"You think you're somebody important, putting on airs here!"
Li Degui's disdainful voice came from behind me.
I ignored him.
I walked carefully into the rainforest, leaving markers along the way to avoid getting lost.
After walking for some time, I suddenly felt a cool breeze.
I pushed aside some leaves and found a bamboo grove ahead!
Seeing this, I felt not happiness, but a heavy heart!
Despite being in a tropical rainforest climate, the island had coniferous trees that grew in frigid regions, and now bamboo. This island was not right!
I quietly became more alert.
I didn't want to fall into a ditch after boasting.
The humid air made my nose itch, and the occasional bird call echoed from the sky.
I surveyed my surroundings, and finding no movement, I tapped a bamboo stalk with my hand.
The bamboo produced a few crisp sounds. My eyes lit up; this bamboo was neither too young nor too old, perfect material for tools!
I found a thin stone nearby and used it to hack at the bamboo.
Before long, I obtained a stalk. I sharpened the tip with the stone, crafting a bamboo spear.
I then split the remaining bamboo into fine strips and found a safe spot where I could observe my surroundings, intending to weave a simple basket.
Suddenly, I casually looked up and met a pair of small eyes!
As soon as it saw me looking, it quickly retracted its head.
Damn, this little creature appeared at just the right time. It was a bamboo rat!
Alas, poor little thing, I'm starving, and you've come right to my doorstep.
You can only blame your bad luck!
I flipped my hand, pulled out a few bamboo strips, fashioned a simple rat trap, and placed it at the entrance of the burrow.
Then, while weaving the basket, I waited for dinner to arrive.
Just as I expected, the little creature soon poked its head out and sniffed the air.
It then blundered right into the trap I had set for it.
Quick as lightning, I sprang forward, scooped it up, and tossed it into the bamboo basket.
This is truly living off the land.
Eating bamboo rats delivered right to my door while sitting in the bamboo grove!
Next, I found several more bamboo rat burrows in the grove and set traps in the same manner.
I didn't sit idle while waiting. I roughly mapped out the terrain of the bamboo grove.
On the east side of the bamboo grove, I discovered a small pond and even caught a few frogs along the way.
Although these creatures looked rather unpleasant, they tasted delicious.
After catching a few more bamboo rats, I shouldered the basket, took my bamboo spear, and followed the markers back to the shelter.
I had arrived empty-handed, but I was returning with a full bounty.
I couldn't help but hum a happy tune, strolling back to the shelter.
Upon my return, I immediately saw Li Degui sleeping. The area was empty, so I knew this braggart had found nothing!
"Well, well, Vice President Li, taking a nap? Where's the food?"
I casually placed the bamboo basket on the sand and taunted Li Degui.
Li Degui's face stiffened, and he immediately shouted, "If it weren't for the drastic temperature changes here, making me vomit and have diarrhea, you country bumpkin wouldn't be here spouting off!"
Heh, you can talk a big game.
I couldn't be bothered to argue with him. I opened the basket and took out a bamboo rat.
The arduous journey through mountains and rivers, coupled with the constant need to be vigilant of my surroundings, had my stomach growling.
Shangguan Yao, standing nearby, showed a look of disgust upon seeing the bamboo rat I had brought back. Pan Lili also took a few steps back in fright.
"Lu Ziye, why did you bring back a rat! That's disgusting!"
What's with these two girls, so indecisive? Their brains are as short as their hair.
"This is a bamboo rat, not a common rat. Never mind, you won't be eating it anyway."
I expertly dispatched the bamboo rats and frogs one by one, skewered them, and placed them by the campfire.
As the aroma of roasting meat slowly filled the air, several grumbles could be heard from nearby.
I turned around and saw Shangguan Yao unconsciously swallowing, while Pan Lili's eyes seemed to bulge with longing.
Heh, so much for listening to that scoundrel Li Degui. Now you know what hunger feels like.
I scoffed disdainfully, deliberately picked up a skewer of roasted bamboo rat, and took a bite. The skin and meat separated between my lips, and the aroma burst forth.
The sound of the two women swallowing became even louder.
"Yao'er, Lili. Don't bother watching this brat eat. He might catch some infectious disease from eating rats. Let's stay away from him!"
Li Degui, seeing that Shangguan Yao and Pan Lili were enticed by the food, quickly sat up and badmouthed me to the two women.
Is this Li Degui an idiot?
He can't even tell the difference between a bamboo rat and a common rat!
I slowly ate a bamboo rat and casually picked up another skewer.
Li Degui glared at me resentfully, licked his lips, turned his head, and gestured wildly to the two women, drawing them a picture of future feasts.
"These rats aren't anything special. Once I'm feeling better tomorrow, I'll catch you pheasants. No need for seasoning, just roast them over the fire, and the fat will sizzle out. That's a delicacy fit for a king!"
That made me laugh. A real-life example of painting a cake to satisfy hunger!
I've never seen bragging that could fill a stomach!
However, Shangguan Yao and Pan Lili looked like they were swayed by Li Degui's words. They hesitated for a long time and didn't ask me for food.
I was content to have some peace and quiet.
When I had eaten my fill, I tossed the remaining bones into the campfire and wrapped half of the food in my clothes to eat in the morning.
I patted my backside, stood up, and turned to walk back into the rainforest.
"Lu Ziye, where are you going?"
I heard Shangguan Yao call my name from behind. Without looking back, I waved my hand, "I'm full and have had enough to eat. I need to digest. I want to live to be ninety-nine."
Eating these bamboo rats has made me so thirsty. That one bottle of water was drunk by Li Degui.
There's a small pond next to the bamboo grove, so I'll go get some water. It's also a good way to avoid listening to Li Degui's bragging.
I walked to the pond, buried my head in the water, and drank deeply.
The spring water in the forest was so refreshing!
Just as I was about to get up and leave, I suddenly looked up and saw a girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, staring blankly at me from across the pond.
I felt a surge of surprise. I didn't expect there to be other survivors from the cruise.
I waved at her, signaling her to stay put, and quickly circled around to the other side of the pond.
From a distance, I couldn't make out her features clearly. But now that I was closer, I couldn't help but be struck by her beauty.