The return journey was more difficult than Chen Zhou had imagined.
The tides, like a playful child, kept pushing the raft southward and then northward.
Despite Chen Zhou's efforts, they were often in vain against the tides, but he had no choice; he could only paddle with all his strength, inching closer to the sailboat.
The speed of the raft fluctuated, though unstable, the distance from the boat was constantly closing.
Before the tide receded, Chen Zhou finally reached the gap in the rocks.
Tying a long rope to the raft, he dropped the paddle, crawled into the gap, and collapsed exhausted into the cabin.
After resting motionlessly for a moment, Chen Zhou stood up again, ate two pieces of white bread with cold boiled water, and without much pause, he immediately began sorting the next batch of supplies.
During the spare time in the mornings and evenings while making the raft, he explored every inch of the whole ship.
