When Chen Ji emerged from the aft cabin, the deckhands were already gathered on the deck playing dice. However, they weren't gambling with money, but rather for the chance to disembark at Mirror City Port; the winner would meet the landlord, while the loser would stay aboard and endure tough days.
Old Ears was not gambling. He stood alone by the ship's railing, arms resting on the balustrade, silently gazing at the sea. The peach wood branch on his head gathered his graying hair.
Chen Ji walked over to him: "Do you like watching the sea?"
Old Ears continued staring at the sea: "If you can't talk, don't force it. If you have something to say, just spit it out."
Chen Ji coughed lightly: "I want to exchange a secret with you for some information."
Old Ears turned his head with interest: "Whose secret?"
Chen Ji pondered for a moment: "The Xu Family from the Imperial Capital."
