I opened it and saw that the front was in Russian, which none of us understood, but the back was filled with dense Chinese characters!
"Lu Ziye, by the time you read this letter, I should have already left. You have no idea how reluctant I am to leave you, but each of us is born with a destiny to bear. Please forgive me.
In fact, I lied to you from the beginning. I am not part of any rescue team. My Chinese name is Qu Xiangyun, but I also have a Russian name, Izanapova. My father gave it to me. My father was an officer in the former Soviet Union, and he mysteriously disappeared on this island many years ago.
Lu Ziye, after that night, I have considered you my man in my heart. But please, do not come looking for me. Hurry and build a boat to leave this island. I love you, but there are some things you should not know. This island is like a greedy beast. Do not explore its secrets out of curiosity! Leave here, the further the better!
I don't know if I will regret the decision I've made. Perhaps staying by your side, being a protected little woman, and living with you forever would have been a happy life. But I cannot turn back. If by chance I survive and we meet again outside, I will cast everything aside and throw myself into your arms, never to be separated from you.
Luo Yaqin, Guan Hai'er, Shangguan Yao, they are all good people. Please take them and leave this island alive. Before my father disappeared, he sent a letter home. At the end of the letter, he wrote in a hurried hand that this place is both the beginning and the end. Everything will turn to dust after the harsh winter. This island has only revealed a part of its terrifying veil. So, before you get too deep, can you return safely to human society and wait for me?"
Qu Xiangyun's words came to an abrupt end. Looking at the despair and deep affection conveyed between her lines, my expression became complex, and I slowly exhaled. The slight confusion and resentment I felt towards Qu Xiangyun vanished.
I had harbored suspicions about Qu Xiangyun's identity from the start. Later, when Qu Xiangyun showed an unusual expression upon seeing the Russian text, it further solidified my thoughts.
However, my feelings for Qu Xiangyun made it difficult for me to confront my own conjectures, and I chose to pretend ignorance. Perhaps if I had addressed it with her earlier, the outcome would have been different.
A myriad of emotions surged through me, causing me even greater pain.
What secrets were hidden on this island?
What happened at the military base established here years ago? What was Qu Xiangyun looking for when she came here? Things that even I, with whom she had shared intimacy, could not be told!
The more I thought, the more my pain increased, enveloped by a profound sense of helplessness. Under the mockery of fate, I didn't even have the right to protect the woman I loved!
My reason told me that heeding Qu Xiangyun's warning to build a boat and leave with Shangguan Yao and the others was my best option.
If I were still the same aimless office worker I was before, I would have chosen to leave without hesitation.
But the past month and more of island life had transformed me into a true man!
I could not accept returning to the outside world silently like a coward, expecting Qu Xiangyun to return day after day.
Even if I faced immense danger, even if I were ultimately swallowed by this nameless island like the soldiers at the former military base, I would find Qu Xiangyun and face it with her!
Even if each of us is a puppet in the hands of fate, as long as I live, I will not let it control me!
I don't know how long it was before I fell into a daze and drifted off to sleep.
I dreamt that Qu Xiangyun and I returned to the outside world, got married, and had two children. Though our lives were simple, we were very happy together.
I don't know how long passed before I was awakened by voices.
It was all a dream. Qu Xiangyun was gone...
I felt a sense of loss.
Just last night, I made a decision in my heart that would bring me the most satisfaction: build a boat to send Shangguan Yao and the others away, while I would remain on the island to search for Qu Xiangyun.
I told everyone about this during breakfast, and they all responded with great enthusiasm.
We already had some food reserves, and the day before yesterday, we brought all of Li Degui's accumulated supplies back to the cave, which was an even greater boost!
Now we don't have to worry about food or clothing. Our sole focus is to build a boat.
We devised a clear plan. I would be responsible for gathering wood, while the others would twist ropes and pick vines. Everyone was filled with drive, eager to return home soon.
Honestly, I was a bit vague about building a boat, as it's a technical task. It's not something we can succeed at by simply putting a few logs together.
Therefore, we need to experiment constantly, as we need a boat that can withstand the wind and waves. If the boat sinks halfway, we'll be truly miserable.
The days passed one by one, and our progress was smooth. In just one week, we had built the first prototype.
We all cheered with joy and took the prototype to the sea for testing, but the outcome was not as we had expected...
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