Everyone unanimously objected, no one willing to go to the island to die.
Shen Qingqing patiently said, "The situation is dire now. If we don't go to the island, we'll have to face the storm head-on. How many lives do you think can withstand a sea storm?"
"But there's no need to go to this small island. Aren't there other islands nearby? We can pick the closest and safest one!"
"Do you know which island is safe?"
Shen Qingqing's words silenced the man.
They truly didn't know. These were all uncharted islands, never visited by anyone, and not even recorded in any documentation. Those islands were all unknowns.
Only the island on the direct path had some records, but the description was so dangerous it would scare many away.
"If we know the island's situation beforehand, we can prepare. This is the only island on the direct path. We've already lost our bearings, and if we go to another island, we're likely to get lost at sea. However, we can reach this island safely."
Besides, even if there were venomous creatures and wild beasts, they wouldn't be a problem. She and the old man were not just for show.
The old man, hearing this, became very excited, "Good, let's go there!"
The crowd didn't understand his excitement, only assuming he was supporting Shen Qingqing, and immediately became displeased. "You two are in cahoots, of one mind, and don't care about the lives of the rest of us?"
"Exactly! So many people haven't voiced their opinions, why are you deciding this?"
"Mr. Z hasn't spoken yet!"
Many gazes turned to Mr. Z, hoping he would refute Shen Qingqing's unacceptable decision.
They had no desire for a deserted island survival; what if they died there?
Shen Qingqing also looked over. The opinions of others weren't really important. The only person who could influence this matter was him.
"What do you think, Mr. Z? You don't want to go either?"
Mr. Z hummed, "Actually... I don't mind. I can stay on the ship, or go to the deserted island."
Earlier, when he spoke kindly, everyone thought he was easy to get along with, but now they were unhappy.
"Mr. Z, are you also going to let her act recklessly?"
"This is entrusting all our lives to her. I absolutely disagree. Who has experience with deserted island survival? What if we get poisoned on the island? Is there an antidote? Not to mention anything else, a single poisonous fang could kill us!"
The crowd nodded, fear evident on their faces, strongly resisting the idea of the deserted island.
Shen Qingqing suddenly let out a cold laugh.
The crowd looked at her, puzzled. "What are you laughing at?"
"Laughing at your stupidity."
The crowd immediately became enraged.
Carter gritted his teeth. "You woman, you are simply unreasonable! We have supplies on the ship, shelter from the wind and rain, and we only need to survive the storm. Yet you insist on taking us to a deserted island. What are your intentions?"
Shen Qingqing raised her eyes and swept him with a gaze so chilling it made him pause.
"You are the most foolish."
Carter exploded with rage. Publicly humiliated multiple times, he could no longer tolerate it. He clenched his fists and lunged towards Shen Qingqing.
He was determined to teach her a lesson.
"Calm down. It's not a big deal. Let's all discuss it properly."
"Yes, don't resort to violence. She's a woman, after all."
Though the crowd verbally advised him, no one stepped forward to stop him. They couldn't accept Shen Qingqing's proposal and secretly hoped Carter would teach her a lesson.
Women should hide behind men; why should they make such a fuss?
However, Carter didn't get close to Shen Qingqing before he was blocked by King, who suddenly stood up. He twisted his neck and grinned, revealing a set of chilling white teeth.
"What, you want to fight?"
He hadn't shown his face much since boarding the ship, and everyone had almost forgotten about him!
But seeing him now, they suddenly remembered that this was the undisputed King of the Night in Country H. No one knew the extent of his influence.
What was known, however, was that this man possessed exceptional combat skills and was unfathomable.
Carter stopped, still with residual anger on his face. "So what if I fight? She's intent on taking us to a deserted island, with ill intentions. I must teach her a lesson. Besides, a woman, why is she meddling?"
"Don't the Chinese have a saying? Women should manage the household, not step outside their doors!"
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but chuckle.
Carter immediately glared at her. "What are you laughing at?"
"Laughing at your stupidity." Living in such an open capital, he had no demands on women of his own country, yet he was so harsh on women from other countries.
"You..."
"Teacher, I don't want to listen to his nonsense."
Shen Qingqing glanced at the time. Five minutes had already been wasted. If they delayed any longer, the storm might arrive, and then no one would escape.
"Okay."
King, with one hand, subdued Carter and pressed him to the ground, rendering him immobile.
Carter's face turned red, cursing under his breath. Then his mouth was gagged with a rag from the table.
A sour taste flooded his tongue, almost making him vomit.
Unfortunately, under King's restraint, his head was pinned to the ground, unable to move, leaving only his eyes bloodshot with anger.
Shen Qingqing's slender fingertips tapped on the map. "Now you have two choices. One, stay here and let the ship drift aimlessly, gambling on an impossible path to survival. Two, go to the island and gamble on a path to life. Once the storm passes, we can set sail."
After King's display of skill, everyone was awed. Now they dared not question her openly, only exchanging glances and murmuring in low voices.
"We'll vote. I'll say this beforehand: we will not stay on the ship to die with you."
She had seen a small yacht in the storage room earlier, large enough for four or five people. They could take supplies and leave themselves.
If it weren't for...
She cast a subtle glance at Mr. Z.
"Three."
"Two."
She started counting down abruptly. The crowd panicked. "You're too fast! Give us some time to discuss!"
"Will the storm give you time to ponder countermeasures?"
Shen Qingqing's words were sharp, leaving the crowd stunned and speechless.
"One."
"I agree!"
"I agree too!"
For some reason, the initially slow-moving crowd felt a sense of urgency after she said "one," as if it would be too late if they didn't vote.
And while everyone was initially stunned, wanting only to stay on the ship and hide in their comfort zones, many now realized.
This island was definitely a viable option.
Otherwise, Mr. Z would have been the first to object. He had gathered everyone not to send them to their deaths together.
Shen Qingqing, however, thought more deeply. Mr. Z's silence meant he was watching their folly, or rather, enjoying their panic and fear.
Everyone had been deceived by Mr. Z's benevolent facade.
He was not as gentle and harmless as he appeared. It was rumored that this man's greatest pleasure was manipulating people's hearts.