Chapter 7: Eat, Don’t Starve

A morning breeze swept across the island, carrying the briny scent of the sea, adding a touch of dryness to the salt-heavy air.

A faint trace of irritability and exhaustion lined Shisan’s brow.

He prided himself on having ample Wilderness Survival experience, but this was the first time he had ever led such a large group.

In just one short day, he felt a sense of fatigue and helplessness permeating his entire body.

Following Ding Yao’s words, everyone’s attention shifted toward him.

Shisan knew that the decision he made today would likely directly influence whether everyone could get along for the next thirty days.

After a moment of deliberation, Shisan said, “I suggest that everyone pool all their supplies here for unified distribution and allocation.”

As the words left his mouth, a visible change in expression crossed several faces.

Shisan explained, “I know some of you won’t be happy about this, but we are a community of shared destiny now. For the next thirty days, we must stand united.”

“We might face crises together later, or we might go hungry together. What we need is to face these things as one, rather than having some people feasting on their own supplies while others starve.”

“That would be detrimental to our team’s unity. After all, we all know we’re here to successfully survive these thirty days and get the reward, not to go on a vacation.”

Silence fell over the group as Shisan finished speaking.

Some of those who had been allocated more supplies earlier looked troubled, clearly resistant to this outcome.

Being allocated so many supplies was a result of their own strength, so why should they be forced to sacrifice?

Meanwhile, the members who had virtually no extra supplies showed clear signs of relief.

To them, this decision made them pure beneficiaries.

“Of course, the items contributed now won’t be given for nothing. If we run into resource shortages later, those who donated more supplies will have priority selection rights. What do you all think?”

No one raised an objection, and the expressions of those who had to hand over their dry rations and canned goods softened slightly.

Seeing the stalemate, Jing Xueqin, the person with the most supplies, took the initiative to step forward.

“I agree with this distribution method. The initial supplies were meant to make our early days easier, and I believe my individual strength isn’t enough to sustain survival on this Deserted Island. I’ll certainly need to rely on everyone’s help, so I agree to donate all my supplies. That includes six cans of meat, four cans of fruit, and some Compressed Biscuits.”

Jing Xueqin’s words made more than a few people’s eyelids twitch.

He was the one with the most initial supplies, and naturally, he was the one who stood to lose the most by agreeing to this plan.

His selfless display made it difficult for those who originally didn’t want to agree to cast a dissenting vote.

“I agree. I don’t have many supplies, but I’ll donate them all.”

“Mine too.”

Seeing everyone hand over their belongings one by one, Ding Yao’s brow furrowed tightly.

His hand gripped his backpack. Inside was the can of meat Jing Xueqin had just given him, which hadn’t even warmed up in his possession yet.

Now that everyone else had stated their position, only he remained.

He felt a sense of powerlessness.

In this situation, what could he do even if he disagreed? He couldn’t exactly leave like Qiao Yitong, could he?

On this Deserted Island, anyone could guess what the outcome of leaving would be.

He absolutely could not survive on his own.

So, regardless of the resentment in his heart, he could only follow the crowd for now.

Ding Yao took the cans out of his bag one by one and handed them over, stacking them with the others.

He noticed the man he had just fought with wearing a mocking smile, which made him feel even more uncomfortable, stinging him deeply.

As everyone set down their cans, the various containers piled up into a small mound.

To the famished group, it was undoubtedly a massive temptation.

If these cans were given to just one person, they could probably last a month if eaten sparingly.

But they knew.

Though it looked like a lot, when divided among everyone, it would barely be enough to satisfy a craving.

“Qi Qing, help tally the number of cans contributed by each person as a record. We’ll prioritize them when we distribute supplies later,” Shisan said.

Qi Qing nodded.

“Good. Since no one has any objections, let’s eat some dry rations first, and then we’ll properly arrange the task assignments for everyone’s survival.”

On the surface, the conflict was temporarily settled.

The eleven people sat around the campfire, gnawing on dry rations while listening to Shisan’s directions.

While things had calmed down on their end, the viewers in front of their screens were starting to get rowdy.

One bullet comment after another flashed across the Live Stream Room, expressing thoughts on the scene that had just unfolded.

• It’s hard to describe, honestly. His cans were voted for by fans one by one. By what right do they make him hand them over with just a few words? –

• Absolute fairness is impossible. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this decision. –

• Ahhh, Jing Bao really is an angel! He just donated so many supplies like that. Baby, please look out for yourself once in a while! –

• That was so sudden. I thought this team would be harmonious without that parasite Qiao Yitong, but I didn’t expect there to be a male version of Qiao Yitong in the group. Taking other people’s supplies without permission—he’s selfish to the core. –

• Heh, I’d say it’s lucky Qiao Yitong isn’t there, otherwise the fuss would probably be even worse. –

• I wouldn’t be so sure. It looks like Qiao Yitong is actually doing quite well over there… –

Things were indeed going very well and smoothly for Qiao Yitong.

While the other team was still in a state of chaos, she and Lu Cheng had been traveling quietly, the very picture of peace and tranquility.

Separated by just one region, the climate on both sides seemed to have changed.

As they neared the shore on the other side, although the air was still damp, the previous humid, sticky heat had vanished, replaced by a refreshing coolness.

Lu Cheng followed her for a long while, bathed in the refreshing environment. In a daze, he almost forgot he was in a survival situation, feeling instead as if he were on an expedition or a vacation.

However, when he looked back at the dense, flourishing forest, seeing nothing but lush greenery as far as the eye could reach with no trace of their landing point, his heart still felt somewhat uneasy.

A Deserted Island was fraught with hidden dangers.

Having completely distanced themselves from the main group and any hope of rescue, with only him and Qiao Yitong remaining, a sense of anxiety and fear inevitably crept into his mind.

After all, he was only a nineteen-year-old youth.

Feeling the unease in his heart, Lu Cheng quickened his pace to catch up, coming alongside Qiao Yitong. “Sister Tong, we’re getting further and further away from them. Besides, they might move over the next couple of days. If we keep going much further, I’m afraid it’ll be difficult if we want to find our way back later.”

Qiao Yitong acted as if she hadn’t heard him. She continued forward, using her hands to push aside the shrubs blocking her path.

“Sister Tong, I don’t mean anything by it, but our food is basically gone and we’re out of water. Shouldn’t we think of a plan?” Lu Cheng continued his well-intentioned persuasion.

Following Qiao Yitong blindly left him feeling truly uncertain.

Qiao Yitong slowed her pace slightly and asked, “Are you hungry?”

“I’m alright for now,” Lu Cheng answered honestly.

“Wait another half day,” Qiao Yitong said.

Her thoughts and goals were very simple: she needed to find a place to set up camp as soon as possible, so she didn’t want to waste too much time on the road.

Hearing this, Lu Cheng still felt a faint sense of unease, but seeing Qiao Yitong’s calm and composed demeanor, he decided to just go for it.

Though it had only been two short days, he had an intuitive feeling in his heart – follow Qiao Yitong, and there would be meat to eat!

The two of them continued forward into the unknown, one behind the other.

Just as Lu Cheng felt himself beginning to collapse from exhaustion, nearly at his limit, they finally reached the end of the forest.

Suddenly, the view opened up before them.

The dense jungle vanished, replaced by the sight of an infinite horizon where the sea met the sky, calm and vast.

Taking a few steps forward, they stepped onto soft white sand. The sea breeze carried a refreshing scent of sea salt, instantly lifting one’s spirits.

“What a beautiful beach,” Lu Cheng said, his eyes sparkling slightly with excitement.

Qiao Yitong also took a deep breath, savoring the wonderful air of this world, her mood brightening.

With a place like this, she could spend the next thirty days lying here on vacation. On the desolate Wasteland of her past life, she had never seen such beautiful scenery.

A faint smile touched the corners of Qiao Yitong’s lips.

After enjoying the clean, beautiful beach, Lu Cheng turned back and happened to catch the sight of Qiao Yitong smiling.

The sunlight filtered down onto her face, illuminating the fine downy hair on her skin, which looked soft enough to break at a touch.

She had exquisite features and gentle facial lines.

In that moment, Qiao Yitong looked like a porcelain doll, and Lu Cheng’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

It just so happened that Qiao Yitong turned to look back. The moment their eyes met, Lu Cheng felt like a thief caught in the act and stammered, “Tong… Sister Tong.”

“Hmm?” Qiao Yitong let out a questioning hum.

This made Lu Cheng panic even more. He hurriedly fumbled the last pack of Compressed Biscuits out of his pocket. “Sister Tong, are you hungry? Here, you eat.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth, before Qiao Yitong could respond, Lu Cheng’s stomach gave a loud growl.

Lu Cheng’s face turned red instantly.

Qiao Yitong withdrew her gaze and said to him, “I’m not hungry. You eat.”

She was, after all, a Culinary Cultivator. While that drop of Spiritual Power drifted within her Sea of Consciousness, she had been continuously absorbing natural energy from her surroundings to nourish herself.

Therefore, she hadn’t consumed much physical energy during the trek.

But Lu Cheng was different.

He was a mortal of flesh and blood, without the blessing of Spiritual Power. After walking for so long, it was only natural for him to be tired and hungry.

Lu Cheng looked at the last piece of Compressed Biscuits in his hand.

Hunger made saliva begin to pool in his mouth.

But in the end, he closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and stuffed the Compressed Biscuits back into his bag.

Seeing this, Qiao Yitong asked calmly, “Why aren’t you eating?”

Lu Cheng tried to act nonchalant. “It’s the last piece. I’ll save it. Besides, I’m not that hungry.”

The moment he finished speaking, his stomach growled again.

Feeling awkward, Lu Cheng instinctively grabbed the water bottle from his bag and unscrewed it, intending to fill his stomach with water instead.

But as soon as he opened it, he screwed the cap back on.

It was also the last bottle of water.

It could save their lives at a critical moment. For now, he could still endure a little longer.

Qiao Yitong: “…”

Was that really necessary?

It wasn’t exactly a precious treasure.

With that thought, she stepped forward and took the Compressed Biscuits from the side pocket of Lu Cheng’s bag.

Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop her.

He could endure it himself, but if Qiao Yitong was hungry, he didn’t mind her eating the biscuits.

Girls were bound to have less physical stamina than boys, after all.

It had been a hard journey for her too.

While Lu Cheng was thinking this, he saw Qiao Yitong crisply tear open the packaging, revealing the Compressed Biscuits inside.

In the next second, under Lu Cheng’s stunned gaze.

She reached out and held the Compressed Biscuits to his lips.

“Eat,” Qiao Yitong said coolly. “Don’t starve to death.”