Chapter 14: Trash

The helicopter that swiftly flew over the men’s island finally landed on a small island between the men’s and women’s islands.This is the temporary recording base of the program crew.

General Director Xie Yu disembarked from the helicopter and gave it a kick while cursing.

"It’s worse than taking a boat! Damn!"

The arrival of the general director at the recording site counts as a big event.

Xiao Yong personally led people to welcome Xie Yu.

"Xiao Yong, good job!"

Xie Yu showed a smile as soon as he saw Xiao Yong.

"The investors are very satisfied, you’ve done very well."

Xiao Yong forced a smile and said, "It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Xie, for steering the big picture. I’m just following your lead, doing some minor tasks."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yu laughed heartily towards everyone: "Xiao Yong, I’m not the kind to steal credit. What’s yours is yours, and others have contributed too!"

"My time is limited, so let’s get straight to the point. First, distribute bonuses and keep up the good work!"

"Second, on behalf of the investors, I came to extend greetings to everyone and brought some supplies. It’s not much, just a boatful. The boat will arrive tomorrow. Good job, everyone!"

"Third, this matter can only be heard by Mr. Xiao. Everyone else, go collect your bonuses!"

Upon hearing Xie Yu’s words, the people around instantly erupted in cheers.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yong, with a stiff face, followed Xie Yu to a secluded place.

"I’ll get straight to the point."

Xie Yu said directly: "The originally planned hunter can’t come. The investors, upon hearing about a black panther turning rogue, intend to let the challengers on the men’s island attempt to hunt this beast."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yong’s breath caught.

What the hell?

What did I just hear?

Before Xiao Yong could respond, Xie Yu immediately said: "Don’t worry, they won’t be sent out there barehanded."

"There’s cold weaponry provided by the investors on the supply ship, should we let them try it?"

Xiao Yong reluctantly said: "General Director, this... doesn’t seem very practical."

"The challengers are just ordinary people, and seeing a wild beast up close will likely scare them into weakness. It’s hardly feasible to let them hunt a fierce beast."

Xie Yu smiled faintly: "Not very feasible means it’s possible, right?"

Xiao Yong opened his mouth, not expecting the other party to say this.

Xie Yu continued: "Xiao Yong, rest assured, if the investors dare to suggest this, they’re confident."

"Didn’t the beast tamer recover after treatment? This shows that the black panther’s attack power is manageable."

"Just make arrangements to have these guys team up and explore the rainforest inside."

"If something happens, the investors will cover it, with the bottom line being no loss of life. Do this well, and your commission will increase by 30%! Last time was for buying clothes for your wife, this time should be enough to buy a house for your child."

Xiao Yong wanted to say something but couldn’t utter a word.

"Do your best! I have confidence in you!"

Xie Yu patted Xiao Yong on the shoulder and turned to leave.

...

The helicopter came and went swiftly.

However, on the return trip, the helicopter passed by the south of the men’s island, not coming by Chen Wen’s place again.

After despair, Chen Wen gradually calmed down.

He sat on the sand, analyzing the events of the morning.

"Something’s off! That helicopter probably wasn’t for rescue!"

Chen Wen frowned and said, "Generally, rescue helicopters wouldn’t fly that fast, and the timing isn’t right either!"

"After an accident at sea, search and rescue teams usually identify the location and attempt to salvage."

"Search and rescue typically commence only after confirming the number of fatalities."

"So that helicopter was likely just passing by!"

The more Chen Wen spoke, the more energized he became.

He stood up and continued analyzing: "This means, rescue operations haven’t even begun yet."

"I need to keep my composure and avoid despairing like I did this morning!"

Chen Wen said seriously: "Moreover, even if the rescue team doesn’t come for me, I still have a way out!"

"Helicopters aren’t used for long-distance travel, so there must be human activity around here!"

"Which means to the southeast of this island, there are likely people!"

Chen Wen took a deep breath: "For now, I should continue scavenging. After stabilizing my survival, I might even try building a boat!"

"I heard about how to make those rafts while on the ship. It might be difficult to do it myself, but worth a shot!"

After a round of analysis, Chen Wen felt hope was still there, and his determination returned to him.

Stretching his limbs, Chen Wen began gathering useful trash again.

...

"We took the wrong path again!"

Amid the waste-collecting team among the men, Lu Heng vented his frustration by throwing the map on the ground.

Zhang Hu picked up the map, scratching his head while looking at it.

"Hu, can you make sense of it?"

Wang Zhi asked with a smile.

Zhang Hu shook his head.

"Alright, I think we should head back the way we came."

Lu Heng said helplessly: "None of us can read a map, and we’re all directionally challenged, sending us out here to explore is like an old man trying to hang himself - asking for trouble!"

Wang Zhi hesitated: "Heading back directly... won’t do, I think. The guide is kind of, you know, if we go back empty-handed, we’ll likely get scolded."

"What’s there to be scared of him for!"

Lu Heng scoffed: "If he dares to scold us when we get back, I’ll just talk back to him."

Just then, Zhang Hu pointed at the map and said: "I think we might be here."

Wang Zhi was taken aback and leaned over.

After carefully looking for a while, Wang Zhi said: "You know, you might be right!"

"Look here, there’s a landmark on the map, a huge bare rock, isn’t that right in front of us?"

Lu Heng also took the map and looked carefully: "Makes sense."

"Which means we’re almost ninety degrees off the correct path? Are we truly just directionally challenged?"

Zhang Hu grinned and said: "Going round again wouldn’t matter either!"

Lu Heng also laughed: "That’s right! Honestly, for the three of us directionally challenged guys to get this far is already extraordinary!"

Wang Zhi said cheerfully: "And since Hu can read maps, our path from here on will be much easier."

"Let’s go, onward!"

Lu Heng said with gusto.

...

Back at the rubbish-strewn beach.

Chen Wen had gathered quite a few things.

A dozen intact plastic bottles, five tattered fishing nets, some ropes, and even a pair of pink slippers.

"Hmm..."

Chen Wen looked at the slippers, pondering: "Although they’re pink, the size is quite large, bigger than my feet!"

Taking apart the stacked slippers, Chen Wen prepared to take them along.

After all, in the humid and sultry rainforest, wearing non-breathable shoes all the time easily leads to trench foot, a.k.a. immersion foot.

And in the wild, if there’s a problem with your feet,

Survival instantly becomes hell mode!

After packing up the materials gathered this time,

Chen Wen prepared to return the way he came.

But as he entered the rainforest area, that familiar sense of danger reemerged.

"Damn, that thing’s still around!"

Now calm, Chen Wen didn’t want to confront that thing.

He had already observed its outline.


It’s a medium-sized animal and definitely a carnivore!

Chen Wen had some guesses about the creature’s identity.

Wolves are unlikely; tropical wolves don’t grow that large.

Tigers are also unlikely, because this creature is black.

Most tigers are either gold or white.

Regarding black tigers, Chen Wen only knew of Black Panther Lei and Black Panther Ah Fu.

Chen Wen guessed that it might be a wild dog or something similar.

"It might even have rabies!"

Therefore, for the sake of his life,

Chen Wen decided not to enter the rainforest area for now.

The undergrowth there is too dense, making defense difficult.

After some thought, Chen Wen decided to travel northward along the western coast of the island to reach the northwestern cape.

Then he’d head east from the cape, following the beach back to his shelter.

This way, he could avoid the threat of the unknown creature, explore the island, and check for food along the coast.

Three benefits with one move!