Sunrise followed sunset, and before they knew it, noon three days later had arrived.
After spending several days exploring the isolated island, Qiu Tianhe and the others returned to the ship with a few local specialties they had found. Young and old stood together at the bow with their backs to the island, asking Qingzhi, whose painting and calligraphy were excellent, to paint a family portrait as a keepsake.
The pirate flag Zhe Yunli had remade hung at the very top of the mast, and she had specially carved a large Niao Niao out of wood and mounted it at the tip of the ram.
Beneath the tree canopy that blotted out the sky, the little fenced courtyard had also been tidied until everything was in perfect order.
Ye Jingtang had changed into neat black robes, with the Chi Dragon Blade hanging at his waist, and was organizing various things in the kitchen so they could be used when they revisited someday.
Xue Baijin had likewise changed back into her martial-world attire. After putting away the bedding spread over the plank bed, she stood in the empty room. Though she had only been here a few days, the experience truly felt like a lifetime ago.
After finishing the tidying, Ye Jingtang shut all the doors and came to the Main House. Finding Ice Lump staring blankly at the plank bed, he approached from behind and called:
"Ice Lump?"
Only upon hearing his voice did Xue Baijin collect herself. Her icy expression returned, and she turned her head slightly.
"This is the last time in your life you call me that. Once we cross this threshold, if I hear it again, you understand the consequences."
Ye Jingtang had cultivated with Ice Lump no fewer than ten times over these three days.