At this moment, Gao Zhuang had to admit that what Wang Guan had said was quite reasonable. When reporting a crime, you couldn't just say your property was stolen; the police would certainly investigate the scene. But where was the scene? If the account of the events was vague, it was bound to arouse suspicion.

"Reporting it isn't right, not reporting it isn't right—this is so difficult."

For a moment, Gao Zhuang was pulling at his hair in frustration. "Why am I so unlucky..."

"Brother Gao, on what grounds do you assume they will definitely retaliate against you?" Wang Guan asked thoughtfully, continuing his inquiry. "Where were they originally planning to go, and where exactly did they hijack your boat?"

"That..." Gao Zhuang hesitated, unsure whether to speak.

"Brother."

Just then, Yu Jie quickly chimed in to persuade him. "At a time like this, what more are you trying to hide? Brother Wang is a very capable man; he can help you. And if it weren't for his strong support this time, we probably wouldn't have found you all so quickly..."

Gao Zhuang naturally understood this logic. After all, not just anyone could own a private yacht. Even if the yacht wasn't Wang Guan's, being able to borrow one demonstrated capability.

After much deliberation, Gao Zhuang slowly shook his head. "Forget it. This matter is too troublesome; I'm afraid I'll implicate Brother Wang."

"It doesn't matter," Wang Guan said confidently with a slight smile. "Other troubles might be hard to handle, but the kind of trouble you've run into shouldn't be able to drag me down. No matter how big the issue gets, even if I can't manage it alone, I can find someone to help carry the burden."

Gao Zhuang's eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice. "...The Su family can handle it?"

"Hmm?" Wang Guan paused, pondering. "The Su from the Su Corporation?"

"Exactly!"

Gao Zhuang nodded seriously, while Yu Jie, overhearing this, immediately gasped, showing some panic. "Brother, is that true? How did this involve the Su family? They are famously wealthy..."

Although Yu Jie left his sentence unfinished, the underlying meaning was clear: with the Su family's resources, what kind of luxury cruise liner couldn't they afford? Why would they bother stealing Gao Zhuang's old fishing boat?

"It's not exactly the Su family, but someone connected to them."

Since the matter was out in the open, Gao Zhuang decided not to conceal anything further, explaining quietly, "The people who chartered the boat the day before yesterday wanted us to ferry them to the Su family's private island to attend Old Master Su's birthday banquet."

"You actually reached the island?" Wang Guan frowned.

"Yes, we truly arrived at the island. The charterers went up to attend the banquet, and we waited outside. Someone even brought us a very lavish meal and wine..."

A complex expression crossed Gao Zhuang's face, a hint of undeserved favor, which quickly soured. "After noon, the banquet ended. The charterers came out and said they wanted to see the ocean view, asking us to circle around once before heading back."

"I thought, since it was still early, circling around wouldn't hurt."

At this point, Gao Zhuang managed a bitter smile. "Who knew it would end up like this? Honestly, even now, I still don't understand why those people, who are clearly rich, would steal my fishing boat?"

In reality, at the beginning, Gao Zhuang had held a sliver of hope—that those people were just seeking thrills, playing a prank, and would return the boat soon, perhaps with a large sum of money as compensation.

Unfortunately, after freezing for a night, Gao Zhuang finally understood that this was just wishful thinking. Nevertheless, he still had no intention of reporting it to the police. Living in Hugang, he knew the Su family's influence all too well. Even if the Su family wasn't directly responsible, any matter connected to them was too risky to pursue, lest things become even worse.

If he had been completely alone, Gao Zhuang might have considered resistance. But thinking of Yu Jie and Gao Wen about to marry, he didn't want to bring trouble upon his sister and future brother-in-law.

"Let's just consider it paying for peace," Gao Zhuang forced a laugh. "I still need to see Xiao Wen married off; I don't want any unexpected complications."

"Brother..." Yu Jie somewhat understood Gao Zhuang's feelings and was deeply moved. He then turned to Wang Guan. "Brother Wang, what about this matter..."

"This is easily handled," Wang Guan replied after a moment's thought. He then asked, "Brother Gao, tell me honestly, among the people who chartered your boat, was there one man and one woman..."

After describing the appearances of Meng Jian and Yao Jing, Wang Guan looked at Gao Zhuang with anticipation, hoping for an affirmative answer.

However, to his surprise, Gao Zhuang shook his head directly, looking blank. "No, they were all men. They were rugged and powerfully built; you could tell immediately they were not to be trifled with."

Wang Guan felt a significant disappointment upon hearing this. Before coming to find him, he had had a sudden thought that the hijacking of Gao Zhuang's boat might be connected to Meng Jian and Yao Jing. Now, it seemed that was just him overthinking things.

While thinking this, Wang Guan spoke aloud. "This matter is indeed simple and relatively easy to resolve. The key is your attitude, Brother Gao. Do you wish to let sleeping dogs lie, or do you absolutely need to find the people who stole your boat and take revenge?"

"Let sleeping dogs lie," Gao Zhuang chose without hesitation.

"Fine," Wang Guan smiled. "Then we'll pay a visit to the Su family later and have them compensate you for the boat. That way, the matter is closed."

"What?"

Gao Zhuang and Yu Jie were instantly dumbfounded, utterly stunned. They had assumed letting the matter rest meant simply dropping it—if the boat had problems, Wang Guan would help smooth things over. They had never considered demanding compensation from the Su family.

"What's wrong?" Wang Guan challenged, completely serious. "If you're not satisfied, then we'll have the Su family find those people and make them pay for your boat."

Wang Guan had no reason to joke. He assumed that the Su family would grant him this small favor. Furthermore, since the incident occurred on their territory, they were responsible; if not them, who else should be held accountable?

Relatively speaking, Gao Zhuang lacked confidence and was somewhat flustered. "That doesn't seem right."

"What's not right about it?" Wang Guan waved it off casually. "Don't worry. Later, you just need to state exactly what happened. Leave the rest to me."

As he spoke, the yacht approached the Su family's island on its return journey. Wang Guan immediately instructed the navigator to dock there.

"Wait..."

Gao Zhuang panicked and quickly stopped him. "Don't go! Brother Wang, you're forcing me to jump overboard!"

"Brother Gao, rest assured, I will take responsibility for anything that happens," Wang Guan comforted him. "Besides, I know people in the Su family. They aren't that petty; they won't mind such a small matter."

"They might not mind, but I do," Gao Zhuang pleaded. "Brother Wang, I know you mean well, and I believe you certainly have the means to make the Su family compensate me for the boat..."

"And I also believe that the Su family could afford to replace not just one boat, but a hundred of them."

Gao Zhuang managed a bitter smile. "The problem is, I don't dare accept it. If I truly accepted compensation from the Su family, I probably wouldn't be able to make a living in Hugang anymore. Of course, I believe the Su family wouldn't care about a small figure like me, but other people would care. They would inevitably boycott me, subtly or openly..."

The reason for such a boycott would be simple, requiring no elaborate justification. Since compensation was involved, it implied a conflict between Gao Zhuang and the Su family. Those who relied on the Su family for their livelihood would naturally boycott him first. As for everyone else, there was no need for a reason to disrespect the Su family for the sake of a nobody. Whether right or wrong, few would care about the details.

"Then what do you want to do?" Wang Guan frowned, yet he had to admit that Gao Zhuang's considerations were more thorough.

"Go home, eat well, drink well, sleep well, and then accompany my sister and brother-in-law to take wedding photos," Gao Zhuang sighed. "I don't want to deal with anything else, and I can't afford to. If the police come looking, I'll just tell them the truth."

Although somewhat passive, this was arguably the best way to ensure self-preservation. Moreover, this was Gao Zhuang's choice, and Wang Guan couldn't presume to make other decisions for him.

"Then let's go back."

The navigator immediately changed course and sped towards the port. Not long after returning to the Hugang port, Gao Wen, who had been waiting after receiving a call, greeted Gao Zhuang with tears of joy upon his return.

After the flurry of activity subsided and the two or three crew members who were stranded on the deserted island had left, Gao Zhuang led Wang Guan and the others home, intending to express his gratitude for their help.

"There's no need to be so formal," Wang Guan said with a smile. "It's just good that everyone is safe..."

Despite those words, a token of thanks was still necessary. On the way home, Gao Zhuang gathered plenty of fresh fish, shrimp, and conch from the seaside fishermen. Upon arriving home, he personally cooked a lavish seafood feast.

Since it was a banquet, alcohol was essential. Naturally, only Gao Zhuang, Yu Jie, and Wang Guan drank together. Qiao Yu wanted a glass, but Bei Ye quietly pulled her back.

"Come, another cup." Gao Zhuang was generous, using bowls instead of cups, downing one after another.

Gao Wen wanted to advise him, but seeing Yu Jie shake his head in signal, she said no more.

In truth, everyone understood that Gao Zhuang was drinking to drown his sorrows. Having his fishing boat stolen without cause, and then being too apprehensive due to various concerns to even dare report it to the police—the feeling of suppression must have been immense.

"Drink more!"

At this moment, Gao Zhuang gulped down another bowl. Although it was homemade rice wine and not as harsh as industrial liquor, the alcohol content was still significant. Watching him drain bowl after bowl, Gao Wen finally couldn't help but plead, "Brother, drink a little less."

"It's fine, I won't get drunk," Gao Zhuang chuckled, his face not even showing a flush after several large bowls, indicating his tolerance was considerable.

"Brother, if it's really that bad..."

Just then, Gao Wen bit her lip. "Ah Jie and I can skip the wedding banquet for now and pool our money to buy you a new boat. We can hold the wedding banquet later when the sarira is auctioned off."

"Nonsense! The date is set; how can we change it?" Gao Zhuang retorted, eyes wide. "Besides, I'm the elder brother-in-law; no matter how down on my luck I am, I can't take my brother-in-law's money."

At Gao Wen's prompting, Yu Jie also tried to persuade him. "Brother, we're family; why be so formal..."

"Stop!"

Gao Zhuang shouted, then frowned. "What? Are you looking down on me, thinking I'm drinking away my misery? You underestimate me too much. If the boat is lost, it's lost. I don't need anyone to compensate me, and before long, I'll buy a bigger one..."

As he spoke, Gao Zhuang clenched his jaw as if he had made a firm decision, turning to ask, "Brother Wang, are you interested in a big deal?"