In the dark underground tavern, the owner hides from the inspections of relevant departments and sells private liquor. He only discloses the location of the store to those customers he trusts.
For example, the sloppy bearded man sitting in the corner has been lying on the table drinking alcohol all day long, and he was here last night.
The tavern owner remembered that this guy spilled two glasses of ale last night when he was hungover and spilled it all over the table. The next afternoon, the smell was very strong, and he slept on the table again, with stains on his beard.
He was drinking alcohol, and his personal hygiene looked like he hadn't taken care of it for a month, which made people visually feel the stench.
The other customers stayed away from the table. Although the drunkards sneaked into this shop to get drunk, there were few bastards who stayed out all night. No one wanted to mess with such unstable elements.
The tavern owner was quite familiar with the guy, and knew that he had not been of this character in the past.
This shop lives in the cracks of the city, hidden under the noses of the Prohibition Bureau, and the boss always has ways to make them ignore him.
A business that cannot be put on the table needs regular customers to survive, and this drunk guy lying on the table is the boss's regular customer.
When the sun set again and it was less busy, the boss brewed a pot of sobering tea and served it in front of the man.
Reaching out and shaking the other person, the boss coughed twice and said to him: "Clark, it's time to go home..."
Even though he was drunk, the man could hear the tavern owner clearly and answered him.
"Home... ugh... there is no other home..."
"Don't you make a living at sea? As a first mate, you have a decent job."
The tavern owner's words touched the man's tragic memory. The latter pushed the sober tea away and said through gritted teeth: "No more, no decent job, no high salary, nothing..."
The tavern owner patted him on the shoulder. As a result, the other person's clothes were all wet. The owner pulled his hand away in disgust and quickly wiped it clean with a handkerchief.
"It's just a job. Even if you don't have a happy life with your former colleagues, or even if you are laid off, you can still go work on another ship."
Upon hearing this, the bearded man suddenly raised his face, which was so dirty that his facial features could not be seen clearly.
"I no longer have a job. I have lost everything. Even my business certificate was taken away by the Maritime Safety Administration."
"Oh my God!" The tavern owner felt incredible, "What have you done? Why are you being treated like this?"
"In order to save the entire ship, I threatened and killed the bastards who wanted to kill everyone with a gun. When the cruise ship arrived safely at the port, I was accused by the people I saved!"
The bearded man picked up the huge glass of malt liquor and drank it in one gulp.
"I have lost my stable income now. The reason why I stayed at your place for two whole days is actually because I have no money to pay you at all, my friend..."
"Not even the drink you just drank?" The tavern owner was shocked.
The bearded man nodded, and then the tavern owner quietly took back the sobering tea.
"I can only keep accounts for you, Clark, you have to pay me back..."
"I don't know when I can pay you back for the drink. Maybe you will be the first to find my body in the city drain before I find my next job."
The depressed first mate became pessimistic about his future, but the next person who entered the tavern created a new possibility for his future.
Today, Victor was wearing a short brown cape coat, without a hat or a cane, and entered this illegal liquor shop lightly.
When the boss saw the unfamiliar face, his expression suddenly changed and he immediately stepped forward to stop him.
"I'm sorry, sir, you're on the wrong track," he said hurriedly.
"I just want to taste the new ale. I heard you have it in stock..."
Hearing this, the tavern owner's heart skipped a beat.
His shop is hidden in a complicated alleyway, with a fruit stall and a garbage dump outside to protect it. Normal people will never come in. Only regular customers know what is being run here.
Since the other party said that, the boss immediately suspected that a certain guest might have revealed the situation here to the gentleman in front of him.
He had dealt with this kind of thing in the past, but today, his subconscious told the tavern owner that the purpose of the gentleman in front of him was definitely not as simple as drinking or investigating illegal liquor.
"You must be mistaken. This is just a private workshop for brewing grape juice drinks. I..."
Before the boss could finish his words, Victor walked straight to the drunk first mate.
The boss's face changed suddenly, and he was just about to go over and stop him when he heard Victor calling Clark's name.
"You're well, Mr. Clark Hugo..."
Being drunk did not hinder the communication between Victor and Clark. The former sat directly in front of Clark, ignoring the shocked tavern owner.
Clark was full of drunkenness, but his consciousness was very clear. He stared at Victor's face and felt that it looked very familiar.
"We spent a thrilling time at sea together." Victor reminded him.
Clark narrowed his eyes, and his beard was already wet and sticky.
He remembered it, but he was not sure because the young man in front of him looked very bad and not consistent with the one in his memory.
"You look sick."
After receiving the answer, Victor smiled, knowing that the other party had not forgotten him.
"This is my own problem, Mr. First Mate, but I'm here today to solve your problem."
As for the former chief mate of the Northern Faith, Victor heard about his experiences one after another after arriving at Sanfran Pier.
He was charged with murder and defended himself in court.
Originally, Victor was supposed to attend as a witness, but in the end the court did not summon him.
Although Clark was finally acquitted, the price was that he lost all his wealth, his business certificate was confiscated by the Maritime Safety Administration, he lost his job and his family, and ended up in this end.
At first, Victor was ready to poach him, but after learning about Clark's experience, Victor decided to find him personally and give him a job to support his family.
After hearing Ming's intention and knowing about the Wind God Enlil, Clark's eyes flashed with light, but it was fleeting.
"That is to say, you will soon acquire a ship and you will need me to serve as captain?"
"That's exactly it..."
"I'm very grateful for your kindness, Mr. Inspector, I really appreciate you, but... I can't work for you, I'm sorry..."
"Huh? Why? Don't you need a job right now?"
"Yes, but I lost my certification..."
Hearing this, Victor was curious and felt that the other party was a bit stubborn: "It's just a book, you work for me, I don't need those things to prove your ability..."
Clark flatly denied: "No, sir, you really don't need it, but I need it..."