Chapter 26: One Trip Out and You’ve Already Changed Heart
Chi Fengxiao: “…”
The atmosphere had been tense and dangerous just a moment ago, but Chi Qian managed to crack him up. He waved an arm, trying to point at her—
And the arm that had been completely stuck just slid free.
Chi Qian nodded in satisfaction. “Now use your arms to prop yourself up. Just like I said—lie flat, then use your legs to gradually push yourself up. Don’t rush.”
Not rushing was torture for someone as impatient as Fengxiao.
But with Chi Qian calmly guiding him by the side, his restless heart gradually settled down.
After a massive struggle, Fengxiao finally crawled out of the swamp.
Chi Qian and Shen Jing pulled him up with vines, mud still dripping off him nonstop.
The reigning Best Actor of the entertainment industry now looked like nothing but a mud monkey—other than his face, not a single spot was clean.
[Hahahahahaha it’s tragic but I really can’t stop laughing]
[We get it! We get it! Your pecs are huge! But if you don’t let me touch it, how will I know if it’s real or just water weight?]
[Sis, here’s the plan: you take away Film Emperor Chi, I’ll use the chance to steal Qian Qian. Teamwork!]
[Comment above, I’m calling the cops.]
Luckily, they found a water source nearby. After fetching water, Fengxiao took the chance to wash up.
As soon as his well-defined abs came into view, the camera cut to black.
The livestream chat instantly erupted in wails. Seriously? Can’t handle it?!
They carried the water and firewood back to camp, just as Gu Hua’s group returned too—hands full, palm leaves wrapped around what looked like food.
Shen Jiashu’s face went pale, and he quickly hid behind his father.
Inside the basket were bugs—still alive, fat white grubs wriggling around.
Chi Fengxiao grimaced with disgust. “This is what you managed to find?”
“Wild fruits are hard to come by. These are the only things we could get,” Gu Hua said softly. “Gross, yes, but since we’re surviving in the wild, we have to adapt.”
Ling Qian nodded. “Insects are high in protein. Aside from tasting bad, they’re edible.”
“Talk is cheap—let’s see you eat them.”
Gu Hua and Ling Qian immediately faltered.
Chi Fengxiao sneered. “You’re all bark and no bite. If you don’t even dare to eat it yourselves, what right do you have to preach?”
Gu Hua’s eyes reddened. Ling Qian couldn’t bear to see her wronged. With gritted teeth, he grabbed a grub, shoved it into his mouth, and swallowed with his eyes squeezed shut.
“There. I ate it. Happy now?”
“These things are actually very nutritious,” Chi Qian said lazily, leaning against a tree. “Especially for the brain.”
Ling Qian’s brows lowered as he sneered, “Chi Qian, don’t tell me you’re too scared to eat. If you can’t handle this basic survival training and you’re this delicate, you might as well quit and go home.”
Chi Qian covered her nose. “Don’t talk. Your breath smells like bugs.”
Ling Qian’s face went dark, and he shut his mouth.
“Besides, when did we ever say we’d eat your bugs?”
“Qian Qian, don’t be stubborn.” Gu Hua coaxed softly. “In this forest, all we can find are things like this. You can’t expect to get lucky every time, with a bear delivering food to you, right?”
That bear encounter was a one-off. Bears weren’t stupid, and they’d already traveled far.
If Chi Qian didn’t want the audience to think she was spoiled, she’d have no choice but to eat the bugs!
“Roar.”
“Ooh-ooh!”
From the bushes and the trees came two sounds— a black bear and a monkey appeared!
No one knew how they had found her.
The bear dropped four or five salmon in front of Chi Qian, along with half a very fresh-looking wild boar leg.
The monkey dangled from a branch and tossed down a banana-leaf bundle.
Chi Qian caught it neatly. Inside were wild peaches and apples.
She’d once muttered in her heart that she liked peaches—apparently the monkey remembered.
Everyone else was dumbstruck.
Shen Jiashu squealed, “Dad, did you see that?! I told you Qian Qian’s the Forest Princess!”
Shen Jing: Son, I didn’t expect your ‘monkey food delivery’ joke to actually come true…
Gu Hua’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.
What was wrong with these animals?! Was Chi Qian their goddess, their master? Why were they so desperate to please her? Did they have no self-respect as animals?
In her head, the system muttered: […Could this side character also have a system? Otherwise how is she pulling this off?]
Gu Hua snapped, “Don’t ask me! How should I know?”
She was just a supporting character! How could Chi Qian deserve this kind of treatment?
“Little Qian, you really are your uncle’s little treasure!” Chi Fengxiao hugged her tightly, ruffling her hair. “How do you attract animals like this? Could it be…”
Chi Qian stiffened. Was her secret about raising pigs about to come out?
“…Are you actually the Monkey King in disguise?”
“…You’re the monkey, not me! And stay away from my peaches and apples!”
“Wait—ctrl+z! I take it back!”
The group bustled happily, boiling water and cooking food like they were on a picnic, while Gu Hua and her teammates felt like they were freezing in the Arctic.
[So glad Qian Qian doesn’t have to eat bugs. Who on earth would want to?]
[With Mama Bear and Little Brother Monkey around, there’s no way she’ll starve!]
[Exactly. Is it possible Chi Qian really is the Forest Princess? Why else would animals only bring food to her?]
[She just made that up to trick kids, and you all believe it?]
[Or maybe… the bear’s just fattening them up before eating them?]
It wasn’t just the netizens who were baffled—even the production team was stumped.
They’d designed this challenge to really grind these celebrities down, make them suffer, expose flaws, and stir up conflicts.
Not to have them enjoy a picnic.
But with Chi Qian around, the nightmare-difficulty scenario had been downgraded to a retirement-camp mode.
No way. The production team refused to lose!
They didn’t believe Chi Qian could keep dodging all their tricks…
Meanwhile—
After finishing work, Chi Lisen idly opened the livestream, only to see Chi Qian eating and drinking well, living more comfortably than she did at home.
When they ate fish, Chi Fengxiao even picked out the bones for her before handing it over.
Chi Lisen: …Another useless idiot who couldn’t even keep Qian Qian in check.
But since when did Chi Qian get along so well with Chi Fengxiao?
Hadn’t she always said she liked her grandfather best? What, one trip out and she’d changed sides?
Clearly, a child’s words couldn’t be trusted.
A moment later, Chi Muze called.
“Dad, I saw Fengxiao brought Qian Qian on a survival show. Did you approve that? What if something happens—”
Chi Lisen’s face was expressionless. “On that show, bears deliver her honey and monkeys bring her fruit. She’s eating well and drinking well—she’s practically immortal at this point. What could possibly happen to her?”
“No. I mean Fengxiao is dragging her down. What if something happens because she has to take care of him?”
Silence.
Chi Lisen fell silent.
Chi Muze also fell silent.
Then the same thought surfaced in both their minds: If Chi Fengxiao was really that useless, they’d just break his legs.
