Xia Yu wanted to sit up, but the wound on his back hurt when he moved. He frowned.

Lin Yi walked over and helped him up. “I only bandaged you briefly. The weather here is hot and the temperature is high. I’m worried that your wound will be inflamed. If it’s inflamed and there’s no medicine, it’ll be very troublesome.”

Xia Yu looked around. “How long was I unconscious for?”

“One day and one night.” Lin Yi took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off Xia Yu’s forehead. “The city by the sea has been occupied.”

“Let’s go southwest.” Xia Yu thought for a while and quickly replied.

“Southwest?” Lin Yi thought for a moment. Although the southwest was close to the headquarters of the Anti-Chaos Faction, as the saying went, the most dangerous place was the safest place. “Okay, go southwest. I’ll clean your wound again.”

“Mm.” Xia Yu half-closed his eyes. The temperature began to rise, and his body began to sweat uncontrollably. The sweat mixed with blood stuck to his clothes and mixed with his wound. It was painful.

At this moment, a cold pill was suddenly handed to him. Xia Yu opened his eyes and saw that it was a mint.

“Here, there’s no other way now. Eat a mouthful of candy and take a deep breath. It will make you feel cooler.” Lin Yi cut open Xia Yu’s clothes with a pair of scissors and spoke to him to divert his attention.

Lin Yi’s words reminded Xia Yu of when he was in university and played with his roommates. He would put a mint candy in Su Mei’s cup that could cool one’s throat.

Every time this happened, Su Mei would climb into his bed, cover Xia Yu with a pillow, and hammer him.

In order to get a chance of survival from Su Mei, Xia Yu could only beg for mercy and end with him treating everyone to a hotpot.

His body was originally very painful, but for some reason, when he thought of those beautiful memories, Xia Yu suddenly felt the pain in his heart ease a lot.

The corners of his lips curled up slightly. “Doctor, what’s your name?”

Lin Yi replied as she bandaged him, “Lin Yi, Yi meaning energetic.”

“My name is Xia Yu, the Yu from Jinyu [1. It means a precious item that one holds].”

Although Lin Yi’s Chinese was not bad, she had followed her parents overseas a long time ago. She did not quite understand what Xia Yu meant by holding ‘Jinyu. “Jinyu? Goldfish¹The originally orderly team members were in a panic as they searched everywhere.

“You haven’t found it yet?” The captain was anxious. “Look on the deck.”

“Captain, we’ve searched everywhere, but we didn’t find any traces of Xia Yu.”

“Find Zhou Zhou for me!”

The moment Zhou Zhou entered the command room, he was kicked down by the captain. “Didn’t you say that everyone is here? Where’s Xia Yu? He didn’t board the ship. Why did you draw a tick behind his name?”

Zhou Zhou struggled to get up. “Captain, I’m only responsible for collecting the list of subordinates. I didn’t confirm if everyone is here.”

The captain took the attendance list from that day and was stunned when he saw it. “Why isn’t there a tick on this? Then why didn’t anyone notice it at that time?! He’s missing now!”

Zhou Zhou glanced at the captain. “Captain, you were the one who gave the order to set off.”

The captain was furious when he heard Zhou Zhou’s words, but he did not have the energy to argue with Zhou Zhou. He collapsed on the chair. “It’s over.”

The higher-ups asked them to specially take care of Xia Yu. It was a coincidence that they had left Xia Yu there.

Now, the ship could not return, let alone when there was a war happening over there, they could not cross at all. Xia Yu was probably doomed.

Zhou Zhou leaned forward. “Captain, it has already happened. I have a way now.”

“Tell me.” The captain was almost in despair. He could not think of any other way to resolve the situation.

“Anyway, a war is happening over there. Why don’t we turn the tables and say that Xia Yu insisted on staying to save that child? Many people saw Xia Yu bring that child onto the ship. This way, even if someone wants to pursue the matter, they can’t blame you.”

The captain thought for a moment. “But will this work? What if they find out?”

Zhou Zhou smiled. “We’re so far from China. How are they going to investigate what happened? To put it bluntly, if Xia Yu landed there, he’ll probably die. The dead can’t speak.”

The captain glanced at Zhou Zhou. “Why didn’t I realize that you’re actually full of evil tricks?”

Zhou Zhou’s expression changed.

However, the captain quickly smiled again. “But what you said makes sense. I’ll leave this matter to you. Go and settle the relevant people.”

“Yes.”

Not long after, Jun Shiling received a message from Continent F.

Looking at the message “Xia Yu is missing”, Jun Shiling subconsciously frowned.

At that moment, Xia Wanyuan walked over. Jun Shiling turned off his computer and his expression returned to normal. “Why are you here at this time?”

Xia Wanyuan yawned. “What time is it? Why are you asking me? Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I’ll send another message and go to sleep immediately.” Jun Shiling smiled and comforted Xia Wanyuan. After Xia Wanyuan left, he turned on his computer and sent a few messages.

——

South,

In an antique courtyard, an elegant man in an exquisite suit was sitting in the courtyard with a book in his hand.

“Young Master, there’s news from Continent F.”

The man looked up. His handsome face looked even gentler under the light, but his eyes had an unfathomable light. “How is it?”

“They said that Second Master and his wife passed away in an accident two years ago, leaving Second Miss alone. A few days ago, Second Miss moved around in a seaside city. Later on, there was an outbreak of chaos over there, and Second Miss disappeared since then. I don’t know where she went.”

Lin Qingyuan put the book aside. “Send someone to look for her. The second branch has very few people. If Cousin is gone, the second branch will really be cut off.”

“Yes.” The butler bowed respectfully. “There’s one more thing. The Old Master of the Wei family has already sent two invitations.”

Lin Qingyuan raised an eyebrow. “He’s coming alone?”

“No.” At this point, the butler’s eyes revealed a hint of disdain. “He’s bringing his daughter over.”

Lin Qingyuan put the book aside. “I’ve always heard that Wei Zhong raised a good daughter with both talent and appearance. Let’s go and take a look.”

“Yes, then I’ll bring them in.”

Not long after the butler left, he brought a few people into the courtyard.

Lin Qingyuan sat on the stone stool and looked at the book in his hand. When he heard footsteps, he looked up and his eyes lit up.

Not far away, Wei Zhong was leading Wei Jin here.

Wei Jin was dressed very meticulously today. On this spring night, she was only wearing a moon-white cheongsam with orchids. Her hair was tied behind her head with a jade hairpin, and her face was as exquisite as a painting.

Her every move was elegant, making people feel that the book in their hands was not as fragrant as her.

“Young Master Lin.” Now that Lin Qingyuan had not officially inherited the position of family head, Wei Zhong could only call him Young Master.

“Old Master Wei, you’re too kind. Please sit.” Lin Qingyuan retracted his gaze from Wei Jin. “Elder Wei, I’m sorry for not welcoming you.”

Although Lin Qingyuan said that, his body did not move at all. He did not even stand up.

Before the Wei family split up, they might be able to compete with the Lin family.

Now, the Wei family in the south only had a good name. In reality, their strength could not be compared to the Lin family.

Wei Zhong smiled and nodded. Then, he sat on the chair and looked at Wei Jin. “Why aren’t you greeting Young Master Lin?”

Wei Jin glanced at Lin Qingyuan and met his smiling eyes. She was suddenly stunned. She subconsciously felt that this person’s eyes were a little familiar.

“Why should Miss Wei greet me? I should be the one greeting Miss Wei.” Lin Qingyuan smiled and said politely, “Hello, Miss Wei.”

Wei Jin nodded slightly and sat down.

Wei Zhong secretly gave her a look. Seeing that Wei Jin did not respond, he thought that he had to teach Wei Jin a lesson when he returned.

Wei Zhong turned around. “Our daughter is shy. Young Master Lin, don’t mind her. I’m mainly here for an old matter from many years ago.”

Lin Qingyuan smiled. “I know why you’re here, Elder Wei. I can give you a satisfactory answer.”

When Lin Qingyuan said this, Wei Zhong widened his eyes in surprise. “Really?! I think we’re discussing the engagement from more than twenty years ago. Are you talking about this too?”

Back then, before the Wei family split up, the Wei family and the Lin family were the two great families in Jiangnan.

The relationship between the two elders was good, so they agreed to marry.

At that time, Wei Jin was not born yet and Lin Qing was only a few years old. He chose Ding Hui’s stomach and pointed at it, telling Old Master Lin that he wanted to marry this little sister.

At that time, the two elders laughed out loud. They thought that Lin Qingyuan was a child who spoke nonsense, so they followed Lin Qingyuan’s wishes and married Lin Qingyuan and Wei Jin.

Now, things had changed. The two elders had long passed away, and the strength of the Wei and Lin families had changed drastically.

Before the Lin family revealed that Lin Qingyuan would succeed the family head position, even Wei Zhong had forgotten that there was such a past. After all, these things had been buried for too long. He had only remembered it when he was sorting out Old Master’s notes.

Before Wei Zhong came, he was still very nervous. He was afraid that Lin Qingyuan would not acknowledge this debt. Unexpectedly, Lin Qingyuan agreed so readily.

“Then?” Wei Zhong wanted to take the opportunity to talk about the Lin family investing in the Wei family, but he saw Lin Qingyuan wave at him.

“Elder Wei, can you give me a chance to talk to Miss Wei alone?” Lin Qingyuan smiled gently, but his words were unquestionable.

“Sure, sure.” Wei Zhong could not wait for Wei Jin to marry into the Lin family. He naturally agreed to Lin Qingyuan’s request.

With that, Wei Zhong stood up and looked at Lin Qingyuan. “Do I need to go back directly?”

When Wei Zhong said this, even the Lin family’s butler could not help but look at him in disdain.

Was he so impatient to let his daughter climb into the Lin family’s bed? Back then, the Wei family’s style was so good. Why had the Wei family fallen to such a state? 

Lin Qingyuan smiled. “You can go back first. I’ll send Miss Wei home safely.”

“Alright,” Wei Zhong replied in satisfaction. Then, he turned to look at Wei Jin and whispered, “Behave yourself. If you make Young Master Lin unhappy, I’ll let your mother die with you.”

With that, Wei Zhong left the courtyard and returned to the Wei family.

“Miss Wei, do you want some tea? I personally picked the tea on the mountain a few days ago. Try it.” Lin Qingyuan placed a teacup in front of Wei Jin and poured her a cup of tea.

The fragrance of the tea filled the air.

However, Wei Jin was not in the mood to drink tea. She looked at Lin Qingyuan. “I’m married.”

Lin Qingyuan nodded very calmly. “I know.”

Wei Jin widened her eyes slightly. “If you know, why did you still agree to Wei Zhong’s request? With your status as the young master of the Lin family, you can marry whoever you want.”

Lin Qingyuan took a sip of tea and looked at Wei Jin’s clear eyes. “I can’t marry someone like Miss Wei.”

“You…” Wei Jin did not expect Lin Qingyuan’s response at all. “Mr. Lin, you’re really magnanimous. You can actually accept someone else’s wife, a woman who belongs to another man with all her heart. Don’t you feel uncomfortable with me being your wife?”

Lin Qingyuan held the blue and white porcelain in his hand and slowly shook the liquid inside. He lowered his head slightly and the corners of his lips curled up. “Miss Wei, you might not know, but not only did your father send me a visiting card, but he also sent me a medical report.”

When Lin Qingyuan said this, Wei Jin’s face turned pale, filled with humiliation.

“Miss Wei’s body can belong to me completely. As for her heart, it will belong to me in the future. Why wouldn’t I want a wife who belongs to me wholeheartedly?”

For some reason, Xia Yu wanted to joke. “Mm, goldfish. You can call me Xiaoyu.”

Lin Yi shook her head. “You’re a soldier, right?”

Xia Yu nodded. “Mm, I followed the Chinese ship here, but I was left behind.”

Lin Yi checked the condition of the wound. “Soldiers are very respectable. I can’t call you Xiaoyu. I’ll call you Xia Yu.”

In the few years that Lin Yi had followed her parents abroad, she had seen too many contributions of the Jun people. She respected these people from the bottom of her heart.

Xia Yu smiled. “Up to you.”

“Alright, can you walk yourself?” After Lin Yi bandaged Xia Yu, she stood up to collect his things.

“Sure.” Xia Yu slowly stood up. Although his back hurt, his wound had been treated and was much better.

Xia Yu gently kicked a rock onto Stone’s leg. Stone’s beautiful dream of being immersed in the chicken leg was shattered. He opened his eyes and saw the smiling Xia Yu. His eyes lit up.

“Brother Xia Yu, you’re awake!”

“Mm, help your Sister Lin pack up and get ready to leave.”

“Okay.” Stone jumped up and ran over to help Lin Yi. The medical box was heavier, so Lin Yi carried it herself. She handed the camera to Stone and hung it around his neck.

In the forest, the three of them slowly walked southwest. From time to time, gunshots sounded in the coastal city not far away.

——

On the vast sea, a large ship fluttered.