Cecilia Gu didn't bother with formalities around Earl Field. After a whole night of nerves stretched tight, she was truly exhausted.
Cecilia lay down on the ground in her clothes, curled up by the campfire, and quickly drifted off to sleep.
Earl Field kept watch by the fire, gazing at Cecilia's face, lost in thought.
The moment Cecilia was swept away by the whirlpool, Earl Field didn't think twice—he jumped in right after her.
The currents beneath the surface were far too violent. Earl Field only managed to grab Cecilia's wrist, but couldn't pull her out of the whirlpool—he could only go with her, swept away together.
Still, it was lucky Earl Field managed to grab her at all—otherwise, Cecilia might have been swept off to who knows where.
Honestly, the two of them were pretty fortunate.
Hearing this, Cecilia perked up instantly. "Could it be Rona Muir and Miles Gu?"
Thinking about how Cecilia had stayed by his side while he was unconscious, Earl Field's eyes softened.
"Eat something first, there's no rush," Earl Field smiled at Cecilia. "If the people on that island are Rona Muir and Miles Gu, our chances of survival just doubled."
Later, because of Miles Gu, he even thought about marrying her.
But now, Earl Field found his feelings growing complicated.
He wasn't ignorant of the feelings between Charles Yin and Cecilia.
But knowing made things all the more complicated.
Just thinking that Rona Muir and Miles Gu might be safe made Cecilia's heart race with anticipation.
But now, suddenly, he understood.
Sometimes, saying something you don't mean is just because you want the best for someone.
Earl Field chuckled softly.
This secret was his alone—no need to let her know.
Maybe these three days would be the only time in his life he could be with her, completely at ease.
These three days—probably unforgettable for the rest of their lives.
While Cecilia slept, Earl Field stepped out and gathered some vines, carefully weaving them into a rope.
By the time Cecilia woke up, he had already made a long one.
"Awake? Eat something and come help," Earl Field glanced back at Cecilia and said, "If no one comes for us after the rain stops, we'll have to save ourselves!"
Cecilia, still groggy from sleep, asked, "How are we supposed to save ourselves?"
Cecilia looked at the rope Earl Field had made, her mind momentarily blank. When she finally rebooted, she said, "You're not planning to build a raft and leave, are you? This is the open sea—where would we even drift to?"
Earl Field looked out at the weather and said, "I checked outside just now. The current flows toward the neighboring island. I saw smoke rising over there—maybe someone made it ashore."
Hearing this, Cecilia perked up instantly. "Could it be Rona and Miles?"
Just the thought that they might be on the neighboring island gave Cecilia a burst of energy. She scrambled up and crouched beside Earl Field to help.
"Eat something first, there's no rush," Earl Field smiled at Cecilia. "If the people on that island are Miss Muir and Miles, our chances of survival just doubled."
Cecilia agreed with his logic, so she didn't stand on ceremony. She grabbed some food and wolfed it down with water.
The compressed rations tasted awful, but in these conditions, having food at all was a blessing—who could afford to be picky?
Besides, those rations were packed with nutrients—enough to meet all their basic needs.
Cecilia scarfed down her food, then joined Earl Field to start building the raft.
Just thinking that Rona Muir and Miles might be safe made Cecilia's heart race with anticipation.
"Boss, that kid's been sitting there for a whole day and night. If this keeps up, I don't think he'll last," Ian whispered to Captain Hans.
Captain Hans glanced at Ethan Yin, walked over, and said, "You can stare at the water all you want, but they're not going to pop out of it. The currents here flow toward the islands. If I'm right, they're already ashore. Didn't you say they're lucky? If they've landed, the food and water in their backpacks should be enough until rescue arrives."
Ethan Yin lowered his eyes, a faint shadow falling across his delicate cheeks.
He knew waiting here was just a way to comfort himself.
But he was only three and a half—what could he really do?
If he were a little older, maybe his mom wouldn't have had to sacrifice herself to save him.
For once, Captain Hans patiently crouched down and held out his hand to Ethan Yin. "Come on, get some rest. When the engine's fixed, I'll take you to check each island."
Ethan's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Hans nodded.
Only then did Ethan place his hand in Hans's.
It was Hans's first time holding a child's hand.
Such a tiny hand, so soft and delicate.
And this kid was so pretty, with long, elegant fingers—Hans almost didn't want to let go.
Hans led Ethan Yin to his own tent, pointed to a cot beside him, and said, "You sleep here."
Ethan nodded obediently, took off his clothes, and got ready to sleep.
Hans's gaze fell on Ethan's feet, and he finally noticed a large blister.
The kid hadn't complained once.
Oh man, what if I start liking this kid more and more?
Should I just kidnap him?
Hmm, probably not that easy. This kid is way too smart.
Hans grabbed a needle and lanced the blister on Ethan's foot.
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Ethan had just fallen asleep when the pain woke him up.
"Don't move. I have to lance the blister before I can put medicine on it. Go ahead and sleep, I'll take care of it," Hans said without looking up.
"Why are you so nice to me? Aren't we supposed to be enemies?" Ethan's big, bright eyes looked at Hans.
Hans tilted his head and grinned mischievously at Ethan. "Earl Field accepted Miles as his son because of his red eyes. But you and I both have black eyes—why not be my son instead?"
Ethan refused without hesitation. "No way. I don't need another dad."
Hans couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You little brat!"
What am I supposed to do? This kid's starting to really grow on me.
"I heard you're pretty good with guns?" Hans finished treating Ethan's foot and wrapped it up again.
Ethan shot him a sidelong glance but didn't answer.
"No need to look at me like that. If I wanted to hurt you, do you think you could fight back? You're only three!" Hans gave Ethan a light pat on the butt—hmm, not bad.
Ethan still eyed him warily. "Who knows what weird hobbies you have? I'm universally loved, you know—kids and grown-ups alike!"
Seeing how cocky Ethan was—so much like himself—Hans actually felt reluctant to give the kid back to Charles Yin.
Who would've thought that the mighty, arrogant Charles Yin could have such a quirky, clever son?
"Then be my student. I could use one," Hans said with a big smile. "I'm rich too, you know."
Ethan looked unimpressed. "You think I need money?"
"You little brat, go to sleep." Hans laughed, tucked Ethan in, and left the tent.
As soon as Hans stepped out, Ian came over with a piece of paper. "Boss, a team was spotted on the open sea route. They refused to answer calls—looks like they're here to rescue those experts."
Hans's smile faded. He shot Ian a cold look. "Tell the base to stop them!"
Ian immediately took the order and left to relay the instructions.
Hans squinted at the horizon, thinking, "They're moving fast, reacting quickly. No matter how many times I've switched locations, they keep finding us. Someone on the inside must be helping them. Who is it?"
On Cecilia's boat, five experts had already been lost—Hans couldn't afford to lose any more!
But now all the remaining experts were on the largest island in the middle.
Even though Hans had people stationed on the island, they were outnumbered.
Don't forget, Charles Yin may have gone to rescue people, but his assistants are still on the island!
All Charles Yin needs to do is give remote orders!
At this moment, Hans still didn't know that Master Mo was now in command on the island. He thought Charles Yin was still running the show.
When Master Mo got in touch with Mo Zixin on the open sea route, the rescue team nearly burst into tears of joy!
If something happened to Master Mo here, the loss to the country would be enormous!
When Mo Zixin heard that Cecilia had gone missing trying to save him, a wave of pain swept through his heart.
He didn't want to lose either his grandfather or Cecilia.
But it had already been a day and a night since the incident. If they didn't arrive within two days, they might miss the best chance to save her.
Just as Mo Zixin was about to order full speed ahead, someone relayed a signal: "Young Master Mo, there's a pirate group ahead blocking our way."
Mo Zixin's face darkened, his blue eyes fierce. "Then fight! We have to break through and save them! Time is running out—give it everything you've got!"
"Yes, sir!" came the reply. The team stopped advancing and unleashed a barrage of shells at the pirates' camp, like money was no object.
Mo Zixin's rescue team wasn't just a sightseeing group like Charles Yin's; they had plenty of ammunition!
He refused to believe he couldn't save them!
Cecilia, wait for me—I'm coming to save you!