Chapter 8: The Dark Line Turns Out to be a Romance Game (15)
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As for why Lin Nan decided to go after the Giant Wave Gang’s hideout, there were two reasons.
First, she had totally offended the Giant Wave Gang by noon, and running into them again would inevitably lead to a fight to the d*ath. Rather than waiting around for them to come find trouble, she might as well strike first.
Second, on the map provided by the System, she had discovered a lake dock about 20 kilometers away from Lehua Town, marked by a flashing exclamation point.
Seriously, if she couldn’t see such an obvious hint, then all those years playing RPGs would have been for nothing.
Clearly, this was a side quest.
Once completed, she might just reap some unexpected rewards.
So she decided to bring along Little Shiyuan, thinking it might increase their affection for each other in the process.
Besides, she had already figured out how to deal with him. The more strict she was and the less she seemed to care, the more he leaned in, like a moth to a flame.
In just a few exchanges, their affection level increased by 0.5%. It might not seem like much, but it proved she was on the right track.
“If you can accept my plan, get ready here. If not…”
“I accept! I accept!” Little Shiyuan shouted, puffing out his neck.
“Good.”
Lin Nan stood up, but her figure gradually faded into the darkness, as if she had never existed.
Yet her voice echoed in Little Shiyuan’s ears, “Try to survive on your own in the wilderness. I’ll come find you tomorrow morning if you make it until dawn.”
Little Shiyuan was momentarily stunned. Just the night before, he had been in the stronghold, basking in the spotlight at the banquet, enjoying gluttonous feasts and strong drinks. Now, just a day later, he was to face the lonely, cold darkness of the endless wilderness alone?
The contrast was so stark that he almost thought he was hallucinating.
But when Sister Hong Chen truly vanished before his eyes, and he spun around several times searching within a ten-meter radius to no avail, despair settled in.
No, Sister Hong Chen wouldn’t abandon him.
She had to be nearby, observing his actions.
If she truly wanted to ditch him, she would have taken off without a word earlier. Why bother coming back to meet him halfway?
Sister Hong Chen must think he was too weak and needed to be tested and honed in various ways, so she acted tough with him. Deep down, she was probably watching him closely, only forcing him to confront hardships on his own.
Only after enduring many trials could the sun shine again.
Right! He had to push through! He couldn’t let Sister Hong Chen think she misjudged him, or she’d be disappointed.
He absolutely wouldn’t allow that to happen.
After some mental pep talk, Little Shiyuan started hunting for a hiding spot nearby.
Not even a hundred meters in, he stumbled upon a dry cave, which was perfect for concealing himself.
He was convinced this had to be Sister Hong Chen’s meticulous arrangement. What were the chances he’d find shelter so quickly?
Next, he needed to find something to eat.
“Ahh…”
Not far off in the bushes, he spotted a few wild pomegranate trees, their ripe, red fruits hanging heavily, just waiting to be picked.
He had been worried that even if he caught a small animal, he only had a dagger on him, and he had no tools to start a fire. There was no way he could go all caveman and munch on raw meat.
But, lo and behold! The ripe fruit trees were right beside him.
This undoubtedly reinforced that Sister Hong Chen was silently protecting him.
He nibble-nibble on the tart pomegranates, feeling quite fulfilled and content.
[Ding! Little Shiyuan’s affection level has increased to 80%.]
[You have gained 200 Luck Points, total Luck Points: 1220.
Your current Luck Level is lv5.]
Five kilometers away, by the campfire, Lin Nan was busy digging into meat and drinking copiously when she suddenly paused.
What the heck? She had clearly left him all alone, while she was enjoying herself, and yet his affection level still went up?
What kind of stimulation was he under?
It seemed like he might have a bit of a masochistic streak.
She tossed aside the last chicken leg bone, pondering whether to go check on Little Shiyuan. What if he ran into some wild beast?
But then, seeing his affection still growing… albeit at a snail’s pace, she immediately dismissed the idea.
“Fatty, how many people did you bring?”
Fatty hustled over, “Boss, a full hundred elite troops, all top-notch fighters!”
“Good. Tomorrow, follow my orders.”
After stuffing herself, Lin Nan sprawled on the soft bedding prepared for her, stretching lazily.
At that exact moment, Little Shiyuan curled up in the chilly cave, his behind cushioned by the dry grass he had painstakingly gathered. Listening to the distant cries of animals in the forest, he tightened his embrace around himself.
But thinking about Sister Hong Chen, who was protecting him nearby, likely without any shelter, having to rely on the howling winds for warmth, he felt a twinge of guilt.
If it weren’t for him being such a burden, Sister Hong Chen might have reached the next town by now, enjoying a warm meal and a good night’s sleep.
For him, Sister Hong Chen willingly stayed in the wilderness, seemingly cold and heartless, but in reality, she was a fiery soul hoping for his swift growth, wanting him to stand on his own.
To have met such a gallant and passionate woman in a sea of people was indeed his fortune.
Thus, even though this cave was leagues away from the comfort of a room, at least it sheltered him from the wind and rain. What more could he possibly want?
As he lulled himself into a bubble of self-hypnosis, he hugged his knees and dozed off, falling into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Lin Nan lay snugly in her warm bedding, relishing the comfort and coziness of her tent.
The next morning, Little Shiyuan woke up freezing.
Having maintained the same position for too long, his body felt stiff, and his feet had gone numb.
He struggled to move, finally managing to stretch out his body.
After soaking in the rays of the morning sun for a while, he began to feel some warmth return.
“Thud…”
A food package wrapped in oil paper landed next to his ear.
Before he could turn his head, a rich aroma rushed to his nostrils.
Having only nibbled on pomegranates the night before, he was now ravenous. Upon catching a whiff of that mouth-watering scent, a single thought raced through his mind.
“Eat it! Eat it!”
But even so, he restrained his hunger, looking up at the red-clad masked woman leaning against a tree not far away.
“Have you eaten?”
Lin Nan replied flatly, “I’ve eaten. You go ahead.”
“Mm-mm, thank you, Sister.”
Little Shiyuan immediately snatched up the package, revealing two steaming buns inside.
He gulped them down in just a few bites, blissful contentment filling his heart.
[Ding! Little Shiyuan’s affection level has increased to 85%.]
[You have gained 200 Luck Points, total Luck Points: 1420.
Your current Luck Level is lv5.]
Lin Nan, “…”
For crying out loud, had she known earlier, she would’ve brought him more buns to stuff him full!
