The votes were tallied, fifteen in favor, five against.
This was only the tally for the guests; Shen Qingqing and the others hadn't even voted yet, but by this point, they no longer needed to.
"Depart immediately, head for the island."
Shen Qingqing hesitated, deciding to stay behind. If she left alone, she couldn't possibly take Mr. Z with her. Even if he were willing, others likely wouldn't be.
The cruise ship increased its power, accelerating straight ahead.
Mr. Z came onto the deck, standing behind Shen Qingqing. His gaze was obscure, and when she sensed him and turned around, a half-smile played on his lips.
"Why bother with them? Let them fend for themselves at sea."
Looking at the smile on his face, it was truly as gentle as jade, yet who could have imagined that such a careless yet cold-blooded remark would come from those thin lips?
"Do you want to die?" Shen Qingqing remembered Mr. Z hadn't voiced an opinion earlier. "If we stay behind according to their wishes, then you have to stay too."
"I don't mind."
Mr. Z appeared indifferent to life and death.
"Liar."
"Oh?" A flicker of light flashed in Mr. Z's eyes. "What makes Mrs. Fu say that?"
Shen Qingqing's lips curved into a cold smile. "You're so eager to make money; it's because you cherish your life. How could you be willing to die here with that group of fools?"
"Miss Shen, you understand me so well?"
Mr. Z suddenly changed his address, lowering his voice. A hint of huskiness was added to his tone, making it sound exceptionally sexy and ambiguous.
A strong wave of male pheromones washed over her. At this moment, this man, who had always been as gentle as the wind, suddenly revealed his possessive and aggressive side.
Shen Qingqing subtly shifted away. "I don't understand you; I just read some books before coming."
"What books?"
"Books that deeply analyze the psychology of perverts."
Mr. Z paused, then chuckled softly. This woman actually called him a pervert. "Miss Shen, such high praise makes me truly ashamed."
"You know shame?"
As they were talking, a tall figure strode over, shielding his little wife behind him without a word, his stern eyes meeting Mr. Z's.
Both their gazes were quite calm, yet sparks seemed to fly.
The atmosphere became strangely heavy, and something unknown seemed to be pulsing in the air, as if it would explode at any moment.
Mr. Z was the first to break eye contact, retracting all his sharpness, and instantly reverted to being the frail, gentle noble young master.
"I won't disturb your couple's conversation."
After he left, Fu Jing Shu immediately turned to his wife and said in a low voice, "Don't go near him in the future. When I'm not around, don't be alone with him."
His plain tone hid a hint of jealousy.
Shen Qingqing sniffled, "Why does it sound a bit sour..."
The next second, his lips pressed down, swallowing all her teasing words.
Those passing by were already accustomed to the sweet affection between the two. Compared to the initial discomfort and embarrassment, they could now handle it with ease. They simply pretended not to see.
It wasn't until Aisen arrived and saw them kissing that he paused, hesitating whether to interrupt. Fortunately, the two stopped on their own.
Shen Qingqing's face was like a peach blossom, and she swept him a glance, exuding a charming allure. Before she could speak, Aisen's heart skipped a beat. Of course, this was merely admiration for beauty, with no other intentions.
He looked away and stammered, "I, I wanted to talk to you about..."
Shen Qingqing waited for a long time but didn't hear the rest of his words, growing impatient. She adjusted her slightly disheveled collar and pulled her man to leave.
Aisen watched her retreating back, feeling a bit angry and regretful. Too useless! Why couldn't he say it! He had mentally prepared himself before coming, but... alas, he sighed silently and dejectedly turned to leave.
Then he ran into Aiqi.
"Sis..."
Before his words were finished, his lively and adorable sister brushed past him, running towards Shen Qingqing like a butterfly.
"Pretty sister! No matter what you do, I'll support you, and I'll always follow you!"
Shen Qingqing hummed in response. Aiqi didn't mind the indifferent reaction. "Sister, I still want to apologize to you for what happened last time. I won't do that again in the future."
"It's fine." Shen Qingqing's reaction was mild, neither holding a grudge nor caring. After all, it was rare to find another A Lang in this world. That girl had never seen the outside world, her heart was as pure as could be.
Aiqi's eyes held a hint of disappointment, but she quickly perked up. "Pretty sister, you helped me last time, and I treated you like that. I feel bad about it. When we get back to land, can I treat you to a meal to apologize?"
"No need."
"Yes, please!" Aiqi insisted. "If I do something wrong, I must apologize." As she spoke, she didn't glance at Fu Jing Shu at all, only interacting with Shen Qingqing, demonstrating the principle of avoiding suspicion quite well.
Aisen, observing from the side, also breathed a sigh of relief. However, seeing his sister's persistent approach, he felt a bit contemptuous of himself. Look at his sister, she could even say it...
"Really, no need."
Shen Qingqing still refused, but Aiqi was not one to give up easily. Her personality was stubborn; once she decided on something, she would not stop until she achieved her goal. Therefore, through soft persuasion, acting spoiled, and playing cute, she was determined to get Shen Qingqing to agree.
Finally, Shen Qingqing, worn down by her persistence, nodded. Whether she would go for the meal upon reaching land was a matter for later.
Seeing them leave, Aiqi, feeling content, also turned to go back to her room. She looked up and saw Aisen standing at the doorway like a guardian, his brows furrowed as if troubled by a difficult problem.
"Brother, what are you thinking about?"
"Aiqi..." Aisen came back to his senses. Thinking of Shen Qingqing's cold attitude just now, while his sister was warm and cute, he felt a bit unhappy. "Since they don't want to, then forget it. Why are you being so clingy?"
"How can you call it being clingy, Brother? Your words are too harsh." Aiqi was a little displeased and reasoned, "I'm not shamelessly pestering her. I truly think Sister is amazing. Look at her, she brought me out and could calmly look for cameras to prove her innocence. When everyone else was panicking, she was composed."
"Even when that tall, fierce man was going to hit her, she wasn't afraid. I've never had such courage."
"Don't you have enough courage?" She dared to run out alone. Aisen couldn't imagine what his sister would become if she learned from Shen Qingqing!
"That's different!" Aiqi tilted her head and said, "I was fearless because I knew you and Mom and Dad wouldn't bear to punish me, and I also knew the place you were going was not dangerous. But Sister is different... No wonder he loves her so much..."
The last sentence was so quiet that Aisen didn't hear it.
"What?"
"You don't understand anyway, I'm not telling you." She didn't elaborate on the specific differences, as she couldn't explain it to this foolish brother. She turned and ran away in a flash.
Aisen gritted his teeth in anger. "Brat!"