C16 Dreamy Beach!(1)

"Welcome aboard the Star Yacht! We hope you have a wonderful and unforgettable journey. The Star Group has been committed to high-quality service for the past ten years, with the Star Yacht having served millions of passengers, always striving to provide the best experience." As soon as the Tong family stepped onto the yacht, they were greeted by this enthusiastic welcome message.

"Hello, sir. Could you please tell me your room numbers?" A young woman in formal attire smiled warmly, ready to guide the Tong family.

"Let me check. Our room numbers are 215 and 216. How do we get there?" Mr. Tong, being on a yacht for the first time, was unsure about finding his way.

"Your rooms are on the second floor. Just go straight, take a right, and head up. The dining room is also on the second floor, so you'll likely pass it. Besides that, our yacht offers various leisure and entertainment facilities, like a game room. Here's a map for you to explore any places you're interested in." The guide maintained her smile, providing detailed information.

"Alright, kids, stick with me. Let's go!" With the map in hand, Mr. Tong's confidence soared.

"Dad, are you sure you can do this? Don't end up leading us into the ocean and feeding us to the sharks," Miaojie teased, knowing her dad's notoriously poor sense of direction.

"Tong Tong, doubting your dad, huh? Trust me this time. I can handle the directions on a yacht with just three floors."

Miaojie was skeptical of her dad's newfound confidence but decided to keep an eye on things, just in case they ended up on the wrong path before even seeing the ocean.

"We made it! See, I told you I could do it," Mr. Tong beamed with pride, celebrating his navigation success like a kid in a candy store.

"Dad, you're amazing! You've finally mastered independence. Here's a big hug for you," Miaojie cheered, genuinely happy for her dad.

"Tong Tong, you and Xiaofu will share a room, and Ms. Yang and I will take the other. Here are your keys. You have half an hour to settle in, and then we'll head to the restaurant for a seafood feast," Tong's father announced, taking charge as usual and organizing everything swiftly.

"Got it, Dad! Xiaofu and I will definitely be the fastest. Right, Xiaofu?" Tong Miaojie said with a gleam in her eye, sharing a knowing look with Lin Xiaofu.

"Uncle Tong, I promise we'll be the quickest," Lin Xiaofu assured, motioning for Tong Miaojie to hurry and open the door. She was eager to explore the luxurious yacht's interior.

"Wow, this place is amazing! Come check it out, Miaojie. Through this window, we can see the ocean right there," Lin Xiaofu exclaimed, twirling and leaping around the room in excitement.

Tong Miaojie ran her fingers over the table and the TV mounted on the wall, inhaling the scent of the sea. It all felt like a dream to her.

"Xiaofu, pinch me. Am I dreaming? Pinch me, I must be dreaming."

"Stop being silly. This is as real as it gets. The ocean you’ve always dreamed of is right outside. See for yourself," Lin Xiaofu said, rolling her eyes.

Tong Miaojie flopped onto the bed, grabbed a pillow, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Beach, here I come!" She was utterly enchanted.

"Let's get our stuff sorted. I can't wait to dig into that seafood feast. Hurry up, I'm starving," Lin Xiaofu urged, her eyes lighting up at the thought of food.

"Xiaofu, as ladies, we should be more reserved. Look at you, losing all sense at the mention of food," Tong Miaojie teased.

"Miaojie, stop pretending. Are you seriously saying you don't want to eat? It's a seafood feast, caught fresh right by the sea and cooked into a delicious meal by a five-star chef. We can enjoy the sea breeze, watch some handsome guys, and savor the food. Doesn't that sound amazing?" Xiaofu said, gesturing as if the seafood feast was already in front of her.

"Wake up, will you? Where are these handsome guys? And it's not like you haven't had a seafood feast before. Why are you so excited?" Miaojie wasn't really looking forward to the seafood feast. She was more excited about the sunrise over the ocean the next morning, which she was sure would be breathtaking.

"There will be a seafood feast, and there will be handsome guys. Besides, can the seafood we have in the city compare to what we have here by the sea? The ingredients here are as fresh as it gets, incredibly delicious," Xiaofu said, practically drooling at the thought.

Knock, knock, knock... A familiar voice called from outside the door.

"Miaojie, Xiaofu, are you ready? Ms. Yang and I have been waiting for you. We can't wait to get going."

Miaojie was startled, quickly grabbing her phone to check the time. An hour had already passed. She stuck out her tongue sheepishly and pulled Xiaofu along as they rushed out.

As they entered the restaurant, it was already bustling with tourists waiting in groups, each table laden with steaming seafood feasts. Servers moved swiftly between tables, and the aroma of seafood filled the air.

Miaojie's dad, Ms. Yang, Miaojie, and Xiaofu found an empty table and sat down. The restaurant's server enthusiastically handed them the menu, and they all gathered to start ordering.

"Dad, I want to try the crab."

"Uncle, I want smoked salmon and gravlax."

"Son, I want deep-sea cod."

...

"One at a time, please! I can't keep up," Mr. Tong said, feeling overwhelmed by the three women surrounding him.

As the saying goes, "Three women make a drama." With Tong Miaojie, Lin Xiaofu, and Ms. Yang each chiming in, Mr. Tong's ears were about to explode. Even on a luxurious cruise, he was sweating bullets.

"Waiter, we're ready to order," Mr. Tong reluctantly handed the menu to the restaurant server. The menu was a mile long.

Mr. Tong squeezed his wallet, which was once full but now felt painfully light, as if his heart was bleeding.

He had planned this outing to help his daughter unwind after starting her new job, hoping for a relaxing family getaway. Instead, he felt like he was being taken for a ride, and he was at a loss for words.

The Tong family's lovely evening began with the anticipation of a seafood feast.