The rain lashed against the parachute fabric, a relentless drumbeat. Inside, the air was cold, damp, and thick with unspoken tension. Linling sighed, the sound barely audible over the storm, her gaze drifting from the water beading on the makeshift roof to the man currently attached to her side like a particularly stubborn, heat-seeking limpet. They huddled in their corner, the flimsy parachute shelter offering minimal protection but maximum awkward proximity.
Linling (Muttering to herself, brushing damp hair from her cheek):
"Honestly, what does one do with a husband who functions primarily as a delusional, clingy space heater? There's no manual for this."
She shifted slightly, cracking open the parachute flap to let the cold spray kiss her cheek. A moment of relief. Then she turned back, her expression unreadable in the dim light. Her fingers, almost detachedly, traced the line of Su Yu's jaw, then drifted towards his lips, soft… surprisingly gentle.
Then—SMACK!
The sound cracked through the shelter like thunder. Sharp. Decisive. Divine judgment delivered via palm.
Linling (Voice flat, devoid of warmth):
"Stop pretending to be asleep. Your breathing pattern changes when you're plotting."
Su Yu blinked, lips slightly parted from the impact, his hand still resting with suspicious casualness high on her waist.
From her miraculously dry supply bag, Linling produced a slightly crushed chocolate bar. She unwrapped it with meticulous care—then paused. A significant chunk was missing. Her eyes narrowed, fixing on Su Yu with the intensity of a laser targeting system. He was still touching her waist like she was a holy relic he was about to accidentally drop.
Su Yu (Voice small, muffled against her shoulder, confessing with the air of a martyr):
"I ate it. It smelled like victory... and cocoa."
SMACK!
Harder this time. A slap fueled by righteous indignation over stolen rations. Before he could react, she flipped him like a surprisingly heavy pancake and pinned him beneath her, knee pressed lightly but firmly against his chest.
Linling (Hissing, leaning close, eyes glittering dangerously):
"You drool over my metaphorical pomegranate skirt daily. Your eyes are always dirty. Your mind is filthier. Scheming. Grasping."
Her lips brushed his ear, sending involuntary shivers down his spine despite the cold.
Linling:
"If you weren't nominally Linling's husband, property of the Lu arrangement, you wouldn't be permitted to breathe the same air as this chocolate bar, let alone touch me..."
And just like that, with the effortless grace of royalty dismissing a peasant, she rose, flipping her hair. She sat on the opposite side of the cramped shelter, taking a delicate, deliberate bite of her chocolate.
Like a queen enjoying the spoils of war.
Su Yu lay sprawled on the damp ground. Dignity: shattered. Heart: pounding erratically. Cheek: stinging.
Su Yu (Internal Monologue):
…Still kinda worth it.
He cautiously scooted several inches away. Just in case her definition of 'sharing' involved further violence.
Buzz... Bzzzzz...
A squadron of mutant mosquitoes, undeterred by the storm, infiltrated their flimsy shelter. Linling swatted furiously, cursing under her breath with impressive vocabulary. Su Yu, seizing an opportunity for strategic usefulness, lit a faint herbal coil he'd 'found', pretending it was a vital part of his "Advanced Survival Strategy™." Linling shot him a look that clearly said, "I know that's cheap incense you stole from a temple display," but didn't comment, allowing the vaguely pleasant smoke to drive away the bloodsucking pests.
(Audience Comments):
[QueenSlapsTwice]: "She slapped him, pinned him, insulted him, AND ate the chocolate. 10/10 Wife™. Sign me up."
[HeAteHerChocolateAndSurvived]: "Husband privilege is real. Anyone else would be mosquito food by now."
[MarriageOrMMAOrBoth?]: "This wasn't romance. It was controlled domination with snack-based conflict."
[ThatMosquitoSceneIsTooReal]: "Linling vs bugs is the spin-off series we deserve. She won't let anyone survive the night peacefully."
(Shelter #2: Jian Hao & Qing Qing – Enemies, Blankets & Blowing Hot/Cold)
Thunder cracked overhead like the sky itself was throwing a tantrum. Rain pounded the parachute roof. Qing Qing flinched almost imperceptibly but immediately schooled her features into bored indifference.
Jian Hao watched her from his corner, huddled under his own damp section of the parachute drape, his usual opportunistic smirk dimmed by the cold and the lingering humiliation of the tree incident.
Silently, without asking, he awkwardly slid his half-wet, probably inadequate blanket over her legs.
Qing Qing (Scowling immediately, yanking her legs away):
"Did I ask for your charity? Or your questionable body heat?"
Jian Hao (Voice surprisingly calm, almost gentle):
"No. You'd probably bite off your own tongue before admitting you were cold."
She glared daggers at him. He held her gaze for a beat, then looked away, pretending to study the intricate patterns of water dripping down the fabric.
She shifted slightly. Just an inch. Then another. Until their shoulders were almost brushing. Almost.
Qing Qing (Grumbling, pulling the offered blanket closer despite herself):
"Still not cuddling. This is purely for thermodynamic efficiency."
Jian Hao (Smirking faintly, not looking at her):
"Of course. I'm merely an inanimate object providing negligible insulation. You're the one leaning towards the heat source."
A moment passed in charged, electric silence, broken only by the drumming rain. He looked away first, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
But suddenly—
"AAAAAARGH!" Qing Qing shrieked, leaping up as if electrocuted, slapping violently at her leg. "THERE'S A BLOODY ARMY OF MOSQUITOES IN HERE! A LEGION! THEY'RE ORGANIZED!"
Jian Hao snorted, raising an eyebrow. "I thought the great Qing Qing wasn't scared of anything? Not even sonic booms or bankruptcy?"
Qing Qing (Itching furiously, eyes blazing):
"I'm NOT scared! But I didn't sign a contract agreeing to become a walking buffet for bloodsucking parasites! This is unacceptable!"
She kicked over a nearby woven basket in sheer frustration, sending Jian Hao's only water flask tumbling into a puddle. He just sighed, retrieved it, and silently offered her a small tin of herbal balm he'd 'acquired'. She grumbled about his incompetence but took it anyway, applying it viciously to her bites.
(Audience Comments):
[ColdStormHotTension]: "Okay, the enemies-to-arm-brushers-to-reluctant-mosquito-battlers arc is hitting DIFFERENT."
[QingQingWouldStabButAlsoBlushMaybe]: "She's falling. He already fell. They're both just too stubborn to admit it."
[BuggedToDeathByLove]: "Qing Qing vs nature continues. Nature currently winning 3-0 via insect warfare."
[SmackTheMosquitoQueen]: "That scream probably shattered glass on the mainland. Iconic."
(Shelter #3: Shen Ye & Ruan Yue – Steel Logic vs. Calculated Sparks)
A heavy branch cracked ominously outside. Wind howled through unseen crevices. Ruan Yue flinched, a rare crack in her usually composed facade.
Shen Ye moved instantly, faster than thought. His hand shot out, locking firmly around her ankle—not out of fear, or even chivalry. Pure, cold calculation.
Shen Ye (Voice precise, devoid of inflection):
"Maintain equilibrium. Your sudden shift in weight distribution risks compromising the structural integrity of this temporary, suboptimal platform."
Ruan Yue (Eyes wide, looking down at his hand, then up at him):
"Or... you just possess surprisingly fast reflexes when faced with the potential collapse of your... partner?"
He didn't answer, his gaze already scanning the rain-lashed darkness outside.
She leaned back slowly, deliberately, until her head rested lightly against his knee. A calculated risk.
Ruan Yue (Grinning mischievously):
"You're like a skyscraper, darling. All cold glass, steel beams, and absolutely no discernible emotion."
Shen Ye (Voice quiet, almost lost in the storm):
"Even glass reflects what's put before it."
She blinked, momentarily surprised by the unexpected poetry. Or perhaps just the implication. He didn't move his hand from her ankle.
Buzz. Slap. Buzz.
Ruan Yue suddenly slapped her own shoulder with irritation. "Ugh! These primitive bloodsuckers are ruining the ambiance!"
Shen Ye silently handed her a thread torn from his parasuit, soaked in a pungent, oily mosquito-repelling concoction he'd somehow distilled from jungle plants. She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Prepared, are we?"
"Always," he replied, his eyes still scanning the shadows.
(Audience Comments):
[CEOOfCuddleCalculation]: "Shen Ye didn't save her; he stabilized a valuable asset. Peak CEO romance."
[FromColdToAnkleHold]: "Trust issues? She literally installed herself onto his knee like pre-loaded software."
[MosquitoNinjasFearShenYe]: "Even mosquitos are scared of Shen Ye's aura of emotional unavailability."
(Shelter #4: Xu Jie & Ning Rou – Wife, Fire, Yams, and Unexpected Sanctuary)
The rain beat down relentlessly. Inside their corner, shielded by parachute cloths expertly tied into a surprisingly sturdy V-tent, the comforting smell of roasted yam and herbal smoke filled the air.
Ning Rou stirred a small pot bubbling over a carefully built fire, her movements precise, efficient, like she was prepping battlefield rations, not survival dinner. A bundle of dry herbs—eucalyptus, wild mint, something else vaguely pungent—burned slowly in a sheltered corner, producing a steady, fragrant stream of smoke that effectively drove away any curious insects.
Xu Jie, arms crossed behind his head, leaned back against the tent pole, watching her with the lazy, appreciative grin of a king observing his most competent general.
Xu Jie:
"You know, if we actually survive this island hellscape, I might genuinely propose properly this time. With, like, a ring not purchased under duress."
Ning Rou (Not looking up from the pot):
"You'd propose to a rock if it offered you warm food and didn't question your life choices."
Xu Jie:
"Nah. Rocks don't sass me back with lethal precision. Creates... balance."
She scooped out a chunk of perfectly roasted, steaming yam and handed it to him on a large leaf.
Ning Rou:
"Here's your replacement wedding ring. Try not to choke on your renewed sense of affection."
He took a large bite, chewing thoughtfully, a genuine smile touching his lips.
Xu Jie:
"You know, you're surprisingly hot when you're bossing everyone around and saving us from starvation."
She smacked his head lightly with the stirring spoon. He didn't even flinch—just smiled wider.
Then—the smoke from the burning herbs began to billow stronger, curling out through the parasuit flap like incense from a hidden temple, carried on the damp night air. The fragrant, bug-repelling aroma began to spread through the makeshift camp.
In the shared 'courtyard' formed by the collapsing house foundation, the other shelters began reacting—
Su Yu (Sniffing the air from his corner): "Who's hotboxing the shelter with grandma's closet?!"
Linling (Nose twitching): "Smells like... actual survival skills. Annoying."
Qing Qing (Suddenly stops itching): "Wait... what is that smell? Why do I suddenly feel... less bitey?"
Ruan Yue (Eyes closing briefly, inhaling): "Ah. Ning Rou. That woman understands practical magic."
Shen Ye (Silent, but his corner of the shelter seems to subtly shift a few inches closer to the source of the fragrant smoke.)
(Audience Comments):
[HerbQueenNingRou]: "She's not just surviving; she's thriving with aromatherapy and roasted vegetables."
[SmokeSignalForKingsAndQueens]: "Xu Jie basically hotboxed the entire camp with mint, yams, and competence."
[EveryoneElseSuffering]: "Ning Rou understood the mosquito assignment. Everyone else brought drama."
[SuYuNeedsSoapNotSmoke]: "My guy out here sniffing survival skills and eucalyptus like it's forbidden perfume."
[Scene Title: Nighttime Wanderings, Moonlit Paths & Primal Fears]
(Nighttime on the Island: Moonlit Path & Unseen Watchers)
The relentless rain finally softened to a drizzle, its rhythm a constant, melancholic hum. Moonlight, pale and watery, broke through the tattered clouds—painting the ravaged landscape in shades of silver and shifting shadow. The parachute shelters glowed faintly, their damp fabric clinging to the makeshift frames like remnants of forgotten dreams.
(Ruan Yue's Silent Journey)
A subtle rustling, quieter than the dripping leaves, disturbed the still night. Ruan Yue emerged from her shared shelter with Shen Ye, moving with the silent grace of a shadow detaching itself from a wall. Her eyes flicked towards the thin curl of smoke still rising from Ning Rou and Xu Jie's corner, acknowledging their competence with a faint, unreadable smile. But Ruan Yue wasn't seeking warmth or companionship tonight.
She approached Linling's shelter. Inside, Su Yu lay sprawled awkwardly, breathing evenly, perhaps lost in dreams of stock options or vengeful wives.
(Ruan Yue's Gentle Summons)
Ruan Yue (Voice a soft whisper, barely disturbing the air):
"Linling… Psst. Wake up. Adventure calls."
Linling stirred, eyelids fluttering open, instantly alert despite the fatigue. The lingering scent of Su Yu's incense and her own half-eaten chocolate bar clung faintly to the air. She rose, brushing damp hair from her face with a casual elegance that defied the squalor of their surroundings.
The two women stood side-by-side outside the shelter, their silhouettes stark against the moonlit jungle, the wet parachute fabric clinging to their figures like second skins.
Linling (Stifling a yawn, stretching slightly, a predatory grace in the movement):
"Alright, spy girl. Lead the way. Should we discuss strategy? Or just head straight for the designated... facilities?"
Ruan Yue (Glancing towards the distant, blinking lights of the K-Pop toilets, her tone holding a hint of amusement):
"Strategy later. Nature calls. Besides," (a sly smile) "...a midnight stroll might prove... illuminating."
They began walking together, their boots sinking slightly into the muddy path, leaving twin trails that quickly vanished into the moon-drenched shadows. The island seemed to watch, holding its breath.
(Su Yu's Lonely, Troubled Thoughts)
Back in the shelter, Su Yu lay awake, despite his earlier exhaustion. Sleep wouldn't come. His mind, annoyingly, kept replaying the image of Linling—the sharp line of her jaw as she ate the chocolate, the surprising vulnerability when she'd flinched from the mosquitoes, the way the damp fabric clung... He tried to force the thoughts away, remembering her slaps, her threats, her icy disdain.
Su Yu (Internal Monologue, wrestling with himself):
"Focus! Stocks! Survival! Sabotage! Not... soft fabrics... or defiant eyes... or that infuriatingly perfect pomegranate skirt she probably packed... I shouldn't. I mustn't. She sees me as dirt. A tool. Remember the slap! Remember the second slap! Dignity, Su Yu! Retain some shred of dignity!"
Yet, the thoughts persisted, clinging like the humid night air.
(The Ominous Leaf & The Watcher in the Water)
A single, large leaf detached itself from an overhanging branch, spiraling down with unnatural slowness. As it brushed against a murky puddle near Su Yu's shelter, something glimmered beneath the surface. Not moonlight. Something dark, reptilian. A long, rod-shaped form coiled silently in the muddy water. Then, two slitted, yellow eyes blinked open, cold and ancient, reflecting the broken moonlight.
With a low, barely audible hiss, the creature—a massive, dark-scaled snake—slithered silently from the puddle, its body moving with an unnatural, hypnotic fluidity. It twisted through the shadows, the rustling of its passage the only warning before it vanished into the dense underbrush towards the path the women had taken. Leaving behind only the oppressive stillness and the scent of wet earth.
(Su Yu's Nightmare and Instinctive Pursuit)
Minutes later, Su Yu finally drifted into an uneasy sleep. His dreams were a chaotic mess—flashes of Linling's smirk, the glint of her sword, the suffocating feeling of the reality show, mixed with a primal, unsettling fear. Suddenly, the sharp, raw howl of a wolf pierced the night air, echoing through the jungle and jolting him awake. His body went rigid, heart pounding against his ribs.
Su Yu (Gasping, sitting bolt upright, voice raw):
"A wolf?! Seriously?! What is this island, a petting zoo from hell?!"
His eyes darted around the empty shelter. Linling was gone. A different kind of panic surged through him, cold and sharp, overriding the lingering fear from the howl. He stumbled out of the shelter, still groggy, the damp air clinging to him. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed them. Footprints. Clear in the mud. Two distinct sets, both leading away from the camp, towards the beach and the ridiculous K-Pop toilets. Without a second thought, ignoring the lingering howl, primal instinct took over. He began following the tracks, his senses on high alert, a chill unrelated to the damp night air creeping over his skin. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled.
(The Hunt & The Confrontation)
The moonlit beach stretched before him, an eerie expanse of wet sand and shifting shadows. His steps felt loud in the sudden quiet. With every meter forward, Su Yu felt the pressure building—an unseen gaze fixed on him. A presence. A rustle in the dune grass, a flicker of movement at the edge of his vision.
Suddenly, fur came into view – dark, bristling – partially hidden behind a large driftwood log. Su Yu's heart leaped into his throat. Something fast, powerful, and potentially very hungry was near.
Instinct screamed: RUN! Su Yu turned and bolted back towards the jungle edge, slipping on wet sand, adrenaline flooding his system. The heavy thump-thump of powerful paws pounded the sand behind him, growing louder, closer. His own pounding heart was deafening. Rain-slicked leaves slapped his face as he crashed back into the undergrowth. He scrambled, slipping, crashing through ferns, desperation fueling his flight.
The forest path twisted, opening onto a cluster of giant, moss-covered rocks. He attempted to navigate them—foot slipping on wet stone—crashing hard against another rock. Pain flared through his knee, but there was no time for it. He scrambled behind the largest boulder, pressing himself flat, trying to control his ragged breathing.
A low growl echoed nearby. Then, silence. He risked a peek around the rock.
And there it was—the wolf. Eyes gleaming like molten gold, reflecting the fragmented moonlight. It was massive, muscles coiled beneath dark fur that seemed to shimmer like living shadows. It wasn't just a wolf; it looked like something ancient, primal.
Su Yu (Breathing hard, voice shaky but weirdly defiant, maybe delirious):
"Okay, okay, big guy... Look, I am not ending up as wolf chow on a trashy reality show. My dignity demands a slightly more ironic death. My interns get first dibs on eating me, it's probably in their contract."
The wolf didn't attack. It simply stared, its intelligent gaze unwavering. It let out another low, rumbling howl that shook the very air, then, with unsettling grace, it turned and melted back into the shadows, vanishing as silently as it appeared.
(Su Yu's New Calling: Monkey Cult Leader)
Su Yu eventually found his way back to the relative safety of the beach, heart still pounding, knee throbbing. He collapsed onto the damp sand near where the Frostbite concert stage had been, utterly bewildered. As dawn began to paint the sky in bruised purples and pinks, he noticed movement. Monkeys. Emerging cautiously from the jungle, chattering nervously.
He watched them. An idea sparked – absurd, desperate, potentially genius. He remembered Dandan's briefing, Hang Mu's panicked plea about his ' Cheating powers'. Maybe... just maybe...
As the monkeys gathered, drawn by curiosity or perhaps the faint scent of desperation clinging to Su Yu, he knelt on the sand. Using a sharp stick, he began etching symbols into the wet surface – his Universal Language of Scams and Questionable Business Propositions.
The drawings were simple, direct, hitting primal monkey desires:
* A monkey effortlessly pulling a vine, triggering a hidden trap that showers rivals with coconuts.
* Another monkey riding a terrified wild boar like a furry, tusked motorcycle.
* A crowned monkey (crown clearly fashioned from bananas) standing atop the island's highest peak, with other jungle creatures kneeling in terrified supplication.
A small, wide-eyed child monkey watched, his tiny brain interpreting the crude drawings as divine prophecy. The Rise of the Monkey Empire… under the leadership of the strange, slightly damp, Leaf-Wearing Human.
More monkeys crept closer, chattering excitedly. Even the perpetually skeptical ones began to murmur, nudging each other.
The Spike-Haired Monkey (clearly the troop's impulsive muscle) nudged the Nerdy Monkey (who wore spectacles fashioned from twigs and leaves). Spike-Haired Monkey (Whispering): "Dude! Think he's legit? Can this... this weirdly intense human really make us Kings of the Island?"
Nerdy Monkey (Pushing imaginary glasses up his nose, eyes twinkling): "Statistical probability is low... but the projected banana yields under his proposed system... are intriguing. And his hostile takeover plan looks... kind of awesome."
Without further hesitation, Spike-Haired Monkey puffed out his chest, beat it twice, and stepped forward. Spike-Haired Monkey (Declaring proudly): "I pledge allegiance! Ready to be your spear-monkey! Your banana guard! Your... first slave!"
A Long-Haired Monkey nearby (whose fur was suspiciously well-groomed, suggesting a doting mother) huffed indignantly. Long-Haired Monkey: "Hey! I saw him first! Don't hog all the potential glory!" With dramatic flair, he also stepped forward. "I volunteer my superior grooming skills and dramatic flair to your cause!"
Finally, Nerdy Monkey shuffled forward slowly, scratching his head. Nerdy Monkey (Muttering): "Logically, this is madness... but perhaps... I can acquire new data sets." He sighed. "Plus, I'd rather be scammed by a potential genius than continue following King Louie's 'Banana-Based Economic Policy,' which is clearly unsustainable."
Gasps from the remaining monkeys.
"Betraying the King!"
"Traitors to the Troop!"
"You'll regret this when King Kong hears about this!"
The Trio of recruits looked back at the dissenters and shrugged in perfect unison. "Yup," they chattered simply—and turned back to Su Yu, awaiting orders.
At that moment, the Girl Monkey (who seemed to be King Louie's biggest fangirl) narrowed her eyes in fury. Girl Monkey (Shouting at Su Yu): "ONLY KING KONG IS WORTHY! You are just... a low-level, leaf-wearing, probably flea-ridden WEAKLING!" And she stomped off dramatically, flipping her tail fur with maximum attitude.
Su Yu watched her dramatic exit, then turned to Spike-Haired Monkey beside him.
Su Yu (Voice calm, almost chilling):
"You and I," he gestured between them, "we understand ambition. But I possess one critical advantage you lack—mine is my official wife. Much more terrifying."
He smiled coldly, a predatory glint in his eyes. Then, rising from the sand like a CEO unveiling a hostile takeover strategy at a press conference, Su Yu clapped his hands once.
Su Yu (Announcing grandly):
"Monkey Mafia Division recruitment: Complete. Now begins… PHASE ONE of your intensive training program: Aggressive Banana Acquisition and Strategic Grooming!"
The monkeys snapped to attention, energized by some invisible corporate forcefield of motivation (or perhaps just the promise of future snacks).
But as Su Yu turned briefly back towards the ocean, watching the waves crash, the corner of his confident smile faded. A flicker of loneliness crossed his face.
Su Yu (Internal Monologue):
"...Built a monkey army before breakfast. And still... it seems no one back home even cares that I've gone missing."
The wind blew past him quietly, carrying the scent of salt and solitude, like an unspoken answer.
(Scene: Morning after the storm. The ground is still damp, faint mist rising as the rainclouds finally retreat.)
(Audience Comments):
[HangMuWhereIsSuYu]: "Okay, the storm passed, but where the hell is Su Yu? Did he elope with the wolf?"
[FrostbiteBurgerFightRewatch]: "Still processing the Frostbite burger scene tbh. Peak survival content."
[SilverBananaScamTheory]: "Watch Su Yu return riding a whale made of lies and stolen monkey labor."
[ShampooCommercialAftermath]: "The rain ended but my thirst for Su Yu's chaotic return hasn't."
Near a half-dried, sputtering campfire, Linling, her clothes mostly dry but still clinging slightly, took a long, slow breath, scanning the campsite. Her lips twitched with faint annoyance.
Linling (Muttering):
"Still haven't seen that infuriating idiot… Did he actually get eaten?" (A tiny, quickly suppressed part of her felt a flicker of... something other than annoyance?)
By her side, Ning Rou was barking orders at Xu Jie, who lay half-sprawled beside the remnants of their soaked tent like discarded laundry.
Ning Rou:
"More firewood! Now! Stop lying there like decorative seaweed. Useless."
Xu Jie (Groaning, dragging himself upright with monumental effort):
"Woman, you have become significantly more tyrannical since acquiring basic fire-making skills..."
Not far away, Shen Ye meticulously fixed their makeshift roof, hammering a salvaged plank with the robotic precision of someone building a cage for his own sanity. Ruan Yue watched him, leaning against a tree, filing her nails.
Ruan Yue (Smirking):
"You seem to enjoy domestic labor, darling. Didn't you once dream of building a minimalist glass house with me... right before you discovered the espionage clause in my prenup?"
Shen Ye (Deadpan, not missing a hammer stroke, cold as glacier water):
"You're projecting. My dreams involve spreadsheets and silence."
Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed through the camp.
"AHHHH!"
Jian Hao had, inevitably, hammered his own thumb while trying to 'help' Shen Ye. He stumbled back, clutching his injured digit like he'd been mortally wounded in a tragic opera.
Nearby, Qing Qing, sipping warm tea she'd somehow conjured, didn't even look up, merely smirked into her cup.
Qing Qing:
"Predictable. Now tell us again how your extensive experience in the idol industry prepared you for manual labor."
(Audience Comments):
[LuYanMood]: "This tea-sipping savage Qing Qing continues to be my spirit animal."
[DramaOnTheRoofAgain]: "Jian Hao really said: 'I will become one with the hammer... painfully.'"
[KingOfPainShenYe]: "Shen Ye x Dry Sarcasm is the ship that will outlast the apocalypse."
Just then…
Su Yu appeared at the edge of the camp. Soaked trousers now mostly dried by… optimism? Hair somehow neater than before. A string of freshly caught, glistening fish hung from a makeshift spear in his grip. And an unreadable, almost feral glint shone in his eyes.
(Audience Comments):
[BananaNWOLeaderReturns]: "HE'S BACK! And he's holding fish like they owe him protection money."
[HSEShareholderPrediction]: "Bet he fished them using his newly recruited unpaid monkey intern labor."
[SuYuCultLeaderVibes]: "Tell me this man didn't just scam a crab tribe into bringing him breakfast."
Su Yu walked through the campsite with the quiet confidence of a man who had just successfully orchestrated a minor geopolitical shift in a nearby rainforest.
(Because he had.)
(Quick Flashback: Monkeys, armed with sharpened sticks and coconuts, are seen expertly executing 'Operation: Banana Republic Coup', whispering fake scandals about the old King hoarding mangoes, inciting riots over unfair coconut taxation, and generally causing delightful chaos.)
Back in the present…
Linling, seeing him return relatively intact, raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Where have you been?"
Su Yu smiled, radiating pure, innocent mischief. "Just… community outreach. Building strategic alliances with the local primate population. Very productive."
Qing Qing choked on her tea. "Boss Su Yu, your commitment to absurdist humor is truly inspiring!"
But Linling narrowed her eyes. Something was definitely off. She stepped closer, her gaze catching his slight limp. Before he could protest, she grabbed his arm, pulled him firmly towards a large tree stump, and pushed him down. "Sit."
He obeyed, startled. She knelt and rolled up his damp pant leg without asking.
A nasty, scabbed wound, bruised blackish-blue around the edges, was hidden beneath the fabric. Clearly from his fall on the rocks.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice surprisingly neutral, maybe even tinged with... concern?
Su Yu shrugged, trying for nonchalance. "Occupational hazard. Negotiating with nature can be... abrasive."
But his eyes weren't on the wound. They were tracing the curve of her neck as she bent near him, the line of her shoulders under the damp shirt, the fullness of her lips. Desire, unwelcome and inconvenient, crept back in like insidious jungle vines.
Snap out of it! he mentally yelled at himself. Remember the slaps! The disdain! The imminent threat of pointy objects!
Still, Linling, sharp as ever, caught the flicker in his gaze before he could mask it. Her own eyes flared for a fraction of a second.
"You're covered in dirt," she said coolly, abruptly standing up. "And I don't just mean the mud."
She turned and walked back towards the fire, leaving him sitting there, feeling strangely rebuffed and slightly pathetic.
Su Yu, half-smirking despite himself, murmured to the departing back, "Who wouldn't have dirty thoughts about such a dangerously beautiful wife?"
He leaned back against the tree stump, the predatory grin fading into a more self-reflective haze.
Su Yu (Internal Monologue):
"Am I... actually becoming reliant on her presence? Or just her body heat? This is problematic. Need to maintain professional detachment... from my fake wife... who might kill me..."
A moment of deep introspection passed. Maybe thirty seconds.
Then he snapped his fingers, eyes flickering with renewed mischief.
"No worries. Plenty of other targets for my chaotic energy. Time to channel this into annoying Jian Hao—my newly appointed, unpaid, probably unwilling intern at Scamming Enterprises International."
(Audience Comments):
[EmotionalDamageLoading]: "Not Su Yu simping, getting rejected, having an existential crisis, and then immediately plotting more scams, all in under 60 seconds."
[BananaCrisisPlotTwist]: "If I don't see a monkey riot causing relationship drama next episode, I'm rioting."
[CEOOfPainAndPleasure]: "Jian Hao, run. RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. AGAIN."
[FreeTheMonkeyInterns]: "At this point HSE Limited is less a company, more an interspecies threat to global stability."
(Scene: Clear morning sky. The distant chop-chop-chop of helicopter blades grows louder. Everyone looks up, expressions ranging from dread to weary resignation.)
(Audience Comments):
[SkyDaddyHangReturns]: "HELLO, RESOURCE JESUS IS BACK! AND PROBABLY BRINGING MORE PAIN!"
[FishyBusinessIndeed]: "Watch him drop bananas and call it 'artisanal survival cuisine'."
[WifeSnatcherAlertIncoming]: "Hang Mu always arrives precisely when a moment of peace threatens to break out… to personally shatter it."
A helicopter slices through the clouds, Hang Mu dangling precariously from a rope ladder, sunglasses gleaming, grin firmly in place. He proceeds to drop 10 identical, unassuming boxes one after another, all landing with suspicious neatness in a perfect circle around the bewildered group.
Shen Ye narrows his eyes. "Too precise. This configuration suggests deliberate psychological manipulation."
Jian Hao, still nursing his injured thumb and bruised ego, cautiously approaches and pries one box open. Inside: Water bottles.
Second box—also water.
Third, fourth, all the way to the tenth—just endless bottles of plain, boring water.
Hang Mu (Now speaking into a megaphone while swinging slightly from the ladder):
"Behold! Your generous supply drop for the day! Stay hydrated, survivors!"
Qing Qing (Arms folded, tapping her foot, thoroughly unimpressed):
"Hydration is lovely, but we've consumed all edible rations confiscated from Jian Hao. Where is the actual sustenance, you airborne menace?"
Ning Rou, clutching her last emergency ration bar like it's the Hope Diamond, begins eyeing every other couple like a silent predator sizing up potential prey. Her gaze lingers longest on Ruan Yue and Shen Ye's smugly competent energy, then flicks dismissively towards Qing Qing and the perpetually victimized Jian Hao.
Linling, silent, stares at Su Yu's string of fish like it might spontaneously evaporate under the sheer pressure of her gaze. Su Yu, ever so calmly, places a protective hand over the fish basket, adopting the stance of a mother dragon guarding her last hatchling.
Hang Mu (Laughs, the sound echoing artificially):
"Resources, my dear contestants, not necessarily food. Survival requires ingenuity! But also... ratings! The real game begins NOW!"
He points dramatically towards a massive screen lowered from the helicopter, which flickers to life with bombastic theme music.
Hang Mu:
"Welcome, fools—I mean, participants—to the Couple Battle Royale! Your glorious mission: Complete a series of highly questionable, probably dangerous, couple-based competitive tasks! Earn points! Climb the leaderboard! Avoid plummeting into despair! The winning couple each day will receive…"
(Camera zooms in dramatically as Hang Mu pulls back a silken cover on the screen—revealing a virtual table groaning under the weight of luxurious, hyper-realistic digital dishes. Juicy steaks, glistening lobsters, desserts that shimmer like edible jewels.)
Su Yu, who had just been mentally calculating the market value of slightly smoked fish versus potential monkey labor, freezes.
"Steak…" His eyes shimmer with an almost holy light. His hands tremble slightly. "Lobster…" A reverent whisper escapes his lips, "…Is that… real seasoning?"
(Audience Comments):
[HangMuTheCruelChef]: "He knew exactly how to bribe these traumatized, starving savages."
[BrokeButHungryAndDesperate]: "The way Su Yu just spiritually ascended at the mere concept of steak."
[ShenYeScoffsAtPixels]: "Pretty sure Shen Ye is calculating the caloric inaccuracy of digital lobster."
[LinlingGetYourMan]: "Linling, get your man before he sells his soul AND his Cheating privileges to Hang Mu for a appetizer."
Hang Mu (Grinning wider):
"And of course, to please the sponsors, maximize audience engagement, and generally stir the pot of delicious dysfunction—a legendary theme returns…"
The screen flashes brightly with bold, aggressive letters:
BOYS vs GIRLS – Ultimate Survival Couples Showdown!
Winner gets food. Losers get tears (and possibly more water).
Qing Qing (Standing up, striking a pose of fierce elegance):
"Excellent. Let's demonstrate to these disorganized males what true cooperation and strategic superiority look like."
Linling (Brushing an imaginary speck off her shoulder while subtly glaring daggers at Su Yu):
"You better not mess this up. Or you'll be eating dirt. Alone."
Ning Rou (Smirking slightly at Xu Jie, who looks like he might faint):
"If you slow me down, darling, I'll donate your organs to science. The losing side of science."
Meanwhile…
Su Yu stands, eyes blazing with a primal hunger and sudden strategic focus.
Su Yu:
"This is war. This is hunger. This is… a prime marketing opportunity." He looks at Jian Hao, a wicked glint in his eyes, and whispers: "Time to activate Scam Plan Alpha: Operation Point Inflation. We're stealing points, brother. And maybe that lobster."
Jian Hao (Looking pale):
"We're what now?"
(Audience Comments):
[BananaWarReturnsWithSteak]: "I'm here for Ning Rou's villain arc, Su Yu's descent into steak-fueled madness, and the inevitable betrayal!"
[TRPOverloadAchieved]: "Petition to replace Hang Mu's role with Loki from Avengers. Maximum mischief guaranteed."
[RationOrRomanceEndsHere]: "This is not survival. This is gourmet warfare fueled by desperation."
[SuYuSteakSimpConfirmed]: "He'd probably sell his newly recruited monkey army for that pixelated steak plate."
[Scene: Riverbank – Mission One: Build a Bridge (of Lies)]
Hang Mu smirks from his dangling perch on the helicopter ladder, looking like a particularly smug Bond villain escapee.
Hang Mu:
"Task one, simpletons! Build a bridge! Across that conveniently placed, slightly treacherous river! Go!"
A beat of stunned silence.
Everyone (In ragged unison): "HOW?!"
Hang Mu: "Figure it out! That's the 'survival' part! Toodles!"
He gives a jaunty salute and is yanked back into the helicopter, which vanishes into the sky like a particularly annoying hallucination.
(Audience Comments):
[SkyDaddyStrikesAgainAndDips]: "Bro dropped a quest like it was hot garbage and dipped faster than my motivation on a Monday."
[BridgeWithWhatExactly]: "They better build it with pure ambition, betrayal, and possibly Xu Jie's dignity, 'cause that's all they got."
[SurvivalOrSoapOperaSeason2]: "Hang Mu needs to be arrested for psychological war crimes and questionable fashion choices."
Shen Ye, arms folded, surveys the river, then the distinct lack of building materials, muttering to Su Yu, "This is logistically improbable without appropriate tools or resources."
Su Yu, however, is watching the girls' team, who are huddled together, scratching their heads and looking generally confused. He notes with satisfaction: "They don't have a plan either."
Qing Qing: "Ruan Yue! Ideas? Can we seduce the river into parting?"
Ruan Yue: "Even building a terrible bridge requires something to build it with…"
Suddenly, Ning Rou is already in action. She points imperiously at a moderately sized, unstable-looking tree near the riverbank. "Xu Jie! Push."
Xu Jie (Confused, wiping sweat): "But... aren't we competing against the boys? Why build their bridge?"
Ning Rou (Smiling sweetly, dangerously): "Do you want to sleep alone in the cold tonight, darling? Or perhaps test the structural integrity of that cliff face?"
Xu Jie (Gulping audibly): "Tree-pushing it is. Excellent cardio."
Seeing this magnificent display of spousal motivation, Su Yu gets a sly grin and nudges Jian Hao. "Psst. Operation: Incite Rage, Obtain Free Labor. Go tell them they're weaklings who couldn't build a bridge out of pre-fabricated Lego."
Jian Hao (Panicking slightly): "Bro, are you sure? Qing Qing looked ready to weaponize mosquitoes earlier..."
Su Yu (Glancing towards Ning Rou's commanding presence): "Trust me. Nothing motivates like reverse psychology combined with simmering gender-based resentment. It's basic management."
Shen Ye (Deadpan): "This is a objectively terrible, potentially fatal plan."
Still, Jian Hao, ever the brave idiot when motivated by chaos, puffs out his chest and yells across the river:
"HEY! YOU GIRLS NEED HELP?! CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT A MAN'S SUPERIOR ENGINEERING BRAIN, HUH?!"
BAM!
A rock whistles past his ear, thrown with impressive velocity by Qing Qing. "SCUM! MISOGYNIST PIG!"
Jian Hao, now genuinely fuming, picks up his own rock: "YOU CAN'T JUST IGNORE BIOLOGICAL TRUTH BECAUSE IT HURTS YOUR FEELINGS!"
(Audience Comments):
[RockWars2025TheSequel]: "This is not survival. This is primal scream therapy with projectiles."
[SuYuScamGangMastermind]: "Notice how Su Yu instantly dipped the moment the rock-throwing began?"
[RealMenThrowRocksApparently]: "Jian Hao out here starting gender-based conflict over a hypothetical stick bridge. Peak masculinity."
Ruan Yue, resting a delicate hand on Shen Ye's shoulder (who looks like he's calculating the trajectory needed to hit Jian Hao with a water bottle), whispers conspiratorially, "Why are men like this?"
Shen Ye watches as a single leaf detaches from a branch overhead, spiraling down slowly in front of him. He replies, deadpan: "Perhaps... because of women."
Silence. Then chaos erupts as both sides start yelling insults across the river.
Amidst the glorious madness, Su Yu vanishes silently into the jungle. Minutes later, he returns, dragging an assortment of suspiciously sturdy branches, thick vines, and what looks like half a suspiciously pre-fabricated, vaguely bridge-shaped structure.
Linling, realizing he's actually building something while everyone else is screaming, approaches, clearly intending sabotage. As she reaches out to 'accidentally' dislodge a key vine, Su Yu, without even looking, sticks out his foot, tripping her gently but effectively.
Su Yu (Dusting off his hands): "No sabotage allowed. Luxury food is on the line."
Linling (Sitting indignantly on the ground): "Why are you actually making this? Trying to impress someone?"
Su Yu (Tying the last vine with flourish): "It just needs to look like a bridge. Doesn't necessarily need to support weight. Basic project management principle my boss taught me. Who, incidentally, is now my biological mother overseeing this televised torture."
(Helicopter POV – Hang Mu watching through high-powered binoculars)
"Damn it… That manipulative genius! As expected of our Boss of Scams..."
(Audience Comments):
[BridgeOfDeceptionAndLies]: "Su Yu's bridge is built on broken dreams, questionable physics, and pure spite."
[BiologicalMotherBossWHAT?!]: "WAIT HIS MOM IS THE ONE WHO— I need Su Yu's entire backstory RIGHT NOW."
Linling rises, brushing herself off, eyes glinting with a new, dangerous idea.
Linling (Voice suddenly sultry):
"Alright, 'bridge builder'. If you let me claim credit for this... masterpiece... perhaps I'll let you touch my body tonight. Properly."
Su Yu pauses, visibly contemplating the offer. Temptation wars with self-preservation.
Linling (Thinking internally, smugly):
"Hmph. Predictable. Lowly beast only understands primal urges. He thinks he's playing me? This fool has no idea. The Lu inheritance will be mine, and he's just a convenient, occasionally warm, stepping stone."
Su Yu, genuinely tempted for a solid 3.5 seconds, suddenly shakes his head, snapping out of it.
Su Yu:
"Nice try. Obvious manipulation tactic. Besides, after this show, I'm filing for emotional distress and psychological blackmail against the entire production crew. And possibly you."
Linling: "Fool."
She stomps off—straight towards Ning Rou on the other side (who seems to have successfully motivated Xu Jie into felling the tree).
Linling: "Plan B. We need to crush his illusion of competence. And possibly his bridge."
Ning Rou, without hesitation, points at Xu Jie. "You. Human battering ram. Go." She bodily throws Xu Jie towards Su Yu's side of the river.
Xu Jie sails through the air with a terrified yelp—only to be caught deftly mid-flight by Shen Ye, who appeared seemingly from nowhere.
Shen Ye (Depositing a stunned Xu Jie safely): "Inter-team sabotage is inefficient. We must protect Su Yu's… structurally ambiguous creation."
Moments later, Ruan Yue darts forward, clearly aiming to dismantle the 'bridge'—but Shen Ye intercepts her, pinning her gently but firmly against a large tree. "Not today, little spy."
Ruan Yue, lips curling into a smile, simply tilts her head towards Qing Qing.
Qing Qing, now in full Banshee Rage Mode™, begins hurling rocks at Su Yu with alarming accuracy.
Su Yu (Dodging artfully while tying the final decorative vine):
"Ha! Amateur! I was the undisputed rock-throwing champion of Ms. Henderson's 4th-grade class! Your pebbles are merely nostalgic projectiles!"
He ties the last vine with a flourish. The bridge stands. Ish.
Suddenly, a beam of golden light descends from the sky, illuminating Su Yu. A single, glowing star materializes above his head.
[Announcer Voice (Booming):] "Task Complete! Bridge Constructed (Against All Odds)! Boys Win First Star!"
Hang Mu, clicking a button on a remote, drops a large reward bag from the helicopter—but as it hits the ground near the boys…
POOF! Thick, disorienting mist erupts from the bag, instantly engulfing the entire riverbank area. Visibility drops to zero.
No one can see anyone.
Then… the sound of more helicopters. And multiple thuds echoing from different parts of the misty island as more bags are dropped randomly.
Hang Mu's voice echoes eerily through the fog:
"Excellent work, boys! And excellent… screaming, girls! Now, for your SECOND TASK: Make fire! Using only the ancient, traditional techniques! Find dry materials… somewhere… on this very wet island."
"Oh, and try not to get lost. Or eaten. Or betray each other too quickly. Good luck!"
(Audience Comments):
[MistOfMadnessReturns]: "This ain't a survival show anymore. This is a psychological thriller directed by a weather machine."
[SuYuNationPrevails]: "He dodged trauma, women, rocks, AND built a bridge out of lies! Give this man the lobster NOW!"
[HangMuNeedsSeriousTherapy]: "Why is this man always escalating?! Bro, CHILL. Let them EAT."
[FireArcCavemanEdition]: "From romance to warfare to bridge building to prehistoric fire skills. I'm absolutely hooked."
The mist blanketed the island like a silent, damp war cry. Boys and girls stood separated, the dividing line now drawn thicker than ever by fog and resentment.
Ning Rou (Grabbing Xu Jie's wrist with the force of a handcuff):
"You're not escaping. You are now my officially designated, birth-slave husband until this ordeal is over. Try to run, and I will use you as bait."
Xu Jie (Blinking owlishly into the fog): "Is… is 'birth-slave husband' a legally recognized term in this jurisdiction?"
(Audience Comments):
[NationalSimpAgencyApproved]: "She claimed him like a limited edition action figure still in the box."
[PoorXuJieNeedsAnEscapeClause]: "Blink twice if you require immediate extraction and possibly legal counsel, bro."
Shen Ye, watching the newly enforced dynamic, muttered under his breath, "Statistical analysis indicates the team power balance is now… suboptimal."
Qing Qing (Spinning around, glaring into the mist where she assumes the boys are):
"Strong?! You call that strength?! Winning by trickery and questionable Cheating powers?! Stop whining and start rubbing sticks together like real men!"
She threw a particularly vicious glare towards where she imagined Jian Hao was standing.
Jian Hao (Somewhere in the fog, gulping audibly):
"I hereby confess… my previous impure thoughts were fleeting! A momentary lapse! I now stand firmly with my brothers in solidarity against… dampness! And feminine rage!"
(Audience Comments):
[CertifiedDramaKing]: "Bro said 'not today, Satan's temptations' and picked the slightly less terrifying homies."
[PlotArmorVsMist]: "The boys… they're uniting… probably to get hopelessly lost together."
Su Yu emerged from the smoke near his 'bridge', calm as ever, holding up his string of fish proudly. "Gentlemen! We shall feast like kings tonight—assuming one of us remembers how fire works without matches or Cheating commands."
(Audience Comments):
[SuYuNationLeader]: "He brings food, he builds bridges of lies, he dodges rocks, he unites the boys. What can't he do? (Besides make fire, probably)."
As the groups drifted further apart into the thick, swirling smoke, the battlefield shifted once again. The hunt for fire, and perhaps survival, had truly begun.
(Girls' Team Navigating the Mist (plus Xu Jie))
Ning Rou (Barking orders like a drill sergeant):
"Visibility zero. Probability of ambush: moderate. We need dry shelter. Or at least a defensible cave. Xu Jie! Stop lagging!"
Xu Jie (Squinting miserably into the white void):
"My Queen, with all due respect, we can't see a cave. Or trees. Or anything beyond our own existential angst..."
Ning Rou (Snapping):
"Then we mark our path! Like competent survivors! Carve symbols on trees! Leave a trail of ration crumbs! I don't care! We are not dying in circles because of your inability to navigate fog!"
Ruan Yue (Perched gracefully atop a barely visible rock like a misty mountain lookout):
"Direction: North-Northwest! Thermal imaging suggests a potential cave system or significant rock overhang approximately 300 meters ahead!"
Qing Qing (Raising her hand dramatically against the mist):
"The wild… it calls to me! Or maybe that's just Jian Hao whining somewhere..."
(Audience Comments):
[MistOfMisery]: "This ain't a survival show anymore. This is a psychological horror walking tour."
[CaveOrGravePt2]: "Go north, they said. Towards the potential spy-located cave, they said…"
Meanwhile, Linling huffed, arms crossed, trailing slightly behind. "Why isn't that idiot husband of mine crumbling yet? My temptations failed. My threats failed. Does he enjoy suffering?"
Ruan Yue (Calling down cheerfully):
"Perhaps you underestimated his capacity for delusion, dear? Or maybe," (her voice drops slightly) "...you're just not trying hard enough?"
"I did not— well… maybe I told him he was dirt," Linling muttered under her breath.
Ruan Yue (Nodding sagely):
"Ah. Classic mistake. Men are such fragile creatures. You wound their ego; they retreat into stubbornness. Try… flattery next time?"
Xu Jie (Coughing awkwardly nearby):
"Could we perhaps conduct this strategic analysis of male psychology after we find shelter and avoid being eaten by whatever lives in this mist?"
(Audience Comments):
[HeardItAllInTheMist]: "Protect Xu Jie At All Costs. His suffering is too relatable."
[EmotionalDamageReport]: "He's catching psychological warfare strays while carrying luggage in a fog bank."
(Boys' Side – Slithering Through the Mist)
The mist was thick, cold, and curled around the trees like ghostly fingers. Visibility was near zero.
At the front, Shen Ye moved with the cautious, silent grace of a phantom, trying to follow the thermal signature Ruan Yue had presumably shared (or perhaps he was just guessing). Behind him, Su Yu and Jian Hao were… slithering. Literally. Crawling on their bellies through the mud and wet leaves.
Shen Ye (Turning, baffled, whispering):
"What, in the name of all that is logical, are you two doing?"
Su Yu (Eyes half-lidded with exaggerated seriousness, whispering back):
"Advanced jungle warfare tactic. Learned it from a documentary. Crawling low disrupts thermal signatures, minimizes sound, enhances ground-level visibility in dense fog."
Jian Hao (Nodding solemnly, wiping mud from his cheek):
"Can confirm. Saw it on… National Geographic? Or maybe a Reddit conspiracy forum about lizard people. Highly credible sources."
Shen Ye (Sighing so hard it disturbed the mist):
"We would achieve superior reconnaissance if one of you possessed the basic primate instinct to climb a tree and scout ahead."
Both Su Yu and Jian Hao instantly paused their serpentine progress. Their heads turned slowly, simultaneously, towards Shen Ye. Identical wicked gleams sparked in their eyes.
Su Yu & Jian Hao (In eerie, demonic unison):
"You seem quite fond of Ruan Yue, don't you, Shen Ye?"
(Audience Comments):
[BrotherlyBetrayalInitiated]: "The way they synced up that creepy question just gave me ACTUAL chills."
[SimpsUniteForEvil]: "Is this true love motivating them? Or just tactical sacrifice for comedic gain?"
Jian Hao (Grinning):
"She's a spy, right? World-class operative? Surely she taught her favorite boy-toy some basic infiltration skills—climbing trees, rappelling down cliffs, silent takedowns…"
Su Yu (Adding smoothly):
"And you handle sensitive corporate espionage in your company, don't you? Requires agility. Precision. The ability to scale metaphorical walls… or literal trees."
Shen Ye (Freezing, sensing imminent danger):
"Do not—"
Too late.
With zero hesitation and surprising coordination, Su Yu grabbed his legs, Jian Hao grabbed his shoulders, and with a mighty "Heave Ho!", they flung Shen Ye upwards into the misty canopy like a ragdoll launched from a medieval catapult. He hit a thick branch mid-scream, windmilled frantically, and barely managed to grab hold, dangling precariously upside down for a moment before righting himself with begrudging athleticism and wounded dignity.
From below, Su Yu and Jian Hao calmly dusted off their hands, whistling innocently and avoiding eye contact like nothing had happened.
(Audience Comments):
[YeetedInTheSky]: "Bro got YEETED into mandatory recon duty by the Slither Bros."
[SuYuNationTactics]: "Tactical betrayal: confirmed. Efficiency: questionable. Comedy: 10/10."
[TreeClimberCEO101]: "Pretty sure Ruan Yue would be proud of their methods, if not their execution."
Up on the branch, surrounded by swirling mist, Shen Ye sighed deeply, the sound lost in the fog. "I am surrounded by tactical idiots and primal chaos."
He peered through a momentary break in the swirling white—and blinked.
"Correction. There appears to be a rocky ridge formation to the north… potentially indicating a cave entrance."
Back below, Jian Hao smirked. "See? Teamwork! We provided the… upward momentum."
Su Yu grinned, holding up a clump of surprisingly dry moss scraped from nearby tree bark. "Indeed. And I have located potential fire-starting material. Progress!"
(Audience Comments):
[FireArcFuelAcquired]: "We got intel AND dry moss! The plot, like potential fire, is igniting!"
[ManpowerOrIdiocyMatters]: "Girls got emotional damage and a slightly clearer path; boys got altitude advantage and tactical yeeting."
(Girls' Side – Misty Trail, Northward – Unraveling Truths)
Xu Jie led the group bravely (or perhaps just resignedly) through the damp leaves and tangled roots, holding a sturdy stick like a ceremonial flag of suffering.
Xu Jie (Mumbling towards Ning Rou behind him):
"My Queen… with all due respect… why am I perpetually relegated to the role of pack animal and designated target?"
Ning Rou (Smiling slyly, though he couldn't see it):
"Because darling, pack animals don't typically get engaged to their wife's older sister behind her back, now do they?" She leaned in, whispering just for him, "I heard all about your little 'arrangement' from the broadcast, Xu Jie. Every juicy, betraying detail."
Xu Jie gulped audibly, stumbling slightly but quickening his pace as ordered.
(Audience Comments):
[PastSinsHaunting]: "This man thought the reality show exposè was just for ratings. He was wrong. Dead wrong."
[SlayRouKeepsReceipts]: "She's keeping receipts like it's tax season and he owes everything."
Nearby, Ruan Yue nudged Qing Qing playfully. "Speaking of past scandals… why did you slap pretty-boy Jian Hao that night… only to immediately tell the media he assaulted you?"
Qing Qing (Raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, utterly unapologetic):
"Publicity, darling. Pure and simple. You know how hard it is to get trending hashtags these days without manufacturing a little drama? Besides, he looked better with the handprint."
Ruan Yue (Chuckling lightly): "You're delightfully wicked."
Not far behind, Linling groaned dramatically. "How much longer must we wander this miserable, damp purgatory?"
"Just a few more minutes, Your Majesty," Ning Rou called back, before delivering a sharp kick to Xu Jie's backside. "Faster, fiancé. Unless you want to become intimately acquainted with whatever creatures lurk in this fog."
(Audience Comments):
[JusticeForXuJieContinues]: "Blink twice if you're trapped in a toxic marriage simulation, Xu Jie."
[CloutChasersConfess]: "Qing Qing admitting to fake scandals like she's discussing the weather."
(Boys' Side – The Burden of Affection)
Back in another section of the oppressive mist, Shen Ye, perched regally on his branch like a disgruntled owl surveying his domain, refused point blank.
Shen Ye:
"I will not be utilized as a mode of transportation for either of you. That specific form of indignity," (he shuddered slightly) "...is contractually reserved for Ruan Yue."
Jian Hao (Muttering petulantly):
"Who wants your broad, emotionally unavailable shoulders anyway?"
Su Yu (Nodding solemnly, adopting a tragic pose):
"Indeed. We have never experienced the profound honor of being carried by another man in our entire, lonely lifetimes…"
Both slumped melodramatically against the tree trunk, casting jealous, wounded gazes up at Shen Ye like abandoned puppies witnessing another dog get adopted.
Still, Su Yu, ever the strategist (or perhaps just bored), placed a comforting hand on Jian Hao's shoulder. "Fret not, brother in suffering. We shall traverse this misty hellscape together, side-by-side, equals in our misery."
Suddenly, the mist directly before them seemed to split.
A low growl echoed, resonating deep in their chests. A flicker of dark fur. The forest floor seemed to ripple, and the air grew heavy, tasting of ozone and primal fear.
Then it stepped out.
A wolf. Massive, ancient, terrifying. Eyes like molten gold, reflecting the swirling mist. Fur gleaming like polished obsidian dipped in moonlight. It wasn't just a wolf; it felt like the spirit of the island itself had manifested.
Jian Hao froze mid-whimper. Su Yu's heart seemed to stop, then restart with a painful thud. Time stretched, becoming thick and slow.
The wolf growled again, a low rumble that vibrated through the damp earth. It sniffed the air, its golden gaze locking onto Su Yu's—a stare that felt like it peered directly into his soul, bypassing the CEO persona, the amnesia, everything.
Then… it backed away. Slowly. Deliberately. It turned, its massive form dissolving back into the swirling fog like a nightmare rejecting its dreamer. Vanished.
(Audience Comments):
[BeastKnowsBestWhoIsBoss]: "That wolf took one look at Su Yu's chaotic aura and said 'Nope, too much paperwork'."
[SuYuNationProtectedByNature]: "This man radiates so much unpredictable energy, even ancient forest spirits respect it."
[WolfWhispererOrBadOmen?]: "Plot armor thicker than Linling's sarcasm? Or is the wolf a sign of something worse coming?"
[HangMuDefinitelyNeedsTherapy]: "Why is this badly produced reality show suddenly giving me better fantasy lore than half the games I've played?"
(Inside a Lu Corp Stealth Helicopter - High Altitude Surveillance)
Inside the darkened, humming chopper cockpit, Hang Mu sat rigidly, a hand pressed hard against his temple, staring intently at a tactical tablet displaying multiple feeds – one showing the shivering girls, one the bickering boys, and one… a full-blown monkey civil war raging on another part of the island.
On the main feed, bananas flew like furry, yellow missiles. The Spike-Haired Monkey, now wearing a crown of woven vines and banana peels, screamed commands from atop a termite mound throne. The Nerdy Monkey, spectacles askew, frantically pointed at a crude whiteboard, desperately trying to calculate banana trajectory vectors using charcoal. Elsewhere, an Oiled-Up Monkey, glistening menacingly and looking utterly feral, karate-chopped a large, innocent coconut in half purely for intimidation. And amidst the glorious primate chaos, a tiny Baby Monkey waved a tattered piece of parachute fabric emblazoned with a badly drawn logo: "Monkey Mafia – Powered by HSE Limited & Questionable Promises."
(Audience Comments):
[BananaBattalionIsWinning]: "The oiled monkey has achieved peak alpha status. I fear him."
[SmartMonkeyMovementCalculus]: "That nerd monkey predicting banana arcs like he's launching ICBMs."
[PeaceWasNeverAnOptionByPrimates]: "Protect baby monkey banner waver! He's the future Minister of Propaganda!"
Hang Mu finally let out a groan that seemed to age him five years in five seconds. "Dandan," he said wearily over the secure comms channel, "Report. Explain to me... slowly... why my surveillance feed currently depicts Planet of the Apes sponsored by a potentially bankrupt startup?"
(Cut to the other side—Dandan, the seven-year-old hacker god, currently wearing bunny pajamas and surrounded by eight monitors in a tiny, hidden hacker den somewhere.) He munches loudly on honey-butter chips.
Dandan (Saluting casually with a chip):
"Apologies for the signal interference, Taskmaster Hang Mu. Preliminary analysis indicates our esteemed CEO, Su Yu, engaged in interspecies contract negotiations earlier this morning. Terms involved vague promises of 'limitless snacks' and 'territorial dominance'."
Hang Mu blinked slowly. "He signed a contract? With... feral monkeys?"
Dandan (Shrugging, taking another bite):
"Affirmative. Contract was reportedly written on beach sand... subsequently witnessed and ratified by tidal erosion. Legally binding according to... maritime law? Or maybe just Su Yu law. Ecosystem stability is now secondary to HSE expansion."
Hang Mu stared blankly at the screen as a rudimentary monkey tank, constructed entirely out of jungle scrap, bamboo, and strategically placed banana peels, rolled menacingly across the feed in the background.
He slowly, deliberately, removed his sunglasses, polishing them on his already damp shirt. "We," he whispered to the indifferent helicopter controls, "are so incredibly doomed."
(Audience Comments):
[SeaWitnessedAndApproved]: "If the ocean saw the contract, it's basically divine mandate now."
[SuYuPresidentOfChaos]: "This man scammed a seven-year-old into Chief Technical Officer and an entire monkey troop into becoming his private army. Fear him."
[HSEApocalypseIsNigh]: "THEY BUILT A TANK. OUT OF FRUIT AND HOPE. WHAT ARE WE EVEN WATCHING ANYMORE."
[HangMuNeedsMoreTherapy]: "Me. I'm Hang Mu. My therapist is going to need a therapist after this."
(Cave Entrance - Boys vs Girls: The Reckoning)
The air was thick with mist, tension, and the faint smell of damp resentment. The boys and girls squared off near the cave entrance Ruan Yue had spotted. The brief unity of shared misery had evaporated, replaced by simmering rivalry. Xu Jie, looking deeply uncomfortable, had clearly been forced back to the girls' side by Ning Rou's silent death glare. He sighed heavily, stepping forward as a reluctant ambassador.
Xu Jie (Muttering, eyes downcast):
"I apologize for my earlier... team affiliation lapse, gentlemen. My... loyalties have been re-calibrated."
Qing Qing, however, was not interested in apologies. Her eyes, blazing with fury, locked onto Jian Hao. Qing Qing (Screaming, pointing an accusatory finger):
"YOU! Why are YOU even HERE?! Still trying to leech off my fame?!"
Jian Hao, ever the provocateur even when terrified, summoned a cheeky smirk. Jian Hao (Casually shrugging, winking at a hidden drone camera):
"Isn't it obvious, darling? For your beautiful body, of course. Couldn't resist."
The reaction was instantaneous—and violent. SMACK! Qing Qing slapped him across the face with a force that echoed through the misty air, leaving a perfect red handprint. But she wasn't done. Spinning dramatically towards the nearest drone camera, fake tears instantly flooding her eyes, she sobbed:
Qing Qing: "He sexually harassed me! AGAIN! Did you all see that?! This predator!"
The boys stared, stunned into silence by the sheer speed and audacity of the slap and the immediate weaponization of tears.
(Audience Comments):
[QingQingDramaQueenOscar]: "She slapped him AND framed him in under 3 seconds! Academy Award NOW!"
[SuYuNationStillProcessing]: "My dudes are still trying to figure out fire; she's already produced a full soap opera episode."
[ShamelessJianHaoGetsJustice]: "Jian Hao really thought he could get away with that line. Rookie mistake."
Meanwhile, Ruan Yue moved into a fluid fighting stance, her eyes coolly scanning the boys, body poised like a panther ready to strike. Linling stepped beside her, wielding her makeshift stick-sword with surprising menace. The gleam in her eyes was clear: she was ready for violence.
In the sudden escalation, Su Yu and Jian Hao exchanged a panicked glance—a silent agreement passing between them—before both darted away into the mist like startled rabbits, leaving only Shen Ye standing there, looking bewildered.
Shen Ye (Muttering under his breath as he realized he'd been abandoned):
"Ah. Tactical retreat. Leaving the logical one behind. Excellent strategy." He quickly composed himself and executed a flawless, hasty retreat to join the others, mumbling, "Excuse me, ladies. Urgent... spreadsheet emergency elsewhere."
(Audience Comments):
[ShenYeEmergencyExitMaster]: "Shen Ye just found the emergency exit from this entire confrontation. Respect the evasion skills."
[DramaAlertCentralChaos]: "I'm honestly living for Shen Ye's unwavering commitment to avoiding conflict at all costs."
Hang Mu, observing this fresh wave of chaos from his helicopter perch above, let out an exaggerated sigh that was picked up by his mic. He wasn't expecting this particular brand of dysfunction this fast. Reaching down, he casually dropped more water bottles directly onto the boys' suspected location in the fog, like a cruel deity offering hydration as a form of mockery.
(Audience Comments):
[HangMuIsThatYouAgain]: "Hang Mu really be out here tormenting them with tactical H2O drops."
[WaterFightForTheWinIsBack]: "This is no longer a survival game; it's an emotional waterboarding session with bonus hydration."
As the boys sputtered indignantly from the water bottle bombardment somewhere in the mist, they suddenly fell silent. A moment passed. Then, quiet, sinister smirks seemed to echo through the fog—a shared look that said, if we can't win dry shelter, neither will they.
Su Yu suddenly reappeared at the edge of the mist near the cave, coughing dramatically, clutching his chest as if the water had triggered a tragic respiratory event.
Jian Hao, ever the schemer, whispered to Shen Ye, "New plan. Operation: Soggy Sabotage. If we can't have the dry cave, we make sure they can't either. I'll create a diversion..."
Shen Ye glanced back towards the cave entrance, then at Jian Hao, a wicked, calculating smile forming slowly on his usually impassive face. His eyes locked onto Jian Hao, and an idea clicked. "Excellent. Phase one: You will pretend your earlier inappropriate comments were merely the prelude. Go back. Provoke Qing Qing again. Be... a creep."
Jian Hao's eyes widened in horror. "Me?! Go back there?! She'll actually kill me this time! With rocks! Or worse, singing!"
Su Yu reappeared, holding up one of the dropped water bottles, grinning like a demon. "That," he said cheerfully, "is precisely the plan."
(Meanwhile, on the girls' side, just inside the cave entrance)
They had started gathering surprisingly dry moss and twigs, eyes keen as they moved through the dim light. But then, they heard footsteps echoing from the misty entrance. Someone was returning.
Jian Hao's voice boomed from the entrance, deliberately crude and loud. "Qing Qing! My sweet little songbird! Your body is smoother than polished jade… Your legs… longer than my list of regrets…" His words, dripping with fake lechery, were like gasoline poured onto a raging fire.
The girls froze. They turned as one, glaring towards the entrance. Qing Qing wasted zero time, charging forward with a primal scream of fury. SMACK—another slap, harder than the first, sent Jian Hao stumbling backward into the mist.
Qing Qing then spun towards the nearest drone camera, her acting skills hitting legendary levels. "SEE?! What did I tell you?!" she shrieked, wiping away perfectly formed fake tears. "This man is a menace! A predator! He needs to be removed!"
(Audience Comments):
[QingQingForAcademyAwardGOLD]: "This scene? Chef's kiss. Queen behavior intensified."
[JusticeForQingQingAlways]: "Jian Hao got his karma delivered express mail. By hand. Again."
Inside the cave, Su Yu and Shen Ye used the diversion perfectly. Xu Jie, who had been reluctantly dragged deeper into the cave by the girls, suddenly found himself pinned against a damp rock wall by the two emerging boys. They moved with terrifying speed.
"You chose the wrong side, traitor," Su Yu hissed, while Shen Ye efficiently opened two large water bottles. They began force-feeding Xu Jie the water, ignoring his muffled protests. Two full bottles were brutally emptied into his mouth.
Xu Jie gagged, spluttered, feeling as though he might actually burst. His eyes bulged. The strange sensation intensified—he was drowning from the inside out. But just as things reached a critical point, Su Yu and Shen Ye used the remaining water, and grabbed more bottles, playing chaos agents inside the cave, drenching every dry spot, every pile of kindling, every potential sleeping area.
And then, the girls stormed back in, drawn by Xu Jie's muffled choking sounds. Ning Rou, face thunderous, rushed to Xu Jie, hugging him protectively (while also checking if he'd spilled water on her supplies). "Useless! You can't even defend yourself?!"
The tension in the cave exploded. Qing Qing, still fuming, delivered a flying kick to Jian Hao (who had stumbled back inside), sending him crashing into a now very wet rock pile. "You boys are going to regret messing with us!" she shouted, voice dangerously high-pitched.
Ruan Yue, ever poised, simply took a graceful defensive stance near the entrance, blocking the escape route, her eyes glowing with dangerous amusement. Linling, her stick-sword now looking surprisingly menacing in the dim light, joined her, ready for battle.
The boys, realizing their sabotage mission was complete but they were now severely outnumbered and outmatched (especially by Qing Qing's rage), erupted into immediate action. Su Yu and Shen Ye grabbed handfuls of the remaining water bottles and began tossing them wildly, creating splashes and chaos as cover for their escape. Jian Hao scrambled behind them, half-running, half-crawling, desperately trying to keep up as they bolted back out into the unforgiving mist.
The battle for the cave had officially devolved into a soggy, chaotic retreat.
(Audience Comments):
[ShenYeBetrayalPlan]: "Shen Ye using Jian Hao as bait? Cold. Calculating. I love it."
[WaterWarsEpisode3]: "That's it, folks. The real battle was never survival; it was about who stays driest."
[HSEChaosEnsues]: "This is no longer a game of survival; it's an emotional rollercoaster with mandatory water features and questionable life choices."
(The Jungle: Separate Camps, Shared Misery)
The boys retreat deep into the thick, dripping woods, defeated, soggy, but smug about their successful sabotage. Back at the now damp cave, the girls manage to scavenge enough semi-dry resources to eventually start a small, sputtering fire.
Ning Rou, radiating smug command, grabs Xu Jie (who looks thoroughly traumatized) by the collar.
Ning Rou: "You wanted to switch sides, didn't you? Fine. Prove your loyalty. Work like the dog statue you're about to become."
Xu Jie, shivering and miserable, gathers wood and fans the pathetic flames like her loyal, waterlogged servant. Round 2 of the fire challenge clearly goes to the girls, earning them another shiny, mocking star from the system.
Later, as dusk deepens, the boys return to the main beach area—looking surprisingly smug and self-congratulatory—having somehow lit a roaring bonfire (rumors involve Su Yu, Cheating powers, and possibly threatening a firefly). They are frying the fish they caught earlier, the aroma drifting tauntingly towards the girls' damp cave.
Suddenly, the whir of blades returns. A helicopter descends dramatically through the twilight. Hang Mu steps out onto the sand, long coat flapping heroically in the rotor wash, sunglasses perched perfectly despite the fading light.
Hang Mu (Grinning like a game show host possessed by a demon):
"Excellent work, survivors! Fire! Fish! Near-drowning experiences! Now, for the FINAL round! This one decides the true winner of today's gourmet feast!" He surveys the separated groups like a villain admiring his handiwork.
Hang Mu:
"In the next five minutes… you must convince your partner to GIVE UP. If both partners in a couple agree to forfeit, their team automatically loses this round. Simple, right?" He adds, with a shameless wink towards the girls' camp, "By the way, the brilliant designer of this particular psychological torment—our very own Bai Luqi—is, in fact, a girl. So, naturally, the parameters slightly favor the inherent emotional endurance and/or manipulative capabilities typically associated with the female contestants. No bias intended, of course."
Lu Yan's voice crackles over Hang Mu's earpiece (audible to the audience): "Actually, Boss, statistical analysis suggests men give up faster under duress. My calculations indicate—" Hang Mu casually switches off his earpiece.
Hang Mu (Ignoring Lu Yan, pulling out packets of instant noodles):
"To make things fair... or perhaps just more insulting... every boy whose team loses gets one packet of delicious, sodium-rich instant noodles as a consolation prize!" He begins casually handing out the noodle packets to the boys like pity offerings at a soup kitchen.
Hang Mu (Beaming):
"Girls, win your steak! Boys, try to enjoy your... savory dust crumbs! Let the emotional warfare commence!"
The girls, smelling victory (and steak), march confidently back towards the now dry beach area where the feast awaits, leaving the boys squatting miserably around their bonfire. Xu Jie crawls behind Ning Rou like a chained, particularly pathetic beast of burden.
Meanwhile, the boys huddle near their campfire, poking at the noodles boiling in a rusty, salvaged pot.
Jian Hao (Muttering darkly):
"This show... 'Couple Reborn: Love or Lie'... should be renamed 'Couple Reborn: Girls Rule, Boys Drool (and Eat Instant Noodles)'..."
(Night falls completely. Rain begins again, soft at first, then steady.)
The makeshift wooden house shelter creaks under the renewed downpour. Inside, the atmosphere is awkward, tense, and filled with the scent of wet clothes and simmering resentment.
Qing Qing, huddled under her blanket, pointedly ignores Jian Hao but grudgingly offers him a few chunks of dried chicken she'd hoarded. Linling, staring into the darkness, casually passes a piece of her own scavenged fruit to Su Yu without looking at him. Ruan Yue, with a mischievous smile that doesn't reach her eyes, delicately feeds Shen Ye a piece of her own half-eaten ration bar.
Ruan Yue (Voice sweet as poisoned honey):
"Here you go, darling. It has my saliva on it. Extra... intimate."
Shen Ye accepts it with a dead-eyed look, leaning back against the corner like he has transcended physical discomfort and achieved a state of pure, existential ennui.
As thunder rumbles softly outside and rain patters against the parachute roof, Su Yu finds himself sitting dangerously close to Linling again. The faint scent of her shampoo mixed with rainwater. The curve of her leg beneath the damp fabric of her trousers as she sits with her legs crossed—almost reminiscent of that damned pomegranate skirt. His heart gives an unwelcome thump. Lust, inconvenient and illogical, rises like steam in the humid air.
But then—he remembers her earlier words, sharp and dismissive.
(Linling's voice echoing in his mind): "Lowly dirt like you isn't even worth the effort of seduction."
The memory burns, cold and sharp. He flinches internally, standing abruptly and moving a few steps away, turning his back to her, ashamed of the involuntary reaction.
Su Yu (Internal Monologue, fiercely):
"Get a grip! Don't fall for it. Don't be a pawn. She despises you. Remember the slaps. Remember the contempt. You are a CEO, dammit, not some hormone-driven fool!"
Meanwhile, Linling, watching his abrupt retreat from the corner of her eye, narrows her gaze slightly. A tiny frown flickers across her features before vanishing.
Linling (Thinking, annoyed):
"Why has this lowly man suddenly developed... restraint? He stopped trying to cuddle for warmth. He didn't even react to the leg proximity! Did my earlier rejection actually... work? Hmph… unacceptable. How dare he not fall for my unintentional allure?! Fine. I'll simply have to allow him more 'advantages' later. He will be useful. That Lu family inheritance will be mine."