Cheng Weicai was more rational than Tan Xiao. He said, “We can’t see clearly from far away, and we don’t know what kind of people are on it. In a few more minutes it should reach shore.”

Encountering others of their kind was originally a fortunate thing—they could band together for warmth, exchange information, and help each other.

But ever since they heard from Tu Dan’s students that some people would attack their own kind to rob props, they no longer dared to let their guard down around others.

Props were already like this—if it were puzzle pieces, wouldn’t the temptation be even greater?

However, there weren’t many people who had cleared mazes now, so information about puzzle pieces was relatively more sealed off. Ordinary people probably didn’t know puzzle pieces existed.

After brief consideration, Shen Mo said to everyone, “No need to be too nervous. Let’s go see the situation first.”

Despite his words, Teacher Cheng still brought his walking stick, Tan Xiao shouldered his baseball bat, and Shen Mo took his inconspicuous folding fruit knife.

As for Bai Youwei, everything was in her bag.

The four of them came to the lakeside and discovered the boat was already docking.

It was a park sightseeing cruise ship, designed in antique style with a bright red hull, bright yellow curtains, carved dragons and phoenixes, and many red lanterns hanging outside the latticed windows.

Several people jumped off the boat and shouted at them, “We’re from the rescue team! How many people are on your side?”

Everyone was surprised.

After drifting on the road for so many days, they’d long since given up hope of rescue. Now, by accident, they’d encountered a rescue team?

“It should be a private volunteer group.” Shen Mo said. “Official organizations wouldn’t use this kind of boat for rescue operations.”

Hearing this, everyone’s excited mood calmed down slightly.

That’s right.

If they were really from a rescue team, how could they use a park cruise ship to pick people up? Still, encountering a private rescue team could also be considered a stroke of luck.

The leader was a burly man—powerfully built, dark-skinned, looking somewhat fierce, but when he smiled, he appeared simple and good-natured.

He led two young men over and said to Shen Mo’s group, “Fortunately you lit a fire, otherwise we wouldn’t have discovered you. Are there any other people? Pack up and get on the boat—we’ll take you to Safety Island!”

Shen Mo: “Safety Island?”

“Right over there—” The burly man raised his hand and pointed. “Three Mountains Island. All our people are there, but it’s too dark now so you definitely can’t see it.”

A young man beside him clearly didn’t want to stay on shore long and impatiently urged, “Hurry and get on the boat. Uncle Zhao said the shore isn’t safe.”

Shen Mo frowned almost imperceptibly.

Without explaining the situation clearly, how could they board the boat?

“Big brother, it’s pitch black over there, I’m scared…” Bai Youwei pitifully tugged at Shen Mo’s hand, her voice so soft it could drip water. “Let’s not go, okay?”

Tan Xiao and Teacher Cheng were both startled by her voice. They stared wide-eyed but said nothing.

Shen Mo was used to it and calmly told the burly man, “We don’t need rescue for now. Thank you.”

Perhaps it was the first time encountering people who refused rescue. Both the burly man and the young men beside him were stunned. “Then that fire earlier…”

Teacher Cheng quickly explained, “We were cooking something. It wasn’t a rescue signal. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”

The other party’s expressions were strange, and their gazes as they sized them up became odd too. Previously, people they encountered would be overjoyed at the sight of rescue, but Shen Mo’s group…

Well, in any case, rescue was a matter of mutual consent. Since they didn’t need rescue, there was naturally no reason to push it on them.

The burly man said, “Then… then take care of yourselves.”

After speaking, he led his people back onto the boat.

Shen Mo also led his group back to the service area.

But they’d barely taken two steps when someone on the boat called out to them again, “Hey!—Wait a moment! Please wait…”