Guan Hai'er, just woken from her sleep, mumbled groggily, "Wild Brother, what are you doing?"
I turned back, giving her a reassuring look, and whispered mysteriously, "You'll know when we get to the sea."
Upon reaching the shore, Shangguan Yao scanned the surroundings, finding nothing. She crossed her arms indignantly and questioned me, "Lu Zi Ye, what exactly are you up to? There's nothing here by the sea."
This woman is truly short-sighted. I've already brought the boat, and she still doesn't understand my intentions.
Luo Yaqin closed her eyes beside me, sensing the air for a moment. Suddenly, she exclaimed with joy, "It's a southeast wind today! Can we set sail?"
The other women erupted in cheers. Xia Liuli even shed tears of excitement.
"Mom and Dad, I miss you so much! And all that hot pot and crayfish, I'm going to eat my fill!"
Su Yunran appeared calm on the surface, but her fingers were constantly pinching her thigh, as if questioning if this was all a dream.
Seeing the excited crowd, my eyes suddenly felt a bit moist.
Though we'd only been on this island for a month, the experiences we'd had were likely more than what most people encounter in ten years.
My feelings for everyone were complex. We were companions who had shared life and death, facing countless dangers together. Now, it was time to say goodbye, possibly forever.
I looked at their beautiful, captivating faces, greedily wanting to etch every detail into my memory.
Guan Hai'er, noticing my silence, looked at me excitedly.
"Wild Brother, say something! We're finally leaving this damned nameless island!"
I took a deep breath, calming my emotions.
"The wind direction is perfect today, and it's time for us to say goodbye."
My words immediately drew everyone's attention. Guan Hai'er stared at me, stunned, and nervously clutched my arm.
"Wild Brother, what do you mean? Aren't you leaving with us?"
I casually stroked Guan Hai'er's hair, perhaps for the last time.
"Qu Xiangyun is still on this island. She's our companion too. I can't leave her alone."
Luo Yaqin dropped the medical kit to the ground. "Lu Zi Ye, if you don't go, I won't either."
She walked in front of me and mumbled in a voice only I could hear, "I won't let you have Qu Xiangyun and have you two live a sweet, romantic life together on this island."
I knew Luo Yaqin was merely worried about my safety and didn't want me to stay on the island alone. She said this deliberately.
My heart warmed, but I had already decided to send the women away first. I spoke to Luo Yaqin with a serious expression, "Be good, listen to me. Go wait for me outside. I promise I'll come find you."
Su Yunran also approached me, trying to reason with me emotionally, to persuade me.
But my mind was made up. No one's words could sway me.
"Shangguan Yao, when we get back, change your spoiled, young lady temper. Don't be so impulsive anymore. Hai'er, after I get out, I'll definitely go on an adventure with you. Sister Ran, sometimes be more tactful in your words, don't get into conflicts with others because you speak too directly."
I solemnly instructed everyone. Seeing my resolve, the women appeared very sad.
Luo Yaqin was now in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Even Xia Liuli, who had been so excited earlier, shed a couple of tears.
I gave each of them a gentle hug and helped them onto the boat.
Watching the reluctant women, I feigned nonchalance, "Alright, don't be so girlish. It's not like I'm not coming back."
I pushed the small boat, letting the current carry them into the water.
The boat sailed out to sea with the wind.
Luo Yaqin stared intently at me, shouting, "Lu Zi Ye, you must come back alive!"
I gave them a thumbs-up and watched the small boat gradually recede, my heart filled with emotion.
Honestly, I didn't know if the decision I'd made was right or wrong.
But as a man, once a decision is made, there's no turning back.
Besides, now I was alone, which would make things more convenient for future actions.
Just as I stood by the sea, lost in my somber thoughts, the distant waves suddenly surged. A gust of wind and a wave capsized the small boat!
My heart tightened. Damn it!
Without even taking off my clothes, I dove into the water and swam towards the capsized boat.
Fortunately, the boat hadn't gone too far, and the water wasn't very deep. After some effort, I managed to rescue everyone back to shore.
The women were mostly unharmed, just coughing up seawater. It was a pity, though, that all the food and other supplies we'd prepared had sunk with the boat.
Looking at the sea, which had now calmed down, my heart grew heavy.
Could it be that we were truly destined to be trapped on this nameless island?