Chapter 44: Wild Dodder (2)

When Tong Ling woke up, she found herself comfortably placed on a grassy area strewn with leaves. It was evident that someone had deliberately tidied the spot where she lay, and her body was covered with a man’s jacket. Despite this, the frail female supporting character still felt a wave of discomfort.

“Host, are you okay?” m577 knew Tong Ling genuinely fainted afterward, feeling guilty, and thus approached her more cautiously.

“Hmph,” Tong Ling responded with a wry smile. “Tell me what happened.”

[As per the original plot, after the plane crash, everyone escaped from the cabin. The captain and flight attendants all died, leaving only the surviving characters: protagonist Xuan Yiqing, male lead Fu Jingyan, twins Duan Jiaze and Duan Jiayou, Blue Hair Zhu Zhan, and supporting character Bai Ling.]

[After settling you here, host, the others went to search the wreckage for usable items and food.]

Tong Ling sat up; her dress was drenched, making it uncomfortable to wear. However, there wasn’t much she could do about it at the moment, so she draped the jacket securely around herself and began examining the surrounding environment.

Perhaps concerned she might feel uneasy upon waking and not seeing anyone around, Fu Jingyan had placed her at the entrance to the woods, where with just a glance upward, one could see the distant beach and sea. The majority of the private plane’s wreckage had landed in the water, and now those individuals were venturing into the ocean to retrieve items. From the look of it, their situation was grim.

As a useless parasitic vine female supporting character, Tong Ling naturally wouldn’t participate in their work. She slowly stood up, ignoring the group by the shoreline, and headed directly deeper into the forest.

[Host, don’t wander off randomly; there are still dangers on this deserted island. Watch out for venomous snakes and insects…] m577 cautioned.

“I know.” If not for the poor physical condition typical of female supporting characters, Tong Ling wouldn’t have cared about the risks posed by the deserted island. “I’m going to survey the terrain and make some preparations.”

[I can provide navigation for you], m577 obediently replied. [Whatever you need, I’ll do my best to help locate!]

“Mark the locations of plants that repel mosquitoes,” Tong Ling commanded the system without any politeness. “Also, indicate the positions of edible fruits, plants, and fungi… I require precise locations.”

“Surely you’re not planning to survive alone in the wilderness, are you?” m577 queried.

Tong Ling responded, “Why would a parasitic vine do such a thing? I just need to know their locations.”

Relieved, m577 feared that if Tong Ling attempted to survive solo, it could lead to the failure of its plot mission.

Tong Ling first set out to find mosquito-repelling plants, gathering a bunch of mossy mint and similar species, which she stuffed into her jacket pockets. After walking for only a short distance, her body couldn’t endure it anymore. Without even examining any fruits, she paused every few steps until she retraced her path back to the entrance of the woods.

Upon returning, Tong Ling was immediately surrounded by the anxious group who had been searching for her. Xuan Yiqing, the female protagonist, embraced her tightly, concern filling her eyes as she said, “Lingling, where did you go? With your fragile health, how could you wander off like that?”

“Yes, Elder Sister Bai, we were so worried when you disappeared!” the twins chimed in unison.

Fu Jingyan, who consistently took on the role of caretaker, frowned deeply. He scrutinized Tong Ling from head to toe; upon seeing no injuries, he slowly sighed with relief. “Little Ling, this place is very dangerous. From now on, you must always have someone accompany you whenever you venture out.”

Zhu Zhan stood aloofly to the side, seemingly unconcerned about the young lady’s disappearance.

Just as before, Tong Ling ignored the twins’ and Fu Jingyan’s expressions of care. She hugged Xuan Yiqing tightly, shrinking fully into the protagonist’s embrace, and whispered softly, “Qingqing, I’m okay.”

Bai Ling’s figure was delicate and petite; nestled in Xuan Yiqing’s arms, she resembled a lost little boat finding its trusted harbor. The unintentional display of vulnerability made her pale, small face appear somewhat pitiful yet endearing.

Xuan Yiqing hesitated for a moment, intending to pat Bai Ling’s back. However, noticing the stark contrast between her rough hands and Bai Ling’s smooth, fair skin, she quickly withdrew her hand.

No one observed this subtle action from Xuan Yiqing, only hearing her sigh helplessly, “Oh, you really shouldn’t keep making us worry so much. Our situation is dire enough as it is. If you continue wandering off like this, I truly don’t know what to do.”

Upon hearing Xuan Yiqing’s words, the expressions of the others also turned grim.

Standing drenched on the deserted island, each gust of sea wind chilled them both physically and emotionally.

The plane had crashed into the sea, rendering all their communication devices useless. Many items were scattered across the ocean floor, and the food they managed to salvage was pitifully scarce. The only preserved food left consisted of some biscuits and bread, which, despite being previously disregarded, now became crucial for their survival.

They also retrieved a few bottles of beverages from the plane’s storage compartments, but the quantity was far insufficient for their consumption. No one knew when the outside world would notice their disappearance, and in this environment lacking fresh water, every resource felt so meager yet precious.

“Listen…” Zhu Zhan, feeling exceptionally uncomfortable due to his leather jacket sticking to him after entering the sea, spoke up irritably, “Miss Bai, you mentioned earlier that ‘the plane would crash.’ What exactly is going on?”

Zhu Zhan’s sharp gaze fixed intently on Bai Ling, attempting to discern something from the delicate young lady’s face.

As soon as Zhu Zhan uttered these words, the atmosphere among the group grew tense once again. Bai Ling’s previous peculiar actions, combined with her prediction of the plane crash, left them bewildered and uneasy. Before the crash, they might have simply thought Bai Ling was mentally unstable or ill, but now… they couldn’t help but consider if some supernatural events beyond reality might be unfolding.

Undoubtedly, Bai Ling harbored many secrets. If they wanted to be rescued, they had to uncover those secrets and learn the truth of the situation!

Tong Ling’s gaze briefly swept over Zhu Zhan, marveling at his fashion sense with a click of her tongue. Unable to resist, she shared her thoughts with the system: “Those tight leather clothes are truly sexy, showcasing his abs, hips, and firm buttocks so clearly. Seems like he’s well-endowed in that area too.”

m577: […]

The corner of m577’s mouth twitched as it responded, [“Where exactly are you looking?!”]

“He dared to stand before me all drenched like this; what harm is there in taking a look?” Tong Ling didn’t forget to glance at the youth’s face either - sharp eyebrows framing bright eyes, exuding striking handsomeness with an air of rebelliousness, enhanced by his unconventional blue hair, giving him a truly wild appearance.

In Bai Ling’s memories, Young Master Zhu Zhan was known as a troublemaker who drank, smoked, and sported dyed hairstyles. He would often arrive at school on his motorcycle, notorious both within and outside the campus. Rumor had it that he frequently got into fights, and if not for his family’s influence, he would have faced numerous disciplinary actions long ago.

Before allowing Zhu Zhan to be Bai Ling’s companion, her parents had meticulously reviewed his background. Beyond their own generation’s friendship, they believed that although Zhu Zhan wasn’t as well-behaved as other children, his fiery and free-spirited nature might positively influence Bai Ling.

Bai Ling, introverted and melancholic, lacked outgoing friends like him.

Unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Bai’s plan fell through. Initially, Zhu Zhan showed some interest in Bai Ling, but once he realized she was uninteresting, aloof, and overly delicate, that bit of curiosity vanished instantly. He was not someone inclined to please others; accompanying Bai Ling was purely due to parental pressure. Among all their companions, Zhu Zhan was the most annoyed by Bai Ling.

However, now Zhu Zhan’s interest in this young lady has reignited. He wants to know what caused the change in Bai Ling, as she indeed appears more intriguing than before.

“Speak up.” Seeing Bai Ling remain silent, Zhu Zhan urged, “If you don’t answer, I’ll have to assume that the plane crash was your doing!”

“Zhu Zhan!” Fu Jingyan disapprovingly reprimanded him, “Don’t say such things!”

After issuing his warning to Zhu Zhan, Fu Jingyan turned with a gentle expression towards Tong Ling and said, “Little Ling, we’ve been stranded on this deserted island without any means to seek help. If you truly know something, please tell us, alright?”

Zhu Zhan was visibly dissatisfied with Fu Jingyan’s coaxing tone, akin to speaking to a child. However, considering Fu Jingyan’s age and status, he refrained from saying more.

Fu Jingyan was about five or six years older than the other teenagers present, being the first playmate chosen for Bai Ling by her parents. With his cheerful disposition and impeccable manners, Fu Jingyan stood out as the most exceptional among the younger generation of several influential families.

From their very first meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Bai took a strong liking to Fu Jingyan. They believed that having someone as outstanding as him by Bai Ling’s side would alleviate their concerns about her well-being.

Fu Jingyan did not disappoint their expectations, showing unwavering care towards Bai Ling like a caring big brother, attending to her needs diligently.

It wasn’t inherently in Fu Jingyan’s nature to be overly attentive; rather, it stemmed from his habit of striving for perfection in everything he did. Since birth, to become the pride of the Fu family, he consistently met the various expectations set by his parents. Caring for Bai Ling was one such expectation, although looking after the Bai family’s heiress proved far more challenging than handling other tasks.

This time, while trying to take care of her, he himself ended up in this terrible predicament as well. Nevertheless, Fu Jingyan continued displaying unwavering patience towards Bai Ling, always remaining the most dependable person in everyone’s eyes.

Compared to Zhu Zhan, Fu Jingyan was far more skilled at handling conversations. He presented himself with impeccable manners and attentive consideration, his smile warm and face strikingly handsome—softening someone’s stance wasn’t much of a challenge for him.

However, Tong Ling still didn’t spare him so much as a glance. From the moment they met, she consistently avoided interacting with any males present, her gaze fixed solely on Xuan Yiqing.

The twin brothers, Duan Jiaze and Duan Jiayou, put on pitiful expressions and pleaded plaintively to Tong Ling, “Elder Sister Bai, Elder Sister Bai, did we do something wrong? Please don’t ignore us!”

Among those present, these twins had the most exuberant personalities. Perhaps due to their charming looks attracting excessive adoration, they retained a playful childlike nature. This plane crash stranding them on a deserted island marked their most disheveled moment yet. Their wet hair clung limply to their cheeks, and identical beautiful faces displayed pleading expressions that would soften anyone’s heart upon seeing them.

Tong Ling had discreetly observed the twins and noticed that aside from their clothing, there were no discernible differences between them—in appearance, mannerisms, voice, or expressions. Normal identical twins couldn’t be this similar; every person has their own distinct personality and quirks. For individuals to synchronize so closely, it was highly likely they were intentionally imitating each other. This piqued Tong Ling’s curiosity—just what differences existed between Duan Jiaze and Duan Jiayou?

“Little M, can you scan their body data? Are those aspects also identical?” Tong Ling asked, adopting an academic tone.

M577’s expression crumbled: [S-sis, my dear sister, could you focus on more serious matters? You’re surviving in the wilderness now—shouldn’t survival be your priority?]

Tong Ling giggled, “Outdoors, under the open sky, with beautiful young boys… heehee…”

M577 felt like it was developing heart problems instead of Tong Ling!

“Forget it, I won’t bother asking you anymore. I’ll try myself later,” Tong Ling said.

M577 was utterly distraught: [Try what exactly? With your disruptive nature, sooner or later, you’ll end up in the black room. Then not only will you disappear, but I’ll be finished too!]

Tong Ling giggled, “The black room, heehee…”

M577 nearly cried out for help—why had it ever approached this woman? How could it have been so blind?

Seeing that Tong Ling truly paid them no heed, the twins exchanged glances and dejectedly asked, “What should we do? Is there anyone who can get Elder Sister Bai to speak?”

Fu Jingyan’s gaze immediately shifted to Xuan Yiqing. “Little Ling isn’t doing well right now. Could you please keep an eye on her?”

The twins chimed in, “Thank you for your trouble, Xuan-jiejie. We hope Xuan-jiejie can make Elder Sister Bai talk.”

Even Zhu Zhan looked towards Xuan Yiqing; evidently, everyone recognized her as the potential breakthrough point.

This was the first time Xuan Yiqing found herself the center of attention among such a group of handsome young men, leaving her momentarily flustered. Initially, these individuals hadn’t given her much notice, their focus always being on the Bai family’s eldest daughter, Bai Ling. Even though their current attention was still for Bai Ling’s sake, being sought after by these people brought Xuan Yiqing an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

“Lingling is my friend; I’ll definitely help her!” Xuan Yiqing nodded towards the group and took hold of Tong Ling’s wrist, saying, “Lingling, let’s talk privately.”

“Ah…” Tong Ling emitted a soft cry of pain.

Fu Jingyan hurried forward. “What’s wrong?”

Tong Ling pulled her wrist from Xuan Yiqing’s grasp, revealing a red mark encircling her delicate, fair skin.

This was the imprint left by Fu Jingyan when he grabbed her wrist to prevent Bai Ling’s suicide on the plane. The touch from Xuan Yiqing just now reignited Bai Ling’s discomfort.

With a wary and fearful glance at Fu Jingyan, Tong Ling swiftly grasped Xuan Yiqing’s hand. “Let’s go somewhere aside.”

“What happened to the medical kit we retrieved earlier?” Recalling the incident on the plane, Fu Jingyan turned and asked, “Little Ling’s wrist is injured; see if there’s any ointment for treatment.”

“Tch,” Zhu Zhan muttered, “Why is that girl so delicate!”

“Elder Sister Bai has always been very fragile, you know,” Duan Jiaze said with a smile. “She seems more like a porcelain doll than Little You.”

Duan Jiayou countered, “More like a porcelain doll than Little Zuo!”

“All right, you two.” Fu Jingyan felt somewhat helpless dealing with the twins, who still had energy for mischief amidst this situation. “We have much to do—find a place to stay tonight, figure out how to start a fire, locate water sources, and search for food. There are six of us in total; the salvaged supplies won’t last long.”

Upon hearing Fu Jingyan’s words, the twins settled down and obediently set about their tasks.

Tong Ling and Xuan Yiqing walked under the shade of a tree. Before Xuan Yiqing could speak, Tong Ling began talking: “I know what those people wanted to ask, and I also understand that what I’m about to say might sound unbelievable, but I’ll only tell you, Qingqing—you must believe me!”

From the moment Zhu Zhan started questioning Tong Ling, Xuan Yiqing had been feeling bewildered. She didn’t know exactly what happened on the plane; by the time she arrived, it had already crashed. Later, in a desperate bid for survival, she had followed closely behind everyone else. While Bai Ling comfortably rested nearby, Xuan Yiqing had to struggle through seawater, striving to retrieve items.

In short, Xuan Yiqing was utterly exhausted, yet she still needed to reassure this young lady so that she would appear normal in front of others.

“Of course I believe you,” Xuan Yiqing smiled warmly. “You’re my best friend; who else would I trust if not you?”

“Then please, don’t tell anyone what I’ve just shared with you.” Tong Ling glanced sideways at the distant group, her expression filled with disgust and fear. “They aren’t good people!”

Xuan Yiqing was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”

“Actually…” Tong Ling paused for a moment, “From the plane crash to our struggle for survival on this deserted island, I’ve already experienced all of these events…”

Now, Xuan Yiqing couldn’t maintain her composure. “What do you mean by that?”

“I don’t know why I returned to this point in time, or why I have to go through everything again…” As Tong Ling blinked, tears streamed down her face. “Everything happening here feels like a nightmare. I thought I could forget it, but I never imagined…” Her sobs grew more intense, her tears falling relentlessly, evoking deep sympathy.

However, Xuan Yiqing couldn’t appreciate the sight of the young lady’s tears and persisted with her questions, “Your meaning is…you’re from the future? You know what will happen to us next?”

“H-how is this possible!” Xuan Yiqing couldn’t believe such an extraordinary claim!

Tong Ling reached into her jacket pocket and took out a mossy mint plant, handing it to Xuan Yiqing. “I picked this mossy mint just now from the forest; its location matched exactly as I remembered. I clearly recall all the spots where we painstakingly searched for food on this deserted island!”

With their future survival at stake, Xuan Yiqing dared not dismiss Tong Ling’s words lightly. “Really? You know what resources are available on this island?”

In a hushed voice, Tong Ling said, “I can tell you the locations of edible fruit trees. Once you check them, you’ll see that I’m not lying.”

m577 suddenly realized, “So these questions were meant to solidify your role as a prophet!”]

Having experienced two worlds already, m577 was well aware of its host’s nature - she was nothing but a deceitful liar! First, it was identity fraud with her background, and now she even fabricated a “rebirth prophecy.” What wouldn’t she dare to make up?!

[“This won’t do. You’re risking plot derailment! How can a parasitic vine-like female supporting character be so useful?!”]

“Well, they’ll eventually discover those places anyway,” Tong Ling said to the system. “Besides… I haven’t done anything myself; it’s the protagonist who is truly useful. She will find ways to search for food, aligning perfectly with the original plot.”

“The parasitic vine-like female supporting character does nothing, while the protagonist Xuan Yiqing provides significant help—what a truly remarkable person!”

Suspiciously, m577 questioned, 【But if the protagonist reveals that you provided this information, won’t everyone then recognize your usefulness?】

Tong Ling scoffed, “Do you think she would?”

m577 hesitated, unable to give a confident response after witnessing how the protagonist treated the supporting character in the original story.

“She won’t say anything.” Coldness flickered in Tong Ling’s eyes. “After finally leveling our social status here, why would she let me outshine her? It’s just human nature.”

“She will withhold valuable information and only share the unfavorable news. Even keeping silent about my involvement serves as a reminder not to reveal secrets to others.”

m577 murmured, 【We should believe in the brightness of the world and the kindness of humanity…】

Tong Ling swiftly silenced the system with one remark, “Have you forgotten the fate of the female supporting character in the original plot?”

Xuan Yiqing looked at the mossy mint plant in her hand and listened to Tong Ling’s words, already believing about eight or nine parts of Bai Ling’s experiences. Otherwise, how would such a delicate and fragile young lady have such detailed knowledge of this deserted island?

“You say they’re not good people…” Xuan Yiqing focused on the crux of the matter.

Tong Ling shuddered slightly and lowered her gaze. “On this isolated desert island, those men can do whatever they want without anyone stopping them. With no other forms of entertainment, they will still seek ways to release their desires… They…”

Tong Ling choked up, unable to continue speaking.

Shocked by the implications of Tong Ling’s words, Xuan Yiqing covered her mouth. “Are you saying they might harm women…”

In a weak tone, m577 interjected, 【No, don’t believe it. The original plot was very innocent…】

As for whether it could remain innocent with the presence of a host, m577 couldn’t guarantee that.

Tong Ling grabbed Xuan Yiqing’s arm. “Qingqing, only you can protect me now. Let’s stay far away from them; we shouldn’t be together with those men…”

How could Xuan Yiqing possibly agree to this? Taking a frail and delicate young lady out into the wilderness for survival practically amounted to courting death! At present, they didn’t even possess the ability to survive alone. Without finding a way to unite everyone or relying on those men, there was absolutely no chance they could endure!

Moreover, as for that kind of thing…it might not necessarily happen. Xuan Yiqing’s gaze flickered briefly, considering that among such exceptional individuals, having such needs seemed somewhat…normal.

Moreover, regarding that kind of thing… it might not necessarily happen. Xuan Yiqing’s gaze flickered slightly; for such exceptional individuals, having those needs would be quite… normal.

“Lingling,” Xuan Yiqing said firmly, “the events you mentioned have not occurred yet. We cannot judge or accuse others based on hypothetical scenarios that haven’t happened, do you agree?”

Tong Ling hesitated, “But what about in the future…”

“Perhaps by returning now, we can change those dreadful experiences. Look, we already know much more information than before, and things here have already begun to shift…” Xuan Yiqing advised gently, “In front of them, don’t act too differently; it will only draw excessive attention to yourself.”

Xuan Yiqing tightened her grip on Tong Ling’s hand, “Trust me, okay?”

Tong Ling softly nodded.

Smiling, Xuan Yiqing said, “Rest here for a bit while I take care of some tasks.”

“I-I want some water…” Tong Ling murmured.

With a gentle demeanor, Xuan Yiqing replied, “Alright, I’ll bring it right away.”

After offering a few more words of concern to the young lady, once out of earshot, Xuan Yiqing began forming new thoughts.

“What’s going on? What exactly is wrong with Little Ling?” Fu Jingyan immediately asked upon Xuan Yiqing’s return.

Xuan Yiqing glanced at the group gathered around, feeling hesitant. “Well…”

“Just get to the point, don’t dawdle,” Zhu Zhan urged impatiently.

Simultaneously, the twins chimed in, “Xuan Jiejie, please tell us quickly.”

As if having made a decision, Xuan Yiqing slowly explained, “Lingling had a dream where the plane crashed, and our group landed on this deserted island. In her dream, some of you did… did something harmful to her. She’s genuinely frightened of you all, which led to her extreme reaction.”

“A dream?” Zhu Zhan was skeptical. “How could a dream predict that we would actually crash here?”

He hadn’t forgotten Bai Ling’s behavior on the plane—could a mere dream have such a profound impact on someone?

And…

“What do you mean by ‘something harmful’ to her?” Zhu Zhan asked, visibly annoyed. “What exactly is going through that woman’s mind? How could we possibly do anything like…”

Fu Jingyan pondered deeper, “Aside from the plane crash and what happened to her, did she dream about anything else?”

Xuan Yiqing shook her head, “No, she only remembers these details.”

After a brief exchange, each person scattered to gather dry branches for firewood.

Once Xuan Yiqing left, the twins exchanged glances.

“Little Zuo, do you believe that woman’s story?”

“Little You, do you think it’s true?”

Both burst out laughing, their delicate faces mirroring expressions of disdain. “She’s a liar, making up stories!”