Given Tao Dou's personality, if he dared to pawn his ancestral Dragon Painting for a lavish meal, gifting it to Gao Zhuang now wouldn't be surprising. After all, in Tao Dou's eyes, Gao Zhuang was a veritable sturdy leg to cling to, and now that there was an opportunity, why wouldn't he fight tooth and nail to embrace it? However, considering his family was dirt poor with nothing presentable to offer, his gaze naturally fell upon the Dragon Painting once more.

“Did you call and check?”

Knowing Tao Dou’s nature, Wang Guan reminded him, “Say it clearly, don’t let any misunderstandings arise.”

“I already did,” Gao Zhuang sighed, shaking his head. “Tao Li said she’s coming over shortly.”

“Oh, so the thing was indeed pilfered by him,” Wang Guan also shook his head. It truly was hard to guard against thieves in one's own house.

With this thought, Wang Guan seized the moment, carefully unrolling the painting to examine it closely. After all, according to Tao Dou’s story, this painting was the key. If they could spot any clue, they could determine if the story was fabricated. Gao Zhuang was also sharp and naturally understood the implication of Wang Guan’s action; he wouldn't stop him, perhaps even feeling a flicker of anticipation.

After a long while, Wang Guan frowned slightly. “This painting is indeed from the mid-Qing period, but it just looks like an ordinary dragon painting, nothing particularly special.”

“Is that so?”

At this moment, Gao Zhuang felt a touch of disappointment but nodded gently. “I studied it for a while too, same as you, couldn't find anything. Maybe we were being overly suspicious.”

“Let’s look again…”

Wang Guan wasn't so easily convinced. When the naked eye proved insufficient, he naturally resorted to his psychic ability. As he lowered his head, he focused his concentration. An invisible flow of qì surged forth, wrapping around the painting like fine threads.

Instantly, the Dragon Painting shimmered with a pale yellow divine light, confirming Wang Guan’s initial guess. The age of the item was indeed mid-Qing. However, that wasn't his main focus; the crucial question was whether the painting itself held any secret.

“Huh.”

It must be said that having a golden finger, having cheated the system, made everything go smoothly. The moment Wang Guan concentrated his gaze, the Dragon Painting seemed stripped bare, holding no secrets from him.

Blinking, Wang Guan immediately retracted his psychic ability and carried the painting over to the cabin window. The sunlight outside was bright, streaming through the glass. Wang Guan held the painting up high, carefully examining it against the light.

“Just as I suspected…”

Wang Guan revealed a smile of relief. “So this painting really is peculiar! I almost missed it…”

As his appraisal skills constantly improved, Wang Guan found himself using his special abilities less and less. Firstly, it wasn’t necessary; secondly, he wanted to train himself. That’s why he hadn’t used his psychic power when first examining the Dragon Painting, resulting in only now discovering the anomaly.

Still, discovering it now wasn't too late, and the timing was actually excellent. Even if he had discovered something strange before, without understanding the context, he probably wouldn’t have paid much attention. But now it was different; with the backdrop of Tao Dou’s grandfather’s story, it became much easier to interpret.

Meanwhile, seeing Wang Guan suddenly beaming, Gao Zhuang naturally grew curious and hurriedly asked, “Brother Wang, did you discover something?”

“Yes,” Wang Guan admitted, nodding. “I suddenly realized the Dragon Painting is far from simple—it actually conceals a sea chart.”

“What?”

Hearing this, Gao Zhuang was flooded with surprise and excitement, demanding even more urgently, “Where is it?”

“It’s within the painting.”

At this moment, Wang Guan hung the Dragon Painting in the window, ensuring the front faced the sunlight, then gestured. “Look at the back of the painting. Do those faint, emerging marks look like a distribution map of islands?”

Gao Zhuang quickly looked. Under the illumination of the sun, the ink strokes of the great dragon vaguely surfaced toward the north. Patches of dragon scales resembled ocean waves, and areas where the ink was rendered heavily looked like scattered islets. Most importantly, where the dragon’s head was situated, when viewed from the back of the painting, was clearly a terrifying, ferocious skull.

Seeing this, Gao Zhuang had no remaining doubts; only excitement and elation filled his heart.

“A pirate’s treasure map!”

In an instant, Gao Zhuang was certain: “That’s it, absolutely a treasure map.”

“Mm!”

Wang Guan was equally certain. While coincidences certainly abound in the world, one couldn't be this coincidental. The surface depicted a ferocious dragon, while the reverse was a nautical chart. Claiming it was an unintentional accident would surely be unbelievable; it was most likely a deliberate act. First, the sea chart was sketched out with heavy, dark ink, and then strokes were carefully added to transform it into a dragon painting.

This way, unless one knew the painting's secret beforehand, it would certainly be dismissed as an ordinary work of calligraphy and painting. Tao Dou’s ancestors, or perhaps his grandmother’s ancestors, once knew the secret, but they never had the chance to venture out to sea to excavate the treasure. The item was passed down through generations, and then in some generation, the secret was lost.

In any case, the Tao family certainly didn't know the painting's secret now. If the Tao family had known, thinking from their perspective, they would have set sail for treasure before Tao Tao went bankrupt. They wouldn't be drowning their sorrows in alcohol every day, living a life of meaningless revelry…

“Brother Gao, what sea area do you think this map depicts?”

At the same time, Wang Guan sought advice. After all, Gao Zhuang had richer sailing experience and might recognize something.

“Hard to say, but it does look vaguely familiar,” Gao Zhuang studied it intently, somewhat lost in thought. Just then, a call came from outside the door: “Brother, a visitor is here for you! A beautiful woman!”

“What beauty?” Gao Zhuang started, suddenly realizing Tao Li must have arrived.

“Beauty, please come this way.” As he spoke, Liu Zi pushed open the ship's door and gestured gallantly. After Tao Li entered, he winked suggestively with an overtly warm smile.

Gao Zhuang, seeing this, immediately snapped at Liu Zi, displeased. “What are you standing around for? A guest is here, hurry up and make tea!”

“No need, no need…” Tao Li waved her hands hurriedly.

“…Coming right away,” Liu Zi knew exactly whose orders to follow, and he darted away quickly.

“Please, have a seat,” Gao Zhuang said, feeling a bit awkward. Wang Guan’s reaction was similar. After all, they had just uncovered the painting’s secret, and now the owner of the painting was showing up. The mixed feelings were undeniable.

“Thank you,” Tao Li sat down and noticed the painting in Gao Zhuang’s hand, a hint of apology in her tone. “Brother Gao, I’m causing you more trouble. By the way, where is Dou Zi? I need to give him a good talking-to.”

“He’s busy in the lower hold, I’ll call him up,” Gao Zhuang started to call out, but Tao Li stopped him.

“No rush,” Tao Li slightly shook her head, then said, “We can call him later…”

“Oh.”

Sensing that Tao Li seemed to want to discuss something privately with him, Gao Zhuang naturally stopped and gestured for her to sit again. Liu Zi then returned, carrying steaming hot tea.

“Here’s the tea,” Liu Zi placed the hot tea in front of Tao Li, then added with a chuckle, “What should I call this beauty? I don’t think I’ve seen you before. How did Brother Gao meet you?”

“Who said I haven’t seen her?” Gao Zhuang frowned. “Didn’t we take the boat a few days ago… Oh, right, you went to the provincial city for fun that day. She’s Tao Dou’s older sister; she heard we were about to set sail and came especially to see Dou Zi off.”

“Oh, I see. That’s a pity,” Liu Zi exclaimed, understanding dawning on him, along with a hint of disappointment. He shrugged, losing interest in the drama, and retreated.

Seeing this, Tao Li was somewhat perplexed. “What’s wrong with him? Did I offend him? Or did Dou Zi misbehave and provoke him?”

“No, it has nothing to do with you,” Gao Zhuang quickly shook his head, offering no explanation.

Wang Guan beside them couldn't help but chuckle and directly revealed the truth. “He thought you were Brother Gao’s girlfriend, which is why he was so interested. Once he found out you weren’t, his enthusiasm vanished.”

“Ah.”

Tao Li understood immediately, showing no trace of embarrassment, but instead smiled gracefully. “My apologies for causing a misunderstanding. Could you please apologize to him for me later? I’ll treat him to a meal another time to make amends.”

“He’s the one who should be apologizing,” Gao Zhuang laughed, appreciating Tao Li’s straightforward nature. Of course, appreciation aside, Gao Zhuang didn't forget the main issue. Feeling a bit guilty, he swayed the painting in his hand, his expression hesitant. “This painting…”

“This painting is a gift for Brother Gao,” Tao Li’s smile faded, her expression turning serious. “It’s not worth much, just a small token of appreciation. I hope Brother Gao will accept it.”

“What?”

In an instant, Wang Guan and Gao Zhuang exchanged looks, feeling somewhat taken aback.

Tao Li's reaction proved that the item was taken by Tao Dou without permission and then gifted to Gao Zhuang. But now, it seemed Tao Li intended to let the mistake stand.

“But this is your family’s heirloom.”

To admit receiving it now, Gao Zhuang felt a definite pull in his heart. After all, the painting was extraordinary, hiding a secret.

“If the item stays at home, Dou Zi will surely keep plotting for it. Since that’s the case, we might as well just give it to Brother Gao,” Tao Li stated frankly. “Brother Gao giving Dou Zi a chance is a favor we can hardly repay. As long as you like it, never mind the ancestral item—even a priceless heirloom, we can hand it over to you.”

“It’s not just about repaying a kindness, but also hoping Brother Gao can guide Dou Zi well.”

As she spoke, Tao Li’s voice carried a hint of entreaty. “I know Dou Zi has many bad habits—lazy, weak-willed—but as family, we hope he can change. One thing he didn't lie about: he truly loves sailing; it’s been his dream for years. Now that he has this opportunity, I feel it should be the best chance for him to get back on the right path.”

“However, I don’t know if he can persevere. I just hope Brother Gao can encourage him often, be more tolerant, and give him a few more chances. If he performs poorly, hit him if you must, punish him as needed, but don’t condemn him too quickly.”

Tao Li’s tone was deeply sincere, filled with profound longing.

Gao Zhuang fell silent. After a long pause, he nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry. Once we’re out at sea, there’s no getting off the ship. Even if he can’t hold on, he’ll have to keep going…”