“If you can’t keep up, then swim back,” Gao Zhuang said coldly, his expression utterly ruthless. He looked exactly like an actor perfectly cast as a triad boss in a period drama.

Of course, in Tao Li’s eyes, this harshness served as a powerful reassurance, making her feel relatively secure. However, after offering that guarantee, Gao Zhuang hesitated: “This painting…”

If this had been any other time, seeing Tao Li’s resolute attitude, he might have accepted the painting without a second thought. But now that he knew a secret was hidden within it, taking it felt highly inappropriate. For a moment, Gao Zhuang looked toward Wang Guan, his eyes conveying a silent query, clearly hoping Wang Guan would help him make a decision.

Just then, Tao Li frowned. “What, Brother Gao? Do you find this painting too ordinary, not worthy of your attention?”

“No, no, no…” Gao Zhuang shook his head repeatedly. “The item is precious; it’s… difficult for me to accept it.”

“It has no signature or seal; how precious can it truly be?” Tao Li dismissed it casually. “It’s just something with sentimental value. I heard it depicts the Dragon King. If you hang it in your cabin, Brother Gao, it’ll certainly bring good fortune.”

Gao Zhuang didn't know how to respond directly and instead turned to Wang Guan. “Brother Wang, what do you think about this?”

“This matter…”

Wang Guan was thoroughly displeased with Gao Zhuang’s attempt to pass the buck, so he skillfully deflected it with a counter-move of his own: “It’s a gift meant for you; you should handle it as you see fit.”

“…Then how about I borrow the flowers to offer Buddha and immediately pass it on to you?”

It must be said that Gao Zhuang possessed a sharp wit. This move was a clever block and counter, not only neutralizing Wang Guan’s deflection but also successfully dragging him into the dilemma.

“It was meant as a gift for you, yet you’re giving it to me? Is that treating her kind intentions with respect?”

Naturally, Wang Guan wasn't going to be tricked so easily and tried to decline again. The truth was, this situation was genuinely tricky, primarily because he couldn't gauge Gao Zhuang’s true intentions. Making a snap decision could easily damage the goodwill between them.

“Oh, honestly.”

At that moment, Tao Li lost her patience. “It’s just a gift; is there any need to push it back and forth like this? Being so hesitant and finicky, you’re more womanly than I am.”

“Uh…”

In an instant, the other two men fell silent. After exchanging a look, they recognized the mutual thought passing between them and both nodded in agreement, finally reaching a consensus.

“Who will speak first?” Wang Guan asked.

“You go ahead,” Gao Zhuang said with a smile. “After all, you were the one who discovered it.”

“Fine!”

Wang Guan nodded at the right moment, reached out, took the Dragon painting, and turned it over in his hands for a moment. He spoke very seriously: “When we say this painting is valuable, and when we keep passing it back and forth, it’s not just politeness. The painting itself might not be worth much, but the secret hidden within? Who knows what that might be worth.”

“What?” Tao Li was stunned. “What secret is in the painting?”

“A pirate’s treasure map…”

When Wang Guan finished speaking, Tao Li burst out laughing. “Are you two really believing what Douzi said? I’ve told you, this item was my grandmother’s dowry, not some relic left by a Pirate King…”

“Hold on, don’t rush. If we say this, we must have evidence.”

Wang Guan smiled gently. “We don’t know if it’s a Pirate King’s relic, nor do we know what your ancestors did. But there is, unequivocally, a navigational chart hidden within the painting.”

As he spoke, Wang Guan signaled Gao Zhuang to hold the painting up to the light. Under the illumination, ink stains faintly outlined a sea chart visible through the back. Especially the frightening, fierce depiction of a skull, which was enough to confirm this was no mere figment of their imagination.

“Ah.”

After taking one look, Tao Li couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. Though her hair was long, her experience was not shallow. Having grown up by the sea, she was certainly familiar with pirate legends.

However, Tao Li was well past the age of dreaming, and unlike hot-blooded men, she harbored no interest in seeking pirate treasures. Yet, completely unprepared, she was now staring at a treasure map hidden within a painting passed down through her family for generations.

In that instant, Tao Li felt her mind momentarily stall, unable to process things for a long time.

“Calm down, stay composed.”

Understanding the impact this revelation had on Tao Li, Wang Guan quickly soothed her with gentle words. “Take a deep breath, and then exhale slowly. Besides, you must know that a sea chart alone is useless. Whether you can actually find the treasure, or if the treasure even still exists, are two entirely separate matters. This is merely the first step of a long journey; the treasure is still a long way off…”

Guided by Wang Guan, Tao Li gradually recovered her senses, then asked with shock and doubt, “Is this real?”

“It’s an heirloom from your family; you should know better than we do whether it’s real or not,” Wang Guan chuckled. “You might not believe us, but you should believe your own eyes.”

“Don't assume pirate treasure is just a legend.”

At this point, Gao Zhuang chimed in to support the claim. “Half a year ago, we discovered a cache of pirate treasure ourselves. That experience is what gave me enough capital to purchase this large ship…”

The evidence was right before her eyes, making it impossible for Tao Li to disbelieve. Yet, for a moment, she remained confused and utterly adrift.

While Tao Li was bewildered, Wang Guan and Gao Zhuang were clear-headed. They exchanged a look, and Wang Guan spoke again: “This is the situation we have before us. What do you intend to do about it?”

“Intend to do?”

Tao Li paused, then understood immediately. Yes, why the sea chart was hidden in the painting wasn't the crucial question; the main point was that the chart strongly resembled the legendary pirate treasure map. With a treasure map in hand, what would a person normally do? Go searching for the treasure, without question.

The problem was, searching for treasure was hardly simple. Tao Li wasn't foolish and naturally realized that given the Tao family's current financial situation, setting sail for treasure would be laughable. Furthermore, Tao Li clearly remembered that although the painting was her heirloom, the secret within it had been deciphered by others.

Her thoughts raced, and then Tao Li broke into a bright smile. “Brother Gao, the item was gifted to you; it’s yours now. You decide what should be done, and that’s what we’ll do.”

Smart…

In that moment, Wang Guan couldn't help but silently praise her inwardly. People become foolish because greed clouds their reason. But Tao Li was shrewd; she understood her limitations and knew exactly how to act to maximize potential benefits.

Wang Guan and Gao Zhuang were not selfish individuals; otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen to be so open after discovering the painting's secret. Tao Li had grasped this point, which is why she generously allowed the two men to take the lead. She trusted their character, believing that if any real profit arose, the Tao family would certainly not be overlooked.

If Tao Dou were present, the outcome would be difficult to predict. She might lack the awareness entirely, perhaps excitedly urging Gao Zhuang to search for the treasure for her, or even attempting to hoard it all upon discovery, which would surely lead to a disastrous end.

Regardless, seeing Tao Li make such a wise decision, Gao Zhuang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and beamed. “It’s too early to discuss specifics now. Once we actually find the goods, we can negotiate the details slowly.”

This was a prudent approach; the supposed treasure was still entirely speculative, so discussing division was premature. None of them were fools who would resort to fighting and killing over an unseen treasure, as seen in movies, only to have someone else reap the benefits.

“The main thing is this sea chart,” Wang Guan mused. “I wonder where this is.”

“It looks somewhat familiar,” Gao Zhuang continued his study, analyzing everything from the distribution of the islands to the outline of the sea areas, constantly recalling and comparing.

“Here…”

Just then, Tao Li leaned in to examine it, hesitating slightly. “From my perspective, this looks like the Taiwan Strait…”

“What?”

Gao Zhuang snapped to attention, quickly laying the painting flat. After a brief study, he repeatedly nodded. “Yes, you’re right, it really is the Taiwan Strait…”

“The Taiwan Strait?”

Wang Guan frowned deeply at this realization. “If that’s the case, this is going to be complicated.”

Wang Guan’s difficulty was understandable. Due to well-known geopolitical reasons, the waters on both sides of the Strait were demarcated separately. Without legitimate justification to cross the boundary, they would certainly be sent back.

Gao Zhuang also reacted, his brow tightly furrowed. “You’re right, this is genuinely troublesome.”

“Brother Wang, do you have any ideas?”

Gao Zhuang looked on with expectation. In his perception, Wang Guan was a figure of limitless resources and great capability, perhaps able to solve this issue.

“Study it again, see if you can pinpoint the exact location where the treasure might be hidden,” Wang Guan instructed. If it were near the middle of the Strait, they could perhaps attempt salvage operations, even under ** difficult circumstances.

However, after careful comparison, Gao Zhuang used a pen to sketch a rough area on the existing nautical chart—this was the region where the treasure might lie concealed according to the map. Unfortunately, this area was very close to Taiwan Island itself. To approach it rashly without a proper excuse would naturally invite expulsion or detention.

“How could it be like this…”

At this moment, Tao Li’s disappointment was palpable. She had initially thought this was a fantastic opportunity to improve their living conditions, only to find it was all an illusion—something visible but unreachable.

“Don’t panic, let’s think harder. There must be a way,” Gao Zhuang muttered, racking his brain. “Start a trading company. When we sail through that area to pick up goods from Taiwan, stopping for a few hours shouldn’t cause trouble, right?”

“It sounds feasible, but executing it might be incredibly complicated…” Wang Guan shook his head, feeling stumped, just as his phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller ID—Elder Qian—he quickly answered.

“What? Go to Taiwan?”

A moment later, Wang Guan’s expression became strange; he thought he must have misheard him.