Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

After the group had their food, they were taken to a makeshift shack.

Several pillars, with wooden supports on top, fixed to a large cloth, surrounded by wood on all sides, and some dry grass spread on the ground.

If it's not clean and tidy inside, no one would doubt it if you said it was a stable.

"We don't have enough lodging for now, brothers. If you're cold, I'll have someone bring some more hay."

"Sir, that's enough. We don't even have hay to sleep on over there."

Chi Honghai was stunned for a moment.

"What? There's not even any hay?"

"The brothers over there slept with their heads resting on stone slabs or simply leaning against the boat..."

Chi Honghai shook his head.

"Alright, follow me. In a while, you'll all be sleeping on beds, not hay."

"Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir."

"Okay, let's rest."

After finishing his sentence, Chi Honghai turned and left.

Pang San, standing beside him, asked, "Master, should we send someone to watch them tonight?"

"No need. Those who died tonight weren't stupid."

"The master is indeed wise in his actions."

"Alright, you should go back to your room and sleep too."

Those who need reassurance, reassure; those who need to disperse, disperse.

Chi Honghai dragged his weary body alone toward his gatehouse.

But the closer he got to his room, the more uneasy he felt.

As he approached the door, Chi Honghai noticed the situation behind the pillar.

"Come out, this island is full of my men, there's no use hiding."

"It's me!" came a woman's voice—Wu Wanruo.

She stepped forward as she spoke, but her movements were not as hesitant as before. Instead, she took his hand and led him into the house.

Chi Honghai was somewhat taken aback. This girl was so proactive, and he had no idea what she wanted. Even if she was offering herself up, brothels would still play hard to get.

Wu Wanruo pulled Chi Honghai into the room and lit the candles on the table.

The dim light cast a warm glow on their faces.

Where are you hurt?

Wu Wanruo looked at the dried bloodstains on his face, pinched his arm with her hand, and tried to touch the wound.

Chi Honghai was somewhat stunned and subconsciously took a half step back.

"What injury, where?"

Wu Wanruo's voice trembled with a hint of tears.

"You're covered in blood. Where are you hurt? Don't try to tough it out. I know medicine."

Chi Honghai sighed: "What are you doing? Just a moment ago you were so eager to chop me up, but now you're suddenly concerned about me."

Wu Wanruo gently pushed him away with both hands: "I'm not concerned about you, I'm concerned about the people on this island... They need someone to help them survive..."

"What do you know?"

"These people are all villagers from Xin'an County, right? They were driven to the brink of death, and you brought them back to feed and water them..."

"Food is the most important thing for people; how can we live without eating?"

"I mean...you saved so many people...you don't seem like a bad person."

"I just killed someone!"

Wu Wanruo didn't say anything, but instead clenched her fist and punched him in the chest.

He grabbed Wu Wanruo's wrist and used the force to pull her in front of him.

The slender lamp wick swayed in the wind caused by the pull, and the two people's faces were directly illuminated and dimmed at close range.

Seeing the somewhat bewildered look in her eyes, Chi Honghai gently released his grip on her wrist.

"I'm fine, you can go back to your room."

As she spoke, she poured tea from the pot and smeared it on her face, trying to clean the bloodstains.

"Before I change my mind."

Wu Wanruo stood up straight and used the handkerchief in her hand to wipe away the dried bloodstains from Chi Honghai's face, little by little.

Chi Honghai did not back down, but closed his eyes and let the young woman wipe his face.

"What do you think these people are plotting and fighting for, both openly and secretly?"

Wu Wanruo asked.

"What else could it be for? For money, for power, for..."

"Wasn't it even a little bit for the sake of saving lives? Saving more lives?"

Wu Wanru interrupted.

Chi Honghai opened his eyes again, and the dim light and delicate face reappeared in his field of vision.

"Yes, but I'm a pirate."

"But you also saved so many people, you're a good pirate."

Chi Honghai leaned slightly closer.

Wu Wanruo also removed the handkerchief from his face.

Looking at Chi Honghai, she leaned back slightly, about to lose her balance, but was pulled back by her waist.

The close proximity made their soft breathing clearly audible.

Wu Wanruo placed her hand on Chi Honghai's chest and felt his heart pounding.

She lowered her head to the side, slowly closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

Chi Honghai put one arm around her leg, picked her up, and gently placed her on the bed.

The flush on her feverish face was clearly visible in the candlelight.

Chi Honghai was panting heavily and swallowing hard.

"I gave you a chance."

Just as he was about to pounce, the other person pinched his arm.

The pain made Chi Honghai stop, and he looked at the woman in front of him, his body trembling slightly.

Wu Wanruo, who was lying in bed, held onto Chi Honghai's shoulder and said very softly, "Light..."

……

Early the next morning.

Ai Si hurriedly ran to the front of Chi Honghai's house.

"Master, master, something terrible has happened!"

Chi Honghai was awakened by Ai Si's shouts, and he got up and pushed open the door.

"What's the rush? What's the matter?"

"Master, something terrible has happened! Miss Wu, she..." Ai Si said, then saw Wu Wanruo's figure on Chi Honghai's bed through the gap, and immediately fell silent.

"Master...Master..."

Chi Honghai immediately closed the door with both hands.

"What are you looking at!?"

"I didn't see anything, I didn't see anything."

"Go about your business!"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Ai Si replied as she ran away.

After Ai Si left, Chi Honghai returned to his room.

Looking at Wu Wanruo, who was sitting on the edge of the bed with the blanket covering her body.

He walked over quietly and sat on the bed.

The two stared at each other for a long time without saying a word.

Chi Honghai reached out and pulled Wu Wanruo's head into his arms.

"I will take responsibility for what happened last night."

Wu Wanruo didn't say anything, but simply wrapped her arms around his waist and moved even closer.

"I'm a little hungry..."

Upon hearing Wu Wanruo say she was a little hungry, Chi Honghai got up and helped her to her feet.

However, Wu Wanruo was unsteady on her feet and seemed a little discouraged.

He then carried Wu Wanruo back to the bed and sat her up.

"Wait a minute, I'll go get it for you."

After Chi Honghai brought a bowl of noodles into the room, he sat on the edge of the bed and fed her by hand.

"I might have to go out again in a bit."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Killing...can also be considered saving lives...There's a gang of pirates in the northwest who specialize in robbing and killing people around Guangzhou. We encountered them yesterday."

"Be careful...come back safely, they still need you."

At this point, Chi Honghai gripped his chopsticks tightly.

"Did you really give in to me willingly last night?"

She looked at Chi Honghai.

"I'll tell you if you're willing after you come back safely."