After they ate.
Everyone set off again.
Whether they hadn't eaten enough at noon or the diarrhea had left them weak, they hadn't walked far before someone complained of being tired and wanted a break.
In just two hours, they had already stopped six times.
On average, they rested ten minutes for every ten minutes they walked.
Xu Chao looked up at the sky. In two hours at most, the sun would have completely set, plunging the jungle into darkness.
If they couldn't reach the campsite before then, they would be in trouble.
So, when Lou Jun suggested another break.
Xu Chao finally couldn't hold back. "Seriously, bro? We've only walked ten minutes, and you want another break? Again? If you're that weak, eat some kidneys to build yourself up!"
What man would admit he was weak?
Lou Jun glared. "Who-who's weak? I only suggested a break because I was worried Xinbai was tired."
"You're so considerate, Lou Jun." Shen Xinbai gazed at him with stars in his eyes.
Radiating domineering CEO energy, Lou Jun said, "Silly boy, you're mine. Who else would your hubby care for if not you?"
Shen Xinbai was deeply touched.
Just as the two looked ready to launch into a French kiss.
Xu Chao's infuriating voice rang out.
"If you really care, don't just talk about it. Carry him on your back. We're in a hurry to find the campsite. Stop dawdling."
Shen Xinbai's eyes lit up. That was the sweetest thing he had ever heard out of Xu Chao's mouth!
Lou Jun's face stiffened, however. His calves were trembling with exhaustion. Where would he find the strength to carry anyone?
But the next second, Xu Chao spoke again as though something had just dawned on him. "Oh, I forgot. Young Master Lou's too weak to carry you. Young Master Shen, you'll have to manage on your own."
Shen Xinbai's eyes flickered, and he said in a delicate, helpless voice, "Lou Jun."
Mocked by Xu Chao on one side and pressured by Shen Xinbai on the other, Lou Jun gritted his teeth and forced himself to hold on. "I'll carry you."
Without a second's hesitation, Shen Xinbai threw himself onto his back.
Lou Jun's face immediately turned the color of pig liver from the strain.
Xu Chao blinked and snickered.
And here I thought the lead couple were so devoted to each other. Turns out one's selfish and puts his own interests first without caring whether his partner lives or dies, while the other would rather suffer than lose face.
[He said he'd carry him and actually did it! I'm dying over them! Lou, Best Actor, has boyfriend power off the charts, and Xinbai is so sweet and delicate. Junbai is the sweetest ship in the world!]
[There's nothing sweet about this. Lou, Best Actor's face is white with exhaustion, but Shen Xinbai pretended not to see and jumped onto his back anyway. He really doesn't care whether his boyfriend lives or dies!]
[White-Butt Lou isn't much better. All he does is run his mouth. The only actual thing he did was fight Xinbai for food. Not a shred of grace.]
[White-Butt Lou—Lou, Best Actor's butt really is white, hahaha. That footage of him blasting away in the jungle is attacking my brain. My eyes! Someone give me a pair that hasn't seen it.]
Xu Chao clicked his tongue twice and kept walking. Suddenly, a large, rough, cold hand gripped his wrist tightly. "Get on. I'll carry you."
Xu Chao wondered if he was hearing things, but when he met the man's dark, serious eyes, he ruled that out.
"No, no, I'm not tired."
"I'm not weak. I can carry you."
Hearing those firm, resounding words, Xu Chao couldn't help bursting into laughter.
His eyes curved into crescents as they roamed over the man's body. Those big pecs, that lean waist, those long legs-he wasn't just "not weak." He was downright powerful!
His porcelain-white face instantly flushed scarlet. Xu Chao cleared his throat twice. "Of course! My hubby is strong and handsome. Those muscles came from real training. They're not just for show."
Fu Sichen stepped forward, stopped in front of Xu Chao, and bent his knees slightly. "Get on."
Seeing how serious he was, Xu Chao grew a little anxious. He leaned onto his back and whispered into his ear.
"I was deliberately provoking Lou Jun to see if he'd put on a brave face and overdo it. I'm not tired at all. I don't need carrying. Oh, right, you've been carrying the supply pack for ages. Let me take it for a while."
The boy's lips were soft and sweetly scented, his breath warm and gentle. A smile curved Fu Sichen's lips. "All right. You carry it."
Xu Chao wasn't just being polite.
Fu Sichen had carried the supply pack all day, and he had wanted to share the load for a long time. Now that the man had finally agreed to let him carry it, Xu Chao was quite pleased.
But just as he put on the supply pack, he suddenly felt weightless. As the world spun, he instinctively wrapped his arms around the man's neck, his almond-shaped eyes widening as he stared at the man's straight nose in shock.
"Hubby?"
Fu Sichen bounced him a little higher on his back, a satisfied, delighted smile curving his lips.
"You carry the supply pack. I'll carry you."
[Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. Young Master Fu really knows what he's doing!]
[The moment Young Master Fu bent his knees and picked Chaochao up on his back-pure alpha energy!]
[This is so sweet. Young Master Fu is way too good at flirting. Even this old man's inner teenage girl is leaping out!]
[Compared to Junbai, the Top cp is so much better. Chaochao felt bad that Young Master Fu had been carrying the supply pack all this time and wanted to share the load, while Young Master Fu was showing off like a peacock in front of Chaochao, insisting his kidneys weren't weak, hahaha.]
[Hahaha, am I the only one still laughing because their whispers were broadcast live? Chaochao is so cute. Even when he does something sneaky, he has to announce it to the whole internet.]
Even the usually thick-skinned Xu Chao blushed furiously, shrinking against the man's back like a little quail, with only his two bright red ears showing.
With him on his back, Fu Sichen walked forward with easy strides.
As he passed Lou Jun, he stopped abruptly, his deep, dark gaze sweeping over him. "You're so tired your face has gone white. Want another break?"
Every muscle in Lou Jun's body tensed. He bared his teeth in a strained smile. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Fu. I'm not tired. Finding the campsite comes first."
Fu Sichen gave a low chuckle. "Heh."
Lou Jun abruptly tightened his grip around Shen Xinbai's legs. His chest heaved twice before he stormed forward in long strides.
[Holy freaking hell, Young Master Fu just unleashed his ultimate right in his face!]
[Honestly, Young Master Fu's just jealous that Chaochao used to chase Lou Jun, right? Otherwise, hahaha!]
[I'm actually starting to believe the Top cp really is marriage first, love later. Young Master Fu is so in love!]
At that point, the two male guests, Zhou Nan and Wen Shiting, also joined the competition, each hoisting his own wife onto his back.
Lying on Zhou Nan's back, Lin Yang felt rather overwhelmed by the favor. In his excitement, he wanted to give him luxury watches and cars again, only to remember, in another burst of excitement, that all his money had been borrowed. He could only sheepishly change his words to a thank-you.
Panting heavily, Zhou Nan gritted his teeth and replied, "You're welcome!"
[Wow, I didn't expect all the male guests to choose to carry their wives.]
[Seeing this, I suddenly understand what the production team was going for-true love shows itself in adversity.]
Xu Chao leaned close to Fu Sichen's ear and suggested quietly, "Boss, I'm really not tired. Put me down and let me walk."
Fu Sichen turned his head. "You don't trust me?"
Xu Chao let out an "Huh?" "I do. Why are you suddenly asking that?"
"You keep wanting to get off me. Isn't that because you doubt I can carry you?" Fu Sichen's voice was mild.
That bit about "getting off him" sent Xu Chao's mind straight into the gutter.
"No, I just feel bad for you..." Halfway through, Xu Chao suddenly felt that sounded too intimate and hastily corrected himself. "I just-I just don't want you getting too tired."
The corners of Fu Sichen's mouth curled up. "Your hubby isn't tired."
For some reason, Xu Chao's heart was beating a little faster. He buried his face against the back of the man's neck and gave a muffled hum.
Gradually surrounded by the pleasant, cool woody scent of the man's body, Xu Chao felt utterly safe and drifted hazily to sleep.
Long, long ago, it seemed someone had carried him like this too.
But how could that be?
In his original world, he had no parents, no relatives, and no friends. He had always been alone.
He had no idea how much time had passed when a sudden scream jolted Xu Chao awake from his dream.
Before you continue