Desert Island Survival: A Hundredfold Improvement After Having a Baby?

"If you're going down, hurry up."

Lin Fan's tone didn't contain the slightest intention to persuade her to stay; it wasn't like he, Lin Fan, couldn't live without a woman.

The cave suddenly fell into a deathly silence.

Su Qingxue stood still, her hands clasped in front of her.

In yesterday's confrontation, she laid bare all the bargaining chips, trump cards, family members, and even responsibilities she could muster in front of Lin Fan.

Now that the road has truly opened up, and the ramp leading to freedom is right in front of her, she hesitates to take the first step.

Before Su Qingxue could speak, the awkward silence was broken.

From the tattered canvas in the corner, came a rustling sound of friction.

Zhou Kai braced himself against the rough ground and struggled to move his body upwards.

His wound was in great pain, and a layer of cold sweat had already seeped out of his forehead.

He spoke.

"Brother Fan."

Lin Fan tilted his head to the side.

Zhou Kai coughed twice to clear the dryness from his throat.

"I stayed."

"My leg won't be able to put weight on it for a while. Going to the beach would just be a nuisance to others; they might not even leave me a drop of water."

He raised his head and looked directly at Lin Fan.

"But I chose to stay, and it wasn't just because of this leg."

"Brother Fan, I can't control what other people are thinking. I only know that since the day the cruise ship capsized, if it weren't for you, I, Zhou Kai, wouldn't have even made it through the first week after landing on the island."

"You led the way when we were looking for water in the woods. You saved my life when we encountered a wild boar."

Zhou Kai took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently.

"I don't know much. Back in the company, we were like beasts of burden in our cubicles, working ourselves to the bone for a few thousand yuan at the end of the month."

"Once you're on this island, money's become worthless. That PLB thing, a machine costing hundreds of thousands, sounds pretty high-tech, but does it really work?"

"We've been stuck on this island for so long, not even a bird bothers to poop in the sky. Do you expect this thing to magically summon a rescue ship?"

He raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his face.

"I don't believe in machines, I believe in people. Brother Fan, I'm putting this out there. Even if a ship really comes, as long as you don't plan to leave, I, Zhou Kai, will stay in this cave with you."

"You give me food, and I'll help with whatever work I can. You gave me this life."

Zhou Kai saw the situation clearly, and he also saw the true nature of the group of people on the beach below.

Talking about survival with a cold-blooded mercenary like Wang Laoliu who only works for money?

Talking about morality with a rich young master like Yang Ningcong who could turn on you at any time?

It's better to stay here; at least you can save your life.

Song Ya vigorously rubbed her muddy trouser legs with both hands and stood up.

"I'll stay too."

Song Ya kept her head down, avoiding looking at Yang Ningcong and Liu Feifei.

"I share the same thoughts as Zhou Kai."

She's usually not very bright, but she didn't just coast along as a sales intern at the company.

She could tell clearly who had real money to protect people and who was just a paper tiger.

"I trust Lin Fan's judgment. There must be a reason why Lin Fan isn't going down there. I don't know anything, but I'm obedient. There are too many cannibalistic creatures on this island. I'd rather do odd jobs here than go down there."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ningcong could no longer hold back.

His hands were tied behind his back, and he twisted his body on the gravel a couple of times, letting out an exaggerated, cold laugh.

"Neuropathy."

He muttered to himself.

In his logic as a rich second-generation, Zhou Kai and Song Ya's behavior is simply an outburst of the worst traits of the lower class.

Having the chance to return to civilized society and enjoy life, he chooses to stay here and be a dog for a penniless intern.

But it doesn't matter.

Once he got off, he turned on the PLB, and the Yang family's helicopter and private search and rescue boat arrived.

Bringing more people is convenient, but bringing two fewer people saves more space.

Since these two poor bastards are so determined to follow Lin Fan and live like primitive people on the island, let them fend for themselves on this broken island.

Lin Fan ignored Yang Ningcong's mockery.

He glanced at Song Ya, then at Zhou Kai, his expression remaining largely unchanged, which was tantamount to acknowledging their stance.

Then, his gaze shifted.

It landed on Xu Zhixia, who was standing next to her.

Lin Fan stared at her for two seconds before speaking.

"If Zhou Kai stays, Dr. Xu, you'll have to stay too."

This is not a question, much less a discussion.

This is a notification.

Lin Fan knew very well that medical resources and doctors were the most valuable assets on the deserted island.

Leaving Xu Zhixia in the cave was not only because she could cure diseases, but also to completely cut off the medical supply to Wang Laoliu and the group below.

Since Zhou Kai, a seriously injured soldier, has expressed his intention to stay here, he certainly cannot let Xu Zhixia leave.

Xu Zhixia turned her head to look at Lin Fan.

As a private doctor with higher education and who has witnessed countless feuds among the wealthy, Xu Zhixia is far more rational than Song Ya and Zhou Kai.

Last night, she and Su Qingxue calculated the probability: with a search and rescue investment of 5 billion yuan and countless ships and planes, they hadn't even touched a hair in this sea area in two months.

Hoping that the little machine in Yang Ningcong's hands can turn the tide?

The probability is probably less than thirty.

Logically speaking, Lin Fan controls water, food, high ground, and military force, so following Lin Fan offers the highest chance of survival.

However, in terms of her status, she was a consultant hired by the Yang family at great expense. By directly surrendering to Lin Fan, she was essentially breaking the contract, and her whole family would suffer when she returned.

Xu Zhixia's mind raced for a moment. She stood up and brushed the dust off her trousers.

There was no direct oath of allegiance, nor any excuse to refuse.

She looked into Lin Fan's eyes and gave an extremely precise and neutral answer.

"I am a doctor."

Her tone was flat, without much variation.

"Wherever there are patients, that's where I'll be."

That statement is perfectly watertight.

Not only did they have a legitimate reason to stay in the cave and manage medical supplies, but they also didn't have to bear the burden of taking sides.

I stayed not because of the team, but because there was a wounded player lying here with a mangled leg.

Even if a rescue does come, he can tell Yang Ningcong that she did it to uphold her doctor's oath.

Lin Fan listened without saying anything.

This woman is shrewd to the core. But that doesn't affect the overall situation. As long as the person and the medicine are kept, the excuse is completely unimportant.

Yang Ningcong, who was standing to the side, heard Xu Zhixia's words and felt a surge of disdain.

"Stop pretending to be high and mighty."

He cursed inwardly. This woman, who earns millions a year from the Yang family, is now shamelessly clinging to a lowly servant as his attendant.

Originally, Xu Zhixia was just someone who was bought and attached to the public; Yang Ningcong didn't take her seriously at all.

So what if he's missing a doctor? Once the equipment is turned on and we return to civilized society, what kind of top expert can't he hire?

Yang Ningcong moved his aching shoulders, his gaze eagerly sweeping over the others and landing on Liu Feifei and Su Qingxue.

He knew that Su Qingxue was the only one of value in this cave.

As for Liu Feifei, he still called out to Su Qingxue casually, just to save face for her.

"Qingxue, big star, let's go downstairs."