I took the lead, walking ahead. Behind this hidden door was a passage leading downwards, narrow enough for only one person.
I lit a lighter at the front, feeling gusts of cold, eerie wind hit my face. The deeper we went, the colder it became, my lips trembling uncontrollably from the chill.
I tightened my army coat and quickened my pace.
Finally, we reached the lowest level and found a small space. Qu Xiangyun was standing in front of a massive ice sheet, looking at something I couldn't discern.
Seeing Qu Xiangyun, I called out her name loudly and walked over to her, also looking at the ice sheet.
Something seemed to be sealed within the ice. It was vaguely visible, nothing clear. The closer I got to the ice, the colder the air became; even frost formed on my eyebrows.
We couldn't stay underground any longer, or we'd all freeze to death soon!
Without bothering to question why Qu Xiangyun had come down alone, I grabbed her hand and pulled her, rushing back upstairs.
Damn it, I was lucky last time!
If I had opened this door before, I would have been left behind to keep those soldiers company!
Finally back in the main hall, I shivered and quickly shook off the frost from my clothes.
Luo Yaqin, seeing my state, asked nervously, "Lu Ziye, what's down there! Why are you covered in ice?"
I hopped in place, feeling slightly better. "It's a huge ice cellar down there. I suspect this military base's extreme cold is caused by it!"
Perhaps even the sudden weather changes on the island were connected to this place.
Qu Xiangyun, who followed me, was also suffering, her lips turning purple from the cold.
I couldn't help but blame her. "You found a secret passage, why didn't you tell us? If Guan Hai'er hadn't realized you were missing, could you have gotten out of that ice cellar yourself!"
Qu Xiangyun's face was pale, and she said pitifully, "I was feeling the wall, and then I just fell in!"
Seeing Qu Xiangyun like this, I couldn't bring myself to scold her further.
I felt that it was best not to linger at the military base. Once I warmed up, I led everyone back to the cave above.
Back upstairs, we tidied up the cave a bit, buried the bodies of the natives on the spot, and started a fire. Then, we prepared to cook.
After the fright at the military base, no one had much of an appetite, so we hastily steamed some cassava.
I temporarily found a rock to seal the passage to the military base, preventing the cold air from spreading outwards.
Indeed, after sealing the passage, the cave became much warmer!
After a while, Guan Hai'er quietly approached me and asked, "Brother Ye, is there something going on between you, Sister Luo, and Sister Xiangyun? You all talk so mysteriously, keeping secrets from us. Can't you tell me?"
This silly child, I can't tell you anything!
One is my "bosom friend," and the other is soon to be.
They are both my wings. If I told you, how could I soar with them side by side!
Thinking this, I roughly ruffled Guan Hai'er's hair with one hand, messing up her hairstyle.
"We're all good partners who fight together. What could be going on between me and them! Hai'er, go check if the cassava is cooked. I'm starving!"
Guan Hai'er responded with a disappointed "Oh," and while fixing her hair, walked towards the fire.
After Guan Hai'er left, her words sparked a thought in me, and I began comparing the two women.
Qu Xiangyun and Luo Yaqin were both captivating in their own ways. Qu Xiangyun had an exotic charm, while Luo Yaqin possessed the mature allure of an experienced woman. If, one day, I could hold Qu Xiangyun in my left arm and Luo Yaqin in my right, that would truly be the pinnacle of life!
As I was daydreaming, Qu Xiangyun suddenly slipped beside me and said, "Hey, Lu Ziye. Don't you think Shangguan Yao has a great figure?"
I followed her gaze and saw Shangguan Yao bending over to add firewood to the fire, her back to us.
Her graceful waist and hip line were clearly visible.
I was a bit stunned by her question, not immediately grasping Qu Xiangyun's intention.
Qu Xiangyun licked her lips. "Shangguan Yao is really my type. I'd love to taste what she's like."
I asked with some confusion, "How would you like to taste her?"
Qu Xiangyun said righteously, "How else? What, can't I have another girlfriend!"
Damn, I didn't realize Qu Xiangyun was bisexual!