Chapter 29: Childhood Friend III (Part 1)

Chapter 29: Childhood Friends III (Part 1)

Day Three.

The real survival challenge on the deserted island began.

The instructors had stashed gasoline for the speedboats on the island. There were six teams and three speedboats. The first three teams to find the gasoline and get the speedboats running would win.

Li Su figured they could leave the island that day—how hard could it be to find stuff?

But by evening, they hadn't even made it a third of the way across the island.

They couldn't go back to the original campsite. Without tents, everyone had to sleep in the wild.

Song Wuyi passed out a few flashlights. Everyone else got one, but Li Su didn't.

Li Su asked Song Wuyi why he didn't get one. Song Wuyi said that way, Li Su wouldn't wander off.

Li Su pouted.

Suddenly, a blinding beam of light hit Li Su right in the face, making him squeeze his eyes shut.

Then the light went out, and he heard Tao Tao's laughter.

"Let's walk together! You can use my flashlight."

Tao Tao thought the flashlights were limited and Li Su didn't get one, so she generously shared hers.

Tao Tao linked her arm with Li Su’s, pressing up against him.

Song Wuyi was looking for a place to rest.

They were on a slope with uneven ground—no place to sit, let alone lie down.

Song Wuyi led the group, holding a flashlight in one hand and Li Su's hand in the other. Tao Tao clung to Li Su's other arm. The three were linked like a tightly bound rope, impossible to separate.

Li Su wasn't the only one who loved romantic dramas; Tao Tao did too.

The pitch-black surroundings easily sparked thoughts of romantic scenes that could bring two people closer.

Tao Tao leaned close to Li Su's ear and said, "Boyfriend, if a wolf comes out and wants to eat me, would you be willing to use your own flesh to feed it?"

She said it loud enough for Song Wuyi to hear.

He glanced back at Tao Tao. She shrank back. Then he looked at Li Su, who seemed confused.

Tao Tao felt that Song Wuyi's gaze was like a taboo, warning her. It was like a parent disapproving of their romance.

As Song Wuyi turned around, Li Su quickly leaned in toward Tao Tao.

"I would!"

Li Su suddenly remembered a somewhat disgusting joke.

"A couple met a bear on a mountain. The bear said, 'If you want to survive, you have to eat each other's poop.' The man immediately dropped a big, smelly pile, but the woman left a runny mess. The woman said, 'This makes it easier for you to swallow.' The bear was touched by the woman's gesture and finally let her go alone."

Tao Tao wrinkled her nose at first, grossed out, then burst into laughter.

"You bad boy! Did he end up eating both piles?"

Li Su nodded.

Tao Tao laughed so hard she was shaking, and she threw herself into Li Su's arms.

They finally reached a flat area, and Song Wuyi announced they would rest there until dawn.

By then, complaints were popping up one after another.

"Why are we bothering to compete for this spot? We're just here for the experience, it's not like we really need the credit."

"Exactly! My feet are sore. Actually, if we'd just stayed in the camp until the fifth day, someone would have come to pick us up. We could have enjoyed a carefree life on the island, but now it's turned into a race."

"I think that instructor was messing with us. We searched all day—how could we not find a single can of gas?"

"The island is this big, and there are only three cans of gas, and we have to fight for them. Who came up with this plan? When I get back, I'll have my dad fire that person."

"Stop with the complaints. If you want to experience, go sign up for a tour group. Since we're here, make the best of it," Lin Qiushuang interrupted the others' grumbling.

Li Su kept his eyes fixed on Lin Qiushuang.

Lin Qiushuang truly wasn't as bad as Li Su had imagined.

Feeling Li Su staring, Lin Qiushuang glanced back, gave an arrogant snort, and looked away, ignoring him.

Only then did Li Su realize Lin Qiushuang had such a short fuse.

Tao Tao pulled out a camping mat, spread it on the ground, and motioned for Li Su to sit with her.

But Lin Qiushuang called Tao Tao over to his side.

Then Li Su realized the group had split into cliques. Lin Qiushuang was leading the others in isolating him, and now he was even trying to pull Tao Tao away from him.

Li Su didn't mind at first—he had been through this before.

But it still made him a little angry.

He turned to Lin Qiushuang. "We're on the same team. You can't tell them to shut me out."

Lin Qiushuang looked surprised. "When did I tell them not to talk to you? Did I? I'm asking you—did I?"

The classmate Lin Qiushuang had called out shook his head, giving Li Su an innocent look.

Li Su was stunned.

But it was true—ever since they got on the island, no one had initiated a conversation with him. It was like they were a team and he was a ghost.

.

Li Su suddenly understood it wasn't just because of his fight with Lin Qiushuang. From the very start, aside from Lin Qiushuang and Tao Tao, no one had ever made the first move to talk to him.

Lin Qiushuang got mad again. He strode over and shoved Li Su.

"What kind of person do you take me for? Are you accusing me of bullying you?"

"You're so unreasonable. When I talk to you, you get offended. When I don't, you claim I'm getting people to ice you out?"

Tao Tao stood behind Li Su, sticking up for him.

"You're the unreasonable one. Li Su doesn't want to talk to you—so drop it. He ignores you, and you throw a tantrum. If you're not trying to get everyone to shun him, then what are you doing?"

Lin Qiushuang couldn't defend himself. It was true that he couldn't stand seeing Tao Tao hovering around Li Su, which was why he called out to Tao Tao.

But he absolutely hadn't told anyone to ignore Li Su!

And what did he mean by saying he got mad just because Li Su wouldn't talk to him? It was clearly Li Su who kicked him and made a mocking face!

Damn that Li Su!

Lin Qiushuang glared fiercely at Li Su.

“Back off!” Tao Tao stepped forward to push Lin Qiushuang away, then pulled Li Su along. “Ignore him, he's just a narcissistic jerk.”

Li Su hadn't expected the conflict to escalate like this. By the time he realized it was all a misunderstanding, the situation had completely fallen apart.

Lin Qiushuang had now truly earned the accusation of being the one who started ignoring him.

…

Song Wuyi had set up a circle of bells around the area. Any large creature approaching would brush against them and make a sound.

Someone said nervously, “Are there really wolves here?”

Tao Tao chimed in, “There can't really be bears, right? Boyfriend, I can't bear for you to be eaten.”

Li Su's lips twitched.

Hopefully, there really weren't any bears, because otherwise, he really couldn't stomach that.

Song Wuyi didn't explain in detail, just said it was a precaution, and then told everyone to prepare their own sleeping spots.

Song Wuyi used his backpack and clothes to make a simple pillow and mattress for Li Su. He patted it, signaling Li Su to come over.

Li Su had already told Tao Tao he would sleep next to her and protect her at night.

He hesitated and then shook his head at Song Wuyi.

Song Wuyi frowned, looking serious and a bit displeased.

Li Su started to waver, intending to go over to Song Wuyi and explain.

But Tao Tao grabbed his arm.

“Where are you going? You promised to stay with me. You can't leave me.”

Song Wuyi's eyes slowly narrowed, a strange glimmer flickering in his light-colored eyes.

Li Su didn't notice Song Wuyi's expression, completely being led by Tao Tao.

In the middle of the night.

The sparse branches couldn't block the moonlight.

Li Su lay on the sleeping mat, feeling the sharp pebbles underneath him.

Beside him, Tao Tao slept soundly, curled up, as if nothing could disturb her.

Li Su glanced over at Song Wuyi, who was sitting against a tree, resting.

Li Su quietly got up and walked over to sit next to Song Wuyi.

Song Wuyi opened his eyes.

Li Su waved his hand in front of Song Wuyi's eyes and whispered, “Why aren't you asleep yet?”

Song Wuyi said coldly, “Night watch. It's my duty.”

“Oh.” Li Su withdrew his hand and moved a little closer to Song Wuyi, shoulder to shoulder. “I find that I can't really sleep when I'm not next to you.”

Li Su's words melted Song Wuyi's coldness slightly. He turned his head to look at Li Su, who spoke with exaggerated seriousness, clearly trying to win him over.

“Not going to be with your girlfriend?”

Li Su's eyes darted around, as if he were torn between Tao Tao and Song Wuyi.

“No, I want to be with you. You need me more.”

You need me more than I need you.

Song Wuyi closed his eyes, tilted his head back against the tree. Suddenly, a weight settled on his shoulder. Li Su was sitting sideways, resting his chin on Song Wuyi's shoulder.

“Even though the memory of being in that carriage was terrifying, I think that was the moment I trusted someone the most.”

They leaned close together, facing an unknown tomorrow.

Song Wuyi hummed in acknowledgment and reminded him, “Go to sleep. If you're cold, then hold me.”

Li Su wanted to say that Song Wuyi's body was even colder than his own, but he still held him tightly.