novelhk Chapter 392 Olivia
Chapter 392 Olivia
Chapter 390 Olivia
The car stopped beside a tranquil fjord in the town of Hazelsleu. This is the location of X-Yachts' global headquarters.
Unlike the shipyard Lin Yu'an had imagined, which was full of the atmosphere of a classic handicraft workshop, the X-Yachts headquarters in front of him was a huge building complex full of modernity and technology.
The massive floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall reflects the shimmering waves of the fjord; the clean lines of the building showcase the pinnacle of Danish industrial design.
The factory area contains several large, white, temperature- and humidity-controlled modern production workshops, resembling aircraft hangars.
This place doesn't resemble a shipyard; it's more like a secret research and development center deep in the Nordic forest.
Instead of going directly to the administration building's office, Yan Sen led Lin Yu'an around a lawn and arrived at a huge building marked "General Assembly Workshop A".
He swipe open a huge, heavy sliding door with a yellow airtight sealing strip.
"Mr. Lin," he gestured "please," a mysterious smile on his face as if he were about to reveal a treasure.
"I think you should meet your new partner in person before discussing any drawings or contracts."
A chemical smell from the curing of epoxy resin, a faint burnt smell from the cutting of carbon fiber, and the dry dust smell from the sanding of wood wafted over.
Lin Yu'an walked into an assembly workshop that was larger than anyone could imagine.
Its ceiling is at least 30 meters high, and its size is comparable to a Boeing 747 hangar, enough to accommodate three to four sailboats over 50 feet in length for final assembly.
The entire workshop was bright and clean, with a floor made of special anti-static epoxy resin that was as smooth as a mirror, clearly reflecting the huge trusses and lighting system overhead.
The air is kept in a near-dust-free state of constant temperature and humidity thanks to a ventilation system with high-efficiency filtration.
Dozens of Danish artisans, dressed in blue overalls, goggles, and masks, are quietly and attentively working at their respective posts.
Some were hand-sanding putty onto a completed ship hull, while others were meticulously laying out complex cables of various colors.
Others act like surgeons, performing final checks on a brand-new Volvo Penta diesel engine before installation.
There is no loud noise or harsh clamor here, only the sounds of various professional tools and the low murmurs of craftsmen communicating in Danish.
In the very center of the workshop, a colossal object, like a king being crowned, instantly captured Lin Yu'an's entire attention.
The X5, which was two-thirds complete, was quietly moored on a huge slipway supported by countless yellow steel frames.
It resembles a sleeping gray orca. The hull is fully assembled, and the graceful lines that extend from the vertical axe-shaped bow to the broad stern are full of speed and power.
The surface has not yet undergone final sanding and coating; it remains an industrial gray composed of epoxy resin, gray filler, and localized carbon fiber reinforcement.
At the seams of the hull, you can also see some red marking lines used for grinding and positioning.
Yan Sen led Lin Yu'an up the deck of the "half-finished" ship via a sturdy mobile gangway.
The deck has been fully laid, but for protection, it is covered with a thick layer of protective plastic film.
Jensen carefully tore open a corner of the side of the gunwale, revealing what lay beneath.
It was a deck made of countless pieces of top-grade Burmese teak with straight grain and golden color, laid out with a meticulous craftsmanship.
Between each gap in the wood, black, elastic sealant is used to create a rhythmic geometric pattern.
Most of the deck equipment, such as winches, pulleys, and rails, has not yet been installed.
Only in those reserved locations were precision bases, reinforced with high-strength 316 stainless steel and gleaming with metallic luster, revealed.
Countless wires, labeled with different colors, extend from below the base like nerve bundles, waiting to be connected to their future "organs".
He entered the cabin entrance, which had not yet been fitted with a hatch, and went down a makeshift wooden ladder to the interior.
The sight before him was even more awe-inspiring. He could clearly see its "skeleton" and "flesh" and vividly imagine its magnificent appearance when it awakens in the future.
The handcrafted Nordic light oak furniture, the enormous U-shaped sofa base in the salon, the ergonomic cabinets in the kitchen...
The large wardrobes in the master bedroom were all installed, but their surfaces were covered with a thick blue protective film. The air was filled with the unique scent of oak.
Countless wires of different colors and pipes of varying thicknesses were neatly bundled together, extending from openings in the ceiling and floor.
They are waiting to be connected to future navigation instruments, living equipment, and power systems.
Yan Sen stood to the side, like a proud father, introducing his child to Lin Yu'an.
His tone was no longer that of a salesperson addressing a customer, but more like that of an engineer sharing his masterpiece.
"—Beneath the floor beneath your feet lies our iconic X-shaped steel frame structure."
"Each piece of steel has undergone computer stress simulation to ensure that it can withstand more than five times the design value in the most extreme storms."
"All the welding was done by our factory's most experienced welder, Master Knud, who has the highest level of EU certification. He has worked for X-Yachts for forty years."
"Furthermore, every critical weld has undergone both ultrasonic and X-ray flaw detection to ensure that there are no internal defects."
"Look at these gray-black stripes," he said, pointing to the spiderweb-like reinforcing ribs on the interior walls of the cabin. "They're the carbon fiber structural reinforcement layers that the previous owner requested."
Their laying angles were all personally calculated by our chief designer, Mr. Yepesen, to achieve maximum hull rigidity with minimal weight.
This is one of the reasons why the cost of this ship is so much higher than the standard version.
As Lin Yu'an listened, he gently tapped the hull with his knuckles.
The deep, solid, and perfectly silent echo told him that this was a warship truly born to conquer the seas!
His last shred of hesitation vanished completely after witnessing every detail of the ship. This was the ship he wanted!
"It seems you're quite satisfied with my 'half-finished product.'"
A loud and powerful voice suddenly came from the entrance to the cabin.
Lin Yu'an turned around and saw an elderly man with gray hair, a tall stature, but eyes as sharp as a hawk, standing on the makeshift gangway, looking at him with great interest.
He wore the same blue overalls as the craftsmen, but his powerful aura as a leader set him apart.
He is none other than Mr. Nils Yepesen, a legend in the Danish sailing world.
"Mr. Yepasen," Lin Yu'an stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Just call me Niels," Yepeson said, shaking his hand firmly.
"Jensen told me all your requirements. An interesting young man wants a Ferrari with a tank chassis. Come on, let's talk."
Instead of going to the quiet office, Yepesen led Lin Yu'an directly to a temporary workbench next to the ship's hull, which was filled with various tools and blueprints.
The conversation skipped all the pleasantries about price and contract, getting straight to the point about how to make the ship even more perfect.
"The former shipowner was a perfectionist madman, but also a decent guy. It's just a pity he wasn't very lucky."
Yepeson pulled up the design drawings on his tablet, a wry smile of both admiration and helplessness on his face. "He's crammed almost every feature that money can buy into this ship."
"High-modulus carbon fiber masts, ECsi rigging, 3Di sails—frankly, this is already a bit overkill. But it also gives me the opportunity to try things that are not possible in regular orders."
"However, he still left one regret." Yepeson's gaze fell on the model of the fixed 3.5-meter-deep draft keel beneath the ship's hull.
"See it?" He pointed to the deep keel. "In order to pursue the ultimate headwind performance and stability, we designed this 3.5-meter deep keel for it."
"It allows the ship to cut through the waves like a blade when sailing against the wind, with unparalleled directional precision."
"But," he sighed heavily, "this has become a double-edged sword. It means that the ship will never be able to enter the shallow coral reef bays where the water is less than 3 meters deep."
"It will be forever shut out of the gates of heaven; it has the power to conquer storms, but has lost the freedom to embrace the beach."
"For a ship that is named for cruising, this is a design flaw."
Lin Yu listened quietly, fully understanding the meaning behind Yepesen's words.
"At that time, I proposed a solution to the ship owner that could completely resolve this conflict." Yepesen looked at Lin Yu'an with a glint of probing and expectation in his eyes.
"I say, we should get rid of this fixed, cumbersome system and install a retractable frame instead!"
Without waiting for Lin Yu'an's reply, he switched the model on the tablet to a brand new, dynamic model full of mechanical beauty.
That was the "telescopic keel" design he had originally designed for his predecessor, but which ultimately failed to be implemented!
"I want it to have its keel fully extended in deep water, providing a draft of 3.5 meters or even deeper, making it a true performance beast."
"And when entering shallow waters, it can be raised with a single button, reducing its draft to less than two meters, allowing it to gracefully climb onto the beach like a sea turtle!"
"But," Yepesen's face once again showed that helpless bitter smile, "the previous owner said 600,000 euros could buy a diving sailboat."
"He chose performance and gave up freedom. For me, this work now has an irreparable flaw."
He turned off the tablet, turned his head, and stared intently at Lin Yu'an, his gaze like that of a top swordsman searching for a hero worthy of his sword.
"Mr. Lin, Jensen told me that you're different from that guy. You're pursuing all-around excellence, a perfect blend of speed and comfort."
"Do you have the ability to remedy this regret and make this ship the 'perfect king' it was meant to be?"
This question is no longer a commercial pitch, but an ultimate test of dreams and courage from a legendary designer!
Lin Yu'an looked at the burning flame of expectation in Yepesen's eyes, and then at the unfinished ship beside him, quietly waiting to be given a complete soul.
“Mr. Nils,” he replied, simple yet powerful, “I’m here to do this.”
Upon hearing this answer, Yepeson's serious face finally broke into a hearty laugh!
"Hahaha! I knew it! The person that old man Mike recommended must be special!" He patted Lin Yu'an on the shoulder forcefully. "Fantastic! Fantastic!"
Yepesen's creative passion was instantly ignited! He immediately turned his tablet back on and pulled up the structural diagram of the "ultimate solution" that he had treasured for more than a year.
"Look here!" Yepeson's finger flew across the screen. "This is my original design! The outer shell of the keel box needs to be made of duplex stainless steel of the same grade as the pressure hull of a submarine."
"Then, seamless laser welding was performed to the main structural beams! At least four sets of longitudinal carbon fiber stiffeners were added to both sides, extending from the bottom of the ship to the deck, to counteract the enormous torque generated during lifting and lowering!"
"In addition," he continued, zooming in on the model's details, "to compensate for the stability loss caused by the center of gravity shifting upwards after the keel is raised."
"I suggest adding a 500-liter ballast tank at the very front of the bow. Filling it when sailing against the wind will greatly reduce the pitching of the bow and improve its wave-breaking ability!"
"And the hydraulic system!" He pointed to an open area in the middle of the hull. "You'll also need a separate 24-volt DC hydraulic power unit specifically for the keel."
"For safety redundancy, it also needs a manual pump as a backup. The cabin layout needs to be redesigned to allow for sufficient space and heat dissipation."
"We can even install a keel control panel in both the main driver's console and the master bedroom, allowing you to monitor its status at any time!"
Finally, Yepeson turned off the tablet, still feeling a bit unsatisfied.
"Lin, come to my office. We have a whole day to finalize the design blueprints for this ultimate X5!"
Yepesen's design office occupies a prime corner location on the top floor of the administration building.
The huge floor-to-ceiling glass wall offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire Hazesleu Fjord, as well as the X-Yachts sailboats under construction or awaiting delivery in the shipyard below.
But the room contained no luxurious decorations. There were only a few walls of bookshelves, crammed with thick books on fluid mechanics, materials science, and ship design.
In the center of the room is a huge, retractable touch-screen drawing panel, surrounded by various ship models and material samples.
This place doesn't resemble a company founder's office; it's more like a mad scientist's laboratory.
From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For a full six hours, Lin Yu-an and Yepesen were like two artists who had entered a state of "self-forgetfulness".
Jensen stood by, occasionally serving coffee, and sometimes quickly noting down every configuration detail that needed to be modified on his laptop based on their discussion.
Their discussion had long since transcended the "retractable keel" itself, extending to every corner and every detail of the ship.
"Now that we've redesigned the cabin layout," Lin Yu'an pointed to the 3D model on the screen, "I want to upgrade the main generator from the standard 11 kilowatts to a 17.5 kilowatt Onan silent generator."
"Furthermore, we will add a large-capacity lithium battery pack and inverter system. I hope that this ship can quietly operate for more than 12 hours on battery power alone, without running the engine or generator."
"Absolutely!" Yepeson immediately made adjustments to the model. "Quietness is the ultimate expression of luxury at sea! And we can utilize the spacious deck space at the stern to integrate a set of semi-flexible solar panels as additional power!"
"And the communication system," Lin Yu-an added, making an even higher demand. "I need two completely independent satellite communication systems as backups for each other."
"One Starlink system is used for high-speed data transmission, and the other Iridium system is used for global voice communication without dead zones. The antenna positions need to be redesigned so as not to disrupt the streamlined aesthetics of the ship."
"No problem! We can integrate them into the crossarms of the first pair of extended masts!" Yepeson immediately offered a solution.
From the wood color in the interior to the brand of the coffee machine in the kitchen; from the layout of the navigation instruments to the firmness of the mattress in the master bedroom; from the final paint color of the hull to the ship's name etched in stainless steel at the stern—
They were like two perfectionists with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, tirelessly scrutinizing and defining every single cell of the ship.
As the sky outside the window was dyed a brilliant orange-red by the sunset, Yepesen finally signed his name on the design blueprint, still feeling quite unsatisfied.
"Alright," he breathed a sigh of relief, his face showing fatigue, but even more so, a great sense of satisfaction that the work was finally completed.
"The rest is up to my craftsmen. Lin, thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to complete this most perfect work in my heart."
After concluding this exhilarating, marathon-like technical exchange with the designer, Yan Sen then invited Lin Yu'an back to the conference room downstairs.
He placed a copy of the contract, which had already been reprinted and bound based on the latest discussion results, in front of Lin Yu'an.
"Mr. Lin, this is the final contract drafted based on all the details we have just finalized."
"All upgrade options, material brands, design changes, and the performance data we promise are listed as appendices."
Lin Yu'an quickly reviewed the core terms of the contract and confirmed the final price: a final payment of 120 million euros, plus all personalized customizations and upgrades, totaling 210 million euros.
Due to the extreme complexity of the customization, the final production period was set at 4 months, including details such as the transfer of ownership.
He picked up the heavy Montblanc pen and signed his name at the end of the contract with a flourish.
On behalf of the shipyard, Jensen solemnly signed his name. When the two contracts were exchanged, Jensen stood up, extended his hand to Lin Yu'an, and smiled sincerely.
"Congratulations, Mr. Lin. Welcome to the X-Yachts family. From today onwards, we are no longer just customer and sales, but partners working together to create a great product."
"Over the next few months, we will send you detailed reports with pictures and videos every week, allowing you to witness every moment of its birth firsthand."
"We can even participate in some of the detailed decisions through online meetings. Now, please allow me to open a bottle of fine champagne to celebrate this great start!"
"But before we pop the champagne to celebrate, there's one last, and most important, detail that needs to be confirmed."
He turned back to one of the pages of the contract and pointed to the blank space after the "ship naming" section.
"We also need to determine a unique name for this upcoming work."
Lin Yu'an's gaze fell on that blank space. Almost without thinking, his voice unconsciously became much gentler.
"Olivia".
"9
Jensen paused for a moment, then murmured to himself, "0livia...it's a very beautiful name."
"It's my daughter's name," Lin Yu'an explained simply.
At this moment, Jensen's business smile became incredibly sincere and warm.
He nodded solemnly: "A ship named after love will forever be blessed by Lady Luck. We will engrave the name 0livia on the ship in the most beautiful font."
"Bang!"
With a crisp sound, Jensen had already opened a perfectly chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne. The golden liquid and delicate bubbles flowed into three stemmed glasses.
Jensen raised his glass, his gaze shifting between Yepesen and Lin Yu'an before finally looking solemnly at Lin Yu'an.
"So, for this masterpiece that is about to be perfect, for its new owner, and for its beautiful new name—"
""
The three cups met in mid-air, making a crisp clinking sound.