Shen Qingqing frowned slightly, "Did you develop this before?"
She remembered the old man had mentioned once researching a poison, an upgraded version of the Zhèn poison, called Zhèn Heart Poison. Those poisoned would fall into extreme agony.
But outwardly, there would be no sign of it. Only the victim would know the extent of their suffering.
The old man grunted and looked at Mr. Z, "I remember this poison was in your hands."
Mr. Z looked bewildered, "What poison?"
"Still lying!" The old man looked at him with disgust, "You stole this poison from me back then. Now someone is poisoned, and the perpetrator can only be you!"
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes, "After all, you are the old man's disciple, albeit a former one."
The crowd was shocked.
So Mr. Z and the old man had such a past connection!
Mr. Z remained calm under pressure, "Mrs. Fu, what you said is incorrect. I don't remember anything about the past, nor do I remember having such a teacher."
"Then where did your mastery of poisons come from?"
"I cannot disclose that."
Even when refusing, Mr. Z maintained a smile, appearing every bit the gentleman.
"It couldn't have been Mr. Z, he's the one who detoxified the little prince!"
"Yes, if he hadn't given the antidote pill he kept for himself, the little prince would have already passed away before you all returned!"
Someone couldn't help but speak up in defense of Mr. Z.
Shen Qingqing said "oh" meaningfully, "Then Mr. Z, can you explain why you happened to have the antidote?"
"It's not an antidote, it only temporarily suppresses the poison."
Even when being suspected, Mr. Z remained gentle and patient with those doubting him.
The crowd felt even more certain it wasn't him.
"It must be a misunderstanding. What he gave wasn't an antidote, it was just to temporarily sustain the little prince's life. Please don't make groundless accusations..."
Shen Qingqing glanced at the speaker, who immediately fell silent.
Meanwhile, the old man had administered the antidote to Pei Ji. Shen Qingqing observed Pei Ji's complexion and frowned slightly, "How is he?"
The old man shook his head, "This poison is too potent, likely an upgraded version. We lack sufficient supplies to develop a targeted antidote for now."
"Then let's return quickly."
Life was at stake, and Shen Qingqing didn't want to waste any more time here.
With her decision made, Fu Jingshu, the old man, and King had no objections. Mr. Z immediately arranged for everyone to board the planes, but with limited capacity, several people could not fit.
Everyone scrambled to get on board, unwilling to be left behind.
"I have to go, my family is waiting for me at home!"
"What you're saying is, who doesn't have family? Everyone has been missing for so long, their families must be worried. Why should you get to go home and we have to wait here?"
"Exactly, everyone is eager to go home. Who wants to stay in this wretched place?"
They pushed and shoved each other, all semblance of gentlemanly conduct gone.
Regardless of gender or age, anyone in the way was fiercely pushed aside.
Finally, Mr. Z stepped forward to restore order, stating that he and the butler would wait, allowing everyone else to depart. The crowd was deeply moved.
Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu also expressed their willingness to stay behind for the next rescue.
The old man and King, naturally, would also stay.
However, Butler Su vehemently disagreed, unable to speak but blinking incessantly, which Shen Qingqing noticed.
"Old man."
The old man produced a bottle and waved it near Butler Su's nose.
Butler Su felt his strength return and quickly said, "The old man cannot stay, you must leave with us!"
Pei Ji was still unconscious, and the old man was currently the only one who could save him. Butler Su would not let the old man stay even if he himself remained.
But if the old man were to leave, then Shen Qingqing and the others had to go with him.
In the end, Carter Hari, along with several other friends of Aisen, stayed behind, while the rest departed.
Butler Su assured them, "Once we land safely, the plane will return immediately to pick you up. This is a royal guarantee, you can trust me."
His word was more reassuring than anything else.
Besides, even if they disagreed, there was nothing they could do.
The group watched as the two planes departed one after another, their engines fading into the distance.
After an hour of flight, the planes finally landed. Butler Su kept his word and immediately sent the planes back to retrieve the other group.
Aisen couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you use a ship?"
Ships could carry more people than planes. If they had used a cruise liner, their entire group could have returned without anyone being left behind.
Butler Su, being somewhat familiar with him, replied calmly, "Before we went, I had someone check the maritime weather. It hasn't been stable for the past few days."
If they encountered another sea storm, it would be disastrous.
So, for the sake of safety and speed, planes were the better option. If they hadn't found them on the island, the planes could have simply returned the way they came.
Aisen smacked his forehead, "My mistake, I didn't consider that. Oh, and how is Pei Ji?"
Upon disembarking, they were assigned rooms at the resort. Everyone was exhausted and hurried to their rooms to shower and eat.
He was still worried about Pei Ji, so after a quick shower, he went to find the butler.
Butler Su led him towards Pei Ji's room. The old man and Shen Qingqing were already there, standing close by the bed, speaking in low tones.
"These two say they can save the little prince."
Aisen had witnessed their capabilities, so he comforted Butler Su, "Don't worry, if they say they can, they definitely will."
Soon, Shen Qingqing and the old man turned away, continuing their hushed discussion, seemingly ignoring Butler Su and Aisen.
Butler Su frowned, "Sirs, do you have an antidote?"
The two paid him no mind.
Aisen, however, was accustomed to this and kindly advised, "Oh, these two are like this, arrogant and with their noses in the air. Don't take it to heart."
"Your temper has become remarkably good lately."
Aisen scratched his head, he didn't want to be like this, but now he had a weakness and they held it in their hands...
Speaking of which, he hadn't been in the mood on the island, but now that they were safe, he suddenly felt an unprecedented urgency.
He caught up with Shen Qingqing, "Mrs. Fu, you see, I..."
He found it difficult to articulate.
Shen Qingqing tilted her head, a flicker of understanding in her eyes, "Why don't you try going back? I think you've been quite well-behaved lately, and perhaps heaven will forgive you."
With that, she turned and left.
Aisen stood there stunned for a long time, what did that mean?
A guess formed in his mind, but he was hesitant to believe it, so he truly turned to find a lover he had neglected for a long time.
That, however, is a story for another time.
For now, the old man and Shen Qingqing went downstairs to prepare for a meal, but were stopped.
The one who intercepted them was Carter, who said sarcastically, "I say, you claimed you lacked supplies on the island, but now you have them all, so hurry up and cure the poison? And you still have the energy to eat?"
"Or perhaps, you can't cure it at all?"
He had clearly forgotten his pain after his wounds healed and became bold again, seeing Fu Jingshu and King nearby.