I entered the cave and placed the bamboo fence at the entrance, blocking out the cool breeze. Everyone’s faces lit up with smiles.
In the evening, several of us gathered around a bonfire, roasting the leftover seafood from the day.
Despite the bamboo fence, the temperature inside the cave dropped significantly as night fell.
Guan Hai'er shivered, tucking her hands into her clothes.
The climate on this island was truly bizarre; it was scorching hot during the day, only to turn so cold at night.
My gaze happened to fall on some stones on the ground nearby. Suddenly, an idea struck me. I picked up a few stones and placed them next to the bonfire.
Shangguan Yao watched me, looking puzzled. She frowned and asked, "Lu Ziye, why are you throwing stones into the fire? If the fire goes out later, you’ll be responsible."
At this point, I really had nothing to say to a woman with such a lack of common sense.
I waved my hand at her. "You'll know soon enough. Stop with all the nonsense."
Before long, the stones heated up. I used my alloy knife to carefully move the heated stones out, placed them on dry grass, and distributed them to everyone.
Guan Hai'er tested one tentatively before accepting it. The stone’s surface was hot from the fire, but with the dry grass cushion, it felt warm rather than scalding to the touch.
Guan Hai'er looked at me with delight and said, "Brother Ye, you always have a way."
I waved my hand at her, teasing, "This is just a small matter, hardly worth mentioning. Your Brother Ye is still your Brother Ye."
Shangguan Yao, who had been silent for a while, suddenly chimed in with a hint of sourness, "It's just a small thing, and you're getting puffed up from a little praise."
What the heck, did I offend you today? Why are you targeting me so much?
I was quite bewildered and ignored Shangguan Yao’s remark.
Once the seafood was cooked, we began to eat. Halfway through, Pan Lili put down her scallops and spoke with a sigh, "I wonder when the people who are going to rescue us will arrive. I really don't want to be stuck here forever."
Li Degui interjected with a sinister tone, "Go back? I’m afraid some people don't want to go back at all. It’s so comfortable lording it over here."
This Li Degui is asking for a beating again. He doesn't even dare to say my name, only able to insinuate me here.
Before I could say anything, Luo Yaqin next to me retorted, "Li Degui, no one thinks you're mute when you don't speak. If you don't want to stay here, then get out!"
Li Degui glanced at me, who was glaring at him, and dared not retort to Luo Yaqin. He sheepishly retreated to a corner.
However, Pan Lili's sentiment had prompted everyone to start thinking.
Guan Hai'er spoke first, "How about we light a fire in the forest tomorrow and let the smoke drift into the sky as a signal to the rescuers? What do you think?"
Luo Yaqin frowned at Guan Hai'er’s suggestion. "That method might not be feasible. If we start a fire in the forest, none of us will escape if it gets out of control."
Shangguan Yao, who had been confronting me all day, suddenly spoke up, "How about tomorrow we draw a big SOS on the beach? That would be the most persistent and effective method."
Watching Shangguan Yao speak eloquently, my impression of her improved slightly.
The way Shangguan Yao discussed matters seriously truly reflected her past demeanor as a beautiful CEO.
I carefully considered Shangguan Yao's proposal but still felt it wasn't ideal. I slowly said, "The tidal patterns on this island are very abnormal. We might finish drawing the signal one moment, only for it to be washed away by the water the next. It wouldn't be an effective way to call for help."
Guan Hai'er said to me with some disappointment, "Brother Ye, then what do you suggest we do? If we can't send a signal, how will the rescuers find us?"
I thought carefully about the island’s terrain. "How about this, over the next two days, we go to the nearby mountains and clear an open space. We can arrange trees to form a signal, so we don't have to worry about rain washing it away."
Everyone listened to my words, thought about it, and unanimously agreed.
After all, no one wanted to remain trapped on this desolate island. Tonight's conversation had given everyone hope of returning home.
The night deepened gradually, and everyone was getting tired. Li Degui was sleeping like a log, snoring incessantly.
I sat by the bonfire, facing the wall, lost in thought.
Guan Hai'er came over and patted my shoulder. "Brother Ye, it’s so late, you should rest too."
I gave her a smile and told her to go rest.
Regarding whether we would be rescued, I felt a sense of pessimism now, given the many strange occurrences on this island.
Plants out of season, irregular tides, and scarce animal life.
What secrets did this island hide?
I made a silent resolution in my heart: I had to figure it out.
I had a premonition that we wouldn't be leaving this island so easily.
Leaning against the wall, my mind occupied with these thoughts, I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I was sleeping soundly. In my daze, I heard Li Degui telling Pan Lili that he was going to find firewood. Then, the sound of footsteps faded away as he left the cave.
The sun must have risen in the west! Li Degui, so lazy and good-for-nothing, was actually taking the initiative to do something!
I woke up, feeling a bit suspicious. I had a feeling Li Degui wasn't up to anything good and was probably plotting some new scheme.
Guan Hai'er and Luo Yaqin walked in from outside, carrying some figs from the Ficus racemosa and some seafood.
Honestly, as delicious as these figs and seafood were, they didn't keep us full for long.
I quietly ate the food with them, contemplating how to find a stable food source.
I tossed the shell in my hand aside, stood up, and said to Guan Hai'er, "Eating fruits and seafood all day isn't a sustainable solution. I'm going to search deeper in the rainforest to see if there are other food sources."
My brother, hearing me, grabbed his cleaver, intending to follow me out, but I stopped him.
"I'll go alone. That way, if I encounter danger, I can escape more easily. You guys search nearby, don't wander too far."
Alone, I held my alloy knife and slowly ventured deeper into the rainforest.
The vegetation was incredibly dense, forcing me to hack a path with my alloy knife.
Strange. It felt like something was following me.
I heard some sounds and quickly hid in the nearby bushes, holding my breath and listening intently.
Suddenly, Shangguan Yao appeared in my sight. I was puzzled and walked out from the bushes, asking her, "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you all? Why are you following me?"
Shangguan Yao was startled by my sudden appearance. She patted her chest and said haughtily, "If you can come, why can't I? I took wilderness survival classes back then. It’s not like you’re the only one who knows anything!"
What on earth is this woman thinking all day?
Does she really think the world revolves around her?
"You need to go back right now! Those pretend classes you took are useless when facing real danger."
Shangguan Yao ignored me and pointed at a pear-shaped red fruit on a nearby tree, asking me, "Is this the fig from the Ficus racemosa that we eat every day?"
As she spoke, Shangguan Yao reached out to pick the fruit.
I glanced at the fruit from the corner of my eye, and my face suddenly changed. I lunged forward and grabbed Shangguan Yao's hand.
"You dare touch this thing, are you crazy!"
I slapped Shangguan Yao across the face.