Chapter 107: The Long-Awaited Brother Dong

Chu Dong found the bag containing life jackets at the stern of the lifeboat; it bore a clear slash mark. Opening it, he discovered many of the life jackets had been cut open, and after sorting through them, only six remained intact.

The photographer, the makeup artist, the waiter, the yacht driver, Chu Dong, Tan Xue, and Xiao Yuer—all exchanged glances, none uttering a word.

It was only because of the authority Chu Dong had established aboard the large ship that no one had begun to scramble for the jackets yet—after all, their lives depended on it.

“Everyone take one,” Chu Dong said firmly. “The wind seems to be picking up. The situation is urgent.” As the leader here, he made the decision immediately.

Except for Chu Dong, everyone received one life jacket. Without waiting for instructions, the photographers quickly put theirs on. Tan Xue and Xiao Yuer held their jackets but looked toward Chu Dong hesitantly.

“What are you waiting for?” At this moment, Chu Dong was anything but gentle; like a maddened tiger, he scolded the two sisters who were standing frozen. Dropping the gun slung across his back, he grabbed Xiao Yuer and slipped the life jacket over her, then did the same for Tan Xue.

After securing the buckles on both, Chu Dong found a long, thin rope and tied the two sisters together. With plenty of rope left, he proceeded to link everyone together in a line, wrapping a section around his arm and tying a tight knot.

The October sea was already cold, and everyone’s clothes were soaked by the waves. Their phones and other devices had long since ceased to function. The driver could only rely on the stars above to navigate, uncertain how far they were from shore, doing his best to keep the lifeboat from capsizing or sinking beneath the waves.

Disasters never came singly. The driver panicked as he realized the boat’s engine had died at this critical moment, making their hope of returning to land even more remote.

A faint smell of diesel lingered in the sea air. Chu Dong knew the bastards had drained the lifeboat’s fuel. After searching, he found no reserves. With everyone’s hopeful eyes on him, Chu Dong gathered the group together.

“Who here can’t swim?” he asked solemnly, holding the shivering Xiao Yuer in his arms.

No one answered; silence reigned.

“Speak up if you can’t. If you want to live, speak!” Tan Xue suddenly burst out. She had seen Chu Dong’s wounds, bleached white from the seawater, and was deeply anxious. Whether out of pride or preserving face, she hadn’t tended to him, but seeing him worry for others while they remained silent made her desperate.

“We can swim,” the young waiter replied, lifting his head.

“Good.” Chu Dong glanced at Tan Xue unexpectedly before continuing. “We’re still a few nautical miles from shore. If we hold on, we should make it back. Once ashore, it’ll be easier. Listen to me carefully: on my command, abandon the boat and swim together back. Follow me, understood?”

Everyone nodded. Chu Dong took Tan Xue’s hand and whispered in her ear, “If I had known being with me would bring you and Xiao Yuer such hardship and danger, I would have given up the chance to be with you. If we make it back safely, rest assured, I won’t trouble you anymore. You’ll be free.”

Under the moon and stars, Tan Xue thought she saw something shimmering in Chu Dong’s eyes. His low voice pierced her heart, and even the faint stubble on his jaw held a deadly allure. Just as she was about to speak, Chu Dong suddenly stood and waved his hand. “Get ready. We’re leaving now.”

Tan Xue felt as if she had collided with thin air. Her mouth opened but no words came out. She quietly stood and walked to Chu Dong’s side.

They all stood on one side of the lifeboat, facing the North Star. Chu Dong, positioned between Tan Xue and Xiao Yuer, took a deep breath and, bracing against the crashing waves, shouted, “Jump!”

No one hesitated. Trust in Chu Dong was absolute. Together, they plunged into the icy sea, surfacing almost simultaneously.

“Keep up!” Chu Dong grabbed the frail Xiao Yuer’s hand and led the way.

They formed a line, the seven of them beginning a long, aimless trek through the water.

Chu Dong’s confident claim that the shore was only a few nautical miles away was more a reassurance than fact; he himself had no idea where they were.

Facing the vast, perilous sea, with danger lurking ahead, if Chu Dong did not speak or act, everyone might as well await death.

Better to fight than to die passively. Leading a few people with heroic resolve, Chu Dong refused to believe he would perish in these waters. He was determined to bring the Tan sisters home.

Swimming was a favorite pastime for many, known to strengthen the body and aid in weight loss. But swimming for hours in the boundless sea was no longer fun—this was why even skilled swimmers who crossed straits left people in awe. One minute, ten minutes—they were manageable. But swimming continuously for an hour, two hours… how many had such endurance?

Whenever someone faltered, Chu Dong cheered them on, casually updating how far they still were from shore. Sometimes, he claimed to see lights ahead.

Though small and weak-looking, Xiao Yuer gritted her teeth and persevered. The photographer, however, was the first to falter. Chu Dong instructed those near him to watch over him carefully and told everyone not to stop.

It was not that Chu Dong lacked compassion; resting once would make it harder to continue. Once people tried to rest, they would think too much, lose hope, and their spirits would weaken, draining their strength rapidly.

Chu Dong’s loud calls made him like the lead goose guiding the flock, directing them forward. He kept a firm grip on the rope between Xiao Yuer and Tan Xue, making their swimming lighter and more coordinated.

They had entered the water near midnight. Ahead, nothing was visible. Instinctively, guided by Chu Dong’s calls, they swam blindly forward.

Back at the precinct, Luo Feiyu remained motionless, waiting anxiously for news. But since Chu Dong’s call, no further information had come.

Reports from the aerial early warning unit dampened spirits: suspicious vessels showed intermittent fires, but were too far to approach closely. No details were known.

Seeing Luo Feiyu’s tension, Chen Xiao comforted her, “Don’t be too anxious. No news is good news. Didn’t you tell me that once?”

“Yeah, I know.” Luo Feiyu forced a smile and turned back, afraid to miss any slight sound in her earpiece.

“Suspicious vessels have started moving, showing signs of entering our waters. Repeat, repeat…” The voice crackled in her ear, sharpening her focus.

“Captain Chen, news! News!” she called out urgently.

“What’s happening?” Chen Xiao hurried over.

“The suspicious vessels are heading into our territorial waters, about to enter.”

“Deploy defenses immediately. Once they cross the boundary, encircle them at once,” Chen Xiao ordered decisively.

At that moment, Tian Bing received a call. “What? Withdraw? Why? That blind guy will be here soon.”

“Dammit, I told you to come back once you arrived. Leave a few people to handle things; you’re not needed there. I’ll say it again—come back immediately.” On the other end, the boss of Hongfa Enterprises, Tian Bing’s father, was furious.

“Understood.” This was Tian Bing’s first mission, and encountering such a setback dampened his spirits. Realizing his father was the ultimate authority, he arranged to return on a speedboat.

“Speedboat returning detected. Intercept or not?” the coast guard reported up the chain.

“Let him go for now. Don’t alert them,” Chen Xiao decided. Many ships remained; any sudden action could tip off the smugglers.

Time passed. Each person mechanically stroked, their arms no longer feeling their own. Tan Xue’s eyes fixed only on Chu Dong ahead; Xiao Yuer was beside her, still struggling to row. Hunger and exhaustion gnawed at their nerves; even a moment’s slackness could cause their bodies to lose control, sinking them beneath the waves.

“Twenty minutes. Another twenty minutes, and we’ll be there,” Chu Dong’s hoarse voice rang out again. No one knew how many “twenty minutes” had passed. Yet hearing his voice rekindled their nearly extinguished hope.

Finally, Xiao Yuer could no longer endure. Nearly lifeless, she was carried on Chu Dong’s back, her face pale, her large eyes occasionally fluttering weakly. Tan Xue lacked the strength to call out to her sister, only paddling with all her might to ease Chu Dong’s burden.

They had no idea how long they had been swimming. Human potential was truly unfathomable. Except for Xiao Yuer, who had given out, the rest still persevered.

Then, someone cried out, “Light! There’s a light ahead!”

Through the mist above the waves, a faint glow appeared. Spirits lifted, their strokes quickened.

Chu Dong felt his chest about to burst. Not only was he carrying Xiao Yuer, but he also had to shout encouragement nonstop. His energy was draining faster than the others’.

His left hand, numb and unfeeling, clung tightly to Xiao Yuer. The wound on his left shoulder no longer registered pain. His vision blurred; each wave threatened to drown his senses.

Yet he kept swimming. He knew he was everyone’s hope. If he fell, they would lose the will to return. Gritting his teeth, he persevered.

It was truly a light—the beacon of a lighthouse on shore. After nearly five hours battling the sea, the seven finally glimpsed hope.

Chu Dong smiled, stretching out a hand. “Push forward! We’ve won!”

Hearing his voice, the photographers swam forward desperately. Tan Xue and Xiao Yuer also redoubled their efforts.

When their feet finally touched the rocks of the mainland, their bodies relaxed all at once.

Tan Xue glanced around but did not see Chu Dong. She stood up abruptly and looked out to sea.

A figure bobbed with the waves. At the crest of a swell, she clearly saw it: Chu Dong, who had led them back, seemed unconscious, his body motionless, drifting with the tide.

“Brother Dong…” Tan Xue called out, voice breaking with tears, and plunged into the water...