Several lights in specific areas were off.
Miao Tong checked the ship's power control room and discovered that the voltage in those areas had not been activated at all.
It seemed they were indeed not opened to the public.
But what was the reason?
Was it truly just because the entertainment options in these areas were unsuitable for minors, or was someone hidden there?
Miao Tong felt he would only know if he investigated himself.
To avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion, Miao Tong took the side stairs, maintaining a casual demeanor as if he were simply sightseeing and wandering around.
This custom-built cruise ship had five decks. The top two were residential, while the lower three corresponded to various entertainment, leisure areas, and relaxing observation decks.
The lowest deck housed those un-opened areas.
Miao Tong also noticed that only emergency lights were on, creating a dim environment.
He stood at the top of the stairs, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
He couldn't smell the distinct scent of the Tang family.
This was also what Miao Tong found strange.
It shouldn't be...
Although the salty sea air was quite strong here, it shouldn't have masked the smell of poisonous grass that the Tang family members carried.
Especially the scent of Tang Jiamingzhu, which was exceptionally peculiar.
He had smelled it clearly that day at the seaside food stall.
The thought of that moment made him angry!
If it hadn't been for the sudden appearance of those hooligans who attacked him and ruined his plans, he would have apprehended Tang Jiamingzhu on the spot, and there wouldn't be so many complications!
As Miao Tong was thinking this, he heard a male voice behind him.
"Thief! Catch the thief!"
"What? A thief?" Miao Tong spun around abruptly, only to be kicked in the chest with a powerful blow.
Shi Xingwu had already found Miao Tong suspicious, especially after his conversation with Nie Qingkong. He increasingly felt Miao Tong had ulterior motives!
During their sightseeing tour, the staff who guided them had clearly stated that the lowest deck was temporarily not open to the public. Even someone as careless as himself remembered that, so Miao Tong surely couldn't have missed it.
His furtive behavior now suggested he might be up to something malicious!
Perhaps he intended to steal something valuable!
Combating illegal and criminal activities is everyone's responsibility!
Although he thought this was a good opportunity to beat Miao Tong soundly, he also considered that if something serious happened to Miao Tong, he would be held legally responsible.
Coupled with his concern for his goddess's feelings, Shi Xingwu still held back, avoiding Miao Tong's vital points.
Furthermore, the ship's staff were very diligent. It wasn't long before someone rushed over, and the lighting on this deck was also turned on.
"Ouch..." Miao Tong winced in pain, his face full of grievance.
Xia Qingyu and the others also hurried over upon hearing the commotion.
"What... what happened!" Xia Qingyu was stunned to see Miao Tong being beaten, "Little Uncle, why were you beaten again?"
"Again?" Shi Xingwu caught the word and found it strange. Was he a repeat offender?
"A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding." Miao Tong didn't know he would be mistaken for a thief. He tried to defend himself, but his words were weak against Shi Xingwu's fists.
"Shi Xingwu! What's going on!" Li Xiaozhong, who had just arrived, felt his temples throbbing. He couldn't keep an eye on you for a moment, and you'd cause trouble.
"I saw someone acting suspiciously... and it was dark and dim here, I thought he was a thief..." Shi Xingwu answered somewhat guiltily. Nie Qingkong had already come up with this excuse for him.
That's why they say Nie Qingkong could rank second in exams; she was so smart!
"This is the sea! How can there be thieves on the sea!" Li Xiaozhong felt a stomachache from anger. "You... you really are..."
He didn't understand Shi Xingwu?
Shi Xingwu had long disliked Miao Tong, so it wasn't impossible for him to resort to violence.
But how could this happen out of the blue...
Li Xiaozhong suddenly thought of something and immediately looked at Nie Qingkong, who was walking over slowly.
When he left the deck, Shi Xingwu and Nie Qingkong were still on the deck, right...?
Xia Qingyu also turned her gaze to Nie Qingkong, her brow furrowed.
Although Nie Qingkong wasn't present, and Shi Xingwu was the one who delivered the blows, Xia Qingyu felt that Nie Qingkong couldn't be unrelated to this incident.
Nie Qingkong met the gazes of Li Xiaozhong and Xia Qingyu with an open demeanor, shrugging with a smile.
At this moment, Xia Qingtian also arrived, drawn by the sounds. He was taken aback to see Miao Tong being beaten, "You unlucky kid, why were you beaten again?"
"I already said it was a misunderstanding..." Miao Tong least wanted to lose face in front of Xia Qingtian. "I was strolling around the ship and came to this deck. It was dark, and classmate Shi thought I was a thief..."
Upon hearing this, Shi Xingwu rolled his eyes internally. What did he mean "he thought"?
This Miao Tong clearly had ill intentions!
"I say, Little Uncle, can't you take care of yourself?" Xia Qingtian said speechlessly.
"Goddess sister, why do you also call him Little Sweetie?" Shi Xingwu was a little confused upon hearing this. Had Miao Tong not only deceived his goddess but also deceived the goddess sister?
If he had known earlier, he would have hit him harder just now!
"He is my and Qingyu's uncle, lost for many years, so he's taking advantage of the辈分. Qingyu and I sometimes call him Little Uncle." Xia Qingtian explained.
Upon hearing Xia Qingtian's words, Shi Xingwu and Li Xiaozhong were slightly stunned, and the faint smile on Nie Qingkong's lips completely froze.
"So..." Shi Xingwu said blankly after about three seconds, "it's not Little Sweetie, but Little Uncle?"
"What is this all about?" Xia Qingtian blinked, looking utterly bewildered.
"Oh dear! This is a huge misunderstanding!" Shi Xingwu felt a flush spread across his face and fled like the wind, pushing everyone aside.
"What's wrong with him?" Xia Qingtian looked at Li Xiaozhong, finding it inexplicable.
"Let him calm down by himself." Li Xiaozhong sighed helplessly, this misunderstanding was quite something.
As soon as Li Xiaozhong finished speaking, Shi Xingwu ran back. His face was flushed crimson as he earnestly apologized to Miao Tong, "I'm sorry, Little Uncle! I really didn't know... I'm sorry..."
"It's fine, you didn't do it on purpose." Miao Tong waved his hand.
If he had wanted to resist, Shi Xingwu wouldn't have landed the second blow, but he couldn't lay hands on ordinary people, which was why he endured a few more hits.
"I..." Shi Xingwu's words caught in his throat, and the blush on his face spread to his neck.
He had indeed done it on purpose...
What should he do? He was so embarrassed...
Could it be salvaged?
Seeing him like this, Li Xiaozhong could only sigh silently and shake his head. He then glanced at Nie Qingkong from the corner of his eye.
Forget it, consider it a lesson for Shi Xingwu.
Why should he only use his fists and not his brain? It served him right to be manipulated. Let Shi Xingwu blame himself, regret it, and find a way to compensate.
He'll learn his lesson and be smarter next time.
Miao Tong gave a dry laugh and waved his hand, saying he was fine.
He wanted this matter to be over with even more than Shi Xingwu did. After all, if Xia Qingtian realized he was looking for Tang Jiamingzhu on the ship, that would be truly terrible.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingyu glared angrily at Nie Qingkong.
This Nie Qingkong was truly going too far. Not only had she hurt Miao Tong again, but she had also manipulated the innocent Shi Xingwu!
Nie Qingkong also realized she had made a mistake. For the first time, she didn't look back at Xia Qingyu's angry gaze but guiltily shifted her eyes away.
Standing in the surveillance room, Bai Yuqi swirled the drink in his cup, watching the entire farce unfold, and revealed a satisfied smile.
This was fun, really fun.