldn't make out a thing, and he was a little frightened. His face flushed as he stammered a few words and withdrew from the old man's room,

He regretted going to ask the old captain ... On the shore, Old Uncle Seven and his two son's were gathered around the new boat. Cao Mang walked over.

Old Uncle Seven greeted him enthusiastically and made him sit down on the boat's gunwale. The boat was so new, everywhere it gave off the scent of tung oil. Oic Uncle Seven's two sons worked bare chested, busying themselves filling a small crack with caulking. As Uncle Seven smoked his pipe he said; "Come on, we'll be the first Old boat to put to sea. There's nothing to worry about......"

Cao Mang ran his hand over the gunwale but didn't reply.

"You shouldn't keep thinking about your dad, nothing like that's gonna happen. There's weather reports. and besides, it's a new boat, and after a year we'll fit some more equipment. I'm not bluffin'ya!" Uncle Seven fixed his eyes on Cao Mang as he spoke.

The two skinny sons piped in as well; "Come on, Brother Mang! The boat, the nylon nets, they're brand spanking new..."

Cao Mang said; "I've still got to think about it some more, okay?"