When the sky was still shrouded in darkness, the stars twinkled faintly and the moon hung high, casting a deep hue over the night.

As time passed, a faint blue began to spread across the horizon, gradually dissipating the heavy darkness.

The first rays of dawn lightly tinged the sky with red, slowly spreading and driving away the night. Gradually, the sky transitioned from deep blue to light blue, and the night receded as dawn approached.

Liam woke from his sleep and saw Evelyn still sitting by the fire, looking slightly tired.
He whispered,
"Good morning, Evelyn."
Evelyn looked up and smiled at him,
"Good morning, Liam."
She stood up and stretched, preparing to move around a bit. Suddenly, she felt a wave of dizziness and wobbled slightly.

Liam noticed immediately and asked with concern,
"Evelyn, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Evelyn rubbed her eyes and smiled:
"It's nothing, maybe I got up too quickly. It could be low blood sugar making me dizzy. We haven't eaten for too long, especially you with your injury—you need to regain your strength. You stay here, I'll go find some food and water."

"Thank you," Liam said guiltily.
"Sometimes I wish it were my arm that was hurt and not my leg. That way, I could help you and you wouldn't have to work so hard. Now you have to take care of me too."

Evelyn walked over to Liam, gave him a playful smile, and gently patted his shoulder.
"Hey, don't say that. Once we get off this deserted island, you owe me a meal at the most expensive restaurant, and then you have to take me on a proper beach vacation. How about that?"

Liam was amused by her playful tone and felt much lighter. He laughed and replied,
"Isn't this beach vacation good enough for you? But alright, it's a deal!"
Evelyn laughed heartily, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"This 'vacation' is definitely special—I'll never forget it. But a proper beach vacation shouldn't be this desolate."
Liam nodded and said lightly,
"Okay, I promise. We'll make sure to enjoy it."
"Deal. Now you get some rest. We'll get through this together."

Evelyn turned and walked towards the sea.
The sea breeze gently tousled Evelyn's hair. The sand beneath her feet was soft and damp, and she occasionally felt the gentle waves brushing against her ankles.

Evelyn bent down, her eyes scanning the beach and shallow water, hoping to find some seafood to satiate their growling stomachs.
She slowly walked along the coastline, using a small stick to turn over seaweed and rocks washed up by the waves.

Suddenly, her gaze fixed on a spot next to a large rock where she saw some small crabs scurrying about. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly bent down to catch a few with her hands.

Continuing forward, she found some clam shells peeking out from the water in a crevice between the rocks.
Carefully, she dug around the surrounding sand with her hands, picking up the clams one by one and placing them into her bag.
A small smile of satisfaction appeared on her face; these would be enough to improve their meals for her and Liam.

As she was busy collecting more, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her right hand.
Startled, she looked down to see that she had been stung by an unknown creature, and the pain quickly spread. She swiftly shook off the small creature and saw that her finger was already starting to swell and redden, the pain intensifying.

Evelyn furrowed her brow, forcing herself to stay calm.
She knew she needed to treat it quickly to avoid worse consequences.
She hurried to the water's edge and rinsed the wound with seawater, hoping to wash away any venom.
However, the swelling around the wound didn't subside. She tore a piece of cloth from her shirt to wrap her injured finger, hoping to reduce the swelling and pain.

Just as she was about to head back, she noticed a coconut lying on the nearby shallow beach. Evelyn quickly walked over and felt its heavy weight, knowing it was filled with rich coconut water and meat.

The sea breeze continued to blow gently, but her spirits were lifted. Every step she took was filled with hope, making the uncertainty ahead seem less daunting.

When Evelyn returned to the camp, she saw a scene that pained her. Liam was dragging his injured leg, trying to gather dry branches for the fire.

"What are you doing?"
Evelyn asked urgently, her tone filled with obvious concern and reproach.
"I told you to rest, didn't I?"

Liam stopped what he was doing when he heard Evelyn's voice and forced a smile.
"Yes, my queen, but the knight must serve the kingdom's fire."

Evelyn shook her head helplessly.
" You're only going to make things worse. Alright, loyal knight. Next time, please obey the queen's orders, okay?"

Liam suddenly noticed Evelyn's finger wrapped in cloth.
"Evelyn, what happened to your hand?"
"It's nothing serious. I got stung by something while collecting clams, but it's already much better now, so don't worry."

Evelyn quickly changed the subject.
"Please wait a moment, sir. The great chef Evelyn is about to serve you a luxurious breakfast."
"I'm looking forward to it,"
Liam said with a smile. "I can help you."

They began to work together, with Liam helping Evelyn prepare the ingredients, washing the seaweed and clams, and shelling the crabs. They worked in perfect harmony, like a couple who had been married for years, busy in their own kitchen.

"Esteemed Mr. Montgomery, welcome to our Desert Island Restaurant!
Today's special breakfast set is called 'Castaway Culinary Creations'.
Allow me to introduce the menu to you."
Evelyn played the role of a restaurant server with great flair.

Pointing to the first dish, she said: "First, we have 'Crab and Clam Crackle'. These fresh seafood items are grilled over the fire, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a hint of salty sea breeze flavor."

Next, she picked up a coconut shell filled with green seaweed salad: "Next is 'Seaside Greens Delight'. This seaweed salad is not only healthy but also bursting with the flavor of the sea, giving you a taste of nature's freshness in every bite."

She then lifted a coconut shell filled with coconut water: "This is our beverage, 'Island Nectar', pure natural coconut water, refreshing and thirst-quenching, a gift from nature."

Finally, she picked up some small pieces of coconut meat: "Lastly, we have 'Coconut Crunch Bites'. These coconut chunks are sweet and delicious, with a bit of crunch, the perfect island snack."

Liam couldn't help but laugh after hearing her introduction: "That sounds amazing! You're like a Michelin chef on this deserted island! Those names and descriptions make everything sound so delicious."

Evelyn laughed too, and they enjoyed their "Castaway Culinary Creations" together, savoring a rare moment of relaxation and joy on the lonely island.

Liam looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting:

he remembered his father's deathbed wish for him to take over the company, his estranged brother, and the crisis his career and the company were facing.

I will survive this and continue the Montgomery legacy, he vowed.

Wait, Montgomery?

Did I ever tell Evelyn my last name?

Maybe I did?

Evelyn's voice interrupted his thoughts:

"We don't have enough water for our daily needs. I need to go out and find more water and food. Do you need anything in particular?"

After breakfast, Evelyn said to Liam, "The water we had this morning won't be enough for our daily needs. I need to go out and look for more water and food. Do you need anything specific?"

Liam, with concern, replied, "I don't have any specific needs. Just be safe and try to stay away from the plane wreckage—it might still explode."

Evelyn nodded, smiling reassuringly, 

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." She then turned and headed towards the jungle.

After Evelyn left, Liam focused on his task. He had a bunch of large leaves in his hands and was skillfully weaving them together, clearly making something.

Sunlight filtered through the tree leaves, casting a warm glow on him. His golden hair shimmered in the light, adding a touch of warmth.

Liam's high nose and strong jawline looked even more defined in the sunlight, his deep eyes focused and determined, like a carefully crafted sculpture.
Even on this deserted island, his innate charm was undeniable, an attraction that couldn't be overlooked.

The sun rises higher, its rays growing stronger, under a clear blue sky with a few leisurely clouds drifting by. The sunlight beat down on the island, and the salty sea breeze, instead of cooling, made the heat even more unbearable.

Evelyn pressed on under the scorching sun, sweat trickling down her forehead and soaking her collar.
She felt her throat dry, her lips starting to crack, and her body gradually feeling discomfort and fatigue. She kept searching for water and food, hoping to find some relief.

However, despite walking far under the blazing sun and carefully searching every possible spot, she found nothing. The island's terrain was complex and dry, with all water sources seemingly well hidden.

Evelyn's steps grew heavy, fatigue and disappointment washing over her.
In the end, she could only return empty-handed, a deep sense of defeat weighing on her heart.

"Welcome back!" Evelyn was greeted warmly by Liam, "Great Michelin chef! To thank you for your hospitality last time, I, the island craftsman, have made you a 'Survivor's Sunshade Hat' as your meal fee and tip."

Evelyn took the hat, joyfully putting it on with a beaming smile,
"Fantastic! It seems our Desert Island Restaurant not only offers great food but also exquisite handmade crafts. Thank you, this is the perfect complement!"
She looked at herself and, noticing her tattered clothes from their hard life on the island, joked, "Haha, I look like a wild woman now."

Liam pointed to himself, laughing, "Robinson." Then he pointed to Evelyn, "and Friday."
Evelyn countered, "No, it's Thursday today. I should be called 'Thursday.'"

They both burst into laughter, their laughter echoing across the beach and startling the birds in the trees, which flew up into the sky.
The laughter not only lightened the weight of their predicament but also brought them the warmth of companionship.

After resting for a while, Evelyn prepared to set off again. This time, she chose a different direction, hoping for better luck.

The sun remained relentless, beating down mercilessly on Evelyn, scorching her skin. The air was thick with heat waves, each breath like inhaling fire.

Her throat felt parched, on the brink of cracking, and every step grew heavier, as if the sandy ground was pulling her down. Sweat streamed down her cheeks, soaking her clothes, offering no relief.

The handmade leaf hat, though simple, provided precious shade, a small gesture of care from Liam that made her feel less alone.

Evelyn scoured the deserted island, eyes scanning every inch of the ground. Her throat grew drier, threatening to burst into flames.

Each time she licked her cracked lips, the thirst intensified. The dryness spread like an endless desert within her, a vast wasteland. Vision blurred, legs moving weakly, each second a struggle against her limits.
The thirst almost drove her to drink seawater, but sanity prevailed; she knew it would only worsen her condition.

Just then, a glint of light on the ground caught her eye.
She had found two bottles of mineral water, possibly fallen from the plane!
One bottle was half-full, while the other had only a small amount left. Her heart raced as she eagerly unscrewed the cap of the bottle with the small amount of water.

She sipped cautiously, the cool liquid instantly soothing her cracked lips and sliding down her throat, bringing indescribable comfort.
In that moment, the world seemed to brighten, every cell in her body cheering, as she felt a surge of new strength.

Despite her strong desire for another sip, Evelyn forced herself to stop. Liam, with his severe injuries, needed the water more. She took a deep breath, tightly sealing the bottle and carefully storing the remaining water.

Although she still felt thirsty, that small sip had given Evelyn the strength to press on. The moisture in her throat filled her with new courage and determination.
She carefully observed the surrounding terrain, trying to find streams or other scattered bottles of water.

However, the island offered no obvious water sources, and the recent sunny days had dried up the only small stream. Evelyn felt disappointed but not disheartened.

As the sun rose higher, its rays becoming increasingly harsh, Evelyn panted her way back to the camp.
Despite her exhaustion, Evelyn mustered the energy to share the good news with Liam in a cheerful voice: "Guess what I found? Two bottles of mineral water!"

Though both knew two bottles were far from sufficient, they maintained a happy façade to avoid dampening each other's spirits.
"This one's for you."
Evelyn handed Liam the bottle with more water, but Liam didn't take it, his gaze falling on the bottle with less water in Evelyn's hand.

"Evelyn, I think you need the water more than I do. Let's switch."
Evelyn, feeling a bit ashamed, smiled apologetically.
"Actually, my bottle was full, but I was too thirsty and couldn't help drinking some."

Liam noticed Evelyn's severely cracked lips and knew that wasn't the case. But he didn't say anything more.

After taking a sip, he put the water away.
Uncharacteristically, they fell into silence.
It was their second day stranded here.

Although they tried to remain optimistic, optimism couldn't change the dire reality.
The water they found was pitifully inadequate, Liam's leg was starting to fester and he had developed a fever. Despite appearing to be in good condition, Evelyn's hand, stung by an unidentified creature, had gone from swollen and painful to a reddish-purple color spreading across her palm.

If rescue didn't arrive soon, their fate seemed grim.

Note：

"The reference to 'Robinson and Friday' pertains to the main characters in Daniel Defoe's novel 'Robinson Crusoe,' depicting the protagonist and the indigenous man he encounters on a deserted island."

Next Chapter Preview:

Misfortune strikes as Liam loses his sight and Evelyn remains unconscious.
During Evelyn's coma, Liam overhears her nightmares and uncovers a tragic past. Finally, a rescue team appears, but heavy rain prevents them from noticing Liam and Evelyn. Will they eventually be saved, or will their fate be sealed on the deserted island?

Emma's Message:

My dear readers, are you busy or doing something else?
Or have you gotten lost and haven't found me yet?
I'm feeling so sad.
I've been waiting for you here all this time.