Chapter 49: Wild Dodder (7)

On this silent night, the moon’s gentle glow illuminated the sandy beach.

In the desolate island, it felt as if only he and the girl nestled in his arms remained.

The suppressed emotions from earlier now surged freely with the arrival of darkness. The cool sea breeze drew Bai Ling closer to Fu Jingyan’s embrace; her hands lightly rested on his shoulders, and her soft cheek leaned against his neck. Her warm, shallow breaths brushed against his skin, stirring a subtle tingling sensation within Fu Jingyan’s heart.

“During the day… why did you ignore me?” The young lady’s demeanor towards him was entirely different between daytime and nighttime. Fu Jingyan knew well that Bai Ling’s thoughts were disoriented at night, yet he couldn’t resist asking the question.

As if she hadn’t quite heard him, Bai Ling softly whined in a playful manner, “Feed me my medicine, Jingyan.”

“First answer me, then I’ll feed you, okay?” Fu Jingyan gently kissed the young lady’s forehead, his tone firm and unwavering. “Be good.”

“Wah…” Seemingly startled by Fu Jingyan’s sternness, Bai Ling’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. “I’m sorry, Jingyan…”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” The young lady repeated her apologies, large tears streaming down her face.

Fu Jingyan couldn’t comprehend why someone would cry so easily, nor had he realized how heartbreakingly beautiful the sight of someone’s tears could be. All he knew was that his heart softened uncontrollably, casting aside all traces of his previous sternness.

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.” Holding the young lady close, Fu Jingyan gently wiped away her tears and softly reassured her, “I just… can’t bear your cold treatment towards me.”

After last night, Fu Jingyan understood that his feelings for the young lady had irrevocably changed. He found himself unable to stop thinking about her. In this harsh environment, without him, the delicate and fragile flower she was would surely wither swiftly. Who else, besides him, could nurture such a blossom properly?

She needed him.

Without him, she could not survive.

That’s why Fu Jingyan struggled immensely when faced with the young lady’s indifference.

“Jingyan…” The young lady lifted her head, her pale, slender fingers grasping his wrist as she gently swayed it back and forth. “Please don’t be angry with me, okay?”

Each gentle sway of her hand made Fu Jingyan’s heart tremble twice; any lingering anger dissolved instantly. He even refrained from raising his voice, fearful of startling his precious young lady.

Fu Jingyan decided to let go of pursuing this particular issue further and asked another question instead, “Today… did Zhu Zhan come looking for you?”

Bai Ling fell silent.

Seeing her reaction, Fu Jingyan understood immediately. While he wasn’t watching, that bastard indeed sought out his young lady!

“What did he do?” Fu Jingyan asked coldly.

With a blink, Bai Ling’s eyes welled up with tears again, threatening to spill over.

Sighing, Fu Jingyan said, “I’m not blaming you. You should know how others would treat you without me. Why can’t you just stay obediently by my side?”

Bai Ling remained silent.

“What did he do to you?” Fu Jingyan repeated, gently combing through the young lady’s hair with his fingers.

“You’re angry, Jingyan.” The young lady turned away, “I knew it would upset you.”

Fu Jingyan didn’t quite know how to handle the situation. “I am worried about you,” he insisted.

“But… you know I can’t refuse him.” A hint of resentment crept into the girl’s voice, “There’s no way for me to resist.”

“You have me,” Fu Jingyan hurriedly reassured her. “As long as I’m here, no one can force you.”

The young lady’s reaction made it clear to Fu Jingyan that she didn’t fully trust him.

Her arms instinctively wrapped around him, and like a kitten, she gently nuzzled his shoulder. “Then feed me my medicine, Jingyan.”

Her intentions were unmistakably clear, and her actions undeniably enticing.

Her lips softly brushed against his cheek before finally landing on his mouth.

“Please give it to me,” the young lady pleaded. “What do I need to do for you to hand it over?”

Fu Jingyan could now clearly see what the young lady was thinking.

In her eyes, he was no different from others who coerced her. During the day, she kept her distance out of fear, but at night, when her body couldn’t withstand the withdrawal, she would act just like this - pitifully charming and seeking his favor. She would do anything to obtain her medication.

Despite feeling physically warm, Fu Jingyan’s heart turned icy cold.

He could easily hand over the medication to restore her smile, but he also understood that once he no longer held something she needed, she would mercilessly discard him without hesitation. Just as during the day, he wouldn’t witness her displaying such gentle and compliant behavior towards him again.

How could he forget? On the plane, the young lady had detested his touch intensely; it was only after arriving on this deserted island that her attitude towards him changed.

Fu Jingyan wasn’t unaware of the ethical issues with his actions, but he couldn’t think of any other way to approach the situation. He felt compelled to gradually soften his stance towards the young lady, hoping she would recognize his genuine desire to care for her.

“I will give you the medicine,” Fu Jingyan tightened his embrace around the young lady, shielding her completely from the sea breeze. “If you don’t want to answer my question, that’s fine. I just need to know if you’ve been hurt today.”

Bai Ling shook her head within his arms, “Not today.”

“Are you sure?” Fu Jingyan found himself unable to dismiss his concerns. Considering Zhu Zhan’s impulsive and reckless nature, if he had injured the young lady’s back yesterday, it seemed unlikely that nothing happened today…

“Can I check just to be certain?” As soon as these words left Fu Jingyan’s mouth, even he was startled by his own request.

How could he…how could he make such a demand to the young lady?

Bai Ling softly asked, “Will you give me the medicine after checking?”

Fu Jingyan felt torn between two conflicting thoughts: one half accusing him of making the request out of selfish desires, while the other insisting he genuinely cared for the young lady’s well-being.

The two conflicting thoughts tugged at him, yet they reached the same conclusion.

Regardless of whether it was out of goodwill or selfishness, he still proceeded with his request.

“Yes, I’ll give you the medicine right after the examination,” Fu Jingyan assured her.

The young lady obediently nodded and remained perfectly still, leaning against his embrace.

With utmost gentleness, Fu Jingyan removed the young lady’s jacket, just as he had done last night, unzipping the back of her long dress.

On her treated back, the red marks had significantly faded, transforming its appearance from pitiful to instead convey a delicate beauty.

Pink traces spread across her fair skin. Fu Jingyan extended a finger, lightly caressing those faint pink marks, and asked with deep concern in his eyes, “Does it hurt?”

The young lady’s voice trembled slightly, “No, it doesn’t.”

“In front of me, there’s no need to suppress yourself; you can tell me anything.” Fu Jingyan reassured her before asking, “May I check for any other injuries on your body?”

The young lady closed her eyes, her long lashes fluttering even more under his gaze.

“Don’t worry, I’m only examining you, nothing else will be done.” With tender affection, Fu Jingyan kissed the trembling eyelashes of the young girl.

True to his word, he only conducted the examination, suppressing any inappropriate thoughts deep within his heart.

Upon finishing the check, Fu Jingyan suddenly realized he had been holding his breath. His chest ached from the lack of oxygen, and even his breaths felt heated as beads of sweat covered his body.

When the chilled girl clung tighter to him, Fu Jingyan’s voice turned hoarse.

“Yes, you’re not injured,” Fu Jingyan said, no longer daring to let her sit on him. He shifted slightly, hastily pulling down her skirt and draping her coat back over her shoulders. “I’ll go fetch some water for you.”

After setting the girl down, Fu Jingyan swiftly walked to the other side of the beach. At the marked spot, he dug up the stored food and fresh water he had hidden earlier.

He didn’t rush back immediately. Only after allowing much of his body heat to dissipate did he steady himself, maintaining a composed expression as he returned to the young lady’s side.

As soon as Fu Jingyan mentioned checking the host’s body, m577 emitted a strange exclamation: [What does he think he’s doing?! Yesterday it was applying ointment, today it’s examinations - what is he after!?]

Tong Ling scoffed at the system, “Don’t be so jumpy. When someone realizes they have absolute control, they often want to test others’ boundaries.”

m577 imagined the potential outcome: 【Isn’t that akin to probing a black hole…? You’ll just get swallowed up…】

Tong Ling was speechless at the system’s analogy.

When Fu Jingyan returned, Tong Ling clutched her coat tightly, shifting her gaze to the food in his hands.

Fu Jingyan handed over the carefully selected fruits first. “We found fruit trees, and these are the ones we picked today.”

He also held a small box of cookies, which he stuffed into the young lady’s arms. “Those who contribute work earn their share of food. Since you didn’t want to be near me during the day, I couldn’t take care of you then. Keep these for eating throughout the daylight hours.”

“Jingyan…” Tong Ling gazed at Fu Jingyan, bewildered. “I…”

“Not only medicine but also food, I will provide everything for you.” Fu Jingyan gently lifted the young lady again, noticing her immobility. He brought the fruit close to Bai Ling’s mouth himself, “You can rely on me more.”

She wouldn’t need to remember him only when lacking medication; regardless of when she needed him, he would always be there.

Without further hesitation, Tong Ling took a bite from the fruit offered by Fu Jingyan’s hand.

As the tangy-sweet juice filled her mouth, Tong Ling’s eyes narrowed contentedly, and a sweet smile graced her lips.

“Is it good?” Fu Jingyan asked.

The young lady nodded without hesitation.

After she finished eating one fruit, Fu Jingyan picked up another and took a bite himself. Gazing quietly at Bai Ling, he didn’t swallow the fruit but patiently waited for the young lady to partake from his mouth.

Bai Ling leaned forward, just as her tongue was about to take the fruit, Fu Jingyan’s long-suppressed passion erupted instantly.

This time, instead of remaining passive, he actively engaged with the young lady, sharing the food together enthusiastically.

Only when the young lady grew breathless and collapsed softly into his arms, her clear eyes once again misting over, did Fu Jingyan manage to suppress his fervor and gently release her.

Fu Jingyan knew his limits; he understood what the young lady could handle. Moreover, he still had medication on hand. Carefully, Fu Jingyan fed Bai Ling the pills, providing her with water to help her swallow them. After ensuring they hid their shared meal, he carried her back to the campsite.

Their departure and return were both quiet, leaving no one aware of what they had done during the night.

As Fu Jingyan watched the young lady fall asleep, he reflected on everything he had done for her. He repeatedly reassured himself: “I am taking care of her; without my care, she would wither away.” Convincing himself further, he thought, “I haven’t harmed her; no one could be gentler than I am.”

With these thoughts, his suppressed emotions gradually dissipated.

Tong Ling lay at her usual spot beneath the shade of a tree, as always exempt from work and idling away her time.

Several fruits were placed beside her, gifts brought by Zhu Zhan. He had also managed to create a toothbrush for her, scavenged a large piece of metal from the plane wreckage to fashion into a basin, and somehow found a cloth nearby to serve as a towel.

“Freshwater is unavailable for now, so we’ll have to make do with seawater,” Zhu Zhan said, pouring a potful of seawater before the young lady. Aware that he couldn’t offer much luxury, this was the best he could provide.

“If it’s really inconvenient, I can start a fire, allowing us to boil the seawater and collect distilled water,” Zhu Zhan added, even producing a makeshift lid made from another piece of metal. “The only question is how long it might take to gather enough…”

“Forget it…” Tong Ling didn’t want to expend effort waiting. She dipped the cloth into the basin, rinsed it briefly, wrung it out, and wiped her face. Using the rough toothbrush, she simply cleaned her teeth.

Spitting out the seawater, Tong Ling rinsed her mouth with mineral water and finally felt somewhat refreshed.

Zhu Zhan stood nearby, eagerly waiting for the young lady to finish tidying herself up. Her fair cheeks glowed pink under the sunlight, exuding an irresistible beauty even just by looking at them.

“Can I…” Zhu Zhan clenched his hands, taking a few steps closer to the young lady with longing in his eyes, “can I…”

Having done so much, he felt that perhaps it was now appropriate to become more intimate with her…

“You need to wash as well,” Tong Ling instructed Zhu Zhan. “If you’re not clean, don’t touch me.”

Without hesitation, Zhu Zhan rolled up his sleeves, splashed seawater on his face, and then, following the young lady’s gesture, meticulously rinsed his mouth with it.

“Is this okay?” Zhu Zhan asked, lifting his face towards her.

Tong Ling wasn’t entirely satisfied, but given their circumstances, she couldn’t demand more. “Find some wild mint if possible…”

“I will,” Zhu Zhan promptly responded. “I’ll search for it this afternoon.”

To inquire about plants, they all knew asking Xuan Yiqing would be best.

Zhu Zhan wrapped his arms around the young lady’s slender waist. Although he knew Bai Ling couldn’t resist him, he still asked, “Is this okay?”

Tong Ling gazed steadily at Zhu Zhan. Then, she was drawn into his embrace and kissed for a long time.

Zhu Zhan began feeling that kissing wasn’t enough; he wanted to touch and caress her more… Whether it be her soft cheeks or her gentle body…

Just as Bai Ling had once described, he desired to commit those wicked acts with her. As long as he wished it, she would belong to him.

However, Bai Ling was too frail. Even when Zhu Zhan exerted just a bit of force, he felt like he was taking advantage of her.

Ultimately, the twinge of guilt made him stop. Holding the young lady tightly, he panted heavily, the fire within his heart still blazing fiercely.

Sooner or later… this pervert won’t be able to resist, Zhu Zhan thought, hastily setting Bai Ling back down where she had been sitting.

“Once I find some mint, I’ll come see you again,” Zhu Zhan said, then fled from the woods with legs together, as if escaping.

Tong Ling collapsed onto the grass and picked up one of the washed fruits, taking two bites.

Before she could rest for long, Duan Jiaze returned holding several fruits.

As soon as Duan Jiaze saw the fruit next to Bai Ling, his expression darkened.

“It seems I arrived too late…” Duan Jiaze sat down beside Bai Ling, his tone sour. “How could I forget that Elder Sister Bai has someone else taking care of her? You probably won’t even look at these measly offerings of mine.”

Tong Ling spat out a seed and buried it in the soil, then glanced at Duan Jiaze. “The chocolate is very tasty.”

Duan Jiaze’s mood instantly improved considerably. He set down the fruits and cheerfully produced the other half of the chocolate from his pocket. “Isn’t my chocolate the best?”

He continued probing further, asking, “Besides these fruits, what else did Fu Jingyan give you? Where did he take you last night?”

“Didn’t you sneak a peek?” Tong Ling replied.

Duan Jiaze’s face stiffened, letting out a stifled breath. “What kind of person do you think I am…?” he retorted indignantly. “Why would I waste my time spying on you two?!”

Duan Jiaze didn’t want to admit how infuriated he had been upon witnessing their interaction. “Regardless of what you both were doing, just make sure you give me more than you give him!”

“And if he didn’t do anything?” Tong Ling tilted her head. “Can you still give me the chocolate?”

At this, Duan Jiaze burst out laughing, a scornful expression crossing his face. “Didn’t do anything?”

Duan Jazao lowered his voice and whispered into the young lady’s ear, “The way he looks at you, it’s like he wants to devour you whole. And you expect me to believe he didn’t do anything?”

Tong Ling nodded. “He said he wouldn’t harm me.”

Duan Jiaze’s shoulders shook slightly before bursting out laughing. “Elder Sister Bai, are you taking me for a fool? I highly doubt there’s anyone who wouldn’t want to do something with you around.”

Tong Ling blushed. “I’m being serious…”

“Is this your way of retaliating because I made you uncomfortable yesterday?” Duan Jiaze waved the chocolate bar in front of the young lady. “Do you still want some?”

Tong Ling fell silent.

“I’ve already told you, I’ll learn properly.” Duan Jiaze promptly picked up Bai Ling and placed her on his lap, then broke off a piece of chocolate and fed it to her mouth. “Enjoy eating; once you’re done, I’ll have a taste too.”

Just as the day before, Duan Jiazo gave all the chocolate he couldn’t bear to eat himself to the young lady.

To avoid wasting food, after each bite he fed her, he would take a nibble himself. By the time half the chocolate was gone, Tong Ling’s eyes had turned red from his kisses, tears falling steadily.

“Elder Sister Bai, I’m very light,” Duan Jiaze said coaxingly as he pressed his entire body against the young lady’s soft form. “Why don’t we try the next step?”

Tong Ling pushed at Duan Jiaze’s body. “Tomorrow, let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

Duan Jiaze pouted. “Why always ‘tomorrow’? What if you say the same thing tomorrow? Would that mean I’ll never be able to touch you more?”

“You’re out of chocolate.” Tong Ling stared at Duan Jiaze. “Is it because you’ve run out that you’re so eager, right?”

Duan Jiaze flinched momentarily, then flushed red. “Who says that? I still have food, plenty!”

“Then why not wait until tomorrow?” Tong Ling lifted her hand and caressed the youth’s delicate cheek. “I will still wait for you.”

Duan Jiaze knew he had indeed been too hasty.

He hadn’t given enough yet; it wasn’t sufficient to make the young lady comply with all his requests.

Thinking about it logically, even without considering their current situation, one piece of chocolate wouldn’t ordinarily entitle him to kiss the young lady, much less touch her at all.

Now, with food as currency, she was allowing such closeness—it was an opportunity he had stolen.

If they hadn’t been stranded on this deserted island, and if he hadn’t seen another side of the young lady, Duan Jiaze wouldn’t have developed such a keen interest in her.

Now it was him who wanted her; what else could he do but invest more effort?

“I understand,” said Duan Jiaze. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

It wasn’t that Duan Jiaze lacked food—in scavenging from the wreckage of the plane, he had secretly stashed some provisions. However, those foods weren’t as good as chocolate. He feared that if he couldn’t give the young lady the best, she would become enamored with Fu Jingyan instead.

He suddenly recalled his younger brother, who was even more enthusiastic about sweets, likely hiding away a greater stash.

Perhaps, he could find a way to borrow some from his brother…