Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 428 Iceberg, Huge Iceberg! (Second Update)
Maupassant came in and slumped into a chair in the room: "I drew number 2, so it's my turn to tell a story tomorrow!"

But my mind went completely blank, and I couldn't think of any decent story! Especially after you told the story of the '80s'!

I have no experience with long-haul voyages, nor have I encountered anything interesting on board...

Am I supposed to tell them about my romantic escapades with girls? Emile would kill me!

Even if Emile were willing, I've never patronized a beautiful girl on a large ship; there's no "brothel" on the 'Perel'..."

Lionel, who was writing something at his desk, felt a headache coming on when he heard this and could only turn around.

Seeing Maupassant's troubled expression, he thought for a moment and said, "How about I tell the story for you tomorrow?"

Maupassant immediately jumped up from his chair, his face instantly brightening: "Really? Léon! You're my savior! That's wonderful! I knew you had a way!"

He was so excited he almost lunged forward to hug Lionel.

Lionel waved his hand: "Alright, alright, go and rest, let me read in peace for a while."

Maupassant left, thanking him profusely.

The following afternoon, the recreation room was once again filled with people, all eager to hear what story the second narrator from the "Meitang Group" would bring.

When it was Maupassant's turn, he stood up with a grin, but turned his gaze to Lionel: "Ladies and gentlemen, given how wonderful Monsieur Lionel Sorel's story is, to the point that I am ashamed of my own inadequacy, I have decided—"

I'm giving him this opportunity to speak!

Everyone was taken aback, and their eyes immediately focused on Lionel.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lionel calmly stood up and walked towards the stage.

"God, is he going to speak again?"

"Wasn't yesterday's story good enough? Does he have a new idea now?"

"How does this brain work?"

Discussions arose one after another.

Lionel went to the piano again, took out a silver coin, and placed it on the music stand.

He said to the pianist Jean Durand, "Mr. Durand, please continue playing for me. Play one of Chopin's Nocturnes, Op. 9, No. 2."

Durand accepted the silver coin with a smile, and bowed slightly: "Very well, Mr. Sorel. However, from today onwards, on this ship, my name will be '80 Years'."

A burst of knowing laughter erupted in the recreation room, lightening the somber mood brought on by yesterday's story.

After the laughter subsided, Lionel turned to the crowd and began his new story, his voice steady, as if stating an impending fact:

"The story I'm about to tell takes place on a giant ship that will be built soon."

It was much larger and more luxurious than the Perel we're traveling on today, with a displacement of a full 2 tons!

A collective gasp rippled through the audience—2 tons? Keep in mind that the Perel's displacement was only 5500 tons, already a colossal vessel.

People can only vaguely imagine what a 2-ton behemoth looks like. It's not a "miniature city," but a real floating city at sea!
At this moment, the captain of the "Perel," who was also listening to the story in the cabin, immediately protested: "Mr. Sorel, why can't the big ship in this story also be the 'Perel'?"
Our ship is big enough to hold even more stories!

Lionel glanced at the white-haired old captain: "Captain, after you hear this story you'll understand why I don't use the 'Perel'."

Upon hearing this, the captain could only mutter something and sit back down.

Lionel continued, “It is the pinnacle of human shipbuilding technology, a palace floating on the sea, a real city.”

Therefore, people gave it a name – 'Titan'.

Its builder and its captain both proclaimed it to be an unsinkable giant ship!

"Titans" is the name of the race of giants in ancient Greek mythology, so it is quite reasonable to name such a behemoth.

Lionel was somewhat disappointed, however, as the actual Titanic in history had a displacement of 55,000 tons, far greater than the 20,000 tons he mentioned.

However, the largest cruise ship of this era had a displacement of less than 7000 tons, and 2 tons had already reached the limit of everyone's imagination.

Lionel stood on the small stage, looking at the curious and astonished faces below the stage.

He knew the profound impact a story of an "unsinkable" giant ship sinking had in this age of navigation.

He smiled slightly and began his story—

"Our story takes place on the Titan. Its mission was also from Le Havre to New York."

Just as it was about to embark on its maiden voyage, a young painter named Jacob was playing cards with several people at the dock.

He was lucky; he won some money, and most importantly, he won a ticket to the ship—

A captain's ticket for the USS Titan bound for New York.

Those listening to the story were at least second-class passengers, and they chuckled and whispered as soon as they heard "steerage".

Maupassant and the others stared wide-eyed—Lional and they had just been to the steerage cabin yesterday, and now they could use that as a story?

They had seen what that environment was like, but for a poor painter, it was indeed a ticket to a new world.

"And so, Jacob, carrying his easel, boarded this enormous cruise ship that he had never imagined."

He lived at the bottom of the ship, crammed together with hundreds of other immigrants. But he was young, and even though he knew nothing of what lay ahead, he was full of hope and fearless.

Leonard paused, then turned his gaze to the well-dressed audience.

"At the same time, a distinguished guest arrived in first class, Mr. Carl Hawkley, the American steel tycoon."

Mr. Hawkley returned to New York with his 'trophy', a young noblewoman named Rose.

Rose's family had fallen on hard times, but as the countess's mother, she desperately hoped to save her crumbling family through this marriage.

Upon hearing this, many gentlemen and ladies exchanged knowing glances. This was all too common; newly rich people who had amassed astonishing wealth in America longed to "gild" themselves with European aristocratic titles and lineage.

Many penniless former European nobles were happy to exchange their daughters' happiness for real money.

For the next period of time, Lionel recounted the story of Titanic, and the audience's hearts rose and fell with the love story of Jacob and Rose.

In the story, during the short voyage of a few days, Rose and Jacob grew closer and closer, and finally, in a corner of the cargo hold, they made love...

At this point, the audience held their breath, and some men could even be heard swallowing – such a sensual and exciting story could be heard without spending money?
Lionel didn't elaborate, but instead changed the subject, beginning to recount how the sailors on night watch discovered something amiss, prompting disgruntled murmurs from the audience who were expecting details.

But Lionel didn't keep everyone waiting long; soon, the Titan struck a massive iceberg.

A scream erupted from the crowd—

"Oh, God!"

"iceberg!"

"Right in the North Atlantic!"

"Unsinkable? My God!"

The old captain of the Perel, in particular, turned deathly pale, finally understanding why Lionel hadn't allowed this story to happen on the Perel.

Lionel didn't give the audience much time to process their fears; he quickly brought the story to a climax.

"The hull was torn apart, and icy seawater rushed in. The Titan began to sink irreversibly."

Panic spread, but the number of lifeboats was far from enough for everyone on board.

The recreation room was deathly silent, except for Lionel's voice.

"...Jacob helped Rose climb onto a broken plank, but the plank could only support one person."

He knew this was her only chance to survive, so in the icy, bone-chilling sea, he held her hand tightly and spoke his last words to her—

He demanded that she promise him that no matter what, she would live on, and live a vibrant life, have many children, watch them grow up, and die peacefully in her warm bed…

Many women had begun to sob quietly, wiping away their tears with handkerchiefs, while the men looked grave.

"Jacob released his grip, smiled, and slowly sank into the cold, dark seabed of the North Atlantic."

A profound sense of grief and regret enveloped the entire recreation room. Sobs could be heard everywhere.

"...Rose was rescued. She was found in a returning lifeboat and arrived in New York with the other survivors."

She did not marry Carl Hawkley, who was also saved, nor did she return to Europe or to her family.

She lived in anonymity, carrying the love and courage that Jacob had left her, in that new continent…

The story is over.

Lionel stood silently on the stage, without saying another word.

The people in the recreation room remained silent for a long time; some were sad, some were moved, and some were deep in thought.

Then, a woman took off her gloves and clapped vigorously; followed by a man who also began to clap slowly.

Soon, the third, the fourth, the fifth... all the passengers in the entertainment room were applauding the story, the applause completely drowning out the waves.

After a long while, the applause subsided, and people began to talk in hushed tones.

The story of the Titan is incredibly rich in meaning! It's far more than just a tragic love story.

It sharply criticizes the social realities of that era, from the vanity of American capitalists to the coldness of the old European aristocracy.

It also mercilessly satirizes the hypocrisy of high society, praises the sincerity and vitality of the lower classes, and the spirit of sacrifice that shines with the light of humanity.

It even criticizes the blind faith in technology—human beings' "unsinkable" creations are utterly vulnerable in the face of nature.

Everyone found something they wanted in this story; or rather, they were touched in different corners of their hearts by this story.

At this moment, someone seemed to want some fresh air and to ease the oppressive atmosphere of the shipwreck tragedy, and subconsciously looked towards the porthole.

He exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? It seems like it's getting light already?"

Everyone turned their heads and noticed that the leaden-gray sky outside the porthole, which had been gloomy for many days, had suddenly cleared up, revealing a large expanse of clear blue sky.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting bright spots of light on the floor, like a series of lakes.

More noticeably, the swaying of the boat became very slight, almost imperceptible.

Someone cheered: "The storm has stopped! The 'autumn storm' is over!"

This sudden change in weather seemed to offer everyone a respite and a sense of relief.

People stood up, eager to leave the stuffy recreation room and get some fresh air on the deck.

Everyone rushed onto the deck, and the fresh, salty air rushed in, invigorating them.

People breathed in the air greedily, stretched out their limbs, and felt the warm sunshine on their faces, which they hadn't seen for many days.

The sea was as calm as a giant blue mirror, with only white spray from the passing ships.

Some people gazed silently into the distance, while others discussed the story they had just heard in small groups.

Just then, a young passenger standing near the starboard railing suddenly broke the silence with a terrified scream:

"An iceberg! A huge iceberg!"

All the passengers on deck who had just heard the story, including the storyteller Lionel, panicked!
(Second update, more tonight, please vote with monthly tickets)
(End of this chapter)