Hatton's expressionless face had a faint sense of relief when he saw his sister was safe and sound. Tears welled up in his eyes, but it was stopped by a deep frown. "Trish, I hope you'll remember this lesson."
He patted Trish and Tina's back softly as he spoke. He pushed the two ladies away and walked to the deck in big steps. Obviously, he was the owner of the ship.
"Sir, you've saved my dearest sister and my mother who's still on the sickbed. I can't express how grateful I am to you …" Hatton clenched his teeth, trying his best to hold it in. His chin was puffed up, but tears flowed out eventually. "Please forgive me for being rude, I … I …"
"Mr. Hatton said he's grateful to you for saving his sister's life. He said he was rude to you …" At that moment, the translator was hoisted onto the ship with a rope tied around his waist. He carried out his duty as soon as his feet touched the ground.
"Stop flipping, we're both parents, how can we not know what he's talking about? Sigh, seriously, it's not easy being an adult in that country …"
"It's not Mr. Bear, Mr. Hatton is Ms. Trish's brother …"
"Are you Chinese or not? An elder brother is like a father. Haven't you heard that an elder brother is like a father? I have a sister who's over ten years younger than me too. That girl doesn't listen to me, she worries so much that I … I can't even talk to her … "The boss looked like he was touched, he patted Hatton's shoulder hard.
Hatton seemed to understand what he meant, he nodded with a heavy heart.
Zhang Lisheng, who was walking down from the second floor of the cabin, could not help but smile in shock when he saw the two men who were as tough as rocks on the mountain communicating so smoothly despite the language barrier.
However, when he got closer to the side of the ship and saw the seaplane next to the ship, he realized it was impossible for such a small plane to fit Island Dragon's gigantic body. The smile on his face disappeared without a trace.
Just when Zhang Lisheng's expression changed, a shadow covered him. "Mr. Lisheng, I have to thank you. Trish told me on the phone last night that she wouldn't have been saved if it wasn't for your rich wilderness survival knowledge after she got separated from the tour guide."
"I was saving myself too, Mr. Hatton.
Unfortunately, accidents still happened to Sheila, Walter, and Shittu even though I tried my best. You know, sometimes hunger makes people lose their minds and it's impossible for me to always pay attention to everyone in the jungle, "Zhang Lisheng said after thinking about it.
"You can't be blamed for this. Humans are not omniscient and omnipotent gods.
Alright, let's go check on Sheila, Walter, and Shittu. Then, we'll leave as soon as possible. There's not much fuel left in the plane. "
"If we all go up, I'm afraid your small plane will sink into the river. I'll take you to see Sheila and the others first.
Oh yeah, they haven't had their lunch yet. It's best not to let them eat, "Zhang Lisheng said and brought Hatton to cabin No. 12.
"Mr. Lisheng, the plane I flew here is a standard nine-seater …
Oh, God, what has happened to these three young men! " Even Hatton could not help but exclaim in surprise when he saw Sheila, Walter, and Shittu who were three to four times bigger than the last time they met.
"They've been eating everything since they lost their minds. Plant roots, leaves that look fat, even worms in the jungle …"
"It's impossible for them to grow like this within a few days no matter how much they ate in the rainforest. This should be edema." Hatton pressed Shittu's fat arm as he spoke. However, there was no hole that lingered like he imagined.
"If it's edema, we'll have to give them more space to avoid being squeezed. That's why I don't think I should go with you.
In reality, the reason I told my family before coming to Amazon was that I'm going for a scientific expedition. I can't report back if I don't collect some rare insect and plant seed specimens … "
Tina was stunned hearing that Zhang Lisheng wanted to stay on the tugboat. She said immediately, "Lisheng, y-you can't not go with us. You're so skinny, you'll definitely be able to squeeze into the plane.
We can collect insect and plant specimens when we return to Tuikano … "
"Tina, this tugboat might dock at Rukututu City tomorrow. It's the same no matter where we go to collect the specimens.
Moreover, I'm guessing Mr. Hatton will arrange for you guys to return to America as soon as we return to Tuikano. We'll still be separated by then. It's safer for you guys to return to Tuikano now. "
"But, but, but …"
"Stop saying 'but'. The winter break will end soon. We'll meet again in New York when school reopens."
Tina was unwilling to accept what Zhang Lisheng said but she had nothing to say. Hatton, on the other hand, had the most say in Zhang Lisheng's decision. He had been treating Zhang Lisheng as an equal since the first time they met. Hearing that the young man was unwilling to leave with him, he did not force him at all. He merely asked, "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Okay, you're different from Trish, Tina and the rest. Of course, I'll respect your decision since you managed to bring the five burdens out of the jungle.
I'm just reminding you to be extra careful when you see Professor Tubalin next time! "
"Mr. Hatton, you know Professor Tubalin too?" Zhang Lisheng asked in surprise.
Hatton nodded in all seriousness. "I went to Paradise Hotel to look for you guys on the third afternoon after I parted ways with Trish at the small dock. I didn't expect you guys to have left for the jungle by then.
I couldn't get through to Trish and Tina's satellite phone. I was annoyed when I asked the hotel service staff about the situation when you guys left. I heard Tubalin's name by accident.
Unfortunately, he had left Tuikano by then. I don't know where he went … "
"So, this old native who might have a PhD in basic physics and a PhD in biomedicine from Cambridge University caught your attention."
"It's not possible, Mr. Lisheng. Professor Tubalin does have a PhD from Cambridge University in England. At the same time, he's also a PhD in biomedicine from Duke University in America.
He has two very good friends in the university. One of them is Professor Stephen Hawking, the dean of Trinity College of Cambridge University who's known as the greatest physicist in the world after Newton. The latter even mentioned this old friend in the preface of 'A Brief History of Time'.
The other one is Professor Asa Marton, the convict with the longest sentence in Nevada State Prison. His reputation among international terrorists is not any worse than Professor Hawking's reputation in physics. He's known as the Father of Mailing Bombs … "
"No wonder Professor Tubalin said, 'Among the outstanding basic physicists, only me and another guy who sits in a wheelchair and talks' hehehehe 'are normal.
The others either became the ancestors of mailing bombs or changed their occupation to become 'hippies' after the age of 60 … He even mentioned 'bookmark', 'bookmark' … "Zhang Lisheng's heart jolted as he blurted out.
"What?"
"Nothing, Mr. Hatton. I'm just recalling what Professor Tubalin said before. Now that I think about it, it seems to be meaningful. Please continue."
"As expected, you also think that Professor Tubalin is very meaningful.
It was exactly because of this' deep meaning 'that I used some special channels to officially investigate him. In the end, I found out that he was very influential among the natives in the Amazon rainforest. Some of the native tribes could only be described as worshiping him.
The examples here are some federal secrets that I can't reveal to you. Anyway, be careful when you see him again.
Of course, it might be redundant for me to say this since the possibility of you bumping into him is really slim, "Hatton seemed to have mentioned something taboo as he spoke, he ended the conversation hastily.
Seeing that Hatton was unwilling to talk more, Zhang Lisheng did not ask further. He accompanied Tina and Tina who led Sheila and the other two who were staring blankly to the side of the boat. They saw that the boss had already arranged two rubber boats to be hung on the crane.
"Kid, tell your American friends to get on the rubber boats first. I'll lower the rubber boats with the crane and you guys will get on the plane through the rubber boats," The boss said while gesturing with his hands.
"Uncle Xiong, this plane is too small. I'm afraid something might happen if I get on it. Can I stay on the boat and not go with them?"
"Why? T-This American guy won't bring you along? No way, he doesn't look like that kind of king …"
"I asked to stay on the boat. My three friends ate the poisonous fruit and they're all swollen now. I'm afraid that something might happen to them if it's too crowded. Moreover, this plane is really too small," Zhang Lisheng pointed at the small seaplane that was floating next to the big boat that looked even smaller. "I'll stay on your boat and leave when we get to Rukututu City …"
"Why are you leaving? Just stay if that's the case. It's fate that we met in the Amazon from so far away."
"Thank you uncle then," Zhang Lisheng thanked him while smiling. He then turned his head to look at Hatton. "Mr. Hatton, get on the rubber boats. The boat owner will send you guys to the plane.
Tina, Trish, goodbye in New York. "
"Oh, no …" Tina hugged Zhang Lisheng while crying and kissed his cheek. "Lisheng, you must call me as soon as you get back to New York."
"Of course."
"Remember to call me too," Trish hugged the young man before she left.
"Of course." Zhang Lisheng gave the same answer to both girls and watched them get on the rubber boats. The seven of them were lifted by the crane and put into the Amazon River.
When the crane started moving, Xiong Zhuangming quietly ran up to Zhang Lisheng and praised softly, "Brother, you're really something. You're willing to stay behind so faithfully, those two US babes must be so touched. When we get back to New York, hehe …"
"I really didn't think that much."
"Are you serious? You're that innocent …"
The crane had lowered the kayak into the river while both of them were talking. Hatton and the rest moved into the seaplane carefully. Tina even turned around and waved hard at Zhang Lisheng before they entered the door. She said goodbye loudly again, "Goodbye Lisheng, you must be careful in the jungle."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful. Goodbye Tina." As Zhang Lisheng said goodbye, the plane's engine accelerated all of a sudden. It flew tens of meters on the spacious river and left the water slowly towards the vast blue sky.
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