Luo Jun knew that Lorna had noticed the Barrett rifle he was carrying on his back. She was well aware of what this thing was used for. If it weren't for a particular need, he wouldn't have to resort to using this big cannon.
After all, he had another professional suppressed sniper rifle.
Luo Jun pulled Lorna aside.
"There are some massive creatures roaming this island that are difficult to deal with, and that thing seems to be intelligent. However, it's not active in this area," Luo Jun said in a low voice to Lorna. "Don't be too alarmed. We'll be able to leave here soon."
Although Lorna wanted to ask further questions, Luo Jun had already turned and left.
Lorna could only watch anxiously as Luo Jun and Li Shi departed.
Once they were in the woods, Li Shi asked Luo Jun, "Uncle, what were you whispering to Lorna?"
Li Shi wasn't being entirely truthful when she said she wasn't worried. Now that they had a ship, whether the three women could board it was entirely up to Luo Jun's decision.
"Some things, if said, would only cause more worry for you. You only need to know that if there's a chance to board the ship, I won't abandon you three women. The situation is much more complicated than you imagine, so be patient," Luo Jun said, not wanting to tell Li Shi about the unknown creatures, as it would only add to her troubles.
Seeing that Luo Jun was unwilling to discuss it, Li Shi pursed her lips and didn't ask any further.
Luo Jun and the others had spent a long time searching in the woods but couldn't find any tree resin. Generally, pine resin was the best option, as it had an antibacterial effect when added to soap-making.
However, pine resin had to be collected, and finding a pine tree didn't immediately yield enough resin.
Nevertheless, there were other substitutes available.
For instance, wild ginger, garlic, lamb's quarters, dandelions, and other common plants could be used. The most effective were wild ginger and garlic, both of which had potent antibacterial properties.
All that needed to be done was to mix their juices into the soap mixture.
In the wilderness, if someone were injured without access to disinfectants, using soapy water infused with antibacterial properties could temporarily substitute for disinfectant, thus avoiding infection and allowing timely medical treatment in critical situations.
As an underground operative, Luo Jun had such basic knowledge at his fingertips.
He found wild ginger and garlic in the woods.
Removing the leaves, he pocketed the wild ginger chunks and garlic bulbs, then headed back with Li Shi.
Usually a chatterbox, incessantly asking questions, Li Shi remained silent and sullen on their way back.
Luo Jun noticed her unhappiness, but as night was falling and he wasn't in the mood to deal with her emotions, he quickened his pace, walking ahead. Seeing the surrounding forest darkening, Li Shi felt afraid of getting lost.
She hurried to catch up, her small hand clutching Luo Jun's rough hand.
Luo Jun looked at her dejected little face.
"Don't you trust me?" he asked directly, knowing the reason for her unhappiness.
If she trusted Luo Jun, she shouldn't have asked what he had said to Lorna. If Luo Jun could have told her, he wouldn't have needed to take Lorna aside to speak privately.
Yet she had pressed on, asking Luo Jun what he had said to Lorna.
How could Luo Jun possibly tell her?
"No, it's not..." Li Shi answered in a low voice, her head down as she followed closely behind Luo Jun.
"Then why don't you have faith in me?" Luo Jun countered.
"It's not that I don't have faith in you. It's that I don't have faith in myself. To you, none of us are important. Only Lorna is the one you need to protect. If something unexpected happens, you'll undoubtedly protect her first. Isn't that right?" Li Shi couldn't help but voice her worried jealousy.
Luo Jun didn't hide his feelings, responding in a cold tone, "Your thinking is correct. If a situation arises where I have to choose, I would indeed choose to protect Lorna. But for now, I'm still protecting all of you."
Luo Jun's words made Li Shi feel ashamed.
Because Luo Jun had truly been protecting her all along. It was just that she wanted even more protection, making her jealous of Luo Jun.
It was like a kind person who gave a bottle of milk to a stranger's child and his own daughter every day. One day, the kind person decided to give his daughter an extra bowl of oatmeal porridge but not the stranger's child.
Yet the stranger's child resented the kind person for it.
The moral was all too clear, but such stories of petty jealousy played out every day in the world.
Feeling intensely ashamed, tears welled up in Li Shi's eyes.
"I'm sorry..."
Luo Jun stopped and turned to look at Li Shi, her head bowed like a schoolgirl being scolded by a teacher.
"You're not wrong. Everyone seeks the best conditions for survival. It's human nature, unaffected by morality. But rest assured, I'll do my utmost to protect all of you. The kind of situation where I'd have to choose between you won't happen easily. And besides, you have stronger survival skills than the other two. Your endurance and hunting instincts are both very strong. If something really did happen, you could escape to the woods on your own and survive," Luo Jun said seriously.
Clearly, Luo Jun was telling her that if such a situation occurred, she could save herself, but Jenny and Lorna lacked that ability.
Li Shi nodded vigorously.
"If all goes well, we'll be on the ship in five days. If not, we may have to live on this island for six months or more. At that point, I'll build a sturdier house and teach you more survival skills," Luo Jun said solemnly.
Li Shi felt overwhelmed, suddenly realizing that this was also Luo Jun's way of protecting her.
Because survival skills were her own, even without Luo Jun around, she could protect herself.
Understanding Luo Jun's profound intention to protect, she felt both remorseful and warm.
A man's love was sometimes so deeply hidden that you couldn't even perceive it, yet you were still enjoying the benefits of that love.
"I understand. Thank you, Uncle!" Li Shi wiped away her tears and nodded earnestly and sincerely.
Luo Jun smiled and patted her head, knowing she had finally understood. This girl was indeed smart.
During this time, Li Shi had learned to start fires by friction, make fire-starters, and understand the principles of various bamboo products, although she still lacked practical experience. But in the face of adversity, this knowledge would allow her to quickly adapt to her environment!
It wasn't long before Luo Jun and Li Shi returned to the shelter.
By then, the alkali solution had settled, and Luo Jun heated the fat into a liquid, then poured in the alkali solution, ginger juice, and garlic juice, heating and mixing until the water evaporated.
Finally, the soap liquid turned a milky white color, and as it thickened, Luo Jun poured it into a short bamboo tube mold.
Once the soap liquid solidified, it could be used.
After finishing these tasks, night had fallen, and the three women had prepared food and drink.
While Luo Jun and Li Shi were away earlier, Lorna had gathered some wild vegetables, but now there weren't many left, and eating too many would become bland.
If they had to live this way for an extended period, they would likely develop problems from a lack of vitamins.
However, everyone was now focused on whether they could board the ship in five days, so food flavor was no longer a consideration.