Chapter 119: Miaozi Lake Island, Bao'er's Old House

There are simply too many things to keep in mind when taking a cruise. For instance, one must remember to prepare motion sickness medication in advance, and one should certainly avoid walking around the deck with a mobile phone, snapping photos everywhere. It is all too easy for the device to slip and tumble into the ocean.

Of course, Su Bao'er was not the only one suffering from motion sickness. While she was not bothered by cars, the sea was another matter entirely. An Muxi stayed by her side to look after her, while Lin Shenlu stood alone on the deck, lost in contemplation. His heart was filled with boundless emotion.

If one yearns for the mystery and tenderness of the sea, if one has a fondness for the tranquility and serenity of the deep blue, if one enjoys the way waves chase the shore, if one loves to lose oneself in the sight of the sun slowly sinking into the edge of the world at dusk, and if one delights in listening to the ebb and flow of the tide while gazing at the horizon where sea and sky meet—then perhaps Dongji Island is truly the place where everyone’s infinite longing for the ocean can be fulfilled.

At the very least, this was how Lin Shenlu felt at that moment.

The surrounding three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panoramic view of the island landscape seemed to encompass the very essence of sunshine, turquoise waters, craggy reefs, and every imaginable—and unimaginable—scenery that the sea could offer. The environment and climate were pleasant, the water was crystal clear, and everything felt so comfortable.

The ship traveled directly to Dongfushan Island. It stopped first at Miaozihu Island, then at Qingbang Island, before finally reaching its destination. Passengers did not need to switch vessels; the route remained the same every day. Consequently, most people would arrive at Miaozihu Island, stay for a night, and wait for the ferry the next day to continue to the next island.

In truth, "Dongji Island" is merely a colloquial name for Miaozihu Island, which is also where the Baidu location marker is pinned. It is a separate island that, along with Huangxing Island, Qingbang Island, and Dongfushan Island, forms the Dongji Township. To be precise, it is not the lonely, solitary island at the easternmost edge of our nation’s territory; it is neither the furthest east nor is it isolated. It is simply the collective name for all the islands under the jurisdiction of Dongji Township, which sits in the middle of the chain. Miaozihu Island is not even as far as Dongfushan Island. After all, Dongfushan Island is hailed as the observation deck for the "first ray of dawn" and is home to the "first sentry post of the East China Sea." The very eastern tip of the East Pole—that is where it lies.

Lin Shenlu and his two companions disembarked at Miaozihu Island because it was the home island of Su Bao'er. They could visit the other islands tomorrow, but today, they had to be here.

It was not yet noon when they stepped off the boat. Miaozihu Island was relatively modern. As they left the pier, Lin Shenlu noticed the island sightseeing vehicles. The streets were lined with small carts selling dried seafood, and the facilities around the wharf were well-equipped, with signposts and colorful murals visible everywhere, lending the place a strong artistic flair.

Lin Shenlu looked at a small cart parked beneath a small peak, where the words "Blue Sea Town" were inscribed on the mountainside. The cart itself was labeled "East China Sea Pole."

However, there was no time for sightseeing yet. The first priority was to visit the local police station to check on Su Bao'er’s household registration status and apply for a replacement ID card. An Muxi had already arranged these matters in advance. The three of them made their way toward the station, admiring the island scenery as they walked.

Lin Shenlu carried the documents they had prepared, and they arrived at the station shortly. The officer in charge of household registration had received a call beforehand, so the process was not overly difficult. The clerk clicked through the computer, and a file from over a decade ago appeared.

It was just as An Muxi had suspected. When Su Bao'er went missing all those years ago, her family had reported it to the police. However, surveillance technology was not advanced at the time, leaving no clues to follow. Not long after, the family moved away from that place of sorrow, and from then on, they vanished without a trace. Too much time had passed—so much that the system only retained the names of Su Bao'er’s parents and their original address.

In a country of 1.6 billion people, there are simply too many people named Su Daqiang. Her father, Su Daqiang, and mother, Pan Guiyu—one could only imagine they were kind and loving parents who must have cherished their child deeply.

Because the household registration could be found, the police helped with the re-registration and the restoration of her status, but the lack of a current residence made things complicated.

"If it really doesn't work out, I'll take these documents back to Chengdu to handle it," Lin Shenlu said, glancing at An Muxi.

"That works too. As long as there is proof of identity, we can handle the registration later through a sponsorship or by renting a place. I can pull some strings back in Chengdu; it shouldn't be a problem," An Muxi nodded.

Neither of them had expected to fully resolve Su Bao'er’s residency on Dongji Island; they only wanted her to have a legal identity and to see her former home. It was a way to make amends for a past regret.

"By the way, after you called to inquire, I did some careful checking over the past few days..." the clerk added. "Although Su Bao'er’s parents have completely vanished, I found that there is still a distant relative of hers on the island—a very, very distant elder cousin... I can give you the address."

Lin Shenlu expressed his gratitude. Leaving the police station, he held two addresses in his hand: one for Su Bao'er’s old house and one for her distant cousin.

To Lin Shenlu’s surprise, Su Bao'er’s former home was quite large. Standing before the house, he felt a surge of emotion. If Bao'er hadn’t been lost all those years ago, she would surely be living a happy and joyful life right now.

The grand house had since been converted into a guesthouse. After Su Bao'er’s parents moved away, the property was purchased by someone else. In this age of booming tourism, it had naturally been transformed into a homestay. There were no hotels or inns on Dongji Island, only these homestays—authentic, varied, and full of character. The locals lived there, too.

There was nothing bizarre about the renovation. The house where Bao'er had grown up was now decorated in a minimalist, modern style, clean and elegant, looking very comfortable. From the outside, one could see floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea, which must have offered a wide, expansive view.

"Shall we stay here tonight?" Lin Shenlu asked An Muxi. She nodded.

Su Bao'er stood outside, staring blankly at the house that seemed both familiar and faintly strange. So, this was her home. This was where she had lived as a child.

Did she have any memories of it? Memories from over a decade ago? How old was she then? The long row of white railings running down from the house... she seemed to have a faint impression of them. Was there a blue statue of a large ship on the platform below? It felt as if it existed in her memory.

Gazing at the familiar sights that seemed to emerge from the deepest corners of her mind, Su Bao'er could not hold back her tears. Had she finally come home? This was her home. For over a decade, she had been a wanderer. She had walked many long roads with her own two feet, and today, finally, she had walked her way back home.

"Lu-wazi... thank you..."