Three months later, on a day marked by heavy rainfall, Xiao Guang felt the reluctance of Jia Ke Wang, his loyal crab companion.
"I know you're reluctant to part with me, just as I can't bear to leave you," Xiao Guang conveyed his thoughts in his heart, informing Jia Ke Wang. His mouth, however, wasn't idle either, even though there was no one else to talk to. The silence was stifling.
"You can rest assured, I will come back to find you."
"There won't be any problems. Even though I'm blind, I'm definitely the chosen one. Look at my incredible luck – I can't seem to die no matter what."
"Relax, it's alright. You're right. I have bad luck. I'm always alone, and I've even managed to make myself blind. But trust me, whether it's someone with bad luck or someone with unbelievably good luck, neither will die."
"See, I'm so incredibly unlucky. So, don't worry. Absolutely don't worry."
Some of these words were spoken by Xiao Guang to reassure himself. He could only sense Jia Ke Wang's reluctance. He was about to return to Old Wei's cave base during the rainy season of high tide. When he conveyed this intention to Jia Ke Wang, he felt the crab's reluctance.
Up until now, Xiao Guang hadn't figured out why he could communicate with this shell creature. In traditional thought, only marine mammals like dolphins were known to communicate with humans. At the very least, turtles, creatures with relatively long lifespans, possessed some form of spiritual connection. If not those, even octopuses could be considered, as scientists often regarded them as intelligent beings, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. Yet, here he was, having cheerful conversations with a shell creature. It took him on underwater journeys, helped him explore the ocean, and guided him in search of edible seaweed. How this aligned with scientific explanations was a mystery, not to mention Doudou, who was as intelligent as a dog.
Over the past few months, thanks to Jia Ke Wang's company and care, Xiao Guang was able to freely roam the deep sea. He was no longer afraid of currents or schools of fish, and he wasn't consumed by loneliness and thoughts of death. Repeated dives and interactions over these months confirmed to Xiao Guang that he wasn't a delusional lunatic. All of this was real. Of course, there was still the slight possibility that he was an utterly deranged lunatic beyond salvation, and everything was a figment of his imagination. However, as he stroked the seaweed brought up from the sea by Jia Ke Wang, this possibility seemed unlikely.
As for why Jia Ke Wang followed him and treated him well, Xiao Guang had no concrete answer. Perhaps he had unknowingly scared away some crabs, thus aiding Jia Ke Wang. Maybe he had an unfulfilled destiny, which prevented his death, and divine forces were intervening to help him survive. But these higher powers weren't too keen on helping him, so instead of sending dragons or mythical beasts, they settled for a bug on land and a shell creature in the water, just to mess with him.
Thus, Xiao Guang couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't the main character. He sensed that he was here to fulfill an unfinished mission. Once it was complete, he would die – that kind of feeling. As for the nature of the mission, he guessed it might have something to do with assisting the actual main character's birth.
Xiao Guang babbled on to Jia Ke Wang, discussing many topics he himself couldn't quite comprehend. With a mouthful of seaweed, he settled into the shell's cozy interior.
"Alright, let's set off." Xiao Guang had become remarkably adept at communicating with Jia Ke Wang. He sat quietly within the shell, experiencing the shared world beyond, thanks to Jia Ke Wang.
"Once we reach the surface, I won't have Jia Ke Wang's help anymore. I won't be able to share its sensations. I'll just be a blind person." Xiao Guang chuckled at himself.
Drifting along with the rising tide, Xiao Guang reminded Jia Ke Wang several times not to wander off, to stay safe, and preferably find its parents. Xiao Guang speculated that it had parents, but it couldn't explain it clearly. Every time he considered this question, it was like a blank space in his mind, so he stopped asking altogether.
Xiao Guang felt that this Jia Ke Wang was probably something that had escaped from a mythological story during his childhood. As for science, it could indeed explain many things. Xiao Guang's teacher, Mr. Jin, had taught him a lot, but there were always things that couldn't be explained. Xiao Guang put those in the realm of the supernatural, perhaps theology. It allowed him to believe temporarily.
Using the rising tide's currents, Jia Ke Wang swiftly swam, arriving at the estimated location quite quickly. Although the vision of both creatures was almost nonexistent, there was a way to put it: Xiao Guang shared some of Jia Ke Wang's perception, miraculously comprehending the world. He could judge if he had swum past fish or leaves, whether the light on the shore was bright or dim, if the encountered stones were big or small. It was an indescribably magical feeling.
"Alright, the water ahead is shallow. Let's stop here."
Xiao Guang prepared himself to be sprayed out. Every time he needed to come ashore, Jia Ke Wang would playfully take a gulp of water and then spray him onto the ground.
This time, Jia Ke Wang didn't throw Xiao Guang out. It came close to the shore, gently opening its shell. Xiao Guang was taken aback for a moment, patted the shell, and stepped out. Standing in the water, he felt the shell's perception, conveying his thoughts, and said to Jia Ke Wang, "Don't be reluctant and don't forget our promise."
The shell immediately sank to the bottom of the water, seeming ready to leave. Xiao Guang sensed its departure. It appeared to understand a bit, knowing they were parting. It didn't spray him out this time. Xiao Guang shook his head with a sigh, tapped the ground with his cane, and prepared to leave like a blind person.
However, just as Xiao Guang's thoughts ended, he suddenly felt something was off. He quickly turned his head to look. Though he couldn't see, he could clearly feel it. Jia Ke Wang, which had just sunk, floated up again, opened its shell, and poured water over him from head to toe. Then it immediately sank into the water, retracted its suction cups, and sprayed water as it left. Xiao Guang could vaguely sense the shell's movement, as if it was laughing heartily, its mouth-like opening and closing, seemingly quite joyful. Dripping wet, Xiao Guang climbed up and cursed, "This guy! How did a shell become so mischievous? Even in cultivation novels, they wouldn't dare write something like this."
Where Old Wei was located was particularly bustling. When the expedition team returned with their loved ones, it caused quite a sensation. People tearfully confided in each other, emotionally overwhelmed and hardly sleeping. After the reunion, the next step was to mourn the deceased.
In the week following the reunion, even the secluded mountain village base received visitors. During the departure of the expedition, Han Tiao and others were sent to help. Upon hearing the news of their return, they immediately dispatched personnel to assist with arrangements and brought along accumulated supplies. It seemed that those who chose to remain hidden from the world were actually doing their best to offer assistance. However, the main base remained deserted. Even the soldiers who usually handled communications were nowhere to be found. While Old Wei and Su Lao were delighted, they were also somewhat concerned. All they could do, though, was rest first and then send people to inquire about the situation.
There were indeed too many people in need of recuperation. The men had relied on sheer determination to survive until now, and the women had exhausted their energy during the rescue efforts. After the intense emotions of joy and grief, most people could finally relax. Almost half of them laid down, each struggling with various ailments. Without one or two months of rest, recovery seemed impossible. The remaining half, though not sick, were battered and bruised, each experiencing aches and pains. For the time being, they would remain dormant.
Fortunately, Old Wei had diligently expanded the base over the past year, and their food reserves were substantial. Coupled with supplies brought by the agricultural team, ensuring warmth and sustenance for over a thousand people wasn't an issue. Resources were abundant in the forest as well, and there were always wild fruits available. Thus, everyone decided to take time to recover.
However, the remembrance of those who had passed away reopened the wounds of sorrow in their hearts.