Yao Xue's voice was so soft it was almost drowned out by the sound of the waves.
Qin Yu didn't turn around.
He just waved his hand.
"Don't thank me yet."
"Wait until you're full."
...
Night fell.
The night at sea was as dark as ink.
Only the small cabin on the iron raft emitted a warm yellow light.
It was the light of hope.
The stove fire burned fiercely.
In the iron pot, a large piece of wolf meat was boiling.
Bubble, bubble.
That was the sound of fat boiling.
Though there were no high-end seasonings—only simple sea salt and some wild onions picked casually on the island—the aroma of the meat still aggressively filled everyone's nostrils.
"It smells so good..."
Yao Qian crouched by the pot, her eyes fixed intently on the meat.
She was practically drooling.
The fragrance of this red meat was like a soul-snatching poison.
Qin Yu held a large ladle.
Scooping off the scum.
"This wolf meat is a bit tough."
"Coarse fibers."
"Needs to be boiled hard over high heat."
"Otherwise, it's hard to chew."
He scooped up a piece and poked it with chopsticks.
It was still a bit hard.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was the energy.
The protein.
The calories that would keep them alive in this godforsaken place.
"Let's eat."
At Qin Yu's command, Yao Qian cheered and rushed over with her bowl.
Though Yao Xue remained reserved, her swallowing motions betrayed her.
A large pot of meat.
With both broth and meat.
The three ate until they were sweating profusely.
Apart from the sounds of chewing and drinking soup, no one spoke.
At a time like this, talking was a waste of time.
"Burp—"
Yao Qian let out an unladylike belch.
Slumping in her chair, she rubbed her round little belly.
A look of complete satisfaction on her face.
"Revived."
"I feel like I've come back to life."
Qin Yu put down his bowl.
Wiped his mouth.
He was stuffed too.
That feeling of fullness in the stomach was incredibly reassuring.
"Beep—"
"Beep—"
The terminal on his wrist vibrated intermittently.
It was good news transmitted from that "big guy" in the distance.
[Ding! Obtained Iron Ore x30]
[Ding! Obtained Hard Wood x100]
[Ding! Obtained Rare Herb x5]
Even across several kilometers of sea, Qin Yu could faintly hear the rumbling coming from the island.
That was the T-X Harvester working tirelessly.
Each rumble represented another resource added to their account.
This feeling.
Was even more satisfying than eating meat.
"Brother Qin Yu."
Yao Qian lay on the table, listening to the distant commotion.
"That robot, does it really never get tired?"
Qin Yu lit a cigarette.
Took a deep drag.
Exhaled a blue smoke ring.
"It doesn't know fatigue."
"It's the crystallization of industrial civilization."
"Give it energy, and it could dig straight through the Earth."
Yao Xue was cleaning the bowls and chopsticks.
Hearing this, her hands paused.
She looked at Qin Yu's face, half-hidden behind the smoke.
This man.
Was truly mysterious.
From that fishing rod, to the full cabin of supplies, to that fearsome robot.
He was like a bottomless pit.
Always able to pull out something astonishing.
But she didn't ask.
A smart woman knows what to ask and what not to ask.
Just follow him.
You can survive.
That's enough.
...
Night deepened.
The sea wind grew stronger.
It made the wooden house's windows rattle.
Qin Yu checked the doors and windows.
"Go to bed early."
"There's work to do tomorrow."
Qin Yu tossed out a sentence.
Then turned and entered his own room.
It was one of only two rooms on the second floor.
And also the control center of the entire iron raft.
Yao Xue and Yao Qian slept next door.
Yao Qian was truly exhausted.
Between the fear and anxiety, and then eating a big meal.
As soon as her head hit the pillow.
Within two minutes.
She was emitting soft snores.
Like a little pig.
Yao Xue lay on her side on the bed.
By the moonlight, she gazed at her younger sister's sleeping face.
Her heart felt tender.
If not for Qin Yu.
The fate of the two sisters would likely be worse than death.
Those women pleading for help in the Chat Channel.
Those messages about selling dignity for half a biscuit.
She had seen too many.
In this world where order has collapsed.
Beauty is no longer an asset.
But an original sin.
Unless.
You can find a strong enough backer.
Yao Xue turned over.
Unable to sleep.
Her body was exhausted, every bone aching.
But her mind was unusually alert.
Her thoughts were filled with the image of Qin Yu firing his gun during the day.
That figure from behind.
That look in his eyes.
And last night...
That kind of rough possession.
Yao Xue's face felt a bit warm.
Although she was a doctor, accustomed to life and death.
In matters between men and women, she wasn't much more experienced than Yao Qian, that homebody.
It wasn't until last night.
That she truly understood what it meant to be a woman.
That feeling of being conquered.
Once you've tasted the marrow, you know the flavor.
She bit her lip.
Listening to the faint footsteps coming from the next room.
That was Qin Yu, still awake.
What was he doing?
Planning for the future?
Or checking weapons?
Yao Xue's heartbeat began to quicken.
"Thump, thump."
In the quiet night, it was disturbingly loud.
She sat up.
Glanced at Yao Qian, who was sleeping soundly.
Still asleep.
Yao Xue took a deep breath.
As if making some major decision.
She threw off the covers.
Put on that black silk nightgown.
The spaghetti strap style.
With a deep V-neck.
The hem only reaching the top of her thighs.
As she put it on.
The cool, silky touch gave her goosebumps.
Under the moonlight.
The woman's figure was full, her curves fully revealed.
The black silk made her skin glow white.
Like a ripe peach.
Waiting to be picked.
"Yao Xue, you're really crazy."
She cursed herself under her breath.
But her movements didn't stop.
Barefoot.
She stepped on the wooden floor.
Making no sound at all.
Gently pushed open the door.
The hallway was dark.
Only a sliver of light came from under Qin Yu's door.
She walked to the door.
Placed her hand on the doorknob.
Paused for two seconds.
Then.
Gently turned it.
"Click."
The sound was soft.
But to Qin Yu's ears, it was no less than a gunshot.
"Who is it?"
Qin Yu's voice instantly rang out.
Full of vigilance.
It was a reaction ingrained in his bones.
"It's me."
Yao Xue's voice trembled slightly.
Qin Yu looked at the figure at the door.
His pupils slightly contracted.
The door opened.
Yao Xue walked in.
Closed the door behind her.
Shutting out the wind, rain, and cold.
The room was warm.
Qin Yu was leaning against the headboard, looking at a map.
But his gaze was now completely captured by the woman before him.
The silk nightgown.
Very thin.
Clung to her body.
As she moved, it swayed with enticing ripples.
That mature feminine charm.
In this post-apocalyptic world filled with bloodshed and slaughter.
It was practically the ultimate hallucinogen.
"Can't sleep?"
His voice was somewhat hoarse.
"Can't fall asleep."
Yao Xue walked to the bedside.
She didn't sit on the chair.
Nor did she stand at the head of the bed.
Instead, she went to the foot of the bed.
Right there.
Directly in Qin Yu's line of sight.
She brushed aside the stray hairs by her ear.
The movement was somewhat awkward.
Yet carried a natural allure.
"I missed you."
Very straightforward.
No beating around the bush.
In this world where you never know if you'll see tomorrow's sun.
Reserve is the most useless thing.
If you want something.
Just say it.
Qin Yu smiled.
He lifted a corner of the quilt.
Patting the spot beside him.
"Come up."
Yao Xue didn't walk over directly.
She looked at Qin Yu.
A smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
Like spring waters after the melting of an iceberg.
She placed both hands on the edge of the bed.
Leaning her body forward.
The collar of her silk nightgown drooped down.
That flash of snowy white made Qin Yu's head spin.
Then.
She moved like an elegant cat.
From the foot of the bed.
Crawling up bit by bit.
Knees pressing into the soft mattress.
Step.
By step.
Advancing toward Qin Yu.
This posture.
Was both submission.
And attack.
Qin Yu didn't move.
He just watched.
Watched this chief physician who was originally high and mighty.
Watched this woman who was usually cold as ice.
Now.
For him.
Transformed into a flame.
Yao Xue crawled up to Qin Yu.
Straddling his thighs.
Wrapping her arms around his neck.
Their faces were very close.
So close they could feel each other's scorching breath.
"Qin Yu."
"I'm here."
"Today... thank you."
"I told you, no need to thank me."
"No."
Yao Xue shook her head.
Her eyes dazed.
"Verbal thanks are too light."
"I want to use actual actions."
After speaking.
She kissed him.
Somewhat clumsy.
But very forceful.
As if wanting to melt everything of herself into this man's body.
Meat delivered to your doorstep.
Only a fool wouldn't eat it.
His hand clasped the back of Yao Xue's head.
Turning from guest to host.
Yao Xue trembled all over.
That soft moan.
Was like lighting the fuse of a powder keg.
The temperature in the room instantly...
Made a crisp "snap" sound.
But no one cared.
Qin Yu flipped over.
Pinning Yao Xue beneath him.
Looking down at the woman beneath him with her flushed face and silken gaze.
His desire for conquest was greatly satisfied.
"You brought this upon yourself."
Qin Yu said in a low voice.
With a hint of wildness.
Yao Xue reached out both hands.
Tightly gripping Qin Yu's scar-covered back.
Those were a man's medals.
And also her safe harbor.
"Fuck me to death."
"As long as it's you."
...
That night.
The waves were fierce.
The raft rose and fell on the sea surface.
Just like the bed in the room.
Swaying.
Shaking.
That dim yellow lamp stayed lit all night.
Until fish-belly white appeared at the horizon.
Did the storm gradually cease.
...
The next day.
Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains.
Falling right on Qin Yu's face.
He opened his eyes.
His biological clock woke him up on time.
In his embrace.
Was a warm, soft delicate body.
Yao Xue was wrapped around him like an octopus.
Still asleep.
Tear stains still visible at the corners of her eyes.
Evidence of last night's excessive madness.
Qin Yu gently withdrew his hand.
Without waking her.
Got up.
Left the bed.
Put on his clothes.
Refreshed and invigorated.
After a night of release, plus sufficient sleep.
Yesterday's fatigue had completely vanished.
His entire body felt as if it were brimming with inexhaustible energy.
This was perhaps another hidden benefit brought by the system.
The enhancement of physical fitness wasn't just about strength and speed.
It was also about recovery.
"Hah—"
Qin Yu walked out onto the balcony.
He took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze.
A new day.
Had begun.
"System."
"Daily lottery draw."
This was the most anticipated moment of each day.
It was like opening a mystery box.
Although he had that harvesting robot and wasn't short on basic resources for now,
building a true maritime fortress
was still far from reality.
[Ding!]
[Daily lottery draw initiated!]
[Drawing in progress...]
Qin Yu watched the virtual wheel spinning rapidly before his eyes.
He silently prayed in his heart.
Give me something good.
Not bottled water again.
His standards had risen now.
Ordinary junk no longer caught his eye.
The pointer gradually slowed down.
Passing over each segment.
Finally.
It stopped on a green segment.
A brilliant green light erupted!
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host!]
[Acquired: S-grade Psionic fertile soil (5 square meters)]
[Description: This isn't ordinary soil—it's black earth infused with life energy.]
[Trait 1: Rapid Growth. Plant growth speed increased by 10 times.]
[Trait 2: Stress Resistance. Crops planted here are unaffected by harsh climates, salt-alkali tolerance, and pest resistance.]
[Trait 3: Nutrient Lock. The nutritional value of harvested fruits is doubled.]
Qin Yu was stunned.
Then.
He clenched his fist tightly.
"Holy shit!"
"Jackpot!"
Soil.
It seemed like the most worthless thing.
But out at sea.
This was life itself!
Why were sailors most afraid of scurvy?
No vegetables to eat.
Eating meat and fish every day.
The body would eventually break down.
Qin Yu had been worrying before—even though he had stockpiled some vegetable seeds, if planted in ordinary soil,
how many years would it take to grow?
They might not even sprout before being killed by the sea breeze.
But this S-grade fertile soil was different.
Growth speed increased by 10 times!
What did that mean?
Lettuce that normally took a month to mature
would now only need three days!
This meant that.
As long as he had seeds,
he could establish a continuous vegetable supply base!
In this post-apocalyptic world,
a handful of fresh bok choy
was definitely worth more than a golden AK.
"With this thing,"
"whether for personal consumption or for trade,"
"it's going to be hugely profitable."
Qin Yu's mind raced.
He was already planning how to utilize these 5 square meters of land.
He walked to the railing.
Raised his binoculars.
And looked toward that island.
The once lush green island
was now mostly bare.
That T-X Harvester was truly ruthless.
Wherever it passed,
not a blade of grass remained.
Even the topsoil had been scraped away,
revealing the bare rock beneath.
"That's about enough."
Qin Yu glanced at the resource list on his Terminal.
[Lumber: 50,000 units]
[Stone: 20,000 units]
[Iron Ore: 5,000 units]
[Various Plant Fibers: 8,000 units]