How did someone suddenly appear in the cave within half a day?
I paused for a moment, and Guan Hai'er and I walked into the cave. We saw a strange woman talking to Pan Lili with her back to us.
Seeing us return, Pan Lili greeted us with a smile.
The woman turned her head, and I was somewhat stunned by her beauty.
If Guan Hai'er was a budding maiden, then this woman was a fully bloomed rose.
What struck me most were her charming phoenix eyes, with a small beauty mark beneath her left eye, adding an extra allure.
Her shoulder-length black hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, giving her a mature and captivating aura.
Pan Lili, standing beside her, held the woman's hand and introduced her to us.
"This is the doctor from the cruise ship, Luo Yaqin."
Luo Yaqin glanced at me, then extended her hand to shake mine and Guan Hai'er's: "Hello."
It turned out that Luo Yaqin had been washed ashore about two kilometers from us. She had hidden in a tree hollow for two days and came out this morning to look for food, coincidentally meeting Pan Lili, who was relieving herself.
She then followed Pan Lili back to the cave.
She was so beautiful, one wouldn't guess she was a doctor!
My heart filled with joy. This meant our last crucial deficiency was filled, and our chances of survival had greatly increased!
Guan Hai'er was also very happy. I no longer rushed to prepare the seafood. I sat down with Luo Yaqin and chatted for a while, exchanging names.
Just then, Shangguan Yao walked in from outside and looked somewhat surprised to see us back.
It was already noon, and we were all quite hungry.
I noticed that the campfire from last night had gone out at some point. So, I told everyone, "You all chat. I'll go out and find some firewood to cook the seafood."
The midday sun was truly scorching. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but it felt hotter than yesterday.
I gathered some branches nearby. My luck wasn't great, and I couldn't find much after searching for a long time.
I leaned against a tree, tilting my head back to swallow some saliva. Suddenly, I spotted a rabbit not far ahead, innocently nibbling on grass, completely unaware of my presence.
Damn, the rabbits here are quite plump!
They looked delicious, and would make another dish!
I licked my lips and slowly moved my body, inching closer to the rabbit.
One step, two steps... I calculated the distance. When I was directly behind the rabbit, I lunged forward with all my might, grabbing it in my hand.
Who would have thought that while looking for firewood, I'd get such a bonus!
I broke off a few more branches from nearby trees. Then, carrying the rabbit in one hand and the branches in the other, I walked back towards the cave.
As soon as I returned to the cave, I impatiently placed the rabbit under a bamboo basket, ready to prepare it.
Luo Yaqin saw this and walked over to me, saying, "Let me do it. You rest for a while."
Really?
"You know how to prepare a rabbit?"
I handed the knife to Luo Yaqin with a hint of doubt and sat on the ground to watch her.
Luo Yaqin elegantly rolled up her sleeves and, with a single swift cut, ended the rabbit's life. She skillfully skinned and gutted it.
I watched, somewhat dumbfounded. Seeing my astonishment, Luo Yaqin smiled and raised an eyebrow, "I'm quite good, aren't I? I won an award in a rabbit dissection competition back in medical school."
Do they have rabbit dissection competitions in medical school?
I didn't know, but judging by her swift movements, she was quite capable!
I picked up some branches and started a fire. Once the flames were strong, I found a flat stone and placed it over the fire. Then, I threw all the scallops and oysters onto the stone.
Suddenly—
"Oh, help! Is anyone there!"
Li Degui's hoarse voice echoed from outside the cave. Hearing his miserable cry, I sneered inwardly.
The useless one is back!
Outside the cave, Li Degui looked disheveled. His hair was a mess, his face bore several scratches, and he was clutching his foot, crying out continuously.
As soon as Li Degui saw me, he waved frantically: "Lu Ziye, quickly help me into the cave."
I crossed my arms and stared at him coldly, not moving.
"Li Degui, are you going to pretend to be sick forever? You're more useless than a woman."
The others in the cave also came out.
Upon seeing Li Degui's pathetic state, Shangguan Yao stepped forward to help him up. She then turned to me and said, "Lu Ziye, don't you have any sympathy? Li Degui is clearly in pain, how can you say he's faking it!"
"He's been here for days, contributing nothing but eating and bragging. Ask him to do any work, and he's weaker than a girl. What else would you call him if not useless!"
Guan Hai'er, unable to stand it, retorted on my behalf.
Shangguan Yao was struck speechless by Guan Hai'er's words and stopped accusing me.
Pan Lili hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to quietly support Li Degui.
It was beyond me!
This coward doesn't even care about your well-being, yet you're helping him. I'm starting to dislike this woman more and more. Does she think that since he's coming back to the city and is an alumnus, he must be better than me?
I really was blind before!
And this Shangguan Yao, she's all looks and no brains.
"Don't just stand here. If you help him into the cave, the seafood will be burnt soon."
Luo Yaqin, seeing the awkward situation, smiled and smoothly diffused the tension.
I realized she was right. There was no point in getting angry over an idiot. I returned to the cave with Guan Hai'er.
The seafood was cooked. Guan Hai'er, Luo Yaqin, and I ate with laughter and conversation. Seeing this, Shangguan Yao and Pan Lili, unable to resist, also joined us.
Meanwhile, Li Degui, lying in the corner, stared intently at us, his eyes filled with malice. He muttered to himself.
"A bumpkin, thinking he's so important. Just wait until I get out of here, I'll kill you!"
Li Degui waited for a long time, and seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he struggled to sit up and shouted loudly, "I'm hungry, I want to eat!"
I had almost finished eating, patting my stomach contentedly. Hearing Li Degui's words, my heart leaped with joy.
Li Degui, I've been waiting for you to say that. Today, I'll definitely let you know who's boss!
I suddenly stood up and cleared my throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"None of us are having an easy time surviving on this island. We naturally need to set some rules. This Li Degui hasn't brought back anything. What do you all think, does he deserve to eat?"
Hearing my words, Li Degui pointed at me and shouted, "Lu Ziye, who do you think you are, giving orders here! I'd like to see who dares to deny me food!"
Upon hearing Li Degui's words, a flicker of disgust crossed Luo Yaqin's face, and Guan Hai'er pouted in displeasure.
I sneered at Li Degui, "Whether you get to eat or not, of course, everyone decides."
With that, I proposed a vote to everyone.
Guan Hai'er and Luo Yaqin raised their hands without hesitation.
I walked up to Li Degui with a smile, staring into his resentful eyes, "Li Degui, everyone has now agreed not to give you food."
Li Degui propped himself up, "Lu Ziye, you f—"
Seeing that Li Degui was about to spew more nonsense, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face!