Wen He pouted, her back to Ji Chi, annoyed and speaking in a harsh tone, her palms sweating, "You can't just take other people's things!"
Ji Chi had never seen him speak in such a harsh tone before.
His eyes were knowing. He put his arm around the other man's shoulder, slowly leaned close from behind to his ear, and said in a way that was almost like pulling him into an embrace, "So nervous? Could it be... there's a drug hidden inside?"
The deep, magnetic voice sent shivers down Wen's spine; he had never heard Ji Chi.
It felt like being immersed in peach-flavored sparkling water, soft and slightly prickly.
By the time he realized what the other person had said, Ji Chi had already stepped back from him. Wen He, her ears red, pounded on the clothes in the paper bag and cursed at the other person, "You... you're shameless! You scoundrel!"
Ji Chi stepped out of the tent with his hands in his pockets, a satisfied and triumphant smile on his lips, and kicked at the pebbles at his feet as he walked toward the distant woods.
Zhang Shengsheng, carrying a bucket of water, looked at the other person's satiated expression and, hearing Wen He's loud cursing from inside the tent, knew something was wrong...
Ji Chi wouldn't... that would be going too far!
Zhang Shengsheng angrily threw down the small wooden bucket he was carrying and strode towards the tent, unaware that the little fish inside had jumped out.
Wen He felt her blood rushing to her head, her heart racing, and her whole body burning up.
This is life-saving medicine... not some... dirty medicine!
Zhang Shengsheng lifted the curtain, leaned close to Wen He, and grabbed his arm with both hands, her voice filled with concern, " Xiao He, are you alright? Ji Chi didn't do anything, did he?!"
The heat radiating from Wen He He's body dissipated with his presence. He calmed down, looked at the other's concerned eyes, and shook his head. "It's nothing... I was just too hot."
"It's alright... It is a little hot, but we can go outside the tent." Zhang Shengsheng looked around. There was only one ventilated area inside the tent, so it was naturally a bit stuffy after being inside for a long time.
Wen He put the paper bag away and followed the other person out of the tent.
He didn't want others to know he was sick...
"Hello?"
What are you doing?
Quan Chongnian lay on the sofa, tossing a ball between his palms to amuse his Xiao Guai, his tone somewhat nonchalant.
"You're not a doctor, why are you asking me this?"
"Could you check for me? I'm not available right now."
Ji Chi kicked away the pebble at his feet. Although he was asking for help, he didn't act like he was begging at all.
Quan Chongnian didn't stand on ceremony with him, "Sure, give me the money."
"Okay, okay, next time bring a boyfriend for Xiao Guai, bye."
"Damn it! You..."
The other person's words were cut off by the ringing of the phone.
He saw the medicine Wen He was holding; he needed to know what kind of medicine it was.
Walking towards the tent, Wen He sat on the blanket, munching on a small potato chip. In the open space in the center Yun Li and Wei Xun had already laid out stones and were preparing to start a fire.
Ji Chi stepped forward and sat down calmly next to Wen He. He reached out and took a potato chip from Wen He's bag, then held it to Wen He's mouth.
Wen He bit off the potato chip that was stuck to his lips, and crumbs fell all over him. He quickly reached out and patted them off.
Chao Jue inadvertently distanced himself from Ji Chi.
Seeing that the person was avoiding him, Ji Chi realized that the other person was still angry, but his movements were much more agile than when he was in a daze.
Jiang Yu noticed the awkwardness between the two, so he took Wen He's arm and let her lean against him.
The rich scent of roses was no longer as pungent as when they first met; instead, it brought a touch of gentleness to Wen He.
But Wen He didn't get too close to him, keeping a circumference between them, afraid that if they sat too close, he would get dizzy...
"Tsk..." Ji Chi saw the other person sitting next to Jiang Yu, but he was helpless. He clicked his tongue and lay back down in the tent.
Wen He kept her head down, munching on crispy potato chips, refusing to turn her head to look at the other person.
Jiang Yu nodded in satisfaction and leaned close to his ear, "You two had a fight? Then don't play with him anymore?"
Wen He looked up and met his gaze, then shook her head.
No.
"The fire's on! Are you still going to grill the fish?" Yun Li ran up to the two of them, interrupting their conversation.
"Yes, let's go, let's go get some grilled fish?"
Jiang Yu got up and took Wen He, who was sitting there, with her. Wen He looked back at the red tent, the curtain of which completely blocked the view inside.
Jiang Ye, without anyone noticing, accompanied Duan Yueyang and the other two to catch a lot of fish.
"The fish here are so stupid! Look how big they are, they've only grown big and not smart. They're easy to catch!"
Duan Yueyang distributed the cleaned branches to everyone; these were for stringing fish later.
"Maybe it's because few people catch them since they live near this river. Everyone who comes camping brings their own food, so probably no one is watching them."
Wei Xun had already gutted the fish and distributed them one by one to the people so they could skewer them and roast them over the fire.
The group sat in rows around the campfire, each holding a grilled fish.
Wen He brought his feet together, rested his chin on his knees, and watched as the fire in front of him gradually transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors in his dazed eyes. As it became clearer, Ji Chi's image emerged from the fire. Wen He blinked, shutting out this terrifying scene.
He looked up and saw everyone laughing and enjoying themselves. The atmosphere was peaceful, but Ji Chi was the only one missing from the small house.
That's not good.
[What a beautiful scene!]
[Wow, it's rare to see such a harmonious scene.]
[Look at us, everyone's doing so well without the Demon Dragon!]
[Isn't this a bad idea to leave Ji Chi inside all alone?]
[Who got lost? Didn't he refuse to come? This is so strange.]
[Has anyone called out to him?]
[... it seems no one shouted.]
Is this considered isolation?
[These days, there are still people who feel sorry for capitalists. Ji Chi isn't a good person either. I don't understand you guys. Are you only satisfied if he caused such a mess in the past?]
[I don't quite understand your malice towards him either. Putting aside his personality, just look at all the times we've all gotten together for meals—when have you ever seen him say anything that ruined the atmosphere? And if I remember correctly, Ji Chi treated us several times.]
[Still washing it up, are they paid trolls?]
[Speechless...]
Quan Chongnian was furious watching the arguments in the live chat. "Public trolls?"
I haven't even hired any online trolls yet! If I did, I'm afraid you guys wouldn't be able to handle it!
Wen He turned the small fish on the wooden branch over; their skins had begun to change color and were turning slightly yellow.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 fish...
The wooden barrel in the distance looked empty; Ji Chi didn't have any fish yet.
"Are there no fish left?" Wen He suddenly interrupted their conversation.
Jiang Ye glanced at the wooden bucket, then pushed up his glasses. "That's all. What's wrong? Not enough?"
" Ji Chi hasn't arrived yet."