To Forge a Bond with Ning Rongrong, Be Bold, Attentive, and Thick-Skinned

Deep in the forest, Chu Xiu crouched over Ning Rongrong's lower leg, racing against death.

Her blood had already begun to clot from the venom, forming small clots as it thickened.

Faint mottled patches appeared on her skin, and her mind grew hazy.

"Bing'er, am I going to die?"

Ning Rongrong looked weakly at Shui Bing'er. There was no trace of the proud young lady left in her.

"No. Chu Xiu knows a lot. He can save you."

Shui Bing'er's voice caught.

They had been surviving together for less than a day, but they had already faced danger side by side. Seeing Ning Rongrong so weak hurt her.

At last, Chu Xiu raised his head.

He spat several times, trying to clear the clot-promoting venom from his mouth.

Then he told Shui Bing'er, "Stay here and watch her."

"What about you?"

Shui Bing'er pressed him. "Is Rongrong going to be all right?"

Chu Xiu's face was grim. "We were too slow. Some of the venom has probably entered her bloodstream. Whether she survives depends on luck."

"Where are you going?"

Shui Bing'er sounded anxious.

She had not even noticed that, in less than a day, she had come to rely on Chu Xiu.

"To see if I can find an antidote nearby."

Legend had it that wherever a venomous snake lived, an antidote could be found within seven steps.

Chu Xiu knew nothing about medicinal herbs, of course. But he could see the prompts.

I thought being the master of Deserted Island came with no privileges. Looks like I have a few after all. I hope I can find something that works against this venom.

Chu Xiu stayed close, circling Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er as he searched farther outward.

With the prompts to guide him, he did not need to examine every plant, so he moved quickly.

Soon he broke into a run.

Faster. I have to be faster. Even if I find an herb, it'll be too late if I take much longer.

Suddenly, Chu Xiu stopped dead.

Ten meters ahead, a small, translucent plant resembling chives stood amid the fallen leaves.

[Oldenlandia diffusa]

Grade: Upper Mortal Tier

Mutation: Radiant

Effect: Consuming it neutralizes snake venom and permanently grants a slight increase in poison resistance. Limit: one plant.

"Found it."

Chu Xiu hurried over and yanked the Oldenlandia diffusa out by the roots.

The mutated herb was remarkable. Even its roots shone brilliantly, making it obvious at a glance that it was no ordinary plant.

He returned to the two women.

Seeing the weed in his hand, Shui Bing'er asked, puzzled, "Chu Xiu, is that the herb that can cure the venom?"

"Of course. Isn't it obvious?"

Chu Xiu held the Oldenlandia diffusa out to her.

But Shui Bing'er stared at it for a long while without spotting anything unusual.

Seeing her confusion, Chu Xiu asked, "You can't tell what's special about it? The color, the texture?"

Shui Bing'er shook her head, looking even more baffled.

"It just looks like ordinary grass. I'm not doubting you, though. I don't know anything about herbs."

Chu Xiu understood.

Apparently, only he could see the Oldenlandia diffusa in its radiant form.

To Shui Bing'er and everyone else, it probably looked no different from any ordinary blade of grass.

"Never mind that. Help Rongrong sit up and open her mouth. I'll give her the medicine."

With that, Chu Xiu put the Oldenlandia diffusa in his mouth and chewed vigorously.

Ning Rongrong was already half unconscious. There was little chance she could take the medicine herself.

Shui Bing'er was still holding her. Kneeling behind Ning Rongrong, who sat slumped on the ground, she propped Ning Rongrong's back against her chest, wrapped her arms around her, and gently opened her mouth.

By then, Chu Xiu had chewed the herb to a pulp. Holding it in his mouth, he bent over Ning Rongrong and pressed his lips to hers, feeding its juice into her mouth.

"Rongrong, wake up. That's medicine in your mouth. Swallow it, and the poison will be gone."

Shui Bing'er murmured softly into Ning Rongrong's ear.

Perhaps she heard her. Ning Rongrong swallowed with difficulty.

As the mutated herb's juice went down her throat, a cool sensation spread rapidly from her stomach through her body.

Feeling gradually returned to her limbs, and her mind began to clear.

"Bing'er, I'm not dead?"

Ning Rongrong opened her eyes. She was still weak, but at least she could speak normally.

Shui Bing'er said excitedly, "You're alive, Rongrong. You're going to be all right. Chu Xiu saved you."

Ning Rongrong looked at Chu Xiu, torn between gratitude and annoyance.

Why is he staring at me like that? Hasn't he seen enough?

And I'm pretty sure I just kissed someone. That was my first kiss! That scoundrel took advantage of me while I couldn't resist.

Chu Xiu did not notice the conflict in her eyes.

He was studying her condition. She looked much better, but mottled patches still showed beneath her skin.

They were caused by tiny blood clots in her capillaries.

The Oldenlandia diffusa had neutralized the venom elsewhere, but her capillaries were so narrow that its effects might not have reached them.

"Hey, are you done looking?"

Ning Rongrong finally spoke up.

She was so weak she could not even lift an arm to cover herself. She had hoped Chu Xiu would realize it and look away.

Instead, he kept staring at her body.

Chu Xiu pulled his gaze away and said with feigned indignation, "You think I wanted to look? I was checking your condition."

"And what did you find?"

Ning Rongrong gave a cold laugh.

With the chewed herb still in his mouth, Chu Xiu mumbled,

"The venom's gone, but you haven't fully recovered from the damage it did. There's a little herb left in my mouth. If you take it, you should recover completely."

As he spoke, Chu Xiu leaned toward her mouth again.

Ning Rongrong used all her strength to turn away. Blushing furiously, she cried, "Get away from me! Who wants something that's been in your mouth?"

"It's good stuff. Are you sure you don't want it?"

Chu Xiu teased her on purpose.

Ning Rongrong squeezed her eyes shut and shouted, her face red, "I said no! Go away, you pervert!"

Yet even as she called him a pervert, a notification sounded in Chu Xiu's mind.

[Ning Rongrong has developed unusual feelings for you. Bond Value +30]

[Current Bond Value: 30]

Whoa. Thirty Bond Value at once?

So that's what you're like, Ning Rongrong.

Chu Xiu finally understood: winning over different women called for different approaches.

Shui Bing'er was fairly straightforward. Treating her well and showing concern earned him Bond Value.

Qian Renxue was proud, so he needed to praise her to win her heart.

As for Ning Rongrong, she seemed like a pampered young lady, but deep down she was no different from a rebellious girl.

To win over a girl like her, he had to be bold, attentive, and thick-skinned.

The more shameless he was, the more she seemed to like him.