13: Lin Mo and his two sisters

Lin Mo felt helpless. He could guess what happened—that girl must have come to wake him up, saw him sleeping soundly, waited by his side, and then fell asleep herself.

He applied a little more pressure, pinching the girl's cheek.

"Wake up, the sun's already high."

"Mmm..." Gu Nianqiu finally stirred awake. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, groggily lifted her head, and met Lin Mo's eyes, which were inches away.

She froze for two seconds, then suddenly realized her posture.

"Ah!"

With a short yelp, she sprang away from Lin Mo as if startled, like a frightened rabbit, her small face instantly flushing crimson, almost dripping blood.

"I... I didn't mean to!" she stammered, explaining, "I... I made breakfast and wanted to wake Brother Mo up, but... but you were sleeping so soundly, I... I just leaned over to wait for a bit, and then... then I fell asleep... I'm sorry!"

After speaking, she didn't dare to look at Lin Mo's expression, covered her face, and fled from the cabin as if escaping.

Lin Mo watched her hurried retreat, shaking his head with a chuckle.

What a situation.

He moved his slightly numb body, sat up, leaned against the headboard, and his mood wasn't bad... After a quick wash-up, Lin Mo went to the terrace restaurant on the second floor.

Gu Zhixia was already seated, quietly wiping her Six-Harmony Long Spear, her expression focused and serene.

Gu Nianqiu, however, had her head bowed, her small face flushed, distractedly stirring the milk in her cup with a spoon. Hearing footsteps, her shoulders twitched almost imperceptibly, and she buried her head even lower.

"Nianqiu, what's wrong with you today? Your face is so red." Gu Zhixia noticed her sister's unusual behavior and asked curiously.

"N-nothing! The milk is too hot!" Gu Nianqiu waved her hand in a panic, coming up with a clumsy excuse.

Gu Zhixia eyed her suspiciously, then glanced at Lin Mo, who had just sat down, and didn't ask further.

A very Western-style breakfast was laid out on the table. Two sunny-side-up eggs, fried golden and glistening, next to slightly toasted bread slices and a steaming cup of milk.

"Not bad."

Lin Mo took a bite of the fried egg; the outside was crispy, and the yolk was still runny, giving it an excellent texture.

【System Notification: You have consumed Gu Nianqiu's meticulously cooked 'Energetic Love Breakfast' (a-rank cuisine), Strength temporarily +2, Agility temporarily +2, lasting 3 hours.】

He praised it sincerely.

This single compliment seemed more effective than anything else.

"Hehe, as long as Brother Mo likes it!"

Gu Nianqiu immediately put the morning's embarrassment behind her, smiling broadly, though the blush on her cheeks hadn't completely faded.

Gu Zhixia looked at her carefree sister and shook her head helplessly.

After eating and drinking his fill, Lin Mo stood up and walked back to the cockpit.

"Today's target is the next resource point."

He brought up the system map, pointing at a flickering light ahead on the route.

"It's about twenty kilometers from us. It looks like a small island. At full speed, we can get there in a little over an hour."

He set the course, and the massive hull of the Natural Selection once again cut through the waves, speeding towards its destination.

Gu Nianqiu quickly forgot about the small incident from the morning, following Lin Mo, humming an off-key tune, finding everything new and exciting.

Gu Zhixia, holding her long spear, also walked over. She adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on her nose, her expression returning to its usual calm and serious demeanor.

A little over an hour later.

A lush, green island appeared on the horizon where the sea met the sky.

"Prepare for takeoff."

Lin Mo's voice rang out in the cockpit.

He didn't sail directly there, but instead activated flight mode again.

The Natural Selection soared into the air, circling above the island.

This island was considerably larger than the previous Goblin outpost. The center of the island was a dense, primeval jungle, making it impossible to see what was inside.

What truly concerned Lin Mo was that on the crescent-shaped beach of the island, there were three or four wooden sailboats of varying sizes docked.

Those sailboats were crudely designed, clearly hastily built by players using initial materials.

【Resource Point Discovered: Savage Island】

【Level: LV3】

【Danger Level: Blue (Moderate Threat Exists)】

"Brother Mo, there... it looks like there are other players."

Gu Nianqiu also spotted the sailboats on the beach. Her small face looked a little nervous, and she subconsciously grabbed Lin Mo's sleeve.

Gu Zhixia also walked over. She adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on her nose, her expression returning to its usual calm and serious demeanor.

"Judging by the number of boats, it's at least a team of seven or eight people. Should we still go?"

They were beaten to it.

And it was a team that seemed quite large.

In a world where people kill each other, rashly contacting other players is extremely dangerous.

"Go."

Lin Mo's answer was just one word, simple and decisive.

He looked at the crude sailboats on the screen, his gaze calm.

"Why?" Gu Zhixia frowned in confusion. "We don't need to take this risk; there are other islands at sea."

Lin Mo turned his head and looked at her.

"Risk and reward coexist."

His voice was cold, carrying an undeniable resolve.

"Our ship is SSS-grade, has flight capability, and missiles. Even if we can't win, we can leave at any time. The initiative is in our hands."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two sisters.

"Moreover, survival of the fittest."

"You must remember, in this world, might makes right."

"If they stay put honestly, we can coexist peacefully, minding our own business."

Lin Mo's lips curved into a cruel arc.

"But if they dare to have any improper ideas, or commit any presumptuous acts..."

"I don't mind making this island their graveyard."

Gu Zhixia looked into Lin Mo's deep eyes, and her heart skipped a beat for no reason.

This man was even more ruthless and domineering than she had imagined.

But this kind of dominance gave her an unprecedented sense of security.

The Natural Selection slowly descended, not stopping at the beach filled with sailboats, but choosing a secluded coast on the other side of the island.

The massive hull created a ripple on the water's surface, and the alloy gangway silently extended onto the beach.

"Get your weapons ready."

Lin Mo tucked the desert eagle behind his waist and was the first to stand up.

"Time to disembark."