The pepper's place of origin is in Thailand!
Malaysia and Indonesia are also major producers of this small red pepper, and export it around the world.
It is very likely that it was brought to this island by seabirds, and because the climate and soil were suitable for growth, it took root on the island and thrived!
As a result, it was discovered by [Ning Shu], the foodie, while collecting banana fibers.
[Lu Zhe] got another potential resource for free!
With bamboo rats, bamboo bees, salt, chili peppers, oyster sauce, honey, I'm sure everyone can guess what will happen!
[Tang Xiaoguo] emotionally said, "With chili peppers, I finally didn't fail the cute rabbit, allowing it to fully demonstrate its most beautiful side!"
"This is a bamboo rat!"
Soon, oil began sizzling out of this plump bamboo rat, and even the roasting smoke emitted a tempting aroma!
The oil oozing out of the bamboo rat was smeared on the bamboo worms and roasted, sprinkled with some salt and chili peppers, and another delicacy was made.
[Jiang Yao] took a deep sniff: "I really didn't expect that we castaways would finally get to eat barbecue!"
[Ning Shu] cut up a bunch of chili pepper pieces, swallowed her saliva and said, "Lu Zhe, I want it very spicy, extremely spicy, freakishly spicy!" Then she blurted out a Sichuan dialect: "I've been craving this for a long time, it’s so satisfying!"
[Shen Bing] curiously asked: "I didn't realize Xiao Ning is also a Sichuan girl?"
[Ning Shu] giggled: "I'm from there!"
[Lin Qianqian] weakly said, "I want less spicy, more honey!"
[Lu Zhe] said, "No, you were bitten by a scorpion, you still shouldn't eat spicy foods!"
[Lin Qianqian] blushed and let out a very wronged "oh".
[Shen Bing] said, "I'll have it normal spicy."
[Jiang Yao] said, "I also want less spicy, less salt too. Put honey normally, and be sure not to overcook it!"
[Lu Zhe] thought for a moment: "How do I suddenly feel like I've become the owner of a barbecue restaurant!"
[Jiang Yao] chuckled: "In the future, supervisor can open a scrap purchase station, Xiao Zhe you can open a barbecue stand!"
[Tang Xiaoguo] happily said: "Sisters, let’s go eat till we drop, haha!"
[Lu Zhe] was nonchalant: "Fine! You’re all the bosses' wives, eat whatever you want!"
"[Lu Zhe], you're taking advantage of us again......"
The few women giggled and temporarily forgot the fear and confusion of being stranded on a deserted island for days!
As [Lu Zhe] ate barbecue, listened to the women's laughter, looked at the vast endless ocean, he once again sensed the long-lost feeling of comfort!
But when he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with information about fresh water!
That's right, it still looks fine for now. But once they use up their reserves before finding a sustained source of fresh water, they would be in big trouble!
It’s always good to prepare for rainy days!
"After eating, everyone still has work to do to prepare for going up the mountain!"
And so, another four days passed!
After four days of preparation, [Jiang Yao]’s period had ended, [Tang Xiaoguo]’s was also about to finish, and [Shen Bing]’s leg injury had healed. The "stitches" were removed and makeshift bandages made of torn cloth were wrapped around it, allowing her to move freely again.
They had picked almost all the coconuts, and the stockpiled coconut water also basically met the requirements for going up the mountain!
During this time, [Lu Zhe] also taught them how to weave hammocks with ropes. That is, pulling a long rope up a tree, then tying short ropes every 10cm along that long rope, and then intertwining and tying the short ropes to each other. A hammock could be woven in two hours, it was very simple and easy to learn!
June 25th!
The sixteenth day after the plane crash, the eighth day since coming to the volcanic island!
On this day, they prepared 6 hammock sets, 30 meters of rope, 30 bottles of coconut water, and 3 bottles of mosquito repellent!
In addition, [Lu Zhe] also gave everyone a handy bamboo stick.
In the woods, it can be used to fend off intruders, and when tired it can also be used as a walking stick.
Also, high heels cannot be worn in the woods. [Tang Xiaoguo] and [Shen Bing] could only wear found slippers, with mosquito repellent-soaked torn cloth strips wrapped around their feet and calves to prevent mosquito and insect bites, while also securing the slipper soles to their feet.
Finally, [Lu Zhe] used [Shen Bing]’s pull rod bag as a treasure chest, and the odd and ends found on the beach were all put in the box.
He then tied it into a backpack with rope and carried it on his back!
The rest of the supplies were also made into marching packs with found old clothes and fabrics, to be evenly distributed on everyone.
With all the preparations in place, it was time to enter the woods!
[Lu Zhe] said, "I'll be in front, then supervisor, Qianqian, Xiaoguo, Yao Yao. Let’s use a rope tied to our clothes or belt buckles. If you misstep, you can grab onto it anytime."
[Shen Bing] said, "I'll be last!"
"Sis Bing, your position is very important!"
[Shen Bing] made an "OK" gesture: "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the rope behind us!"
[Tang Xiaoguo] was puzzled: "Why is there a section of rope trailing behind?"
[Ning Shu] rushed to say, "To see if it's straight, to confirm whether we made any detours in the woods!"
[Lin Qianqian] was surprised: "Supervisor even knows this?"
"Haha, Captain Bei taught it before!"
"Alright, everyone stick close. Let's enter the woods now!"
[Lu Zhe] hacked away the thorns in front with a stone knife.
The island's forests were deep and vast.
Bugs and birds cried incessantly, but because the forests were too lush, it was hard to catch sight of them.
But it wasn’t completely without discoveries!
[Lu Zhe] discovered wild chicken feathers in the forest, which greatly delighted him!
If it’s possible to capture some, they can be domesticated and raised. Then there would be free chicken eggs and meat to eat!
The taste and nutritional value of wild chicken eggs are far better than regular chickens.
By noon, they had gone deep into the woods, but regrettably, still hadn't found fresh water!
[Lu Zhe] climbed up a tree and surveyed the terrain before jumping back down.
"There’s a very high cliff ahead, roughly estimated to be 300 meters above sea level. To know the whole picture of this small island, we have to get to the top of that cliff."
After speaking, he realized that the girls were all drenched in sweat, panting heavily. Only then did he understand that everyone was exhausted!
[Lu Zhe] looked left and right. The dense forest still had some sunlight streaming in. It was a good place to rest!
He checked his watch: "It's noon now. Let’s camp here and rest for two hours before setting off again!"
"Yes!" The girls cheered.
"So tired, hurry and rest a while!"
"Tie up the hammocks!"
"I need to use the bathroom......"
[Shen Bing] reminded: "Be careful and remember..."
[Ning Shu] continued: "Don’t leave this place."
[Lin Qianqian] said: "Go to the bathroom in pairs."
[Jiang Yao] said: "Even going to the bathroom, don't go beyond 10 meters from camp!"
[Tang Xiaoguo] said: "Also watch out for snakes and insects on the grass! Aiya, don't worry, Sis Bing and Lu Zhe have reminded us several times already.
[Lu Zhe] nodded reassuringly: "Then off you go. I’ll go tie up the hammocks!"
But at that moment, something flashed in the grass, and the girls shrieked. [Lu Zhe] hurriedly gestured for them to quiet down!
He sneakily crawled over and pounced in a swift motion. Grabbing a black and white banded snake.
"Ah, a snake!"
"Luckily didn't step on it!"
[Lu Zhe] grasped the snake by its neck, letting its tail coil around his forearm: "Don't worry, it's a white-lipped snake, not venomous. Our lunch just got richer today!"