Chapter 45: Shen, Yan, Shu

Qiao Yitong’s reaction was so intense that even though the others were in the dark, they could guess that this name held extraordinary significance for her.

Shen Yanshu was equally surprised. He didn’t understand why Qiao Yitong would react so strongly to his name.

“Shen as in the three-water radical¹, Yan as in inkstone, and Shu as in book,” Shen Yanshu replied.

Qiao Yitong’s pupils trembled slightly.

Her thoughts seemed to flash back to her previous life in an instant.

After her Master had decided to take her in, he had not only protected her and fed her, but he had also taught her all kinds of knowledge.

In her youth, she had never learned to read or write.

Her Master had held her hand, guiding her stroke by stroke as she learned to write her own name.

After finishing hers, she wrote her Master’s.

When she had painstakingly but earnestly finished writing his name, she looked at the three magical characters on the paper and asked, “Master, what are these three words?”

“Shen, Yan, Shu,” her Master explained slowly. “Shen as in the three-water radical, Yan as in inkstone, and Shu as in book.”

“Shen, Yan, Shu,” little Yitong repeated, pointing at the characters one by one.

The corner of her Master’s mouth twitched slightly as he rubbed her head with a faint smile.

Now, the Doctor before her eyes began to overlap with the Master in her memory.

There were too many similarities between the two.

How could this be?

Who was he?

And where was her Master?

Conflicting thoughts intertwined in Qiao Yitong’s mind, and her grip on the wood scraps in her hand tightened.

“Is something wrong? Is there an issue with my name?” Shen Yanshu asked. His tone was gentle and polite, yet devoid of any intimacy.

Qiao Yitong felt an inexplicable bitterness in her heart, mixed with a touch of irritability.

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, gradually calming her emotions.

When she opened her eyes again, she appeared no different than usual. “That name is the same as an old acquaintance of mine.”

“Is that so?” Shen Yanshu smiled warmly. “That’s quite a coincidence.”

“Yes, quite a coincidence,” Qiao Yitong said flatly.

The two continued their calm exchange, yet an invisible pressure radiated from Qiao Yitong.

No one else interrupted, but once their conversation ended, Lu Cheng asked with feigned nonchalance, “Sister Tong, was that old acquaintance… very important to you?”

As he asked, Lu Cheng acted as if he didn’t care, but his ears seemed to perk up instinctively.

Qiao Yitong’s expression shifted slightly. “Yes, very important.”

She didn’t describe exactly how important, but the weight of that significance could be felt through her understated tone.

Lu Cheng opened his mouth, wanting to make a witty remark about that “importance,” but in the end, nothing came out.

He lowered his head and pursed his lips, a faint spark of jealousy flickering in his chest.

Shen Yanshu. That name was now etched into his mind as well.

Very important to Sister Tong?

Who was this person?

What did they do?

What kind of “important” were they talking about?

One thought after another popped into Lu Cheng’s head. He felt as if his entire world was about to collapse.

But he had no one to talk to about these feelings; he could only suppress them in his heart and digest them slowly on his own.

Deng You, on the other hand, didn’t think that much.

From the very beginning, he had a clear understanding of his position; he was a realist.

His greatest desire was simply to have Sister Tong recognize him as a friend—or even if they weren’t friends, it didn’t matter, as long as she didn’t mind him hanging around to help her out.

So, hearing that Sister Tong had someone more important didn’t bother him much.

Deng You gave Lu Cheng a sympathetic look.

This kid was probably going to be emo² for a while.

Time to watch the drama unfold.

In the Main Live Stream, as the group sat together chatting, the atmosphere was pleasant, but some viewers who weren’t interested in daily life segments began to leave one by one.

In the monitoring room.

The director saw that the audience in the Main Live Stream was losing interest and the popularity was gradually declining, so he simply switched the feed.

The figures of Shisan and the others suddenly appeared in the Main Live Stream.

Some viewers who were about to leave saw the screen change and stayed out of curiosity.

“What’s going on with this group?”

“The contrast in environments is staggering. How did they end up so miserable?”

“Man, seeing Shisan’s situation suddenly reminded me—aren’t we watching a survival variety show? This kind of scene is what’s normal for a survival show, right?”

“Why did they run so far away? I remember they were on the beach right next to Qiao Yitong before. That environment was pretty good, why give it up?”

“Heh, isn’t it because that unethical Qiao Yitong brought back a tiger? She only cares about herself and doesn’t give a damn about anyone else’s life.”

“Whenever Jing Bao gets involved with anything related to Qiao Yitong, things never go well. Qiao Yitong is such a jinx.”

“Wait? Hahaha, are Jing Xueqin’s fans still here? Didn’t you see Zhou Yifei come over to negotiate? Even though Sister Tong holds all the cards, he still wants to cooperate with her. Aren’t you afraid that after calling her a jinx now, your precious idol will be begging her for help in a couple of days?”

“Qiao Yitong’s fans are so narcissistic. Besides, Jing Bao is Jing Bao; he has nothing to do with Qiao Yitong. Please, Qiao Yitong, stop trying to cling to him.”

“Exactly. Jing Xueqin can do perfectly fine on his own. Those deadweights should get lost as soon as possible so Jing Bao doesn’t have to take care of them every day.”

…

It had to be said that since Jing Xueqin’s arrival, although he hadn’t performed any eye-catching feats yet, the contrast with Qiao Yitong’s situation had effectively “tortured” his fans into a protective frenzy.

While Qiao Yitong’s side was already living the good life, their side was still a chaotic mess.

They couldn’t escape the hard labor—diving for fish and searching for fruit.

And the result? After finally managing to sit down and eat, Jing Xueqin had to deal with his teammates bickering and face accusations that he was eating more and better than everyone else.

Anyone who put themselves in his shoes would feel a sense of pity for Jing Xueqin.

Although it wasn’t the way he had imagined, this wave of “misery marketing” had worked perfectly to solidify his fan base.

On this day, Zhou Yifei expressed his dissatisfaction yet again. It was glaringly obvious that the team was no longer united. In the midst of this, Song Weiqiang—a man of average looks and average behavior who lacked any real presence and had barely offered an opinion until now—patted Jing Xueqin on the shoulder. The two of them walked off together toward a secluded spot.

From behind, it looked as if they were discussing where to go next to fish, gather fruit, or how to distribute their labor.

However, while Song Weiqiang’s body language conveyed that message, his words were entirely different.

“More than half our time is up,” Song Weiqiang said. “If we want to stick to the original plan, we have to start preparing now.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Jing Xueqin asked with a bitter smile.

“Qiao Yitong is a variable. No one expected her trajectory to turn out like this, but strictly speaking, there isn’t actually a competitive relationship between the two of you,” Song Weiqiang noted.

Jing Xueqin looked thoughtful.

Song Weiqiang continued, “What you want is a transition. You want to strip away the ‘pretty boy’ label. You want to show your masculine side and stop relying on that idol persona.”

Jing Xueqin nodded slightly.

“So, as long as you show your manly side, nothing else matters,” Song Weiqiang said.

“I’ve already done everything I can do,” Jing Xueqin replied.

On this island, the possibilities were extremely limited. He felt he had already pushed himself to the limit.

“No, there is one more thing,” Song Weiqiang said.

“Oh?”

“Yesterday, while I was looking for fruit, I passed through a stretch of swampland and found a crocodile inside.” Song Weiqiang’s voice instinctively dropped lower.

Jing Xueqin’s heart tightened at the mention of a crocodile.

Could Song Weiqiang mean…

Song Weiqiang quickly confirmed that he hadn’t guessed wrong.

“Right now, Qiao Yitong’s greatest achievement is catching a wild boar. But in the public’s mind, a crocodile is far more dangerous than a boar. If we can capture a crocodile, the company can use that as a promotional hook. I believe your transition would be complete in no time,” Song Weiqiang explained.

“Let me think about it,” Jing Xueqin said.

“Think fast. If we wait too long, that crocodile might move,” Song Weiqiang said. He then pointed in another direction and raised his voice, saying loudly, “Then I’ll go check over there. Maybe I’ll find something.”

“Alright,” Jing Xueqin replied.

The two men headed off in separate directions to explore.

No one knew what they had just discussed. Looking at them, most would assume they were just coordinating where to search for food.

No one would have guessed that in that brief window of time, the two had laid out a preliminary plan and strategy for Jing Xueqin’s future marketing direction.

Indeed.

Song Weiqiang was no ordinary guest.

He had been specifically sent by Jing Xueqin’s company to assist him during the show and create “highlight moments” for him when necessary.

Furthermore, Song Weiqiang’s identity was not as simple as the official statement claimed—he wasn’t just a regular low-level office worker.

He was a former overseas Special Forces soldier with extensive tactical knowledge and wilderness combat experience.

His purpose for joining this variety show was twofold: first, to ensure Jing Xueqin’s safety.

Second, as a professional operative sent by the company, he was there to consult with Jing Xueqin and help design his path forward.

After receiving this news from Song Weiqiang, Jing Xueqin appeared calm on the surface, but he was actually restless.

He knew Song Weiqiang was right.

He desperately needed a defining event to establish his new persona.

Otherwise, this entire variety show would be a waste of time, and all the hardships he had endured would be for nothing.

But should he agree?

He would be facing a crocodile, after all.

Jing Xueqin closed his eyes and began to mentally prepare himself.

He spent the rest of the day building up his resolve until, finally, he made his decision.

That evening.

After finishing dinner, everyone was tidying up around the campfire to clear a comfortable space for sleeping.

While the others were still busy, Jing Xueqin suddenly spoke up. “By the way, while I was exploring today, I found a crocodile in a swamp. We’ve been eating fish and fruit every day; it’s about time we had a change of pace. I plan to go hunting tonight. Is anyone willing to come with me?”

The moment Jing Xueqin spoke, everyone present froze.

It was true they were here for a Wilderness Survival show.

Before coming, they had seen videos of survival experts wrestling crocodiles with their bare hands.

However, they had never imagined they would be the ones doing it.

That was a crocodile!

It was anyone’s guess who would be the hunter and who would be the prey.

Song Weiqiang didn’t respond immediately to Jing Xueqin’s proposal.

Instead, he waited a moment, letting the idea of hunting a crocodile sink in. He wanted the shock to linger, allowing the others to feel a sense of admiration and awe for Jing Xueqin before he finally spoke. “I’ll go with you.”

Jing Xueqin nodded.

With someone taking the lead, the others began to waver.

Shisan had a natural thirst for adventure. Ever since he started exploring, his idol had been Bear Grylls³.

Wrestling a crocodile sounded like something that would make anyone’s blood pump.

It was rare to find like-minded people to go on such a venture with.

“Count me in too,” Shisan said.

With three people committed, the others looked at one another.

Finally, the Fitness Coach, Xu Yang, stepped forward. “I’ll go too. To be honest, after starving for so many days, I really want to eat something different to improve our diet.”

“Four people should be enough. We’ll head out tonight,” Jing Xueqin said, seeking everyone’s final agreement.

No one raised an objection.

And so, the mission was set.

When their conversation reached the ears of the netizens watching the stream, every single one of them began to doubt what they were hearing.

“Wait, did I hear that right? They’re planning to find a crocodile?”

“You heard right. These guys have finally grown some backbone.”

“I never expected Jing Xueqin to be the one to suggest this. If they actually dare to go after a crocodile today, regardless of whether they succeed, I’ll apologize for calling Jing Xueqin a gutless pretty boy.”

“To be honest, I don’t agree with them going after a crocodile. They aren’t Qiao Yitong. Their combat skills are average at best. Going after a crocodile is just asking for death, isn’t it?”

“They finally managed to get some peace and quiet. They should just stay put and stop causing trouble. If they really want to improve their diet, trading with Qiao Yitong is much more practical than hunting a crocodile.”

The netizens were chiming in one after another.

Most of the people watching the show now were just there for the drama.

But even if these drama-seekers enjoyed watching the celebrities struggle through various antics, they didn’t actually want to see them in life-threatening danger.

This was especially true for Jing Xueqin’s fans.

Before Jing Xueqin had actually attempted anything dangerous, his fans had been boasting about how their “Big Brother” had specifically trained in combat and had top-tier fighting skills.

But the moment they saw that Jing Xueqin was actually going to do something dangerous, every single fan began to worry.

One by one, they started shouting in the bullet chat for him not to go.

However, their words could never change the decisions made by the people on the screen.

The night was as dark as ink. Once the sky had completely blackened, the four of them quietly set off on their journey to find the crocodile.

The four followed the coastline. On the surface, it looked like Jing Xueqin was leading the way, but in reality, Song Weiqiang was constantly giving him directional guidance from behind.

Song Weiqiang knew exactly how to keep the spotlight focused on Jing Xueqin.

As they traveled, no one noticed that the person who actually knew the location was Song Weiqiang, not Jing Xueqin.

Finally, they reached the edge of the swamp.

A foul, rotting stench permeated the marshland. Redwood trees, which they hadn’t seen in a long time, were rooted everywhere here, their branches interlaced and twisting, creating significant obstacles to their progress.

“Everyone, be careful,” Jing Xueqin said.

His heart began to race uncontrollably. He had made this decision on a sudden impulse, and now there was no turning back.

What they were facing was the unknown, and it was extremely lethal.

One wrong move could cost them their lives.

Until they confirmed the crocodile’s exact location, they were in constant danger.

“Stay alert, everyone. Approach slowly,” Shisan added.

Speaking allowed him to relax just a little bit.

They crept toward the source of the sound. By the faint moonlight, they finally saw the crocodile lying on the edge of the swamp.

The crocodile’s scales were rough, and its physical structure, seemingly belonging to a prehistoric creature, naturally carried a terrifying, awe-inspiring sense of pressure.

When Jing Xueqin’s eyes met the cold gaze of the beast, a shiver ran through his entire body.

He wanted to run.

That was Jing Xueqin’s first instinct.

But he knew very well that if he ran now, he would never be able to redeem himself in the future.

The labels of “coward” and “deserter” would be stuck to him for the rest of his life.

So, he had no choice but to brace himself and press on.

Beside him, Song Weiqiang handed Jing Xueqin a length of rope.

Jing Xueqin snapped back to his senses and gave instructions to the others. “A crocodile has immense bite force. Its main attack method is the death roll after it bites its prey. Our best bet is for someone to lure it from the front, while two people stay behind it and take the chance to loop the rope around its snout. If we can control its mouth, we’ll succeed.”

Jing Xueqin’s calm command in the face of danger made the others look at him with newfound respect.

“I’ll do the luring,” Song Weiqiang volunteered immediately.

Jing Xueqin nodded and looked at Shisan. “Brother Shisan, you and I will take the chance to loop the rope?”

“Alright.”

“Xu Yang, you watch from the side and provide support whenever needed, okay?” Jing Xueqin asked.

“No problem,” Xu Yang said.

Hearing Jing Xueqin’s arrangement, Xu Yang felt a secret sense of relief.

He had come along entirely on impulse, but the moment he saw the crocodile perched there, he had already started having second thoughts.

Being assigned to support rather than immediate frontal combat suited him perfectly.

The group quickly dispersed and took their positions.

Jing Xueqin and Shisan gripped the rope, both feeling their palms slick with sweat.

“I’m starting,” Song Weiqiang said.

It was more of a warning to Jing Xueqin.

The two of them nodded.

Song Weiqiang held a spear made from a wooden pole. He steadied his breathing and stared intently into the crocodile’s eyes.

As they locked eyes, the tension in the air grew thicker.

Ultimately, the crocodile was the first to lose its patience and launch an attack.

At that exact moment, Song Weiqiang moved, thrusting the spear fiercely toward the crocodile’s eye.

The crocodile jerked its head aside to dodge, but the spear still struck the side of its head.

In pain, the crocodile instantly went into a frenzy.

It lashed its tail violently, sending clouds of mud flying in all directions.

The crocodile’s sudden surge and rage startled Jing Xueqin and Shisan, but they knew the opportunity Song Weiqiang had created wasn’t easy to come by, and they didn’t dare waste it.

They constantly adjusted their positions. Finally, Song Weiqiang, being quick-witted and fast-acting, took advantage of the moment the crocodile was distracted by the others. He lunged forward and stabbed the crocodile’s eye with his spear.

The eyes were the crocodile’s weak point.

This strike sent the crocodile into a pained roll.

It could no longer focus on the others. Jing Xueqin wasn’t about to let this hard-won chance slip away. With his adrenaline surging, he shared a look with Shisan, and the two of them quickly threw the rope, looping it over the crocodile’s snout.

Jing Xueqin had specifically learned how to tie the necessary knots before coming to the island.

When they saw the rope catch on the crocodile’s mouth, Jing Xueqin’s eyes lit up.

“Pull the rope! Now!” Jing Xueqin shouted.

He and Shisan pulled with all their might. The crocodile’s jaws were cinched shut, preventing it from biting.

That single move stripped the creature of most of its combat capability.

“Pin it down!” Song Weiqiang shouted.

Jing Xueqin and Shisan both froze for a second, their immediate reaction being a tingling sensation of dread across their scalps.

The crocodile was still struggling violently in the mud. One wrong move and they would be finished.

Pin it down?

Shisan didn’t move immediately, but Jing Xueqin, seeing the crocodile was about to break free, didn’t have time for second thoughts. He lunged forward and threw his weight onto the beast.

However, his strength was ultimately limited, and his positioning was off. The crocodile gave a sudden thrash, sending him sliding; his hand scraped against a jagged, dead branch nearby, leaving a bloody gash.

It was at that moment that Song Weiqiang stepped in. With a single stride, he straddled the crocodile’s back, his hands clamping down like iron pincers around the reptile’s jaws.

Jing Xueqin felt the pressure lift instantly.

The crocodile’s body could barely writhe now, and its mouth was locked shut.

He felt as though he could let go entirely and the crocodile would remain completely pinned under Song Weiqiang’s control.

But he didn’t get up. He knew exactly why Song Weiqiang was taking these risks out here.

Jing Xueqin suddenly turned to the others and shouted, “Get the rope, quickly! I can’t hold on much longer!”

As he spoke, the veins on Jing Xueqin’s forehead and arms bulged prominently.

He looked exactly like a man fighting with every ounce of his strength, as if he didn’t have a single drop of energy to spare.

Watching this from his position, Song Weiqiang raised an eyebrow slightly.

Was this the true power of a professional actor?

By his estimation, Jing Xueqin wasn’t actually exerting much force at all right now.

Yet, he managed to create the vivid impression that the entire effort of subduing the crocodile rested solely on his shoulders.

Song Weiqiang lowered his gaze, playing along with the performance.

After all, cooperating with Jing Xueqin and helping him build his public persona was part of his job.

Hearing Jing Xueqin’s cry, Shisan and Xu Yang rushed forward. The two of them took another rope and wound it around the crocodile’s snout loop after loop, tying it off with a heavy knot.

Once they were certain the crocodile couldn’t break free, the four men finally stood up.

The crocodile continued to struggle in the mud, thrashing and rolling for about half an hour before its energy finally gave out, leaving it lying there motionless.

Only after it had completely stopped moving did the four of them drag it out of the mud pit.

They slid a wooden pole through the bindings and carried the crocodile back toward the base.

On the trek back, every face was flushed with excitement.

After all…

This was about more than just capturing a crocodile.

More importantly, it was a badge of honor.

They had battled a crocodile and returned in triumph.

Among them, Jing Xueqin displayed a particular sense of pride and exhilaration, every movement radiating arrogance.

It was as if his contribution had been the deciding factor in the hunt.

Beside him, Song Weiqiang watched Jing Xueqin, looking as if he wanted to say something but ultimately held his tongue.

Translator’s Notes