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墨書 Inktalez
Another difficult problem lay before everyone. Even though they knew that going out to sea was the only way to pass this challenge, they still felt uneasy about the storm and the battle that awaited them on the ocean.
In Xu Nuan's view, Xu Hang's decision would likely come down to whether they would all go out to sea together or if some would stay behind while others ventured out. Going out together was certainly preferable, but it meant facing issues of food scarcity and caring for two injured members. If they chose to partially go out, those left behind would have food but no means of escape; if anything happened to those at sea, the ones who stayed would be doomed as well.
After weighing the options in her mind, Xu Nuan concluded that it was better to go out together; no one should be left behind.
In the silence, each person had their own thoughts.
To Xu Nuan's surprise, the first to speak up was Tang Jingshu.
"I think maybe some people should stay behind while others go out to take a look. We can use this island as a center point, and those who go out can try to return after one or two trips. If luck is on our side, we might quickly find an island with Special Trees and come back to bring the ones who stayed."
Xu Nuan rubbed her forehead. As an injured person, Tang Jingshu’s suggestion meant she was willing to stay behind, which also implied she was accepting the possibility of being abandoned. With her making such a sacrifice, it would be hard for anyone else to object.
"It would be better if we all went out together. Anything could happen at sea, and if we're together, we won't have to worry about unexpected incidents," Xie Huai chimed in next, surprising Xu Nuan again. However, before she could agree with Xie Huai's point, Deng Yinyin jumped in to support Tang Jingshu.
"I agree with Tang Jingshu's proposal. The injured should stay behind due to their limited strength while the rest of us venture out; it's currently the best option."
After a long pause, Xu Hang finally spoke up.
"This is a tough decision. Let's go with The Minority Obeys the Majority. How does that sound?"
Naturally, no one had any objections. This was a common method used within their team. For someone as dominant and controlling as Xu Hang to suggest this indicated he had considered some unfavorable aspects of the situation.
"I also agree with having some people stay behind while others go out."
Immediately, Xu Hang made his choice.
Well, now it was three to one. Xu Nuan pretended to be nonchalant as she put her hand down, feeling a whirlwind of emotions inside her. Now it was just her and Gu Ze who had not made a decision.
Was it an overwhelming choice, or would it end in a tie?
“How have you all decided?” Xu Hang asked.
Xu Nuan instinctively glanced at Gu Ze. How would he choose? Going out to sea would be more advantageous for him, wouldn’t it?
Xu Nuan admitted that sometimes she was overly cautious, focusing too much on weighing the pros and cons. However, having seen past betrayals, she had to be on guard, even against allies. Allies could be trusted with one’s back and could march forward together, but they could also betray you, especially in such a cruel game.
Gu Ze first looked at Xu Nuan with an unreadable expression before he spoke calmly.
“Let’s partially go out to sea.”
Xu Nuan felt a sinking sensation in her heart but maintained a calm demeanor as she processed Gu Ze's words.
“Then I don’t need to make a choice either; now we just have to see who goes out to sea and who stays behind.”
While Xu Hang remained indifferent, Deng Yinyin eagerly volunteered a suggestion.
“Tang Jing Shu and Gu Ze can stay behind; they can rest up. I can stay to take care of them and help find some food; that’s something I can manage.”
Xu Nuan decided to retract her previous judgment. Deng Yinyin hadn’t changed at all; her self-interest outweighed her consideration for the team’s overall situation. But that was human nature; she had no right to judge and chose to remain silent about it. Regardless of the choice made, she was confident she could continue in the game.
As soon as Deng Yinyin finished speaking, Tang Jingshu chimed in.
"I have no objections; it's better for me to stay."
The resigned look on her face was a stark contrast to the frantic desperation she had shown when she was bitten by the water ghost, and it was also different from her struggle on the volcano. It seemed that something had changed without anyone noticing.
Xu Nuan frowned, wanting to argue against Tang Jingshu's decision, but Gu Ze spoke up as well.
"I'll stay too; this is a good opportunity for me to rest."
Xu Nuan's face turned pale at once, and she had to turn her head away to hide her unease from the others.
Deng Yinyin became even more excited.
"Then let's make our own decision; I'll stay too."
Xu Hang nodded in agreement, having no objections. He then shifted his gaze towards Xie Huai and Xu Nuan beside him.
Xie Huai hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll go out to sea. Although my stamina isn't great, I can still row a boat."
Xu Hang nodded in approval. "I plan to go out to sea as well; it will be faster that way."
After that, Xu Hang looked back at Xu Nuan.
Xu Nuan could feel the gazes of everyone except Deng Yinyin resting on her. Could she guess that these people had already considered what might happen in the future?
Xu Nuan exhaled lightly, speaking each word deliberately.
"I'll stay."
At that moment, she wasn't sure how she felt inside.
Time didn't wait for her to sort out her thoughts. Since the teams had been divided, Xu Hang and Xie Huai needed to prepare as well.
Regardless of the circumstances, Xu Hang and Xie Huai were heading out to find the Special Tree, so they gave the food they had gathered to the two of them, ensuring they took enough fresh water and backpacks.
The weather was calm, and Xu Hang and Xie Huai exchanged a few simple words before boarding the boat. Each took an oar, and soon their figures faded from the sight of those left behind.
When Xu Nuan and the others returned to the Temporary Campsite, Deng Yinyin appeared quite excited, chatting with Tang Jingshu one moment and Gu Ze the next. With the campfire crackling and hot water available, it truly felt like they were camping in the wild.
Xu Nuan sat quietly to the side, adding firewood to the flames from time to time. As dusk approached, she estimated that night would soon envelop the island.
Thinking about how she hadn't eaten much all day, Xu Nuan quietly stood up. The others were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice her departure.
After a moment's thought, Xu Nuan opened her backpack, took out a set of ropes, grabbed an axe, and finally clipped a flashlight to her waist before making her way toward the shallows at a leisurely pace.
Perhaps due to the prolonged rain during the day, even though it had cleared up by evening, there were no vibrant colors in the sky—only a faint golden light that seemed to emanate from beneath a dark veil, creating an odd atmosphere.
There were no seagulls by the shore either; the lonely waves lapped against the beach without receiving any response.
Xu Nuan squinted at what appeared to be fresh footprints ahead and followed them until she finally found a patch of rocks.
"Could fish and crabs be caught here?"
Xu Nuan ran over to the cluster of rocks, peering into the clear water surrounded by them. Indeed, there were some fish swimming about, but...
"This is too much!"
Xu Nuan muttered to herself, wanting to move the rocks aside to see if there were any crabs hiding underneath. However, she overestimated her strength; her face turned a deep crimson while the rocks remained completely still.
"Huff."
Reluctantly, Xu Nuan gasped for breath and gave up.
"Then I'll go check the forest."
She continued talking to herself as she walked towards the woods, casually glancing back only to find no one behind her.
Shaking her head, Xu Nuan dashed into the forest as if that would clear her mind of all those thoughts.
After wandering around for a while, the sky had darkened significantly. Xu Nuan had no intention of returning; instead, she sought out a memory from some time ago to find those bunches of bananas and switched on her flashlight to continue her search.
After turning this way and that, Xu Nuan finally arrived at the base of that tree. The night enhanced its towering stature and thick trunk.
She approached it and tentatively reached out to wrap her arms around the tree, only to grimace when she realized she couldn't even manage to hug a third of it. Climbing up seemed like it would be even more challenging.
Weighing the rope in her hands, Xu Nuan took a few deep breaths. Gripping the end with a hook tightly, she threw it upward with all her might. The hook successfully latched onto a branch. Xu Nuan tugged on the rope; it was secure and sturdy enough to help her climb.
Being cautious as always, Xu Nuan tested it once more before preparing to tie this section of rope around her waist. Just as she wrapped it once, she heard an incredibly familiar voice.
"Do you have any awareness as a woman?"
Joy and anger surged simultaneously in Xu Nuan's heart as she slowly turned around. In the moonlight and the beam of her flashlight, she could make out Gu Ze leaning against a coconut tree, looking as relaxed as if he were just strolling through his own yard.
Does this guy walk without making a sound? Xu Nuan frowned.
"What do you mean? Can't a woman climb a tree?"
Xu Nuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in her smile.
"Should I let you, the injured one, climb the tree?"
"With that sharp tongue of yours, if you had spoken like this earlier, you wouldn't have had to hold back, would you?"
Gu Ze's strong retort made Xu Nuan feel for a moment that her thoughts had been laid bare. She felt a bit embarrassed but quickly dismissed it, thinking that in the darkness, Gu Ze couldn't see her clearly anyway.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand."
Xu Nuan decided to play dumb and skip the topic.
"Weren't you two having a good chat? Why did you come out here?"
"Heh," Gu Ze chuckled lightly as he slowly walked closer to Xu Nuan. She stood her ground defiantly, not moving as he approached.
"Are you jealous?"
Xu Nuan's expression immediately darkened. A few venomous words rolled around on her tongue, but when she saw Gu Ze's star-like eyes, she swallowed them back and turned her head away.
"I didn't expect you to be so narcissistic. Congratulations, you've just gained another trait."
Gu Ze continued to chuckle, his laughter so charming that even Moon was captivated. Xu Nuan, at a loss for words, could only huff in frustration.
Once Gu Ze had laughed enough, he reached out and pulled the rope from Xu Nuan's waist, preparing to tie it around his own. He remarked, "You dare to climb trees at night with night blindness? You're really becoming more reckless."
Hearing the words "night blindness," Xu Nuan's eyelids twitched. She turned her head in anger, only to be surprised by Gu Ze's actions and attempted to snatch the rope from his hands.
"Don't you have an injury on your abdomen? Are you really going to tie a rope and risk your life?"
Seeing Xu Nuan's hand reaching out, not to help but to grab the rope, Gu Ze couldn't help but laugh again.
"I didn't expect you to confuse your abdomen with your waist."
Xu Nuan gritted her teeth, momentarily at a loss for words. However, she refused to let go of the rope, and Gu Ze was more than happy to continue this standoff.
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