"Okay, okay, here you go."

With a smile on his face, Lu Fan answered and ladled a full bowl of soup for Da Hei, adding a few pieces of tender duck meat and crisp bamboo shoots.

Big Black had been eyeing the food eagerly for a while. As soon as it saw the food, it began to wolf it down. In no time, the soup and meat in the bowl were completely gone.

After finishing his meal, Dahei licked the bowl with lingering satisfaction, then lay down on the ground contentedly and let out a loud burp.

"Looks like Big Black likes to eat too." An Lan couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at Big Black's adorable appearance.

In this warm and cheerful atmosphere, Lu Fan and An Lan finished their delicious dinner.

After dinner, before it was completely dark, the sunset on the horizon was like an overturned palette of paint, dyeing the sky orange-red, as beautiful as an oil painting by Monet.

At this moment, a gentle sea breeze blew in, bringing a touch of coolness to the sweltering weather.

An Lan stood up, gently patted the dust off her clothes, and suggested to Lu Fan with a smile, "Let's go for a walk on the beach, feel the sea breeze, and digest our food."

Lu Fan readily agreed, and the two strolled leisurely along the winding path toward the sea.

Big Black was also very excited, running happily behind them, sometimes running ahead to scout the way, sometimes hopping and skipping back, as if it was also infected by the pleasant atmosphere and couldn't wait to go to the beach to play.

Arriving at the seaside, the cool sea breeze, carrying the unique salty and humid scent of the ocean, rushes towards you, instantly making you feel refreshed and relaxed.

The waves gently lapped against the beach, making a pleasant "whoosh" sound, like a beautiful symphony played by nature.

An Lan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled happily. She exclaimed from the bottom of her heart, "Wow, this feeling is amazing. I wish time could stand still at this moment."

Looking at An Lan's blissful expression, Lu Fan's lips unconsciously curled up, his eyes filled with tenderness.

The two walked side by side, slowly making their way along the coastline, leaving behind a trail of footprints of varying depths. In the afterglow of the setting sun, these footprints were edged with gold, making them look especially warm and inviting.

As they walked, An Lan suddenly stopped and excitedly pointed ahead, exclaiming, "Lu Fan, look, what's that?"

Lu Fan looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a huge sea turtle lying quietly on the beach, basking in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Its shell is large and round, covered with unique and mysterious patterns, and shimmers with an ancient luster under the sunlight, just like a precious work of art.

Lu Fan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward to carefully observe the sea turtle.

When he saw the familiar patterns on the turtle's shell, he exclaimed in surprise, "Anlan, this looks like the turtle I rescued before!"

It turned out that Lu Fan had encountered a sea turtle that had accidentally flipped over on the beach and was unable to move. He used his strength to help the sea turtle right itself and return it to the sea.

An Lan curiously leaned closer, staring at the sea turtle, and asked, "Really? Does it still recognize you?"

Lu Fan smiled and reached out to touch the turtle's head, as if greeting a long-lost friend: "Prime Minister Turtle, do you still remember me?"

Amazingly, the sea turtle seemed to recognize Lu Fan. It gently wiggled its limbs, raised its head slightly, and affectionately rubbed against Lu Fan's hand.

"That's amazing!"

An Lan exclaimed in surprise, "It really remembers you!"

Lu Fan smiled and took An Lan's hand, saying, "Come on, touch it and get some good fortune for longevity."

An Lan reached out, feeling both nervous and excited, and gently touched the sea turtle's shell. The sea turtle did not resist at all; instead, it closed its eyes contentedly, appearing to be thoroughly enjoying itself.

Just then, something even more amazing happened.

The sea turtle suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a large, round pearl.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, this bead radiates a soft and enchanting light. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice a subtle blue sheen within, making it dazzling and captivating.

"Wow, is this a gift for us?" An Lan covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes filled with delight and disbelief.

Lu Fan was also delighted. He carefully picked up the bead, his heart filled with emotion and surprise: "It seems it came to thank us."

After giving its gift, the sea turtle slowly crawled towards the sea.

Its movements, though slow, were full of power, as if expressing a deep longing for this sea.

Lu Fan and An Lan stood on the beach, watching the sea turtle leave until its figure gradually disappeared into the vast sea.

Lu Fan held the bead and examined it carefully; it was quite large.

"This should be a pearl, right? It looks a bit like one, but why didn't it trigger the rebate?" An Lan asked curiously.

Lu Fan was taken aback, then pondered, "That's really strange. Could it be that this thing has no value outside? Is that why there's no rebate?"

Despite having this suspicion, Lu Fan carefully put the pearl away. After all, it was a token of the sea turtle's goodwill, a gift from an elder, and he had to cherish it.

Moreover, all things have a spirit, and perhaps this pearl possesses some unknown wonders. When it comes to mysterious things, it's better to believe they exist than to dismiss them.

After strolling along the beach for a while, night gradually fell, and the sky was filled with stars. The two then hurried back to the shelter under the starlight.

The moonlight, like water, shone on them, casting long shadows and creating a serene and beautiful scene.

Back at the shelter, the fatigue of the day gradually crept in.

Lu Fan stretched and said to An Lan, "Today was really fruitful, but I'm also exhausted. I need to rest."

An Lan smiled and nodded in agreement, her face still showing the joy and satisfaction she had felt during her walk.

Before going to bed, Lu Fan, as usual, carried a bucket to the spring to fetch water for a shower.

The forest at night is quiet and mysterious, with moonlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Humming a little tune, Lu Fan walked briskly towards the spring. The cool spring water splashed on him, making him shiver involuntarily.

Men are always quick and efficient when taking a shower. In just a few minutes, Lu Fan finished washing up and put on his signature sheepskin suit.

As he was preparing to leave, he suddenly thought of An Lan.

"It's so hot, she must want to take a shower too, but she's probably too embarrassed to ask." With that in mind, Lu Fan decided to fetch some water back for An Lan.

He acted quickly and soon filled several bamboo tubes with clear spring water.

Back at the shelter, Lu Fan put the water aside and said to An Lan, "An Lan, the water's back. Take a shower too, so you can sleep more comfortably tonight."

An Lan looked at the bucket of water that was emitting a slight chill, her eyes filled with surprise and gratitude. After all, in this hot wilderness, being able to take a cool shower was the most pleasant thing.

"Then you keep watch for me while I quickly take a shower in my room," An Lan said shyly.

Lu Fan nodded quickly and assured him with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll be right outside and won't let anyone bother you."

After saying that, he went to the entrance of the shelter and pretended to look around, as if he was inspecting the surroundings for any potential "threats," looking just like a dutiful guard.

An Lan couldn't help but laugh out loud at Lu Fan's comical appearance: "Alright, stop joking around, hurry up and bring me the water in."

Lu Fan carried the water into the room and carefully poured it into a large ceramic basin. He then thoughtfully prepared soapberry liquid for An Lan.

"Call me if you need anything, I'm nearby." Lu Fan said as he handed the bamboo tube containing soapberries to An Lan.