Chapter 4 Heavy Rain.

Chapter 4: The Rainstorm.

“?????”

“Is Yu Xin out of his mind?? Look at this blazing sun and say that again??”

“This is beyond messing with people. Is Yu Xin sick?”

“I second that. If he’s sick, he should get treatment and stop bothering the other guests.”

“Yu Xin!” Shen Tong, having suppressed a bellyful of resentment and anger throughout the journey, finally erupted: “Are you treating us like beasts of burden? We just climbed this mountain for so long, my legs are about to give out, and now you want us to build some shoddy shelter?”

Never in her life had this young miss endured such indignity. Climbing a mountain in scorching heat, carrying a heavy load, drenched in sweat, her hair disheveled and makeup ruined—not only could she not rest properly, but she was expected to get up and work?

Dream on! Whoever wants to do it can!

“LOL, Shen Tong’s analogy is spot-on!”

“Crude but true. Even a donkey on a production team wouldn’t be worked this hard. Yu Xin is truly excessive.”

Ruan Qing, her pale, oval face looking worried, quietly added: “Yeah, and looking at the weather, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to rain. Maybe we can wait a bit before building that shelter you mentioned…”

Qin Shizhen remained silent this time, but it was clear he agreed with the two women.

Yu Xin found it difficult to explain why. He had extensive experience living in tropical and subtropical regions and knew what it was like just before a heavy rain. But these interstellar people wouldn’t understand. If not for this variety show, they might never encounter the things he had experienced.

“There are many indicators—air humidity, animal behavior—I can’t explain them all to you one by one, but you can trust me.”

Yu Xin’s tone was resolute: “If I say it’s going to rain, it will rain.”

His eyes were clear and firm. Though he appeared small, fair, and delicate, standing there, he inexplicably exuded a solid sense of reliability.

“I kind of feel like Yu Xin isn’t just making things up…”

“Remember the river incident? No one believed him then, but he proved himself right in the end.”

“Oh, please. That was just a lucky guess. Are you really treating him like some kind of deity? Don’t make me laugh.”

“Exactly, a broken clock is right twice a day. Yu the phony, stop lying!”

“This guy’s craving for attention is too much. He’ll make up any lie. Anyone who falls for it must be an idiot, hahahaha!”

This… Qin Shizhen hesitated. He had witnessed Yu Xin’s consistent reliability, and the river incident had indeed unfolded as Yu Xin predicted.

However, the prediction of seawater flowing into the river could be attributed to Yu Xin having researched and prepared beforehand. But what about this time? Yu Xin was merely a young master who enjoyed life under his family’s protection. Where would he gain the experience to predict weather changes in a place he had never set foot in?

Emotionally, he wanted to believe Yu Xin, but rationally, he knew it was impossible.

He let out a long sigh, once again regretting his decision to join this show.

Damn it, this is just too difficult!

Seeing that no one believed him, Yu Xin’s tone grew cold: “I’ll only say this once. From now on, I’ll only take care of my own spot. If you wish to continue resting, feel free.”

Just don’t regret it when the rain starts pouring.

He was never patient or adept at dealing with strangers. Reminding them this much was already more than enough.

In his previous life, he had chosen to leave the safe zone and join the arduous and dangerous search teams precisely because he couldn’t stand messy interpersonal relationships. That was just his nature—he couldn’t change it, nor did he want to.

It seemed he was truly better off alone.

“Say whatever you want, I’m absolutely not doing it. Whoever wants to can go ahead.” Shen Tong retorted sharply.

Yu Xin was simply fear-mongering. She was sick of taking orders from someone she despised. If she listened to another word from Yu Xin, she’d write her name backwards!

The young miss found a spot in the shade under a tree and sat down, clearly defying Yu Xin.

Meanwhile, Yu Xin had already pulled out his machete and began searching for suitable trees to cut.

The group had clearly split into two distinct factions. The remaining three guests stood where they were, exchanging awkward glances, unsure how to ease the tension.

For a moment, an uncomfortable silence fell over them.

“Here it comes, the inevitable drama in variety shows.”

“I never get tired of it. What’s a variety show without some arguments?”

“Honestly, Shen Tong clearly has a point here. What are the others thinking? They should go rest in the shade and leave Yu the phony to build his stupid shelter alone, haha!”

“Exactly, Yao Bao, go rest! Your face is all red from the sun, it breaks my heart!”

“Why does this feel so familiar…”

“Me too. Don’t forget how you doubted Yu Xin last time, and then he proved you all wrong. Tsk tsk.”

“Looking forward to Yu Xin proving everyone wrong again, haha!”

The comments erupted into a free-for-all, with supporters of Shen Tong and Yu Xin arguing fiercely while others just watched the drama. A few instigators even added fuel to the fire.

The production team was overjoyed, almost wanting to jump in and applaud, shouting, “Fight harder, make it louder!”

Indeed, inviting Yu Xin was their most successful decision. Not only did he bring his own hype and fans (haters count too), but he also provided the show with so much discussion material.

Look at this organic drama—no script needed, the guests themselves filled in the plot.

Is this the joy of being carried? So satisfying!

Regardless of how happy the production team was, the atmosphere among the guests had frozen solid.

Then, Sheng Xingyao, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up, surprisingly.

He said, “I believe Yu Xin.”

Without further explanation, he walked straight to Yu Xin’s side, silently declaring his stance.

“???”

“Yao Bao! What’s wrong with you, Yao Bao!”

“What spell has Yu the phony cast on you? Why do you believe him!”

“I won’t allow it! Come back! Don’t go near him!!”

Sheng Xingyao’s fans, who had a poor impression of Yu Xin after the earlier incident, were mostly against Yu Xin and had spared no effort in mocking him. They never expected their idol to betray them like this.

Even Yu Xin was a bit surprised by Sheng Xingyao’s support, but he didn’t say much or ask why Sheng Xingyao believed him. He simply handed him another machete and showed him what kind of trees to cut.

The area was filled with thick bamboo patches. Bamboo, being hard, straight, and flexible, was an excellent building material. Yu Xin demonstrated how to cut bamboo cleanly and safely, and Sheng Xingyao learned quickly, soon pitching in.

Ruan Qing hesitated, glancing back and forth between the sulking Shen Tong and the bamboo-chopping pair, before finally deciding to check on the girl first: "I'll go check on Shen Tong."

She walked over and sat down beside Shen Tong, speaking softly to soothe the young lady's mood. Her gentle tone made it impossible for even someone as hot-tempered as Shen Tong to reject her. The two began whispering closely not far away.

"Girls supporting girls, yay!"

"Qingqing is such a sweetheart, awww, I'm lowkey crushing on her."

"Feisty rich girl x gentle sweetie, who's shipping it now? (suddenly excited.jpg)"

"Let's call their ship name 'Qingtong'—even the ship name is gorgeous (sobbing emoji)."

Now only Qin Shizhen was left. He shook his head helplessly: "These young people nowadays, each more dramatic than the next. Wouldn’t it be better to be a bit more harmonious and tolerant?"

With a sigh, he grabbed the last machete and joined Yu Xin and Sheng Xingyao: "Yu Xin, how do we set up that rain cover you mentioned earlier..."

They soon finished cutting the bamboo, stacking it neatly to the side. Yu Xin’s plan was to use the bamboo along with the wire and rope provided by the production team to build a square frame, cover it with a waterproof tarp, secure the four corners with heavy stones, and anchor the bamboo deep into the soil. That should be enough to withstand a heavy rain.

Below, they would build a raised platform using bamboo and stones, then lay a groundsheet on top so they wouldn’t have to sleep on damp ground and could rest well that night.

Neither Qin Shizhen nor Sheng Xingyao were all thumbs. Under Yu Xin’s direction, they worked together smoothly, and soon the rain cover began to take shape.

While they worked enthusiastically, Ruan Qing and Shen Tong remained seated in the shade.

Shen Tong had mostly calmed down by now, thinking how silly it was that she had gotten so worked up over Yu Xin. She decided that from then on, she would simply ignore him and not let him provoke her into losing her cool again.

Noticing that Ruan Qing seemed distracted, frequently glancing toward Yu Xin, Shen Tong finally couldn’t take it anymore: "If you want to go over there, just go. You don’t have to worry about me, okay?"

Ruan Qing smiled apologetically, a small dimple appearing at the corner of her lips, making her look especially sweet: "Alright then, Tongtong, I’ll go check on them. If you need anything, just call me—I’ll come right back!"

Their relationship had warmed considerably since they’d started talking, no longer as distant as it had been when they first met on the aircraft.

"Shall I go then?"

"...Just go! So annoying."

Over by the shelter, the work was nearly done. Ruan Qing joined in, mostly helping by handing over tools and tying ropes.

After working for most of the day, it was almost evening. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the sky was growing dim. A sturdy, even rather well-made rain cover was finally complete.

"All done!" Ruan Qing cheered, clapping her hands without thinking.

Qin Shizhen was exhausted and finally allowed himself to relax fully: "Please tell me there’s nothing else to do now. My back is killing me."

Though only in his forties—considered prime years by Earth standards, especially since interstellar lifespans now exceeded two hundred years—he certainly didn’t qualify as old. Still, he was utterly worn out, feeling more tired than he ever had filming old-school martial arts scenes with all their tumbling and stunts.

Sheng Xingyao gazed at the well-built and sturdy bamboo shelter in disbelief: "I helped make this?"

He murmured softly, "This is the first time I’ve ever created something with my own hands." It was also the first time he’d felt a sense of achievement unrelated to being an idol under stage lights.

Somehow, his fatigue seemed to lessen. Thinking about how this had all come together, he couldn’t help but glance at Yu Xin.

Yu Xin was leaning back not far away, not looking at anyone, his body relaxed in a state of being zoned out from exhaustion.

So he gets tired too, Sheng Xingyao thought.

The sky turned gold as dusk fell.

The light flickered, casting a dim and hazy glow. Yu Xin was drinking water; he seemed parched, gulping down large mouthfuls of water. A few drops accidentally escaped and clung to his chin, sliding along his slender neck into the depths of his collar.

Sheng Xingyao's eyes tracked that glistening drop of water as it journeyed down Yu Xin's neck. Yu Xin had naturally fair skin that would redden but not tan under the sun. Now, sunburned and flushed, his pale base tone tinged with a rosy hue, it somehow exuded an indescribable, sensual allure.

His lips, moistened by the water, regained their vitality, looking dewy and inviting.

Sheng Xingyao suddenly felt his face grow warm and quickly averted his gaze, taking a few sips of water to suppress the unexplained agitation in his chest.

What was he even thinking?

How did he suddenly realize... that Yu Xin was actually this attractive?

"They actually managed to build that makeshift shelter."

"And it looks pretty decent, too."

"Hah, didn't Yu the phony say it would rain as soon as they finished? Where’s the rain??"

"Hahaha, finally a fail. Those who believed him earlier should go get checked at the hospital—early detection, early treatment. Do it for me, will you?"

As if responding to these words, thick clouds suddenly rolled across the horizon. The twilight turned oppressive, and the last traces of the setting sun were swallowed entirely. The sky visibly darkened.

The guests thought it was just nightfall and didn’t pay much attention, but viewers watching through HD cameras saw more and noticed something was off. The comments quickly picked up on the unusual signs.

"Wait, something doesn’t feel right."

"Holy shit, holy shit, no way… Did Yu Xin actually predict it?"

"This is fucking impossible! Is Yu Xin the heavens’ favorite grandson or something? How is this happening?"

"I’m actually going insane. This has to be some kind of sorcery, right?? Huh??"

But tropical rains play by their own rules—they don’t need buildup; they just pour.

The dark clouds hadn’t gathered for long before several large, bean-sized raindrops began pattering down.

Sheng Xingyao was lying there, pondering his confusing feelings, when a few drops hit his forehead. He wiped them off, puzzled. "What is this… Oh shit!"

His eyes widened in astonishment. "Everyone, look! It’s actually raining!"

Author's Note:

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Wuwuwu, tomorrow—tomorrow we’ll get to the food chapter (swearing earnestly) (pointing at the sky and stomping the ground).