Spark of Hope

Lu Ban quickly realized that the figure was himself.

He was sitting in a movie theater, holding a large cup of Coke and popcorn, surrounded by some familiar faces.

There seemed to be a movie playing on the big screen. Lu Ban couldn't understand it, but he could sense that it was quite exciting.

However, when the movie reached its most exciting part, everyone around Lu Ban stood up and left their seats.

First came the familiar employees of Silent Media, then the people from the cinema chain I knew, two police officers, and finally Qin Tiantian and Feng Yu, among others.

All the people left, and in the end, only Lu Ban sat alone in the movie, watching the movie that would never end.

As the flame dimmed, an impulse pulled Lu Ban back, causing him to take out another match and light it.

The movie started again, and those who had left returned to Lu Ban's side. He felt relieved and focused on watching the movie.

At this moment, Lu Ban suddenly felt that something was wrong.

He felt the warmth from his hand; it was a match.

"Here it is"

Lu Ban suddenly woke up.

The match in his hand was almost burned out, and the campfire had not yet been lit. He looked across at Amber, who was also staring at the faint light of the match, her eyes revealing a longing and expectation, reluctance and sorrow that were appropriate for her age.

As the light of the match faded, Amber seemed to lose all her energy, and her expression dimmed.

Suddenly, Amber tensed up, looked at the match in Lu Ban's hand, and reached out her hand.

"Give it to me! Give it to me!! Give it to me!!!"

She screamed in agony, trying to snatch the matches. Her face contorted in rage, and her previously weak body suddenly found immense strength as she gripped Lu Ban's wrist tightly, leaving deep claw marks.

New green grass oozed from the wound. Lu Ban pressed down on the back of Amber's neck, grabbed her by the collar, and lifted her up.

"Wake up."

Lu Ban patted Amber's face.

Amber struggled for a moment before finally relaxing and returning to her original weak state.

"I just now"

She looked at Lu Ban blankly.

Amber had seen a blooming cherry blossom tree in the flames, and she was under the tree, having a picnic with her parents whom she had never met. Friends came to visit her, and the group ran and played on the lush green grass. There was no Corrupted Ones, no shrine, and everything was so beautiful, as if it had never happened.

Coming back to her senses from that illusion, Amber suddenly realized that her collar had come undone due to the commotion and immediately tightened her grip on her clothes.

"It might be some kind of illusion. Don't watch me light the fire."

Lu Ban turned Amber around and continued to light the fire with a match.

Each time Lu Ban lit a match, he would see images that made him feel relaxed and comfortable. These images would disappear as the match burned out, but they would also inspire the person who saw them to light another match.

Ultimately, these people may become so engrossed in the illusions created by the matches that they cannot extricate themselves, and thus starve to death, die of thirst, or suffer an accident.

"Fortunately, I am content with what I have and don't have any strong desires."

Lu Ban believes that in life, one should learn to be content.

Some people are constantly dissatisfied with their desires and will eventually be trapped in the vortex of desire.

As for Lu Ban, although he has a few billion in cash, Lu Ban has very low material desires and no lofty ambitions. He only wants to live a peaceful life, which is how he can break free from this illusion.

It took Lu Ban several matches to finally light the wood.

It is said that the wood used on the ship had been treated so that it would be difficult to burn under normal circumstances. However, after being bombarded by cannon fire, these scattered pieces of wood seemed to have returned to their original purpose, burning fiercely under the flames.

Lu Ban now needs to worry about whether the ship's deck beneath his feet will catch fire.

The flames brought warmth and light, and Lu Ban could see some fish approaching the surface of the water nearby, seemingly drawn by the light.

He whistled.

Laika immediately jumped into the sea and after a while brought up two fish.

These fish are spindle-shaped and covered with fine scales. Through their taut muscles, you can feel the speed at which they swim in the sea.

Lu Ban decisively slaughtered the two fish and roasted them by the campfire.

Even if it's just for the sake of these fish, Lu Ban must prepare them properly.

After baking for a while, until the surface became crispy and fragrant, Lu Ban picked it up.

The fish was very hot, but Lu Ban, with his thick skin and flesh, wasn't afraid at all. The ruthless iron hand picked up the fish and took a bite.

The flesh is firm and has a hint of the sea flavor. Since it is a sea fish, it is salty enough without any seasoning, and it tastes quite good.

In no time, Lu Ban finished the fish completely.

He glanced at Amber.

She looked at the fish in her hand, somewhat conflicted.

"The fish should be served with white rice, pickled vegetables, and soup. And there are no chopsticks."

It seems that Amber has only received a formal education, and she even has to bring her own utensils when she eats. I had heard that such a well-bred lady could use chopsticks to pick out all the dense bones from a fish, so it seems that she has no experience eating fish with her bare hands.

"Eat up, it will replenish your fluids and energy."

Lu Ban offered a word of advice.

Amber didn't hesitate for long; she picked up the grilled fish and took a bite.

One bite, two bites, three bites— Amber's initially small bites gradually became more intense. Like a child who hadn't eaten for several days, she slurped down the grilled fish.

"Is it tasty?"

Seeing the usually dignified shrine maiden eating in such a disheveled state, Lu Ban asked with a smile.

"The taste is alright."

Amber wiped her mouth and turned her face away.

Upon hearing this, Laika jumped up again, dove into the sea, and scooped up several fish.

"That's enough, that's enough, we can't hold any more."

Seeing Laika trying to curry favor, Lu Ban stopped her.

This dog is so good at acting in front of girls; it seems that the weakness of the Hound breed is women.

Thinking of the other Hound that Feng Yu had eaten clean, Lu Ban came to this conclusion.

With his clothes dried by the fire, Amber gradually grew sleepy by the warm campfire.

After a tense night, she finally relaxed, and once she relaxed, fatigue washed over her.

Looking at the flame, Amber tried to imagine the beautiful dreamscape she had seen in the match, but soon she found that she couldn't even imagine such a scene.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and with the swaying of the small piece of ship debris beneath her, Amber soon drifted off to sleep, watching Lu Ban's retreating figure.

Lu Ban glanced at the sleeping Amber, Laika snuggled into her arms, using her as a warm pillow.

As dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight shone from the sea, casting a golden glow, Lu Ban finally saw the shadow of land.