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墨書 Inktalez
The port is located southwest of Rong City and is a large international dock.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, ships occasionally approach, sounding their horns as they slowly dock at the pier. There are also vessels with large smokestacks spewing black smoke, cutting through the azure waves as they depart.
Dozens of huge containers, rusted and weathered, are neatly arranged along the shore, waiting for workers to use towering gantry cranes to load them onto cargo ships. In this late autumn season, when temperatures have noticeably dropped, a group of stevedores still dressed in short sleeves sweat profusely as they carry heavy loads back and forth. Their exposed arms are muscular and tanned. Groups of tourists in various outfits mingle among the bustling crowd at the dock, some dragging luggage while others pull children along. Occasionally, vendors pushing carts sell low-quality cigarettes or snacks like peanuts and melon seeds. Overall, the massive port is alive with a lively and noisy atmosphere.
In a secluded area near the dock, a long pier made of reinforced concrete extends from the shore into the sea, its surface a grayish-white. Lexington stands at the end of this pier, facing the ocean. The slightly salty sea breeze lifts her clothing and her flowing flaxen hair.
As for Saratoga, Lexington truly does not know where to start looking. Although there are fewer Fleet Girls named Saratoga in this world than those sharing her name, she had visited those few three years ago, and the outcome is needless to say. Sometimes she wonders if everyone at Naval Base feels disheartened like her after its disappearance, reluctant to integrate into society as Fleet Girls but rather as ordinary people. If that is the case, finding Saratoga would be quite difficult. Yet no matter how challenging it may be, Lexington would not hesitate for a moment because Saratoga is her sister, her only family member she cares about in this world.
As for bringing everyone back from Naval Base and rebuilding it, Lexington has thought about it but realizes that without Admiral, everyone's hearts have scattered. They had all gathered at Naval Base because of Admiral; now that he is gone, who would listen to her? Even if she found them, why would they follow her? She is indeed a Secretary Ship, but she is not Admiral after all. Therefore, rebuilding Naval Base is simply unrealistic. Moreover, so much time has passed; who can guarantee that their hearts remain unchanged?
"Life would be wonderful if it were just as it was at first sight; why lament over autumn winds that mourn for painted fans? Casual changes alter old friends' hearts; yet one says old friends' hearts are easily changed."
Having lived in Rongcheng for three years, Lexington has naturally delved into ancient Chinese culture from the Old World.
Nalan Xingde's poetry is beautiful yet sorrowful; although it may seem somewhat out of place here, who knows if such a possibility exists! As Admiral's initial ship, even Firefly's heart has changed; how can one talk about others?
Yesterday, upon hearing that Firefly had an Admiral again, to be honest, Lexington felt uncomfortable. But then she thought: why shouldn't Firefly have an Admiral? Back when they were at Naval Base, everyone came together because of Admiral; but what difference does it make whether he exists or not? From beginning to end, Admiral never appeared at Naval Base; no one even knew what he looked like. Since Admiral is no longer around and so much time has passed, according to Asian customs regarding mourning for Admiral, the three years of mourning have already elapsed. It is only natural for Firefly to seek happiness again and find herself an Admiral. What about the others? Perhaps they have long forgotten Admiral and pursued their own happiness.
At that time, how would she approach them? Some might already be married or even have children. For instance, South Dakota always clamored about wanting to marry Admiral back when they were at Naval Base. Yet Admiral never responded to South Dakota but gave a ring to herself; who knows if South Dakota harbors any resentment? Now that Admiral is gone, has that chubby girl sought out another Admiral out of spite and even had a child? If so, how awkward would it be for her to say something in front of their family of three? Thus, rebuilding Naval Base is merely a false proposition; it's better not to think about it.
She seemed to remember that there was a photo of the Admiral in the Admiral's office, but for some reason, she just couldn't recall what the Admiral looked like.
However...
Lexington furrowed her brow slightly. She didn't know why, but whenever she thought of the Admiral, the image of a young man would unexpectedly appear in her mind—the new Admiral from Firefly.
Honestly, Lexington hated this feeling, but that image lingered stubbornly.
"Sister, what are you looking at?" A sweet voice interrupted her thoughts. It belonged to a little girl about four or five years old, followed by a young man in his twenties with black hair.
"Looking at the sea." Lexington quickly retracted her gaze from behind her.
Although the little girl wasn't in her ship form, Lexington could tell at a glance that she was one of the Fleet Girls, and naturally, the identity of the young man became clear as well.
"But sister, what's so interesting about the ocean?"
"You're too young to understand." For Fleet Girls, the ocean wasn't particularly captivating. But perhaps it was due to habit! She remembered when she was at the Naval Base, after receiving a ring and wedding dress sent by the Admiral from afar, she would often take her leisure time to walk to the dock outside the Naval Base and gaze at the blue sea, hoping that a cruise ship carrying the Admiral would appear on the horizon. Because of this habit, her younger sister Saratoga would tease her as "the stone waiting for her husband." Even though she had left the Naval Base four years ago, this habit had not changed. Whenever she stood by the sea, she would unconsciously face it and look toward the distant horizon.
"I see! Admiral, is what sister said true?" The little girl turned to ask the young man beside her.
"Yes! You're still too young; some things you'll only understand when you grow up." As he spoke, the young man looked at Lexington with a self-assured and charming smile and said, "Beautiful lady, I hope you don't mind if I stand here and enjoy this blue sea with you!"
"You can do as you wish." Lexington replied as she moved aside, creating some distance between herself and the young man.
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