Rise of the Poor

Chapter 472: You Fool, Just Go Already

With the island now visible ahead, Zhu Ping’an began using his legs as oars, kicking steadily toward shore. Fortunately, the waves seemed to favor them this time. The wind and current pushed in the same direction as the island, and with each swell, they drifted closer.As they approached, they realized the island was not small at all—at least several dozen kilometers in area. It looked lush and vibrant, covered in dense greenery. A crescent-shaped bay curved around it like a silver hook embracing a jewel.

From a distance, it even seemed beautiful.

But life changes in an instant.

When they were still several hundred meters from shore, the weather shifted again. The wind began to howl, and towering waves several meters high rose without warning. The surging swells charged forward like soldiers in assault, roaring with earth-shaking fury, determined to crush anything in their path. The three atop the broken cabinet were battered senseless, tossed about like autumn leaves in a storm. Spray lashed against their skin like knives.

One wave followed another without pause.

And just like in a comic strip—friendship’s little boat flips without warning.

After enduring several massive blows, the wooden cabinet finally gave way. To be precise, it split apart completely.

Zhu Ping’an could manage; at this distance, he could swim to shore. But Li Shu and the little maid could not. Fortunately, the little maid managed to grab hold of a floating plank.

Remove AdsLi Shu, however, was swallowed by a wave and vanished in an instant.

“Miss! Miss—!” Clutching the plank, the little maid burst into tears at the sight.

Zhu Ping’an did not hesitate. Before the next wave crashed in, he quickly calculated where Li Shu had fallen and the likely pull of the current. Then he dove headfirst into the sea, cutting through the water toward the predicted spot.

The water was black and freezing. Li Shu, dragged beneath the surface, had no control over her body. She was tossed and spun helplessly by the current, swallowing mouthful after mouthful of seawater. Panic consumed her as she struggled blindly.

I still have to go home and become a bride… I don’t want to feed the fish here…

Unwilling to accept such an end, she stretched out her hands desperately, trying to grasp something—anything. A plank. A rope. Even a single straw would do.

But there was nothing but water.

They were close to shore, so the sea was not too deep—perhaps three or four meters. Yet the swirling undertow dragged her downward, slamming her into the sandy seabed.

Her lungs burned.

She had reached the limit of holding her breath. Muddy seawater rushed into her mouth again.

The murky sediment choked her, forcing her eyes to roll back. It felt as if a demon’s claws were clutching her organs, squeezing painfully. She flailed her arms and legs, trying to push back toward the surface, but unable to swim and disoriented by the chaotic current, she was swept sideways instead.

In the dim, filthy depths, she felt herself collide with something like a clump of tangled weeds. Startled, she struggled harder—only to feel the resistance tighten. Strands of seaweed, as thick as a finger, wound around her wrists, ankles, and torso. The more she fought, the tighter they bound her.

She could no longer move.

Don’t panic, she told herself.

But terror overwhelmed her reason. She felt her life slipping away, her thoughts dissolving into blankness.

So this is the end.

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She closed her eyes.

She didn’t even know where she was. This time, Zhu Ping’an probably couldn’t save her either.

If there is a next life… I’ll agree to a childhood betrothal with that silly toad of a man… At least I wouldn’t die like this, eyes unclosed…

Her arms went limp among the seaweed. Her long hair spread out in the water like drifting reeds, beautiful and tragic.

Meanwhile, Zhu Ping’an held his breath and plunged downward at a forty-five-degree angle. His arms and legs moved rhythmically like a frog’s, feeling for the pattern of the undercurrent, correcting his earlier calculations as he swam. Ignoring the murk and bubbles that stung his eyes, he forced them open wide, turning his head constantly to search.

The sediment clouded his vision, but he could still make out vague shapes.

There was plenty of seaweed here, waving like ribbons in the current.

Based on his calculations, it should be around here.

He scanned frantically.

Nothing.

Did I miscalculate?

His lungs were nearing their limit. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself to continue searching. To move faster along the seabed, he grabbed a heavy stone and used its weight to pull himself lower, expanding his search radius.

Seaweed.

More seaweed.

Still seaweed—

Remove AdsThen he saw her.

Li Shu, entangled tightly within the swaying strands.

Clutching the stone, Zhu Ping’an surged forward. At that very moment, Li Shu had given up. He reached her from behind, dropped the stone, and placed his hands on her body, lifting her upward.

The instant his hands touched her, she knew it was him.

There was no reason. She simply knew.

Every time danger struck, he appeared—through water and fire alike.

She opened her eyes and saw him there, cheeks puffed from holding his breath like a frog, struggling to tear away the seaweed binding her.

Seeing him reignited her will to live. She tried to help, but her limbs were tied too tightly to move.

The seaweed was wound firmly.

Zhu Ping’an struggled as well. The more time passed, the more frantic he became. His hands scraped and bled against the rough strands.

It was the first time she had ever seen him so anxious—and it was for her.

Go… leave me… It’s too late…

She shook her head vigorously, signaling him to flee before he ran out of air. If she could see him one last time, that was enough. She did not want him to die here beside her.

He ignored her.

If he couldn’t free her with his hands, then he would use his teeth.

Pulling her bound wrist toward his mouth, he opened wide and bit down hard on the seaweed.

Ignoring the serrated edges that sliced his lips, he gnawed through it from the edge inward. His mouth was cut open, but the method worked.

Time was life.

He no longer cared about anything else. One by one, he bit through every strand wrapped around her body.

As blood from the corner of his mouth stained the seawater red, tears streamed endlessly from Li Shu’s eyes.

Remove AdsOnce freed, Zhu Ping’an hooked an arm around her and kicked hard against the seabed. With his other arm, he clawed upward, swimming toward the surface. After leaving the bottom, he kicked furiously like a diver ascending, driving them toward air.

At last—

Just before suffocation claimed them, they broke through the surface.

“Ha—! Haa—!”

They gasped desperately, gulping in the long-lost air.

Seeing Zhu Ping’an emerge with Li Shu in his arms, the little maid’s sobbing finally subsided. Through hiccupping breaths, she cried out, “Miss!”

The waves had not weakened at all.

Supporting Li Shu, who could not swim, Zhu Ping’an struggled toward the crescent bay. They were less than a hundred meters from shore now. Along the way, he seized a floating plank and placed it beneath Li Shu, letting her cling to it while he guided and shielded her as they swam.

Ahead lay exposed rocks at the mouth of the bay. Waves crashed against them, sending spray more than two meters high.

When they were about fifty meters away, another massive wave swept in, dragging them violently toward the rocks.

“Miss! Be careful—!” the little maid screamed.

The wave hurled Li Shu, plank and all, toward the jagged reef. Judging by the towering spray where waves smashed into stone, if she struck it directly, the outcome would be grim.

Watching the rocks loom larger and larger before her eyes, Li Shu screamed.

It’s over…

She shut her eyes tightly.

Remove AdsAt the last possible moment, Zhu Ping’an lunged forward. With all his strength, he grabbed her and pulled her in front of him, switching places.

The next instant—

The wave slammed him hard against the rocks.

Li Shu collided into him, cushioned by his body.

Pinned against the reef, Zhu Ping’an barely had time to mutter a single complaint before darkness swallowed his vision, and he lost consciousness.