Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xia Xin jumped in surprise. She and Jing MO were already dining outside their tent; all they had to do was lift their eyes to see what was unfolding. Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi peeked their heads out from their tent as well, equally intrigued. In no time, they saw Lu Shiâs footâstill suspended in mid-airâand Tian Mei beneath it.
After stifling her laughter for a while, Xia Xin couldnât help but burst into giggles. Hearing her laughter, Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi joined in, their giggles bubbling over like champagne. Jing MO didnât laugh aloud, but the uplifted corners of his lips revealed his inner delight.
âIâm sorry, I didnât know you were underneath,â Lu Shi said, pulling back his foot and peering down from his hammock. As his eyes met Tian Meiâs tear-streaked face, he realized what he had just stepped on.
Normally, Tian Mei wasnât a striking beauty, but she did have an air of delicate vulnerability. Under ordinary circumstances, Lu Shi would have murmured a gentle apology and soothed her. But, from the dock they journeyed here, her make-up was smeared from all the sweating. Now that she cried, her face was beyond recognition.
When Tian Mei heard that Lu Shi only apologized and didnât do anything else to calm her down, she cried even louder.
âStop crying, youâll have eleven more days to shed tears,â Zhou Lian quipped, glancing at Tian Mei. âBesides, the hammock is right above you. Itâs not like Lu Shi could have seen you there. If you lack such basic common sense, how will you survive on this island?â
Taking Zhou Lianâs words to heart, Tian Mei finally ceased her crying. In a choked voice, she apologized to Lu Shi, offering him some of her snacks as a peace offering. Lu Shiâs face relaxed. He dismounted from his hammock and unrolled another one from his bag. He was used to carrying two; one for regular use and another as a waterproof shield for rainy days.
âI have an extra hammock. Let me help you set it up,â Lu Shi told Tian Mei.
âThank you, Lu Shi,â Tian Mei replied, her face glowing with gratitude. However, inside she thought, âWould I even choose a hammock if I had other options?â
Lu Shi finished setting up the hammock, and Tian Mei bestowed upon him an adoring gaze. âYouâre so prepared, Lu Shi. This is my first time on a show like this. I had no idea what to bring, and my assistant wasnât much help. But I think food is important.â n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Lu Shi simply offered her a mild smile and returned to his hammock, making no reply.
Tian Mei, seeing the height difference between the two hammocks, hastily inquired, âWhy is my hammock so low and yours so high?â
Zhou Lian butted in, âBecause you canât climb.â
Accepting the statement without protest, Tian Mei realized the truth in Zhou Lianâs words. Climbing a tree would ruin her carefully constructed image of a gentle and delicate young woman.
Meanwhile, Xia Xin and Jing MO were relishing their meal, unfazed by the drama around them. âThis noodle is delicious,â Xia Xin remarked to Jing Mo.
Jing MO grunted in agreement. It was delicious indeed, but not just because of the taste. It was because Xia Xin had prepared it just for him.
âHey Xia Xin, do you have a solar charging panel I could borrow? I just realized I brought the wrong flashlight, and itâs out of charge,â Xu Zhi asked.
âSure,â said Xia Xin, handing over her solar charging panel, which had been accumulating energy on top of their tent.
Xu Zhi took the solar charging panel and said thanks to Xia Xin.
After a satisfying meal, Xia Xin and Jing MO decided to scout the nearby area for a clean water source. Equipped with folding buckets and first-aid kits, they were ready to set off.
âIâm thinking of taking the wolf pup along. Maybe weâll find its family in the mountains and can return it,â Xia Xin mused, cradling the pup in her arms.
Before waiting for an answer, Tian Mei reached out to touch the little wolfâs head.
Just as Tian Mei was about to descend from her hammock, she saw the adorable wolf pup in Xia Xinâs arms. âOh wow, Xia Xin, your puppy is so cute!
Can I pet it?â
âDonât touch!â Xia Xin warned, but it was too lateâTian Mei let out a piercing scream..