My heart heavy, I climbed down from the tree, my mind in turmoil.
There were two possibilities now.
First, I had drifted with the sea currents to a neighboring small island and was no longer on the original deserted island.
Second, I was on the other side of the deserted island, and it was so far from the camp that the geography had completely changed.
Either of these guesses left me bewildered. It was like falling asleep in bed and suddenly being transported to another place, unable to find my way home.
Damn it, I wondered how Shangguan Yao and the others were doing…
I sat under a tree and dazed for a while, then pulled myself together.
To verify my guess, I carefully examined the surrounding trees and finally dismissed the second possibility.
I was truly on another island now!
I noticed that the plants nearby were completely different from those on the deserted island I remembered. I had emerged from an underground palace beneath a snow-capped mountain, but here the ground was covered in tropical vegetation.
Even if this deserted island defied common sense, it couldn't possibly have banana trees growing next to a snow mountain!
After observing the surroundings, I suddenly recalled that when Qi Xinxin’s sister had come over earlier, her clothes, though a bit worn, were mostly short-sleeved.
The people in the tents also weren't wearing many clothes, proving that the temperature on the island where I was currently located was very high.
This realization filled me with despair, and I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
Heaven was truly playing tricks on me.
I had always wanted to leave that deserted island and return to the outside world, but I was constantly drawn into various predicaments. Unexpectedly, when I wanted to return to the camp to find Shangguan Yao and the others, I had accidentally left the deserted island.
Life is unpredictable, a tangled mess!
Right now, I wished I had a bottle of wine by my side to get myself drunk, so that I could wake up and see Shangguan Yao and the others.
But the wound that still ached served as a constant reminder.
This was all a bloody reality, and I had to face it.
Dejected, I walked onto the beach and flopped down onto the hot, scorching sand.
The sun, which had felt scorching earlier, could no longer warm my heart; instead, it made me more restless.
As I lay there in a daze, I couldn't help but think of the moments I had spent with Shangguan Yao and Luo Yaqin.
I wondered if we would ever meet again…
In ancient times, without communication devices, separation often meant a final farewell.
Now, our environment was a hundred times more perilous than ancient times, with dangers lurking on the island at any moment. Without my presence, could Luo Yaqin and the others protect themselves?
Life is but a dream, like fleeting yellow millet.
Facing the sudden change, my spirit was completely drained.
But life goes on. Despite enduring more blows, one must still strive to live.
Just as I was feeling dejected, I rolled over and felt something poking me in the waist.
I sat up abruptly, took out the object, and my spirits immediately lifted.
This object was none other than the silver chip that Qu Xiangyun had given me!
When I left, she had earnestly implored me to take this thing to the outside world.
I stared intently at the chip, my gaze so fervent it seemed like it could melt the chip.
Xiangyun, I wonder how you are doing.
I looked at it for a long time, then suddenly heard footsteps behind me, followed by a gentle pat on my shoulder.
"Weird uncle, has the heat scrambled your brain? Why are you spacing out here all by yourself?"
I turned around and saw Qi Xinxin looking at me with curious eyes, holding a lollipop in her hand.
Seeing this carefree young girl, my mood instantly improved. The somber atmosphere dissipated in a flash.
"Qi Xinxin, why aren't you listening to your sister? Didn't she tell you not to talk to strangers?"
I couldn't help but smile and reached out to pinch Qi Xinxin's cheek.
"Hey, you're not a stranger. I'm your lifesaver!"
Qi Xinxin dodged my hand with a hint of disdain and then stated, hands on her hips, very seriously.
Even as she said this, however, Qi Xinxin unconsciously glanced back when mentioning her sister.
Following her gaze, I saw her sister by a bonfire in the camp, seemingly occupied with something.
"Hehe, weird uncle, are you touched? I took a risk of being scolded by my sister to come and keep you company."
Hearing Qi Xinxin's words warmed my heart. Although I couldn't find my way back now, someone still cared about me.
"Come, sit down. Let's do it together."
I patted the sand beside me, and Qi Xinxin obediently sat down.
The sun was gradually setting. Bathed in the glow of the sunset, neither of us spoke, simply savoring the quiet moment.