PEU Chapter 9

Day 9 of Provoking

When they returned to the campsite, a fire had been lit and the tents set up.

It was just that Jian Suizhi looked to be in an embarrassing situation, with black charcoal marks staining his face all over. When he saw Jiang Xinghao coming over, he wasn’t even in the mood to say hello and just directly turned his head to talk to Su Nuannuan.

[Laughing to death, let me explain to the sisters who missed the situation in the live broadcast. It’s like this: Among the props that God Jian could directly exchange for was a lighter! Lol, this is too wonderful, but didn’t jxh give him a flint? As such, God Jian had to pick something else. However, the flint isn’t easy to use at all. Making a fire made him like this, hahaha. What do you say, do you think God Jian could look at jxh in a good mood?]

[Hahahahaha, isn’t this just that the flattery and fawning went too far]

Jiang Xinghao could clearly feel Jian Suizhi’s coldness and indifference, but he didn’t know why, and he even felt a bit wronged.

“Jiang Xinghao, what is this?” Huang Daheng called out in a puzzled manner as he pointed at the ant eggs that were wrapped in the bag made from fallen leaves.

Su Nuannuan also looked over.

Jiang Xinghao replied with a lack of interest, “Oh, this is what Jiang Cheng…”

“It has to be washed before it can be eaten. Come with me to the side to get some water to wash it well,” Jiang Cheng interrupted the other’s words.

If Su Nuannuan knew what those things were, she wouldn’t eat them even if she died.

By the time they came back with the washed ant eggs, the pine cones had already been pried open one by one, revealing the plump kernels inside.

And Song Ji-Jae was holding one as he spoke with fervour:

“When my teammates and I were on a rescue mission in the wild, we relied entirely on the calories provided by these kernels to get through the most difficult times and successfully rescued three backpackers who were lost in a mountain forest; we also climbed the number one snowy mountain under the guidance of the locals…”

Huang Daheng and the others sat around the fire, looking as if they were listening to a story, and would occasionally cooperate to exclaim in admiration together.

When Jiang Cheng caught sight of this scene, he couldn’t help curling his lips –

Just this? It wasn’t even a match for a single hair of any of the members in his team, how could he have the face to brag? Ha!

“My apologies, we’ll have to interrupt for a bit!” The director’s voice cut in at this very moment. “The live broadcast of the first day of the first episode of our Little Wilderness will be wrapping up here! Welcome our audience friends to meet us in the live broadcast room at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning!”

[F*ck, I still want to see them eat ant eggs!]

[I just knew that the program team wouldn’t let me see what I want to see]

[Warning the program team to not cut a single frame out, it would be best to show the entire scene of them eating the ant eggs!]

[Seconded]

After switching off the live broadcast, the director turned to the guests and said with a good-natured smile, “Everyone, continue.”

Huang Daheng and the others exchanged a glance, then seized the opportunity one after the other to get up and leave from where they were around the fire, pretending that they had something to do – who wanted to listen to this person bragging endlessly!!!

“Jiang Cheng came back! Come, come, we troubled you, good work!” Huang Daheng was the first to call out. “Oh, and Xingxing as well. Let’s eat together.”

Song Ji-Jae still wanted to continue talking about his glorious history, but he didn’t expect that everyone would leave one after the other after the director’s interruption.

He couldn’t help but grind his teeth hard, as if he wanted to say something, but he ended up just looking hatefully at Jiang Cheng who was being greeted by Huang Daheng. He turned his head to the side and spit.

“Jiang Cheng, what’s this thing? How do we eat it?” Huang Daheng looked at the white rice-like kernel things in Jiang Cheng’s hand that had been washed clean and that seemed rather appetising.

“It can be eaten once it’s cooked,” Jiang Cheng answered.

“But we… don’t have a pot,” Su Nuannuan paused for a bit. She exchanged her points for fresh water, Huang Daheng’s was used for five canteens, while Jian Suizhi converted his for camping mats to use inside the tents. No one actually thought of trading for a pot.

– No one thought that they could still cook with a pot in the wild.

“No problem,” Jiang Cheng also didn’t expect them to have a pot.

He once again used the “wolf teeth club” and exerted some strength to dig at a small area of sand not far away from the campfire, and managed to dig a small pit a few centimetres deep in no time.

Jian Suizhi looked over in astonishment, and conveniently sized Jiang Cheng up.

In fact, Jiang Cheng looked really good. It was as if the gloomy and depressed appearance in the materials initially collected by his agent was a completely different person.

Jiang Cheng’s slightly long, light-colored hair was tied back into a simple ponytail, and a few strands were scattered near his ears. He was seriously fiddling with the thing in his hand, looking especially focused, and was like a gentle and refreshing boy-next-door.

Jian Suizhi no longer believed that those matters from before were done by the man in front of his eyes. Perhaps there were some other circumstances, or perhaps it was his agent who had a hand in it?

He took the initiative to strike a conversation with Jiang Cheng, “Is there anything that I can help you with?”

Jiang Cheng looked at him in surprise before saying, “Then could you help me find a stick that’s more or less similar in thickness? Thank you.”

He motioned to the “wolf teeth club” in his hand.

Jian Suizhi nodded his head slightly in reply.

Not only Jiang Cheng was surprised, even Huang Daheng and Su Nuannuan couldn’t help but glance at Jian Suizhi in astonishment a few more times.

Who in the circle didn’t know about the rumors between those two? Not only did Jian Suizhi not stay far away, but he even took the initiative to get closer?

But they were both very clever and hid their surprise well.

The one most surprised was Jiang Xinghao. His face changed as soon as he heard Jian Suizhi’s words – he just didn’t understand, why would Jian Suizhi repeatedly take the initiative to look for Jiang Cheng when Jiang Cheng obviously didn’t do anything? Why is it that when he took the initiative to show his goodwill, Jian Suizhi avoided him?

Jian Suizhi soon came back with a wooden stick and asked Jiang Cheng, “How is this?”

“Eh, it will do.” Jiang Cheng looked at it before taking it reluctantly.

Upon seeing Jiang Cheng’s reaction, Jian Suizhi immediately said, “If you don’t find it suitable, I’ll go look for another one. Just say the word.”

“It’s fine, it’s not too bad and can be used.” Jiang Cheng said with a wave of his hand. It would be difficult to find things at this time, when the sky had already darkened. Although this stick was a bit thin and fragile, it could still barely be used.

When Jiang Xinghao, who was nearby, heard this, he almost pinched himself. Why would a male god speak so humbly to Jiang Cheng? What kind of poison had he taken?

He didn’t want to listen any longer, so he got up and directly entered the tent.

As for those ant eggs, he wouldn’t eat them even if he had to die!

Song Ji-Jae also left the campsite, but nobody seemed to care.

Jiang Cheng got up before walking to the campfire, then carefully picked out several pieces of charcoal-like stones that had been burnt from the blazing fire.

Using the two thick sticks as tongs, Jiang Cheng held the stones that had been burnt until they turned black and slightly red and turned to place them inside the small pit he had just dug.

Just as Jiang Cheng was moving the last stone, he heard a “pop” sound followed by Su Nuannuan’s scream next to him.

The stone that had been burnt until it had a faint red color immediately fell, and countless sparks splashed out. Fortunately, Jiang Cheng’s reaction was almost instantaneous. He dodged by jumping out of the way.

“Teacher Jiang, are you okay?!” The staff members of the program team immediately surrounded him to ask.

“I’m fine,” Jiang Cheng wasn’t bothered. The stick Jian Suizhi had found was scorched by the high temperature of the stone and broke. This was within Jiang Cheng’s expectations, and he had already been on guard early.

Jian Suizhi had also noticed that the problem laid with the stick he found, so he looked at Jiang Cheng with extreme remorse. “Sorry, it’s me…”

Jiang Cheng interrupted his words, “The odds just weren’t in my favor, it has nothing to do with you.”

While speaking, he used the stick to push that stone into the pit before spreading a shallow layer of sand on top. He then buried the ant eggs that were wrapped tightly in the leaf bag inside the pit.

Once he was done, he raised his head and saw that the others were all staring at him, so he couldn’t help but open his mouth to say, “They can be eaten in a short while.”

“How did you even think of such a method? This is quite crafty!” Su Nuannuan looked at Jiang Cheng with a smile and a thumbs up.

Sand could conduct heat, so it directly turned the pit into a closed roasting oven.

“Hahaha, it seems that Jiang Cheng is a loyal viewer of the Discovery Channel.” Huang Daheng followed the praise train and clapped his hands. “Fortunately, you were able to recall it. Otherwise, we really would’ve been at a loss today.”

Jiang Cheng smiled, not saying anything.

This was the most basic operation their special forces team would carry out in their jungle simulation outdoors training.

The requirements for the stimulation training are often harsher than their actual missions. Many times, they would only be given a knife and a bundle of rope while being thrown into an uninhabited forest deep in the mountains for about a month.

In the entire Greater China military forces, not many completed the five major stimulation training areas– forest, swamp, volcano, desert, and snowy mountain. Jiang Cheng was precisely one of them, and he was even the holder of various record-breaking survival titles.

The group of people around the campfire gradually became familiar with each other. Huang Daheng, who had the experience of being an emcee, was in the middle to liven up the atmosphere. Even Jiang Cheng felt that it was quite comfortable, and wasn’t in the slightest bit uneasy.

During the time they were talking, a fragrance drifted out of the pit. Jiang Cheng’s nose moved a bit, and he immediately said, “It seems that the meal is almost ready!”

Jiang Cheng stood up directly without even using his hands to prop himself up. Huang Daheng, who was next to him, felt that there was certainly something wrong. He tried to imitate the action, but he couldn’t get up no matter how many times he tried. While he couldn’t help shaking his head, Su Nuannuan and Jian Suizhi tried to muffle their laughter.

“Teacher Huang, Teacher Jiang relied on the strength of his abdominal muscles and thighs, as well as practice, so he could achieve this.” Su Nuannuan said as she covered her mouth to laugh.

Huang Daheng repeatedly waved his hands, expressing that he couldn’t compare to young people.

When Jiang Cheng held the leaf bag and came over, he saw Su Nuannuan and the others smiling happily. He raised his brow and said, “Are you guys this happy from having something to eat? Then eat some more later.”

Su Nuannuan didn’t explain much and just nodded with a smile, completely unaware of what she was going to eat later.

“Eh, it tastes pretty good, hey. A bit chewy and very sticky. It also tastes a bit sweet and sour… Oh, right, what’s this?” Huang Daheng turned to Jiang Cheng and asked.

“High-quality sources of high protein,” Jiang Cheng was also straightforward and directly grabbed a handful to stuff into his mouth. It seemed like he was quite satisfied, from how his eyes narrowed slightly.

Jian Suizhi glanced at Jiang Cheng and unexpectedly felt a bit hungry again, so he couldn’t help grabbing another handful to stuff into his mouth.

During the time the group was eating, Song Ji-Jae returned from the forest.

“Team Leader Song came back! Where did you go just now? Come and sit, do you want some to eat?” Huang Daheng took on the responsibility of greeting and calling the other over.

Song Ji-Jae took out a small bundle of light yellow-green wildflowers from his pocket and walked to the crowd.

The translator by his side interpreted, “These small flowers can repel insects. There are some for everyone to put in their tents.”

Su Nuannuan’s eyes brightened when she heard this and took it happily. “That’s great! Thank you!”

Song Ji-Jae gave each person a small bunch. The buds of the light yellow-green flowers were similar to small bells.

This kind of wildflower was very common on islands, and it would usually flourish when the night falls. The fragrance would get stronger the more the night deepened, and it served as an excellent insect repellent.

Jiang Cheng also received some. He raised his brows slightly, then thanked Song Ji-Jae with an insincere smile.

The flowers in his hand didn’t look different from what the others had, light yellow-green and small. But after careful examination, there were more petals, and they were thinner and more narrow in comparison.

After the distribution, everyone returned to their respective tents in groups –

“Good job, everyone! Time to get off work!”

Late at night, the island seemed to have come alive. There were all kinds of unending noises in bits and pieces. Since there were no large mammals, though, the surrounding could still be regarded as quiet overall. The guests who had been tossed around miserably during the day were all sleeping soundly.

Jiang Cheng quietly came out of the tent, not waking anyone up.

He walked to the front of Song Ji-Jae’s tent and stuffed the batch of flowers he had gotten from the man earlier inside.

He was like a ghostly shadow in the middle of the night. After Jiang Cheng completed the work without anyone knowing, he returned to his tent and slept until dawn.

At around 6 o’clock in the morning, the staff members of the program team hadn’t gotten up yet when Jiang Cheng crawled out of his tent.

The humidity on the island during the early morning was very high, and the air was filled with the salty and fishy smell from the sea.

It was still low tide at this time. According to how the program team acted yesterday, Jiang Cheng figured that breakfast would most likely be a problem they had to solve themselves.

He walked around the beach for a while and found a lot of plastic junk of different sizes.

Those garbage that belonged to civilizations all over the world couldn’t be considered as a rarity on this island. They would be carried to the shore by the waves, then completely left behind.

He found a plastic that was of a suitable size to use as a basket. It was somewhat like a 12L water bottle with a handle attached to the sides.

“Teacher Jiang!” Jiang Cheng’s PD and cameraman were finally able to catch up to Jiang Cheng. Only God would know how panicked and in a mess they were when they woke up and didn’t find the guest.

Jiang Cheng waved his hand in greeting, “Good morning.”

The PD panted as he came closer. When he heard Jiang Cheng, he didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. “Teacher Jiang, it’s still so early. It’s just a little bit past 6 o’clock.”

“We have to comb the beach for seafood while the tide is low,” Jiang Cheng waited until they came over before saying. “According to the director’s way of doing things, isn’t the matter of breakfast today still something we have to solve ourselves?”

The PD laughed when he heard this. It was really the truth.

He looked at the plastic bottle Jiang Cheng was carrying in his hand and asked, “Where did this come from? What are you holding it for?”

“It can be found anywhere on the beach.” The corners of Jiang Cheng’s mouth curved in a self-mocking way as he pointed behind him. “Traces of human civilization can be found everywhere. This beach is just one of those large warehouses for them.”

Following Jiang Cheng’s words, the cameraman turned to film the garbage on the beach behind Jiang Cheng.

“After a plastic bottle is slightly modified, it can have many uses.” Jiang Cheng explained as he felt in his pocket before taking out the blunt utility knife blade he had used prior.

He quickly rubbed the blunt blade a few times in the handful of sand he had grabbed. After the sand fell through, the blade was as shiny and sharp as a new one!

The PD stared with awe. Was it really this simple?

Jiang Cheng used the utility knife blade to cut open the narrow mouth of the plastic bottle, turning it into a suitable container.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to score a bargain.” Jiang Cheng lifted the empty bottle and shook it towards the PD with a smile.

The PD and the cameraman were dazzled by Jiang Cheng’s smile, and the unhappiness of having to get up early was all gone.

Teacher Jiang… had a really good temper. He was also good-looking in a way that any man would have to acknowledge as such.

Then, immediately afterwards, the PD and the cameraman caught sight of the gentle and soft Teacher Jiang busily jumping about.

After climbing over the steep black reefs, Jiang Cheng went underneath the reef that was higher than the height of one person to grope for sea shells and conches before climbing to the other side. Seeing him move like this made them get goosebumps.

“You guys should just stand there. The reefs here are very sharp, and it’s easy to get cut if you’re not careful enough. It’s safer to stay where you are,” Jiang Cheng spoke up after noticing the cameraman and the PD standing at the other end, looking to be at their wits’ end despite wanting to follow along.

The PD looked even more nervous after his words. “Teacher Jiang, why don’t you come back as well? It’s too dangerous!”

“It’s okay, I’ll be quick.” Jiang Cheng waved his hand. Once he was done speaking, he jumped onto another huge black reef that was half a metre away while carrying the bottle.

The PD’s gasp was clearly audible.

Jiang Cheng’s silhouette disappeared from their sight in no time. About 5 to 6 minutes later, the PD couldn’t help feeling anxious and called out, “Teacher Jiang? Are you good? Do you need us to come over to help?”

Shortly after those words fell, Jiang Cheng flipped over from the bottom of a reef in the distance and faced the direction where the PD was before saying, “I’ll come over from the other side!”

The cluster of reefs on that side was similar to the ragged outline of mountains. The cameraman aimed the camera there, and he caught sight of Jiang Cheng walking on the uneven rock surface with large strides. The latter’s steps were dexterous and steady, as if he had a spring attached to his feet.

Barely one minute later, Jiang Cheng had successfully reached the flat area of the beach. He then walked towards the PD.

The PD sighed in relief. Soon, he saw that the plastic bottle Jiang Cheng was carrying was filled to the brim with sea shells and conches. There was even a small octopus that was firmly attached to the bottle!

“So many!” The PD cried out in surprise.

Jiang Cheng said with a grin, “Let’s go back to grill the seafood.”

The PD repeatedly swallowed his saliva. He could already imagine how these incomparably fresh seafood would stimulate the taste buds once they were grilled.

The three of them walked to the campsite. As they got closer, they suddenly heard a scream coming from that direction. Soon after, it was followed by chaotic and flustered sounds.

The PD and the cameraman couldn’t help but quicken their pace. Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng was completely calm, looking as if he knew the situation there already.

When they reached the campsite, Song Ji-Jae was scrambling out of his tent. The entire tent looked as if it had been punched and kicked. The others were soon awake, and they came out of their tents in confusion.

Just then, they saw a long lizard darting out of Song Ji-Jae’s tent at lightning speed. It was even holding an insect with many long limbs that looked like a millipede in its mouth.

When Su Nuannuan saw it, she let out a frightened scream and quickly went to the back to hide.

There were a few red spots that seemed like mosquito bites on Song Ji-Jae’s face. He gave off the impression that he didn’t rest well, and there was a look of disbelief and confusion on his face.

Until he caught sight of Jiang Cheng coming back from the beach, looking quite lively. This state was the complete opposite of his.

Jiang Cheng looked in his direction with a slight nod and a faint smile.

Song Ji-Jae understood at once!

He immediately turned around to get into the tattered tent. A short while later, he came out with a bundle of light yellow-green flowers held in a death grip in his hand as he glared at Jiang Cheng.

The flowers he had given Jiang Cheng were back in his own tent!

“Huh? Why was Team Leader Song bitten like this? Is the flower useless? But, we all slept really well yesterday…” Jiang Xinghao asked, feeling puzzled. Song Ji-Jae also specially gave him a bundle of flowers yesterday.

Song Ji-Jae didn’t speak and just gritted his teeth tightly.

What he prepared for the others was some kind of twisted flower vine, and it was really a common type of insect repellent grass. What he gave Jiang Cheng, though, was soft rush that looked extremely similar to it.

Soft rush was precisely the opposite of the insect repellent grass, and was extremely attractive to insects.

The one who was invaded by insects became him now. The soft rush that should’ve been in Jiang Cheng’s tent was now in his tent. There was no trace of injury on Jiang Cheng, and he even seemed to have rested well. He also looked like he knew what had happened.

Jiang Cheng walked to Song Ji-Jae and said with a slight smile, “It seems that our team leader’s ability to distinguish between the types of weeds can still be improved.”

“Jiang Cheng!” Song Ji-Jae couldn’t help shouting loudly, and the veins on his temples bulged!

Jiang Cheng suppressed a smile and looked at Song Ji-Jae with a deep gaze, then asked, “Did I say anything wrong?”

Song Ji-Jae was flustered by the look in Jiang Cheng’s eyes and averted his gaze, forcing himself to act calm, and didn’t reply.

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