Chapter 28: Forced to Perform
“Chi Qian, what were you whispering with that monkey just now?” Chi Fengxiao asked, his expression complicated.
“Just some gossip. I’ll tell you another day.”
His gaze grew even more troubled.
This kid was way too deep in character—what if she really thought she was a forest princess?
No way, he’d have to find the best psychiatrist for Chi Qian later.
If she could talk to monkeys now, next thing she might start thinking she was a monkey!
Absolutely not!
After breakfast, the group got ready to set off toward the safe house.
The route arranged by the production team was vicious. At one point they had to cross a sheer cliff face, hundreds of meters above the ground—without even a suspension bridge.
“How are we supposed to cross that…”
“Don’t worry, among our supplies we have cables. Brother Qian knows how to set them up so we can get across.” Gu Hua spoke up to calm the group.
Ling Qian nodded, took out the cable, and flung the claw-hooked end across to the opposite cliff.
Once didn’t work. Second time failed too.
On the third try, it finally caught firmly in a crack on the opposite side.
“Tie this to your waist—if you slip, you won’t fall.” Ling Qian clipped the movable buckle onto his belt.
Qin Yue watched for a while, then deliberately asked Chi Qian, “Chi Qian, you’re a girl. Aren’t you too scared to climb across?”
“You’re an idiot, and that hasn’t stopped you from continuing to live in this world,” Chi Qian said lazily.
Qin Yue’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Then I’ll look forward to your performance later.”
Chi Fengxiao, standing by a tree at the cliff’s edge, called to her. “Qian Qian, come here.”
“Uncle, quietly doing big things, huh.” Chi Qian walked over, testing the toughness of the vines growing up the tree. “Long enough, strong enough—we can swing across with these.”
Shen Jing looked worried. “I can manage, but Jiashu’s arm strength might not hold.”
Shen Jiashu was still shy by nature, but after two days of trials he had become much braver.
He said, “Dad, it’s okay. I can do it!”
Chi Qian glanced at the vines, then smiled. “Relax. With my friend watching, even if the vine snaps, nothing will happen.”
The monkey on the branch puffed up proudly at her words.
Of course—he was awesome!
With the little monkey as backup, Shen Jing finally relaxed.
A langur’s arm strength could reach a staggering 200 pounds—three times that of a human. If the vine broke, it could yank them back up easily.
And since it was Chi Qian’s friend, if she trusted it, so did they.
Chi Fengxiao went first, to demonstrate for Chi Qian and Shen Jing’s father and son.
“Uncle, isn’t that too dangerous? What if you fall? Using the cable would be safer.” Gu Hua fretted.
“Yeah, showing off isn’t supposed to be like this,” Qin Yue added insincerely.
Chi Fengxiao didn’t even bother with their nonsense. He gripped the vine, ran a few steps, and leapt—
He swung cleanly across and landed steadily on the far side, tall figure barely swaying.
Chi Qian clapped. “Uncle, you’re badass!”
Chi Fengxiao tossed her a smug grin.
That pose—totally worth it.
Next was Chi Qian. She waved at the monkey, then swung across.
This time she added the flourish she’d skipped before.
“Woohoo—!”
With a light landing on the far side, she tossed the vine back for Shen Jing and Shen Jiashu.
Seeing how smoothly she made it, Shen Jiashu didn’t want to lose to a girl. He grabbed the vine and jumped.
But his landing fell short—his foot slipped on the edge, and he nearly plummeted.
Chi Qian and Chi Fengxiao both shot out their hands, each catching one of his arms, hauling him back up.
Shen Jing’s heart, which had nearly leapt out of his throat, finally settled back down.
Once he crossed safely too, they waved goodbye to the monkey and moved on.
Meanwhile, Ling Qian was still inching along the cable.
“…”
Seriously, had those two bought cheat codes??
Qin Yue wasn’t convinced. He went under the tree, grabbed a vine, and decided to try it himself.
Just as he was about to jump, the vine snapped.
Momentum sent Qin Yue crashing to his knees. When he looked back, that nasty monkey had actually torn the vine apart!
Qian Qian-baby’s work—you think you can copy it?! Get lost!
Face dark, Qin Yue trudged back to the cable line. When Gu Hua asked, he muttered, “Can’t use it. They just got lucky.”
[Hahahahaha, monkeys really are the most possessive—if it belongs to their friend, no one else can touch it!]
[Ling Qian’s been stuck on that cable line for nearly fifteen minutes now. Let’s see if they even make it across before dark.]
[Can’t understand why they’d waste so much effort on something so pointless.]
[Didn’t Gu Hua already say? Take a detour now, save trouble later. Hard to judge—let’s just wish her luck.]
While Gu Hua’s team was still struggling on the cable, Chi Qian’s group went down the mountain path and arrived at a lakeside.
The sky was darkening, so they stopped to rest.
There was a stretch of green grass by the lake, and a few fat ducks paddled leisurely across the water.
Of course, ducks couldn’t really live in a place like this—the show crew had planted some regular domestic ducks as a hidden supply point.
And whether or not the guests could catch them depended entirely on their own skills.
Chi Qian’s mouth was practically watering.
After two days of eating nothing but fish, she wanted a change of taste.
Borrowing Shen Jing’s knife, she snapped off a few branches, sharpened one end, tied a string at the tail, and marched toward the ducks.
Chi Fengxiao and the others thought she was just going fishing, so they didn’t pay attention.
Then came a sharp whistle of air—followed by two more.
Three ducks were instantly skewered, blood staining the lake as they toppled over!
The rest of the ducks panicked, flapping wildly and scattering, leaving the water almost empty.
Chi Qian yanked the string attached to the branches, dragging the three ducks back from the water.
So plump. So heavy. Definitely delicious.
[!!! What was that?! I just blinked and three ducks were gone!]
[Sister Qian has insane arm strength and aim. At that distance, no way it works without both!]
[Duck: Goodbye, mother. Tonight I set sail—straight into someone else’s soup pot.]
[The first day without Monkey Bear’s handouts, Sister Qian was forced to go pro.]
[This is too much—these guys are feasting while the others are still crawling over a cliff. By the time they get here, there won’t even be soup left!]
A bonfire lit up the camp, pushing away the darkness.
On the way down, Shen Jiashu had gathered a bundle of wild greens, wild ginger, and scallions.
With Chi Fengxiao and Shen Jing’s cooking skills, the three ducks turned into a delicious meal.
The chat was practically drooling. Was this really survival training, or just a picnic?
Three ducks sounded like a lot, but after a full day of grueling activity, it was just barely enough for Chi Qian’s group.
The rich smell of duck soup and roasted meat lingered over the camp.
Just as they were enjoying themselves, uninvited guests arrived.
Gu Hua’s group stumbled over, exhausted and disheveled. The moment they caught the aroma, their legs nearly gave out, mouths watering, eyes glowing green.
