As the morning sun rose, after Lin Xian'er's meticulous care, Zhang Xi'er regained consciousness, but her body was still very weak. I went to the beach to pick some coconuts, and when I returned, I saw Zhang Xi'er leaning at the cave entrance, with Wang Yan feeding her fish soup. Seeing me return, Zhang Xi'er wanted to stand up, but I put down the coconuts and said to her, 'You are still very weak, so rest well.' 'Brother Lu Yuan, thank you. If it weren't for you and Sister Xian'er, I would be...' As she spoke, Zhang Xi'er was about to cry. I comforted Zhang Xi'er, saying, 'It's okay, as long as we work together, we will definitely be able to leave this deserted island.' Zhang Xi'er nodded seriously at me and said, 'Brother Lu Yuan, I believe in you!' Jiang Dandan snorted coldly from the side. 'Lu Yuan, the food will be gone soon, you must find more food quickly.' Jiang Dandan's tone was very much like a command, and Wang Yan and the others looked at Jiang Dandan with dislike. I smiled, as long as Jiang Dandan didn't cause trouble or act crazy, everything was fine. I walked over to Xi'er and rubbed her head, saying, 'Today I'll go collect bird eggs, and this time I'll get more to give you a good nourishment.' Zhang Xi'er's little face turned red immediately. 'Then, Brother Lu Yuan, be careful.' 'Mhm.'

Once decided, Lin Xian'er stayed behind to take care of the frail Zhang Xi'er, while I, Wang Yan, Xia Lan, and Jiang Dandan took rattan ropes to climb up the cliff. Originally, Jiang Dandan didn't want to work, but when I said no work meant no dinner tonight, she obediently followed. Everything was ready, and I began to descend. This time I felt much lighter than last time. I collected forty-three bird eggs before calling it quits, and I didn't feel very tired even after returning to the top of the cliff. After lunch, I armed myself to go hunting further away, Wang Yan gathered flat-pod fruits around, Xia Lan and Lin Xian'er collected fuel, Jiang Dandan only knew how to look for clams, and Zhang Xi'er stayed behind to guard the fire. Lighters are now used as little as possible. When I returned, I picked up a few pieces of flint. Just by rubbing the flint with a military knife, I could produce sparks. Putting some dry grass on it, the fire would quickly ignite. Xia Lan also discovered a type of wood that burns very slowly. Everything is now developing in a positive direction. In the evening, I came back with two wild rabbits and three pheasants. Wang Yan and the others had already started cooking.

With an axe, a hammer, and a chisel, I made two stone pots in my spare time. After eating, I plan to go sturgeon fishing tomorrow, taking advantage of the remaining migration period to stock up on smoked fish as much as possible. In a couple of days, I'll work on setting up a salt pan; after all, one cannot do without salt.

After discussing with Wang Yan and Xia Lan, they both fully agreed with my idea. This time we decided to catch more. Lin Xian'er will stay to take care of Zhang Xi'er, and Jiang Dandan is unwilling to go, so it will still be just the three of us tomorrow.

Having confirmed our plans for the next day, I found myself unable to sleep.

The moon was full tonight, and I planned to climb to the top of the cliff to watch the sea.

I sat on a rock, took out the cigarette Xia Lan had given me, and then lit it with a lighter. I took a deep puff and blew out a stream of smoke towards the moon.

Suddenly, I heard Zhang Xi'er's voice behind me: "Brother Lu Yuan."

I turned around to see Zhang Xi'er standing behind me, panting.

"How did you get up here?"

Zhang Xi'er smiled foolishly and said, "Sister Xia Lan said you might be here, so I came up to check."

I was taken aback for a moment. Did Xia Lan know I was here?

Zhang Xi'er sat down beside me, adjusted her glasses, and said, "Brother Lu Yuan, you really know how to pick a place; the scenery here is beautiful."

Seeing her silly look, I couldn't help but tousle her hair.

"It's windy here, and you're not fully recovered yet. Go back down," I said, extinguishing the cigarette in my hand.

Zhang Xi'er pouted at me discontentedly and stuck out her tongue: "No, Brother Lu Yuan~"

Zhang Xi'er suddenly became coquettish, making me shiver unexpectedly, "What are you doing?"

Zhang Xier gave me a slight smile as she took off her glasses. At that moment, I was stunned. Without the thick frames, Zhang Xier was actually so beautiful; she truly amazed me. "Brother Lu Yuan, do you think I'm pretty?" Zhang Xier asked with a beaming smile. I nodded vigorously, and Zhang Xier's smile grew even happier. Suddenly, Zhang Xier threw herself into my arms, saying, "Brother Lu Yuan, Sister Xia Lan has told me everything, and I've thought about it for a long time. I think Sister Xia Lan is very sensible." Frowning, I asked Xi'er, "What did Xia Lan tell you?" Unexpectedly, Xi'er pressed her index finger to my lips and said softly, "Don't ask, okay? Tonight, Xi'er is yours."