Lu Zhe felt a sense of being taken advantage of!
"Also, why was I sleeping in your arms? I haven't even had my first love yet and I'm already sleeping with you. I'll never get married now! I don't care, you have to take responsibility!"
Tang Xiaoguo pounded her little fists on Lu Zhe's chest.
"Don't be unreasonable, Xiaoguo!"
"Who's being unreasonable? You secretly cuddled me in your sleep and now you don't want to take responsibility?"
Jiang Yao sighed, "You passed out from the cold yesterday and were in danger. We all used our body heat to warm you up so you could pull through. Why are you making a fuss as soon as you wake up?"
"Ah...yesterday I..."
"Your whole body was shaking, like a rattle drum!"
"Was it really that serious?" Tang Xiaoguo recalled the feeling of falling into an ice cave in her dreams, still fearful!
"Didn't we...didn't we have a fire?"
"A fire?"
At the mention of the fire, Lu Zhe suddenly remembered!
"That's right, the fire!"
He hurriedly moved Tang Xiaoguo's head away and crawled out through the broad leaves!
Tang Xiaoguo yelled, "Can't you be more gentle?"
Lu Zhe didn't have time to worry about Tang Xiaoguo. He rushed to the fire!
Damn!
The bright flames were nowhere to be seen. The half-burnt charcoal firewood only emitted a thin wisp of light blue smoke that curled slowly upwards!
You see, this is what happens when no one tends to the fire.
Lu Zhe hurriedly added more branches and blew hard for a while before flames finally leapt up again!
Lu Zhe was scared out of his wits, "Phew...that was close!"
Jiang Yao asked, "Little Zhe, what happened?"
"The fire almost went out!"
"Ah?"
"But don't worry, I managed to revive it!"
Jiang Yao also breathed a sigh of relief!
Then, Lu Zhe looked at his watch:
6AM sharp!
Today was June 11th, 6AM, their second day stranded on this deserted island!
The difference between day and night time wasn't significant, meaning they were located between the Tropic of Cancer and the equator!
The drastic temperature difference between day and night meant there may be intermittent cold currents nearby.
Although it wasn’t very hot now, Lu Zhe believed it wouldn't be long before temperatures on the island would start climbing.
Where were the other two girls?
Parting the leaves, Ning Shu was sleeping on her back while Lin Qianqian was curled up against her side. Her hand rested on Ning Shu's chest and her leg draped over hers, looking very dependent.
Hearing the sounds, Lin Qianqian and Ning Shu woke up too. The two girls rubbed their eyes and sat up in the sandy hollow!
The corners of Lin Qianqian's mouth turned down as she softly said, "Good morning everyone..."
Ning Shu stretched lazily, "Ah, lovely weather! Xiaoguo, you're alright!"
Tang Xiaoguo laughed, "The little princess makes a full recovery!"
Jiang Yao appraised, "It seems everyone is still in great condition!"
Lu Zhe nodded, "Congratulations everyone for successfully surviving our first day on this deserted island!"
After simple morning greetings, Ning Shu gave everyone a stick of gum. Then they started discussing survival plans for the second day!
Searching for fresh water, food, maintaining the fire, building shelters, making rescue signals, collecting seeds, crafting tools...
Everything seemed extremely urgent!
But Lu Zhe believed finding three things should take top priority right now!
First: Locate a source of fresh water!
The daily requirement for a normal person was 1-2L of fresh water. On a hot tropical island, they would need more!
The fresh water they'd obtained yesterday from the hollow was all used up now. Currently, they didn't have a single drop left. So they had to find an adequate fresh water source before temperatures climbed.
Second: Maintain the campfire!
The fire was vital for them!
One, it allowed them to cook food.
Two, it would keep them warm at night.
Three, if ships passed by, they could throw plastic items into the fire to produce black smoke as a distress signal.
However, maintaining the fire required sufficient firewood, or else once they exhausted their fuel source, the campfire would burn out as well!
Right now, there were scarcely any branches and firewood left.
So, collecting enough firewood was also crucial!
Third, set up rescue signals!
Although only a day had passed since the accident, the other side must already know. The rescue team would likely arrive soon!
Because they couldn't continuously send out black smoke using plastic, they also needed more visible rescue signals!
For example, arranging "SOS" signals over vast open areas, or tying conspicuous flags at high vantage points!
This would make it easier for helicopters and rescue boats to spot them!
If they missed that first rescue wave, subsequent rescue efforts would weaken considerably. Constructing these signals later would be of little use.
Finally, Lu Zhe said, "I've decided, our tasks for this morning are three-fold: first, search for potable water and food; second, collect firewood to maintain the campfire; third, set up rescue signals!"
The plan was set. Next was putting it into action!
After thinking it over, Ning Shu nodded, "Should we split into groups or work together?"
Lu Zhe pondered, "Definitely groups! We have to leave base camp to search for supplies. Xiaoguo can't travel far right now so someone needs to look after her. Which one of you will stay behind with her?!"
Tang Xiaoguo said, "I can walk just fine!"
Lu Zhe shook his head, "No you can't. Your immunity is too weak right now. We can't save you again if something else happens! Besides, firewood is scarce so the campfire needs someone to watch over it too. You should stay put!"
Lin Qianqian enthusiastically volunteered, "I'll keep Xiaoguo company!"
Jiang Yao nodded, "So Qianqian and Xiaoguo stay behind while Lu Zhe, Class Monitor and I search for supplies!"
"Alright!"
Ning Shu asked Lu Zhe, "What do you think?"
Lu Zhe nodded, "Sounds good!"
"Where should we start then?"
Lu Zhe pointed towards the beach, "It's low tide right now. Let's walk west along the shore first towards the unexplored areas! Gather anything useful – plastic bags, bottles, cans, edible shellfish, snails, crabs, etc. Basically, as long as it looks useful, pick it up!"
Ning Shu and Jiang Yao simultaneously gave an “OK” gesture!
The three bid Lin Qianqian and Tang Xiaoguo farewell before setting off west with empty backpacks.
Although the sun had only just risen, daylight had already flooded in fully!
The morning sea breeze was gentle and soft. The sky stretched vibrant azure while nearby waves foamed like snow and distant clouds drifted like cotton. Occasionally, unknown seabirds flew past, calling out sonorous cries that comforted body and soul!
Ning Shu spread her arms wide, "If not for everyone's dirty clothes, I'd think we were at a beach summer camp party!"
Jiang Yao nodded, "I know, right?!"
Lu Zhe looked down at his clothes and pants, covered in greyish-white sand. Very dirty!
But no matter, take them off, shake off the sand, and put them back on, good as new!
Jiang Yao complained, "Little Zhe, guys can casually strip and shake off sand. What about us girls?!"
Lu Zhe laughed, "I can turn my back so I don't see anything!"
Jiang Yao pursed her lips in a smile, "I've got it!"
With that, she ran towards the seaside, leapt in with a splash, and swam around gleefully. The morning seawater was also warm and comfortable. After a few laps, the mud and sand clinging to her body had been washed clean!
As she emerged from the waters, hair clinging alluringly to her face, seawater droplets trailing down her chest, she resembled a mermaid incarnate!