Qin Yu looked at Yao Xue's flushed face and the damp strands of hair clinging to her fair neck, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.
Who could resist this?
In this post-apocalyptic world, on this vast ocean where even a mouthful of fresh water had to be exchanged with one's life, a top-tier beauty had just finished bathing in divine water with special properties and was inviting him to bathe next.
Refuse?
Only a eunuch would do such a thing.
Moreover, Qin Yu was a pragmatist.
Although Yao Xue had already used this bucket of water, it was produced by an S-grade water purifier with powerful purification and restoration capabilities. Even if ten people bathed in it, it would still be life-saving divine water.
Throw it away? That would be a criminal waste.
"Alright."
Qin Yu stuck his fishing rod aside, stood up, and brushed the wood chips off his pants.
"Since Doctor Yao is so generous, I'll gladly accept."
Yao Xue smiled with pursed lips, stepping aside to clear the tent entrance. In that moment, a wave of intense heat mixed with a woman's unique fragrance washed over him.
Qin Yu didn't stand on ceremony, bending down to enter the tent.
Once inside, his vision instantly darkened.
Only the light-energy grill serving as a heater emitted a faint red glow, casting an extremely ambiguous atmosphere throughout the tent.
The air was hot.
The humidity was high.
With every breath, it seemed he could inhale pure hormones.
Qin Yu's gaze swept over the moisture-proof mat.
Several pieces of clothing were scattered messily there.
Most noticeable were two pairs of stockings.
One pair was black, sheer and flesh-revealing - the ones Yao Xue had just taken off, still maintaining the curve of her legs as they lay softly piled beside the sleeping bag.
The other pair was white with lace trim, clearly belonging to that girl Yao Qian.
Who knew when that girl had left her stockings here.
Black and white intertwined.
In this confined space, the visual impact was nothing short of nuclear.
"Hah..."
Qin Yu exhaled a turbid breath, quickly removing his clothes.
His muscle contours appeared particularly defined under the red light.
He stepped over the scattered clothing and approached the large blue chemical barrel.
The barrel was still nearly full of water, with a faint layer of steam floating on the surface.
It wasn't as murky as he had imagined.
Instead, due to the properties of S-grade water, it remained crystal clear, though now carrying a subtle, elusive fragrance.
Qin Yu lifted his leg and stepped in.
"Hiss—"
The warm water instantly enveloped his entire body.
Comfortable!
So comfortable!
The sensation was like countless gentle little hands softly massaging every sore muscle.
The effects of the S-grade water began to take effect.
Qin Yu could clearly feel the fatigue accumulated from days of intense fishing and being ready to fight (though he hadn't actually fought anyone yet) rapidly melting away like snow and ice.
All his pores opened wide.
Greedily devouring the energy in the water.
Qin Yu closed his eyes, leaned against the barrel wall, and let out a satisfied sigh.
This was the meaning of being alive.
Just then, the tent zipper was pulled open again.
A gust of cool wind rushed in.
Qin Yu's eyes snapped open, his muscles instantly tensing.
"Who's there?"
"Oh, it's me, Brother Qin Yu."
A small head peeked in.
It was Yao Qian.
The girl was holding the small cooking pot that came with the barbecue set, steam still rising from it.
"Sister said the water in the barrel might have cooled down, so she asked me to add some hot water for you."
Yao Qian blinked her big eyes, her gaze lingering on Qin Yu's chest muscles exposed above the water for two seconds, her face instantly flushing bright red.
But she didn't retreat.
Instead, she boldly slipped inside.
"No need, the temperature is just right."
Qin Yu frowned.
The barrel was only so big, and with two people squeezed into one tent, it was already cramped enough.
"Come on, add some! A bath should be hot to really relieve fatigue!"
As she spoke, Yao Qian moved closer with the pot.
The tent floor was covered with a moisture-proof mat.
When Yao Xue finished her bath earlier, she had brought out quite a bit of water, leaving the ground wet.
Yao Qian stepped on it with her bare feet, not having had time to put on socks yet.
One step.
Two steps.
Just as she reached the edge of the barrel and was about to pour in the hot water—
Her feet slipped.
"Ah!"
A short, sharp scream.
Yao Qian completely lost her balance.
The pot in her hand tilted, spilling hot water on the ground (fortunately not on Qin Yu).
But her body, due to inertia, plunged straight toward the large barrel.
This was a 100-liter chemical barrel.
The opening wasn't particularly small, but it certainly wasn't large either.
With Qin Yu sitting inside, he already occupied most of the space.
In that split second—
Qin Yu instinctively reached out to catch her.
But gravity and acceleration don't play fair.
"Splash!"
A loud sound.
Water splashed everywhere.
Yao Qian plunged into the barrel like a dead weight.
"Gurgle..."
The impact was solid.
The narrow space was instantly filled.
The water, which had only reached chest level before, immediately overflowed, pouring noisily onto the ground.
Qin Yu only felt a heavy weight in his arms.
A warm, soft, and smooth body had abruptly squeezed into his embrace.
"Cough, cough! I'm choking!"
Yao Qian struggled to lift her head out of the water, her hair completely soaked and messily stuck to her face.
Their position couldn't have been more awkward.
Or more suggestive.
The air in the tent seemed to freeze instantly.
Yao Qian was stunned.
Her eyes widened as she stared at Qin Yu's face so close to hers.
She could even feel his scorching breath against the tip of her nose.
Yao Qian's face instantly turned as red as if it were about to bleed, her mind completely blank.
Qin Yu carried a hint of dangerous aura.
He hadn't expected this to happen either.
The girl looked thin, but she certainly didn't lack in the right places.
"Ah!!"
Yao Qian finally snapped back to reality.
A scream that nearly lifted the tent roof.
She scrambled to her feet.
She didn't care about her appearance at all.
Climbing out of the barrel with hands and feet, she scurried and stumbled toward the tent entrance.
"I... I'll go get you a towel!"
A lame excuse.
Her voice was trembling.
"Whoosh—"
She was gone.
Only the still slightly swaying tent flap and the puddles of water on the ground remained.
Qin Yu sat in the barrel, looking at the empty tent.
The faint milky fragrance seemed to linger in his arms.
He looked down at himself.
Let out a bitter laugh.
"This bath... only made me more heated."
Qin Yu didn't stay in the barrel much longer.
Although the water was still warm, after that girl's disruption, he had no mood to savor it.
He quickly rinsed off and stepped out of the barrel.
After drying himself and changing into clean clothes, he felt noticeably refreshed. That inner clarity made him feel as if he could punch a bull to death right now.
Qin Yu emerged from the tent. The sea wind outside still howled fiercely. Yao Qian was crouching in a corner of the raft, her back turned to him, shoulders trembling slightly—whether from shyness or withdrawal was unclear. Yao Xue sat by the railing, organizing the dried fish. When she saw Qin Yu, she looked up with a faint trace of amusement in her eyes.
"Finished washing?"
"The commotion earlier... was quite loud."
Clearly, she had heard the scream and splash perfectly well.
Qin Yu remained unruffled.
"The floor was slippery."
"I'll be more careful next time."
With those seven simple words, he brushed the matter aside. He walked over to Yao Xue and glanced at the dried fish.
"Good drying job."
"Pack them up. The humidity gets heavy at night."
"Alright."
Yao Xue, being perceptive, didn't press the issue. As she stood to gather the fish and passed by Qin Yu, she murmured softly:
"Qianqian is easily embarrassed."
"Don't tease her too hard."
Qin Yu raised an eyebrow.
Tease her?
She was the one who threw herself at him, honestly.
But Qin Yu didn't explain. He was the captain. Maintaining some mystery and authority wasn't a bad thing.
"Alright."
"Get some rest early."
"I'll keep watch tonight."
Qin Yu went and sat at his dedicated fishing spot.
"The tent's warm. Don't stay out in the wind."
The two sisters exchanged a glance. Yao Qian dawdled over, head bowed, not daring to look at Qin Yu, and slipped into the tent like a scolded schoolgirl. Yao Xue followed.
Soon, whispers drifted from the tent. Faint phrases like "so embarrassing" and "was it big" could be heard—risqué talk that made Qin Yu shake his head and clear his mind.
Women would only slow his draw.
Now was the time for gathering resources.
Qin Yu gripped the black God-Tier Poseidon Fishing Rod tightly.
The night was deep, the sea pitch black, with only the fluorescent bobber swaying on the waves. Qin Yu's heart gradually settled into calm—a hunter's intuition.
Though he had an S-grade water purifier, a tent, and endless fish, it was far from enough. This was merely the baseline for survival. To establish true dominance in this world, he needed more. A larger territory. Stronger defenses. Firepower that would make others tremble in fear!
"Haven't gotten any loot today," Qin Yu murmured to himself. Aside from the five C-grade large barrels, his luck seemed average today.
"One more cast."
Qin Yu flicked his wrist. The hook cut through the air, landing in deeper waters.
Time passed minute by minute. The sea wind grew stronger, causing the raft to creak softly. If it were the old 9-square-meter raft, such waves would've been nerve-wracking. But now, the 30-square-meter raft with railings felt like a stable island. This was the confidence that infrastructure brought.
Qin Yu remained motionless. His breathing grew long and rhythmic. The cleansing from the S-grade water had heightened his senses. He could even detect the subtle vibrations of water currents against the fishing line.
Suddenly, the tip of the rod dipped slightly.
It wasn't the violent tugging of a large fish.
Nor was it the dead weight of a snagged bottom.
Instead, it was... a steady, deliberate pulling sensation.
As if a hand had reached up from beneath the water, firmly grasped the fishing hook, and gave it a solid downward pull.
"This is promising!"
Qin Yu's eyes narrowed.
This feeling...
It didn't feel like a living creature.
It was a chest!
And it had substantial weight!
"Up!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Yu exerted strength in both arms, forcefully lifting the fishing rod backward.
"Creak—"
The fishing line tightened, cutting through the water's surface with a sharp whistling sound.
But this weight was completely within Qin Yu's control now.
No sophisticated techniques were needed.
Just pure, overwhelming strength!
"Come up here!"
Qin Yu grunted low, engaging his core as he leaned his entire body backward.
"Splash!"
Water erupted.
A square object broke through the surface, tracing a parabolic arc through the air.
"Thud!"
It landed heavily on the deck.
Wood collided with wood, producing a dull thud.
Qin Yu stepped forward.
By the moonlight, he clearly saw his latest prize.
A wooden chest.
But this wasn't made of rotting, decayed wood—it featured a lacquered mahogany finish.
The corners of the chest were reinforced with brass-colored metal plates.
Though not as luxurious as that Grade A silver chest.
It was definitely far superior to those shabby Grade E or D items.
Right in the center of the lid.
A clear letter was engraved:
[C]
"Grade C treasure chest."
Qin Yu nodded.
Not too bad.
At this stage, Grade C supplies were already treasures most people wouldn't dare dream of.
Many were probably still risking their lives opening Grade E chests for a piece of bread.
"Hope it contains some solid commodities."
Qin Yu crouched down, placing his palm on the cool brass lock.
"Ding!"
"Grade C supply chest successfully opened."
"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: [Wood Planks] x 200."
"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: [Rope] x 100."
"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: [Plastic] x 100."
All construction materials!
Qin Yu's eyes lit up.
No flashy black technology.
No special food items.
This chest was filled entirely with practical, fundamental construction supplies!
Before, Qin Yu might have considered this somewhat disappointing.
After all, with enough patience, one could gradually fish these items up.
But now was different.
As the raft grew larger, ordinary floating debris could hardly meet expansion needs anymore.
The materials required for expansion increased exponentially.
These 200 wood planks were like timely aid in a snowstorm!
"Expand."
"We must expand."
Qin Yu stood up, looking at the 30-square-meter space beneath his feet.
He'd already felt cramped while bathing earlier.
Three people sharing one tent.
Plus needing space for the Water Purifier, the barbecue grill, and those five bulky water barrels.
Supplies would only keep increasing in the future.
This small space simply wouldn't suffice.
"System, open the construction interface."
With a thought from Qin Yu.
A blue light screen unfolded before his eyes.
Qin Yu didn't hesitate in the slightest.
What use was hoarding supplies?
Transforming them into living space was the true way forward!
"Confirm expansion!"
As Qin Yu issued the command.
The materials in his backpack instantly transformed into streams of light, merging into the raft beneath his feet.
"Click, clack, clack—"
The familiar sound of mechanisms engaging echoed once more.
This time, the commotion was even greater than before.
The entire raft vibrated.
As if an invisible hand were molding clay, it was reshaping this small vessel.
Inside the tent.
The two sisters, who had been whispering, jumped in fright.
"An earthquake?!"
Yao Qian exclaimed in alarm.
"Don't panic!"
Though Yao Xue's voice also carried a hint of tension, she remained relatively calm.
"It's Qin Yu."
"He's expanding."
No sooner had she spoken.
Than new planks around the raft began sprouting like bamboo shoots after rain, wildly extending outward.
The once somewhat cramped deck visibly widened at a remarkable pace.
30 square meters.
35 square meters.
40 square meters.
...
50 square meters!
The vibrations ceased.
A new, more expansive maritime platform emerged in the vast darkness of the night.
What did 50 square meters mean?
It was equivalent to a small two-bedroom apartment on land!
Out here on the open sea, this was no longer just a raft—
It was practically a small destroyer!
More importantly.
Qin Yu could distinctly feel the change beneath his feet.
If it had felt like just a few planks pieced together before,
Now.
These planks seemed fused together, becoming more integrated, denser, and sturdier.
Stepping on them produced a solid, reassuring thump-thump sound.
Wave resistance level +1.
And that was no empty claim.
Where there had been a slight swaying sensation earlier, it had now almost completely vanished.
As steady as walking on solid ground!
Whoosh—
The tent zipper was pulled open.
Yao Qian and Yao Xue poked their heads out.
When they saw the scene illuminated by the moonlight,
They were utterly dumbfounded.
"This…"
Yao Qian rubbed her eyes, even wondering if she had hit her head too hard earlier.
"It's so big…"
Previously, the tent entrance had been only two or three steps from the railing.
Now.
It was several meters farther away!
Spacious!
Open!
You could even play badminton on it!
"Qin Yu…"
Yao Xue stepped out wrapped in a blanket, gazing at the man standing under the moonlight.
Her eyes held not only astonishment but also a trace of deep reverence.
This man.
Just how many secrets was he still hiding?
While others were still fighting over a single plank,
He was conjuring a fortress out of thin air on the sea, as if by magic.
"What?"
Qin Yu turned around, looking at the stunned sisters.
A faint curve lifted the corner of his mouth.
"Afraid it's too big to clean?"
"No, no, no!"
Yao Qian shook her head like a rattle-drum.
She ran out barefoot, bouncing a couple of times on the newly laid planks.
"This is amazing!"
"Now I can roll around freely
!"
"Qin Yu, are you some kind of god?!"
Qin Yu ignored her flattery.
He walked to the newly extended edge.
Observing the sturdy guardrail.
His mind was already mapping out the next phase of his blueprint.
50 square meters.
It was enough.
Enough for him to build a real "home" here.
"Don't celebrate too soon."
Qin Yu patted the railing.
"A bigger space means we need to gather more supplies to fill it."
"Starting tomorrow."
"Double the workload."
"Ah?!"
Yao Qian's face instantly fell.
"Capitalist! This is blatant exploitation!"
Qin Yu sneered.
"Don't want to do it?"
"Then go back into the sea and feed the fish."
"I'll do it! I'll do it, alright!"
Yao Qian immediately backed down.
No joke.
Being a laborer in this 50-square-meter mansion with fences, tents, and hot showers.
That's a blessing countless people could only dream of!