A group of people returned to the camp, many of them looking expectant.
Eisen, impatient, rushed forward and asked, "How was it? Did you find anything?"
Fu Jingshu didn't reply. He found a clean, open space and had them empty the mushrooms onto the ground. The area where the mushrooms grew was damp, and the mushrooms themselves were still moist.
It was timely to bring them out and dry them, lest they mold in their backpacks.
While things were busy here, Eisen, feeling ignored, was naturally in a terrible mood. But thinking of Fu Jingshu's usual demeanor, he felt a sense of "just as expected" in addition to his anger.
This guy, just like Shen Qingqing, was arrogant!
He turned to look at Aiqí, only to see her standing beside Fu Jingshu, staring intently at the people arranging the mushrooms, her small face full of seriousness.
He grabbed his sister and, ignoring her struggles, pulled her to the base of a tree.
"What are you doing? Didn't you see your brother?"
Aiqí pulled her hand away, rubbing her wrist. "Oh, Brother, what are you doing? Didn't you see I was busy?"
Looking at those mushrooms now, she felt a great sense of accomplishment.
After all, they were food she had helped bring back!
Eisen was disappointed, "You've gone crazy! Have you completely sided with them? Did you forget I'm your brother?"
"Brother, why are you starting this again?"
Aiqí found her brother incredibly childish, being so grown-up and still talking about sides. However, he was her brother after all, so she hugged Eisen's arm and pouted.
"Brother, don't worry, no matter what, you'll always be my brother!"
With that, she turned and slipped away.
Eisen stamped his foot in anger, but seeing his sister busily helping everyone with the mushrooms, he swallowed the words of protest he was about to utter.
His shoulder suddenly felt heavy, and Pei Ji's voice sounded in his ear.
"Isn't it good that she's like this? Having something to do means you don't have to worry about her as much."
Eisen snorted noncommittally.
But he didn't go to retrieve Aiqí.
As soon as Aiqí reached Fu Jingshu, a smile spread across her face. Before she could speak, she saw him turn and leave, and she couldn't help but freeze.
He was walking towards Shen Qingqing.
Shen Qingqing said something, and his lips curved upwards as if he were smiling, then he pulled the woman into his arms.
Aiqí silently withdrew her gaze and turned back to tend to the mushrooms.
Shen Qingqing was helped to lean against a large rock. "You seem to be in such a good mood, did you find something good?"
"How could you tell I was in a good mood?"
Fu Jingshu looked into her eyes. Her琉璃-like pupils reflected his stern face, his features sharp and unyielding, with no softness at all.
How could she tell?
Shen Qingqing smiled. "I won't tell you. Anyway, I just know. I can tell if you're happy or not at a glance."
As soon as she finished speaking, her nose was gently pecked.
His deep, amused voice echoed, "So, my wife understands me so well."
Shen Qingqing wasn't shy. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head up, and planted a heavy kiss on his cheek.
"Of course, you're my man."
The two of them displayed their affection unabashedly. Although everyone was accustomed to it, they still averted their eyes, lest they get too much "dog food" and feel overwhelmed.
Fu Jingshu informed everyone about finding the river, and everyone was delighted.
Mr. Z smiled, "Master Fu's efficiency is indeed reliable."
Everyone jumped up and cheered.
"Now that we have water, we won't have to eat fruit all the time."
"Yes, we can endure without food, but without water, even a body of iron would break!"
"We have mushrooms and water, and bread and instant noodles. Now all we need is meat."
"It would be great if a wild boar or something appeared."
Someone couldn't help but start imagining. After all, on such a deserted island, there should be plenty of animals, like wild boars and rabbits...
With so many of them, catching one wouldn't be a problem.
If they could eat meat, they would be laughing in their dreams!
Although everyone thought this person was being a bit unrealistic, upon further thought, it wasn't impossible. They had all thought it was impossible to find water before.
Mr. Z didn't shatter their fantasies, merely reminding them, "That's hard to say."
His reminder was too subtle, and Shen Qingqing raised her eyebrows, her eyes cold and beautiful. "Are you dreaming? Even if you encounter a wild boar, it's probably poisonous. If you're not afraid of being poisoned to death, you can try."
Someone retorted, "If it were venomous snakes, insects, or rats, I'd believe you. But if wild boars are poisonous... can you stop being alarmist?"
The crowd didn't believe it either.
Whether it was a wild boar or a domestic pig, no one had ever heard of pigs being poisonous!
Shen Qingqing propped her chin with one hand. "Then why don't you try?"
"I'll try if you say so!" That person even got angry. As a Korean, they had an adventurous and thrill-seeking nature ingrained in them, otherwise, they wouldn't have come for a three-day sea excursion.
An old man beside them suddenly let out a cold laugh.
That person was startled. He could disregard Shen Qingqing's words, but the old man... his attitude immediately became much more respectful. "Uncle, why are you laughing?"
The old man was unmoved, his words sharp and cold. "The girl is right. If you want to die, I won't stop you. Just don't come crying to me for help when you're poisoned. I don't have that kind of time."
With that, he turned and walked back to his makeshift shelter, lay down, closed his eyes, and remained still for a long time.
The crowd waited for a while, surprised and indignant.
That old man... had fallen asleep.
He fell asleep so quickly!
Shen Qingqing glanced at the person who was dreaming. "I advise you, don't have unrealistic fantasies. Being down-to-earth is more important than anything else. Here, honesty is the only way to survive."
On this island, there was nothing that wasn't poisonous.
After Fu Jingshu left, she had looked around and quickly discovered some "little things" – venomous snakes, poisonous insects, and poisonous ants.
If not for the old man's insect repellent powder, those things would have given them plenty of trouble.
That person still wanted to argue, but Fu Jingshu raised his eyes, and his cold gaze sent a shiver down the man's spine. He suddenly remembered Carter.
How his hand was broken...
He shrank his neck, like a quail, hiding in the crowd, and remained silent.
Mr. Z sighed, "Why did you have to scare them?"
Fu Jingshu said blandly, "I'm not scaring them."
In his understated tone, there was a hint of coldness and ferocity. Clearly, his warning was more than just a look or an attitude.
Mr. Z looked at him and chuckled, "Master Fu, you are indeed as the rumors say."
He waited for a moment, but Fu Jingshu didn't respond.
The corners of his mouth twitched. This person truly didn't play by the rules. Anyone else would have asked, "What are the rumors about me...?"
Since the other party didn't engage, Mr. Z naturally ended the conversation. "I see you're tired. Get some rest. I'll call you when it's time to eat."
With that, he turned and left, his retreating back showing no signs of embarrassment.