Chapter 602 Not Foolish
The boatman turned and ran to the side. He picked up an axe and asked, “How did you know that?”
“It’s simple. Your boat was originally rowing in the middle of the water. But you rowed by the bank when you got near us. You must have done it on purpose. You knew we had a car accident here, as someone must have described the exact location of our accident to you. You were actually there to check whether we were dead,” Nan Chen said.
“That’s right. Our location at that time could not be easily seen, but you still found us immediately. It shows that you were looking for someone, and you were looking for us,” Ning Ran chimed in.
Nan Chen was slightly surprised. He thought Ning Ran wasn’t too foolish since she had thought of this too.
“You two are suspicious of me even after I saved you?” the boatman asked.
“Put down the axe. My leg is injured now. So even without it, we can’t do anything to you. Relax.” Nan Chen sounded relatively calm.
“I’m just someone who farms fish. You two are overthinking it,” the boatman denied.
“Stop denying it. You were acting strangely the moment you approached us. You didn’t ask where we came from or where we were going. Also, you didn’t ask us how we got into an accident. It shows that you already know all of this. Then, you said your boat could only fit another person, or it would exceed the weight limit. But that was a lie. All you did was dispose of a small bag for the both of us to get on the boat. Moreover, judging by the water level, the boat could contain two more people without a problem. And you said you ate in town. During that time, you smelled of fresh wine and hotpot with fish, so you must have eaten within an hour of meeting us. You said the road to town is under construction and would take at least three to four hours to get there. But if you had eaten within an hour of meeting us, then you must have eaten at your house and not in town. Besides, you farm fish yourself, so why would you travel to town to eat fish? It would be more plausible for you to serve guests at your house fish since you have many of them at home. You’ve been lying all the while, no? Why would you lie if you are innocent then?” Nan Chen said.
The boatman opened his mouth but could not utter any words.
On the other hand, Ning Ran was stunned. How did Nan Chen know he had eaten within an hour and what he ate?
“How did you know I had fish? Did you think I must have eaten it since I farm them? And how did you know I ate within an hour?” The boatman found it hard to believe.
“You don’t need to know how I found out. Regardless, I am right, aren’t I?” Nan Chen asked.
The boatman did not utter any words. His silence was tacit confirmation that Nan Chen was right.
“Don’t worry. I know you’re not a bad guy. You got involved in this because you have this island that makes it convenient for you to hide people. How much did they pay you? I’ll double it up for you,” Nan Chen said.
“I can’t let you go. I can’t afford to offend them.” The boatman became nervous again.
“Who are they?” Nan Chen probed.
“I can’t tell you. They say they will kill my children if I dare to disobey them. My son is only five years old. I can’t risk their lives.” The boatman sounded emotional.
Ning Ran felt a tug at her heartstrings once she heard his son was five years old.
“Your son is five years old? My daughter is the same age as him. She’s sick, so we came here to get her a doctor. But we got trapped here. As a parent, I sympathize with you. We won’t harm your kids. We only want to help you.”
As Ning Ran spoke, her eyes turned red and welled up with tears.
The boatman remained silent, at a loss.
“I really can’t let you go. You two won’t be able to leave the village even if I release you. They have people around here. As soon as you show up, they will attack immediately. They are ruthless. I can’t afford to anger them, and neither can you,” the boatman explained.
Nan Chen nodded. “I’ve already guessed that was the case, so I didn’t ask you to let us go. My leg is injured now. I can’t move for the time being so I can’t go anywhere. There’s no need to worry. I won’t make things difficult for you. You only have to give me a phone to contact the outside world, and I’ll reward you handsomely. Just give me your account number. I’ll get someone to transfer money to you.”
“It’s useless even if you have a phone. There’s no signal here. I heard there’s been some problem with the cell tower or something. There’s been no signal since a week ago, and it has not been fixed.”
The boatman looked sincere and seemed to be telling the truth.
In rural areas, it was easy if one wanted the phone signal gone. They just had to cut off the power of the nearby base stations.
The other party must have been well prepared if they were responsible for the lack of cell signal.
It showed that they knew Nan Chen and Ning Ran’s schedule beforehand.
This was a problem because it meant someone they knew betrayed them. There was a traitor.
Nan Chen’s brows furrowed together, and he remained silent.
“There are rice, potatoes, and cabbages here. Also, there’s a pot of corn wine. You can rest and recuperate here. I am serious when I say I cannot let you go, or my son and daughter will die,” the boatman said.
“All right. How about this? Can you get me some medicine? Please? Trust me. I’ll reward you generously when I leave this place,” Nan Chen said.
“I’m afraid not. Every time I get on the boat, they will search me, and I can only bring things with me if they agree.” The boatman still looked perturbed.
“You can hide it in the fish feed. Tell the doctor I can move my leg slightly, so it is probably not broken. Ask him for some bandages and medicines. Then, you hide them in the fish feed. Please get me a pen and some paper too. I’ll reward you for sure,” Nan Chen said.
The boatman still looked hesitant.
Ning Ran took off her bracelet and said, “My mother left this behind for me. It’s worth more than ten thousand. I’ll give it to you for now. Please keep it well. I’ll redeem it from you with a hundred thousand if I can get out of here.”
Then, she took off her necklace. “This is expensive too. I’ll give it to you. Please help us or else he will become disabled. I’m begging you.”
The boatman took a glance at the bracelet and necklace.
“I don’t need these things. Just don’t sue me when you two get out of here. I’ll help you for the sake of my daughter.”
Ning Ran and Nan Chen were overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.
“Cook and eat by yourselves. There is a gas stove over there—be careful when using it. I’ll teach you if you don’t know how to use it,” the boatman said.
“I know how to use it. Thank you. Please remember to bring us medicine,” Ning Ran reminded him.
Nan Chen added, “Anyway, what do you plan to say if they ask about our condition?”
“I’ll tell them as it is.”
“No. It’s better to tell them I’m seriously injured and will pass away soon. And I can’t move an inch,” Nan Chen said.
“What if they don’t believe me?”
“Don’t worry. They won’t be coming to the island for a while. I can pretend to be gravely injured if they do. I won’t get you into trouble,” Nan Chen reassured.
“Sure. I’ll do as you say.”
“Also, I hope you can be on our side. I will for sure reward you in the future. But if you dare to betray me, my family will avenge me even if I can’t leave this place alive. They are also capable of doing cruel things,” Nan Chen said coldly.
“Don’t worry. I won’t,” the boatman reassured him without hesitation.
