Meanwhile, the wealthy individuals on the yacht began to panic, having never faced such a storm.
After all, this was the sea, and in the event of an accident, there was no hope of survival, only becoming fish food.
Furthermore, any accidents at sea went unrescued, much like a plane crash; there was no escape.
Many of the wealthy tried to flee, but the waves were too immense. Some who had come out to watch were swept away by the colossal waves.
"I think this yacht is likely to be capsized by the waves. Everyone, grab life vests quickly," shouted one of the more experienced wealthy passengers.
When someone spoke up, the crowd descended into a frenzy.
The yacht's life-saving resources were limited and could not accommodate everyone. To survive, they disregarded all other considerations.
Similarly, women and children were at a disadvantage. No matter how noble your status, if the ship capsized, you were doomed. At this moment, everyone was thinking only of their own lives, with no regard for others.
On the third level of the yacht, Qian Chao was also filled with fear and shock. He had only intended to sail along the predetermined route but had unexpectedly encountered the storm.
Initially, the captain had advised Qian Chao, but how could a young master like Qian Chao heed the captain's advice?
Naturally, he instructed the captain to proceed with the original route.
"No, the water is rising, and we can't clear it," said a sailor, his face etched with panic. He had accompanied this yacht on several missions and had encountered storms before, but none as severe as this.
The first mate beside him also became panicked. He had watched the movie Titanic more than ten times and knew what was about to happen.
"Damn rich people, are they willing to soak our lives in water?" the first mate cursed.
But his anger solved nothing.
Seizing the moment of chaos, the first mate subtly signaled to a few of his loyal subordinates.
As the yacht's first mate, he had naturally prepared an escape plan.
Soon, while everyone was busy, the first mate quietly slipped away from the deck and headed towards the rear of the yacht. There, a small lifeboat was stationed, equipped with survival supplies. If he could survive this maritime disaster, he had a high chance of making it.
The first mate's actions did not escape Qin Hui's notice. Qin Hui felt only contempt for such individuals. Although Qin Hui could also escape, he preferred to try and save the yacht with everyone else, as many people were still aboard, and if the ship capsized, many would perish.
*Bang!*
The storm, like an enraged sea god, mercilessly battered these ignorant humans!
With that massive wave, the yacht tilted severely. Almost half of the vessel began to take on water. At this rate, the entire yacht would sink within five minutes!
"You all go quickly, the yacht is beyond saving," the team leader yelled to everyone.
As the person in charge of the yacht, he naturally knew where the life-saving resources were. Though limited, it was better to save a few than none.
"Okay, team leader, let's go," shouted a sailor.
"No, you go. There are only two lifeboats left, not enough for everyone. You go," the team leader stated without any regret.
"Team leader, you go too," the sailors urged, unwilling to leave him behind. Although they all knew the lifeboats couldn't hold everyone, and overloading would cause them to capsize, leading to everyone's demise.
Even though they were all good swimmers, they couldn't withstand prolonged drifting. If no one came to their rescue for ten to fifteen days, they would still face a grim fate.
This was the best-case scenario. If they encountered sharks or other dangers, they would have no choice but to become fish food.
"I'm not leaving. Ever since this yacht set sail, I've been here. For me, this is my home. Without my home, I won't feel that familiar sense of belonging anywhere else."
"Why are you still hesitating?"
"Go quickly!" the team leader roared.
Everyone wiped tears from their eyes, knowing that if there was a chance to survive, no one would want to die.
They could only blame young master Qian. If not for him, they wouldn't have to perish together!
After a moment of hesitation, Qin Hui and Li Da Zhuang gritted their teeth and left. Perhaps the team leader was right; without the ship, his conviction was gone. After all, if one is accustomed to something for a long time, they eventually develop feelings for it.
Li Da Zhuang, with his agile movements, quickly jumped onto a lifeboat. Despite the rough seas, the lifeboat proved surprisingly resilient, not being capsized by the waves.
Three hundred meters away from the yacht, the first mate had already begun his escape with his men. For scoundrels like him, survival was likely their only hope.
"Brother Hui, come up quickly!" Li Da Zhuang called out.
Qin Hui wiped the seawater from his hair and was about to leap onto the lifeboat.
However, in his peripheral vision, Qin Hui spotted a graceful figure – the noblewoman he had seen that afternoon. She was still on the second-floor deck, her face filled with helplessness and despair.
Evidently, as a woman, she was most vulnerable in such a situation.
In the face of true danger, no one was willing to risk their own life to care for another.
Qin Hui stood rooted for a moment, hesitating. Finally, he ran towards her direction.
"You all go, don't wait for me!" Qin Hui yelled to the sailors and rushed towards the second floor.
"Damn it, isn't he courting death? Even now, he's thinking of others. Are the lives of those rich people more valuable than his own?" a sailor grumbled irritably.
Li Da Zhuang hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Let's go, we won't wait for him."
Seeing Li Da Zhuang's resolve, the others had no choice but to pick up the oars and begin rowing.
It wasn't that Li Da Zhuang didn't want to save Qin Hui, but he believed that since Qin Hui had said not to wait for him, it meant Qin Hui had his own means of self-preservation. Delaying further might mean that no one on the lifeboat would be able to escape.
*Bang!*
As Qin Hui sprinted, the middle deck of the yacht snapped in half at that moment, separating Qin Hui and the noblewoman.
"Jump over to me, quickly," Qin Hui shouted to her.
Qin Hui didn't know why he had run over. Perhaps it was an impulse, or perhaps she reminded him of Yang Fen from the past.
Since he was here, Qin Hui was determined to save her, especially since he himself had no retreat.
Seeing someone come to her rescue, Su Shijun looked surprised and amazed. Just moments ago, the people closest to her had abandoned her because there was only one spot left on the lifeboat. It was then that she truly understood that those people had no regard for her at all!