Soon the four arrived at the banana grove. After their long journey, all four were somewhat exhausted, but when they saw bunches of bananas on the trees, most of them nearly ripe, they immediately perked up, forgetting all their fatigue. As long as they weren't collapsing, they would get up and keep working.

So Wang Lun, along with Liu Ruoxi, Li Ling, and Liu Ruoling, split into two teams and began searching for bananas in the banana grove. Before setting off, Wang Lun repeatedly reminded them to be careful; there might not be many bananas, but their safety was paramount. He also instructed them to try not to damage the banana trees, because if they could indeed weave clothes, and of decent quality, then these banana trees would be their future source of clothing. The three of them said they understood, and then they separated and entered the banana grove to begin their banana-gathering.

Wang Lun carried a basket on his back, and Liu Ruoxi held a spear. The two first focused on a banana tree, then cleared a path to it, circling around to see if there were any bananas. If there were, Liu Ruoxi, with Wang Lun's help, climbed up, tied the bunch of bananas together, and then cut them. Wang Lun then carefully lowered the bunch of bananas down from below. This way, the bananas wouldn't be damaged and could be preserved for longer. After cutting four bunches, Wang Lun tied them together with vines, and the two of them each carried two bunches, placing them back at the raft. Then they returned to continue.

More than two hours later, the four of them had searched the entire banana grove, and then they carried the last two bunches of bananas back to the raft.

Back at the raft, Wang Lun checked and found eighteen bunches of bananas, enough for the four of them to eat for a long time. Liu Ruoling took some ripe bananas out of her basket and distributed them to the four of them, each eating two to satisfy their cravings.

At this point, Wang Lun had to consider the return journey. With so many bananas, the only way back was by water, but the raft probably couldn't support the weight of four people and so many bananas. The four discussed it and decided that Li Ling and Liu Ruoxi would walk back, but first they would be taken to the other side of the rock wall. Wang Lun would then return, haul the bananas and Liu Ruoling back to the camp. This plan was agreed upon by Li Ling and Liu Ruoxi. Liu Ruoling had no objections; after all, everyone had to walk, and Liu Ruoxi would definitely have to walk while Wang Lun would stay behind to pole the raft—the two of them couldn't move. That left only Li Ling and Liu Ruoling. Li Ling chose to walk with Liu Ruoxi, so Liu Ruoling had no choice but to accept the option of returning with Wang Lun on the raft.

But just as they were about to board the raft, Liu Ruoxi suddenly remembered something, so she pulled Li Ling aside and discussed something with her. When the two returned, things immediately changed: Liu Ruoling walked back with Liu Ruoxi, while Li Ling and Wang Lun poled the raft. Wang Lun was completely bewildered, but he didn't care, as long as he wasn't the only one poleding the raft back. After all, poleding a raft alone was tiring, especially with the added burden of loading and unloading bananas. Plus, Wang Lun couldn't swim, which was a significant disadvantage, though they didn't know it, Wang Lun did.

So the four of them pushed the raft back into the sea. Liu Ruoxi and the other woman boarded the raft, while Wang Lun poled it, leading them towards the beach on the other side of the cliff. Seeing that they were far away, Li Ling went to the coconut tree and picked up a few coconuts, also to see if there were any coconut crabs. Unfortunately, there were no coconut crabs, but Li Ling did manage to collect six or seven coconuts, which she placed next to the bananas, intending for Wang Lun to take them back.

Li Ling had just opened a coconut when Wang Lun returned on his raft. Li Ling took a sip of coconut water, then ran to the shore to wait for Wang Lun to arrive on his raft.

Soon, Wang Lun arrived on his raft, moored it on the shore, and tossed a straw rope to Li Ling. Li Ling caught the rope and tied it to a nearby rock. Wang Lun got off the raft, and together with Li Ling, they carried bunches of bananas onto the raft. After unloading the bananas, they helped Li Ling carry the coconuts onto the raft. At that moment, they saw the coconut that Li Ling had opened, and Wang Lun picked it up and took a big gulp of coconut water.

Then Wang Lun let Li Ling get on the raft first. This time, the raft was loaded with a lot of stuff, so unlike before, Wang Lun couldn't go first while Li Ling and the others walked around. Li Ling got on the raft and used a bamboo pole to propel it, preventing it from drifting. Wang Lun untied the rope and then used all his strength, while Li Ling cooperated, pushing hard on the bamboo pole. Finally, the raft started moving. Seeing the raft begin to move, Wang Lun quickly climbed onto it, took the bamboo pole, and began propelling the raft forward.

Li Ling sat at the stern of the raft, holding an opened coconut and drinking its water. Wang Lun urged her to finish it quickly, as they were about to enter the sea near the rock face, which was quite deep. Wang Lun's energy was limited, and he might not be able to keep an eye on the entire raft, especially with so much cargo. This meant Li Ling needed to watch over the stern while also remaining vigilant for large sea creatures on the surface. Although Wang Lun and the others were trying to stay close to the rock face, they were still wary of large marine life, especially sharks.

Li Ling quickly finished her coconut water, then placed the coconut on top of the banana bunch. Next, she took the paddle and kept an eye on the sea, watching to see if the raft was about to hit the rock face. Just as the raft was about to collide with the rock face, Li Ling reminded Wang Lun and simultaneously used the paddle to push firmly against the rock face, preventing the raft from hitting and causing damage.

After more than ten minutes, with the help of Li Ling and Wang Lun, they finally passed the rock wall and returned to the shallow waters near the shore to continue their journey. Now Wang Lun could pole the raft alone, and Li Ling could rest. Li Ling sat down and began to split the coconut open with a knife, then ate the coconut meat inside.

After sailing for another ten minutes or so, the two caught up with the Liu sisters. Although the sisters had left much earlier than Wang Lun and the others, they were still overtaken. Wang Lun and Li Ling greeted them, and Li Ling even asked if they wanted any coconuts. Liu Ruoling wanted one, but Liu Ruoxi refused, saying that it was too heavy to carry and she was afraid of falling while eating it. Liu Ruoling then gave up on the idea.

After a while, the two sisters, Liu Ruoxi and Liu Ruoling, watched the raft disappear into the distance. Liu Ruoxi said, "What's wrong? Regretting it? Want to go back on the raft?" Liu Ruoling said, "No, it's just that they overtook us." Liu Ruoxi said, "Actually, I also wanted to go back on the raft, but the reality is we really can't." Liu Ruoling stared at Liu Ruoxi, waiting for her to continue. Liu Ruoxi continued, "On the one hand, the raft's weight capacity is limited. If we want to take bananas back, we can only take two or three more people at most. So who should we leave behind? Leaving anyone alone wouldn't be good." Liu Ruoling nodded. Liu Ruoxi continued, "Of course, if we all know how to paddle the raft, then leaving Wang Lun behind would be acceptable to both of us, but also unacceptable to both." Hearing Liu Ruoxi's words, Liu Ruoling couldn't help but think about it. Wang Lun could indeed be left behind alone, yet he couldn't be left behind alone either.