Against the Light - Chapter 9
Chapter 9: One Pro and Five Bronzes
After they finished eating, the two of them took a nap right where they were.
Gu Xinran pillowed her head on her arm, gazing at the azure sky above, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.
She remembered her past life, the day she first met Yilan. The sky had been just as clear and vast.
It was at the company's annual gala. She had attended with her family, dressed in a simple, clean white floral dress. Though her attire was the most understated, she was, by far, the most eye-catching person among her peers.
She smiled gently, bowing politely in return to those who greeted her.
Xinran had always remembered that smile—a sweet little dimple by her lips, so soft it melted one's heart.
That one glance lasted a lifetime.
Later, during the many days when she felt she couldn't go on, she relied on that warm smile to draw precious strength.
She felt her pants pocket, only then remembering her phone wasn't with her. Alas, no videos of Yilan to watch.
She sat up quietly. Seeing that Fang Jinghai was still asleep, she didn't wake her. Barefoot, she stepped onto the leaves they had laid out earlier and walked to the edge of the stream.
She rolled up her pant legs, picked up the fish spear, and waded into the water again.
In the live broadcast room, the host also noticed her actions.
"Hey, Gu Xinran is in the water. This time, let's get a good look at how she catches a fish!"
Gu Xinran stood in the river, the tip of her fish spear submerged beneath the surface. She found her direction and stood quietly, like a statue. About seven or eight minutes passed, and she remained motionless. The host thought her signal had frozen and was about to speak when Gu Xinran suddenly moved!
The audience only saw the Gu Xinran on screen suddenly thrust the spear into the water without any warning. When she lifted it, a fish was impaled on the tines, still struggling in its final moments.
The two hosts were also dumbfounded. What the???
They glanced at the other screen showing Luo Bing and the others. They had found a river half an hour ago and started fishing, but so far, they had caught nothing and were on the verge of giving up. And here she was???
【??? She caught a fish with just a random jab? Are you kidding me? The group next door with Luo Bing has been trying for half an hour and has nothing. How is it so easy for her? Are there that many fish? Or is the fish on good terms with her and actively impaled itself on the spear?】
【Hahahaha, the fish is on good terms with her, that's a good one.】
【Is the person above trying to kill me with laughter? Hahahaha.】
【Where's the camera, where's the camera? Cut to a close-up! Why is this camerawoman still sleeping!】
Fang Jinghai was sleeping soundly when her earpiece exploded again as she was called out and criticized once more.
"Fang Jinghai! Get your ass up and work!!! What the hell are you sleeping for? The guest isn't even sleeping, and you are!!"
Fang Jinghai startled awake, scrambled to her feet, hoisted the camera onto her shoulder, and rushed to the stream to film Gu Xinran.
"Film the fish for me!!!" the director roared.
Fang Jinghai immediately tilted the camera down. She saw a fish swim past Gu Xinran's leg, even pushing in for a close-up. The next second, that very fish was speared.
【Hahaha, a big close-up right before death. The fish: It's like my fate was sealed. peaceful.jpg】
【Damn, Gu Xinran is ruthless, isn't she? Could we get a mosaic on this kind of shot, please? It's too bloody and violent. I've never seen such a ruthless female celebrity.】
【How is it not bloody and violent when you eat fish? Pigs, sheep, and cows are all killed this way, so why aren't you calling that bloody and violent? Where did this bleeding heart come from?】
【I have to say something here. She definitely has a technique for fishing. By keeping the spear tip below the water's surface, she effectively avoids the visual distortion caused by refraction. The group next door with Luo Bing is aiming at where they see the fish, so of course they can't hit it. Plus, she stands motionless in the water, so she doesn't startle the fish. Now look at the other group, they're practically having a water fight. It'd be a miracle if the fish weren't scared away.】
【I second the comment above. The mindless haters are going too far. Is it that hard to admit someone else is excellent? Also, I feel bad for Huo Jie. This group of guests is so hard to lead.】
【Ran fans, stop pretending to be neutral bystanders and trying to stir things up, okay?】
【? I've been putting up with you Bing fans for a long time. At least in this show, she hasn't caused trouble for anyone. She's been strong on her own and hasn't felt wronged even when isolated. Your master is so great, why don't you let her try going solo? When she acted a bit extreme in the past, you all flamed her, and I just lay flat and let you mock. But she hasn't done anything now, has she? Still mindlessly hating?】
【The constant arguing is so annoying. What's wrong with kids these days? Can't you just watch a show peacefully? I thought it was interesting at first, but you all are making me not want to watch anymore.】
Gu Xinran had no idea that the bullet comments were in an uproar, much less that she actually had fans defending her. Right now, she was packing up the two fish she had just caught, putting on her shoes and socks, and signaling for Fang Jinghai to get moving.
She had checked the map. Following the river would lead them into a dense forest. Passing through the forest would get them to the finish line. She didn't need to rush today. She would walk to the entrance of the forest before dark, spend the night safely, and then enter the woods the next morning with plenty of food and water.
Meanwhile, the other team had rushed and hurried, arriving at the entrance to the dense forest in the afternoon. They finally saw the stream. The group spent a long time trying to catch fish, and in the end, they relied on Huo Jie's experience to catch two. Five people shared two small, flavorless fish, barely filling their stomachs. By now, the few delicate ones were completely unable to walk, clamoring to rest here for the night.
As the sky gradually darkened, Luo Bing took out some matches and lit a fire. The group sat around the campfire, no longer as energetic as they were in the morning, and certainly in no mood to chat about makeup or fashion.
Huo Jie smiled and tried to encourage everyone. "Now you know how tough this show is, right? It doesn't just test your survival skills, but also your mental fortitude. Don't be so down. I'm here, and I'll definitely get you all out."
"Yeah, I believe you," Luo Bing nodded at her, encouraging the others.
"Sigh, I wonder how Gu Xinran is doing. It must be even harder for her, being all alone, right?" Shen Can suddenly sighed, looking a little worried.
"It's fine. I just asked the director. She's right behind us and will be here soon. When she arrives, let's have her join us. I'm really not comfortable with her being alone after dark," Huo Jie said, seeking the others' opinions.
"She's the one who wanted to be alone," Zhang Tingting said resentfully.
"Weren't you the one who said you didn't want to be in a group with her?" Shen Can retorted.
"Well- well, you agreed too, didn't you?"
"Alright, what's there to argue about?" Huo Jie shot her a few glances, her anger rising. She then turned to Luo Bing. "Luo Luo, what do you think?"
"I'm fine with whatever. It depends on whether she's willing."
"Okay."
The group used their pot to boil some water and cook some mushrooms, glumly eating the tasteless fungi.
As they were eating, they saw a beam of light in the distance.
Huo Jie got up and went to meet it. "Xinran, are you okay?"
Gu Xinran was a little surprised. She hadn't thought anyone would come talk to her.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Uh, it's getting dark soon. You should stay with us. I'm worried otherwise. Have you eaten? I cooked some mushrooms, want to have some with us?"
Gu Xinran tilted her head and glanced toward the campfire. She saw Zhang Tingting's gloating expression, and Luo Bing staring at her, as if trying to see just how pathetic she looked.
Gu Xinran smiled and took a plastic bag out of her backpack. "Sister Huo, thank you, but I'd rather not be a bother. Here, this is for you."
After speaking, she turned and walked seven or eight meters away from the group, put down her backpack, and prepared to rest.
Huo Jie froze for a moment, then opened the plastic bag and looked inside. She was stunned.
"Hey, what is it?" Shen Can ran over curiously. "Wow! Food! Mushrooms, and bird eggs! Wow, wow, wow, and seasoning! Ahhh, we finally don't have to eat plain boiled mushrooms anymore, boohoohoohoo!"
"She's too nice, boohoo, just too nice!!" Shen Can was so moved she almost burst into tears. Ever since eating that flavorless fish at noon, she had been regretting not taking the seasoning. If she had known she'd get to eat grilled fish, she definitely would have taken the seasoning!
Huo Jie glanced at Gu Xinran, then ran back to the campfire to get matches from Luo Bing.
"Xinran, here's some fire…" She trailed off mid-sentence when she saw Gu Xinran shaping dry grass into a bird's nest. Realizing what she was about to do, she immediately started watching with great interest.
Gu Xinran took out a wooden board with a hole drilled in it and a stick. She placed tinder under the board, stepped on it with one foot, and began to make fire with the hand drill.
As she worked, a wisp of white smoke gradually rose from the board. She picked up the tinder and blew on it gently. Seeing a flame, she placed it on the ground and added more fuel to help it grow.
Huo Jie was completely dumbfounded, staring at the matches in her hand.
"How did you do that? I've been learning for a long time, but my success rate is very low," Huo Jie said, incredibly curious.
"You need to use a bit of finesse with this. With more practice, you'll definitely learn."
"Tsk, you're amazing. The director definitely didn't expect he'd found a pro!"
Gu Xinran smiled. "It's not that exaggerated."
"Hey, you gave us your food. What about you?"
"It's okay, I have more."
"Tsk." Huo Jie gave her a thumbs-up and went back to take care of the delicate ones.
"Wow, the seasoning makes all the difference. It's like it's been infused with a soul. It smells so good!" Shen Can's eyes were practically falling into the pot. She sniffed without a care for her image; it smelled heavenly.
"Is she not coming over?" Shen Can asked.
Huo Jie shook her head. "Now that's a true survival expert. She's not on the same level as us."
"What? Is she that good?"
"Look at her condition. She's glowing and not the least bit disheveled. Now look at us," Huo Jie said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Ahem."
"Alright, hurry up and eat something so you can sleep. It's been a long day."
"I'm not eating. I'm too tired. I'm going to sleep," Luo Bing said, then got up, walked to the side, crawled into her sleeping bag, and used her backpack as a pillow.
Zhang Tingting and Zhao Jia looked slightly awkward. They wanted to eat, but seeing Luo Bing's attitude, they didn't dare.
"If you don't eat your fill now, you might not get to eat tomorrow," Huo Jie said.
"Mmm! So good!" Shen Can fished out a piece of mushroom, a look of pure satisfaction on her face. The other two watched her resentfully.
Shen Can chuckled, her gaze falling on Gu Xinran. She froze. "What is she doing?"
The others turned to look and saw Gu Xinran holding a fish, skillfully skewering it with a branch, and placing it over the fire to roast. After finishing one, she magically produced another and began to leisurely roast it.
"Ahhhhhhhhh————" Shen Can went crazy.
【Is this… the story of one pro and five bronzes?】
【Hahahaha Cancan is so cute. The mushrooms in the pot suddenly don't seem so fragrant anymore!】
【Give Luo Luo something to eat! She's only had half a compressed biscuit and a few mushrooms all day! She won't be able to hold on like this!!!】
【It was Luo Bing herself who didn't want to eat, get it straight, okay?】
【This Zhang Tingting is so annoying. The more I watch, the more of a bootlicker she seems.】
【Why am I so happy seeing Luo Bing's annoyed face???】
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