Chapter 771 - 353: An Interesting Misunderstanding—Is It Really a Misunderstanding? (Part 3)

Chapter 771: Chapter 353: An Interesting Misunderstanding—Is It Really a Misunderstanding? (Part 3)

"Our procurement plan will be like our sailing plan, carried out in stages. Next, we need to go to three places."

Riven glanced at the screen, showing an expression of interest on her face.

"First stop, Whole Foods Market, to stock up on fresh organic vegetables, fruits, and high-quality meats, plus local leafy greens from Florida."

"Second stop, Costco, to buy enough bottled water, canned goods, pasta, rice, and frozen foods needed for the second stage, for the next twenty days."

"The final stop," he said with a mysterious smile, "is to complete our ’secret mission,’ procuring special equipment to boost team morale."

After hearing the clear and well-organized plan, Riven couldn’t help but whistle.

"Lin, this doesn’t sound like grocery shopping, more like a meticulously planned logistical operation! I love it!"

In the next few hours, the two of them pushed two huge shopping carts, like true comrades, and began a sweeping procurement.

At Whole Foods Market, Riven demonstrated her value as a local expert.

She deftly avoided tourist-only areas, leading Lin Yu’an to find the best local sources.

"Don’t buy pre-packaged steak," she pointed to the meat counter, "You can have them cut it fresh there; ask them for two inches thick—perfect for grilling."

"Get these oranges, ’Mandarin Orange,’ a Florida specialty, very sweet."

Meanwhile, Lin Yu’an chose the most suitable leafy greens for life at sea, impressing Riven with his choices.

Their cooperation was so seamless that it seemed like they weren’t working together for the first time.

At the second stop, Costco, they operated like an efficient team, strictly following the list, loading cases of mineral water, pasta, tuna cans, and nut bars into the cart.

When the truck bed was piled up to the brim, Riven wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked at the last stop on the list.

"Alright, the conventional supplies are done. Now, take me to execute your secret mission, Captain."

With Lin Yu’an’s navigation, Riven drove her massive pickup through twists and turns until they arrived at an Asian supermarket full of oriental charm.

When Lin Yu’an pushed the cart expertly among shelves filled with various sauces, frozen meats, and fresh vegetables, Riven felt like she had entered a new world.

It was her first time in an Asian supermarket, curiously picking up a bottle of Lao Gan Ma, then checking out the spices and dry goods on the nearby shelves, her blue eyes filled with wonder.

"So, what mysterious things is our great Captain planning to buy?" she finally couldn’t resist asking.

Lin Yu’an smiled and put a packet of tomato hot pot base and a packet of mushroom soup base into the cart. "This is it."

He picked up a packet of spicy Sichuan hot pot base, "Let’s start with entry-level stuff, I need to check if my crew can handle spicy food."

"I’m not some wimpy who can’t take spicy," Riven said defiantly beside him.

"I’ll let you try next time," Lin Yu’an smiled again, heading to the sauce section and picked up a bottle of sesame paste, "And this, this is the essence."

When they loaded the pickup truck with large bags of ingredients and a small electric stove, it was already afternoon.

Back on Polaris, Mike had already completed all the ship inspection work, and was standing by the rail, waiting like a parent for a child to return home.

"Did you two clear out the whole supermarket? What took you so long to come back?"

He glanced at his watch, deliberately using a complaining tone, but his gaze was filled with satisfaction when he saw the supplies almost overflowing.

"Dad, look at what Lin brought back!" Riven’s face was still alight with excitement from the "adventure" at the Asian supermarket.

Like showcasing treasures, she laid out the hot pot bases, stove, and various ingredients one by one on the salon’s table.

Captain Mike circled these novel items, studying them for quite a while, confusion etched on his face.

He picked up the packet of tomato base, flipping it over, examining the Chinese on it, and sniffed it, a rich and tangy aroma wafting by.

He looked at Lin Yu’an, "So... this is Hot Pot ingredients?"

"Yes," Lin Yu’an explained concisely, "it’s the quickest way to replenish calories and energy when sailing. Plus, it’s quite tasty."

"More than just tasty!" Riven excitedly described to her father, she had been on Lin Yu’an to explain everything during the drive.

"Dad, imagine this: Anchored in the Bahamas at night, darkness all around except for the stars and moon."

"Then we fire up this pot on the deck, putting in fresh meats and veggies to cook... it’d be amazing!"

She looked at Lin Yu’an, her blue eyes filled with unabashed excitement, "Lin, seriously, eating hot pot under the stars? You’re a genius!"

This feast plan filled with lively atmosphere, devised by Lin Yu’an and narrated by Riven, successfully made Captain Mike smile with anticipation.

The atmosphere between the three of them, thanks to this small culinary adventure, became unprecedentedly amicable and close, like a true team, or even... like a family.

Mike coughed awkwardly: "Uh... Lin, there’s a temporary... change of plans."

He organized his thoughts, aiming to fulfill his mother’s orders while inwardly hoping this man with a family wouldn’t have more than professional contact with his cherished daughter.

"Well, there’s a family dinner tonight, if you’re not busy, you should join us."

This unexpected invitation left Lin Yu’an and Riven stunned.

Lin Yu’an looked at the father and daughter, and thought, this is a great opportunity to deepen relations with them.

So, under Mike’s expectant gaze, Lin Yu’an smiled and responded: "Of course, it’d be my pleasure. Just need to return to the hotel to change into something appropriate."

Mike watched Lin Yu’an agree with a smile, feeling mixed emotions.

His face muscles twitched but still forced a smile: "Great! No problem! Let me write you an address."

After receiving the address note, Lin Yu’an bid farewell to Riven and her father, preparing to leave.

"See you tonight, Riven."

"See you tonight."

Watching Lin Yu’an’s back as he left the boat, Riven finally couldn’t hold back.

She stepped next to her father, speaking in a low voice, "Dad, I said not to distract him because of the birthday, we set sail tomorrow."

"I know, sweetheart, we agreed only family would celebrate, but... it’s your grandma’s invitation for him." Mike rubbed his temples, giving Riven a look as if saying; you think I wanted this?

"What’s going on? How did Grandma suddenly know him?"

Captain Mike looked at his daughter with a helpless expression.

"Who else? Your troublemaking aunt, Kira. She insisted to grandma that Lin was your boyfriend, and grandma wants to meet him."

This answer made Riven want to storm back to the surf shop and seal Kira’s gossipy mouth with board wax.

But unexpectedly for Mike, she didn’t jump up to refute like usual, instead falling into rare silence.

She just kept her head down, studying the teak grain on the deck, as if analyzing some profound nautical chart.

This silence was more alarming to Mike than any heated debate.

He stepped forward, speaking earnestly to break this unsettling quiet.

"I’ve seen him on ’Alone in the Wilderness,’ Lin is an exceptional young man, he’s strong, calm, and very charming."

"Oh right, after winning the championship, his wife appeared, she’s quite the beauty, they seem very much in love."

He closely examined Riven’s side profile, hoping for some response. He wished to hear her say "Dad you’re overthinking," or "I know, we’re just friends."

Yet, Riven offered no reply.

She remained silent, long lashes covering those vibrant blue eyes, making it impossible to discern her emotions at that moment.

The sea breeze lifted her golden hair, brushing against her tightly pursed lips.

Mike’s heart sunk, he found himself a bit frightened, because something might be quietly spiraling out of control.

———

(Happy Saturday, everyone!)