The bright moon hung high overhead, and fine waves rose and fell across the sea.
Shi Lan had no idea how far she was from shore. All she could do was keep swimming in roughly the direction the ship had taken, relying on her memory.
It was the turn of the seasons, from summer to autumn. After night fell, the seawater was bitterly cold. She had swum for less than an hour before her hands and feet began to lose their strength.
Even when she occasionally rested with the help of a life ring, she didn't dare close her eyes. If she lost her bearings out at sea, she was as good as dead.
In the blink of an eye, the bright moon sank in the west and the sun rose from the sea. Countless colorful clouds appeared where the sky met the water, while rosy light spread across the heavens.
A long, unbroken shadow appeared at the edge of Shi Lan's vision, lifting her spirits.
At the port, countless cargo ships and fishing boats came and went in the early morning. Fresh seafood was packed into refrigerated containers by the ton, ready to be shipped inland.
Xiao Teng stood by the shore, staring at a cargo ship in the distance. Cigarette butts littered the ground at his feet, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Teng-ge." A thin man jogged up to Xiao Teng and greeted him.
"What did Customs say?" Xiao Teng asked casually without turning around.
"They said they'd keep an eye out, and then..."
"Spit it out."
"Then they praised me a couple of times and sent me on my way."
Xiao Teng didn't look surprised. Customs dealt with more smuggling cases every day than anyone could count, so their reaction was hardly unusual.
He had no