"Ye Chen, you'll come with me to Amazon Lily, won't you?"
Ye Chen stood at the bow, staring blankly out at the sea. He was thinking of Robin, wondering how she was doing.
"Ye Chen? Ye Chen... What are you thinking about? Your family?"
Hancock called to him several times before Ye Chen emerged from his painful thoughts and turned around.
"Family?"
Ye Chen shook his head. "I don't have any family!"
Hancock nodded. For some reason, she felt strangely glad. When she saw Ye Chen staring at her, she grew annoyed, but she forced herself to hold it in. "Then come with me to Amazon Lily."
A trace of hope shone in Hancock's beautiful eyes. She did not say it outright, but Ye Chen knew she wanted his help.
"You'll come with me, won't you?"
When Ye Chen hesitated, Hancock asked again, more softly.
"All right."
Ye Chen nodded. He did not want to leave empty-handed. He hoped Hancock would truly fall for him, perhaps even agree to leave with him.
He knew the chances were slim, but a sliver of hope remained in his heart.
Besides, searching for Robin alone in such a vast world would be like looking for a needle in the sea. If Hancock became empress, finding Robin might be easier.
Ye Chen had thought Hancock would show him some affection when he agreed. But though she was clearly excited, all she did was thank him. He got nothing more.
"By the way, Ye Chen, I want to know something. Why did you risk everything to save me back then?"
Hancock did not dislike Ye Chen, but she was disappointed by the way he kept staring at her. She would rather he liked her for something other than her beauty.
People were strange that way.