"We've been here for a while now, wondering how everyone is doing," Junya said with a smile. "I wonder how he's doing?"
"That 'he,' you mean her former senior, right?" Xiaoguang knew she was worried about him.
"I believe they'll be fine. With so many scientists and soldiers among them, there must be a way to find a safe place. Perhaps they've even found a way back, and now they're waiting for us to return together," Xiaoguang optimistically remarked.
"Mhmm," Junya absentmindedly gazed at the sky. "Have I been particularly moody these days? Irritating and ugly-looking?"
"No, you're fine, and you've been kind to me."
"Sigh, you don't understand. You don't understand anything."
"Well, once we find them and get back, everything will work out, right?" After a moment of silence, Xiaoguang cautiously inquired.
"Of course, we can't rely on them for something like this. We should rely on you, right?"
"Uh, well, I'll just do some running around."
"I'm just worried that it might take too long, and the rescue team might have already taken everyone away, leaving only us. We'd be considered missing persons, and in this vast, strange new place, it would be hard for them to find us."
"Then, how about I go outside and set up some markers?"
"You're only thinking of that now? This is why I say you don't understand anything. You're only good at eating and drinking. I've already taken care of that these past few days while you were busy preparing food."
"Oh, I see. I thought you were fussing over your clothes these days. It looked like there was an extra layer..."
"It's difficult to start a fire here, so I naturally found a way to make some cloth strips, bright markers, to let others know that humans are here. You're so clueless."
"Oh, I didn't realize that's why your clothes looked like that." Xiaoguang didn't say anything but gave Junya a sidelong glance. "You're completely bare underneath?"
"What are you thinking?" Junya's tone went up a few pitches.
"Nothing, just nothing."
"Well, alright, you've contributed too. We rely on you for food and drink."
"Xiaoguang," at an unknown time, Jinlao walked over, his foot mostly healed, "these past few days, I've noticed you often playing with those green grasshoppers from before. How's it going? How long can you control them completely?"
"Ah, Jinlao, you mean those bugs. These days I've been feeling strange about them, and I was actually thinking of asking you. They seem different from before; they seem to understand what I want to do. Sometimes I don't even need to hold a branch; they obediently follow what I'm thinking. Could they have become intelligent, even read minds?"
"Oh? It seems that we'll need to study this more when things settle down." Jinlao pondered for a moment. "And how about their endurance? If we set off with them, how long can they stay stable?"
"About an hour, at most an hour." Xiaoguang pondered. "If it goes on for too long, they'll ignore me."
"What if you switch to another one halfway?"
"No problem, they can continue." Xiaoguang lowered his head, pondering again. "Actually, even if I don't switch, after a short break, I can make them listen again."
"Well, when we have some free time, we really should thoroughly study your skills," Jinlao said.
Junya looked at the two talking and then turned to her father. "Dad, we've more or less determined the direction and distance for our departure, but along the way, have you decided whether we should traverse through the treetops?"
"Well, this forest is quite unique. The variety of plants and animals isn't very abundant. Considering the vastness of this forest, even if the species aren't numerous, there should be more fruit. However, even though we haven't observed many fallen leaves on the ground, the ecosystem might be quite simple. But for us, the treetops are safer than the ground, so I believe we should avoid the ground as much as possible."
"What about the birds? I'm worried they might mistake us for insects and eat us." Junya was afraid of ground insects, but she remained rational when discussing matters.
"There aren't many birds here. I've only seen one flying in the forest in the past few days, and as for other evidence..." Jinlao suddenly thought of Xiaoguang being hit by bird droppings twice. After pondering for a while with his eyes closed, he thought that this child was truly unlucky. He then slowly said, "The risk should be smaller than on the ground."
"Is it possible that they're herbivores?" Xiaoguang, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly whispered. After spending some time together, he had come to know that Junya wasn't just a pretty heiress living off her father. She was an expert in architecture and biology, but she simply didn't shine as much when she was with her father.
"Huh? Have you seen it happen?" Junya immediately asked.
"Yeah, a few days ago, I went farther away and saw a bird eating beans."
"It's possible!" Jinlao said, "Herbivorous birds are interesting and quite normal."
"Then it's settled. There aren't many of them, and most of them are herbivores. It's safe!" Junya finished speaking and glanced at Xiaoguang, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Just make sure you stay safe."
With the plan in place, the three began to strategize their journey. Food was abundant, so they didn't need to prepare more. On the contrary, they struggled with the decision of what to bring and what to leave behind, especially the insect cocoons. If they were riding the grasshoppers, bringing everything wouldn't be an issue, but if the grasshoppers ran away, carrying all that equipment would be challenging for the three of them.
Therefore, Junya considered turning the insect cocoons into clothes to take with them. Yet, she felt it would be a waste of time to make the decision. Meanwhile, Xiaoguang suggested that if they arrived late, the main group might have already found a way back and left the three of them behind. Junya was so frustrated that she wanted to punch him. What was he saying? Disgusting, he's even more sarcastic than me. What if he's right? I'll kill you if you're right. After saying this, she fiercely pinched Xiaoguang's waist, causing him to feel the pain for a long time, and it wouldn't go away for three days.
Early the next morning, the three of them carried bags made from insect cocoons, each filled with food and water. The water containers were made from plant seeds, hollowed out and sealed with bottle caps. Each person had a walking stick, a seemingly simple tool that had a wide range of uses—it could be used for exploration, as a makeshift tool, and even as a weapon.
The plan the three decided on was to travel lightly and efficiently, following the predetermined route. Due to the unpredictability of Xiaoguang's control over the grasshoppers, they decided not to rely on insects for transportation. Of course, if they encountered grasshoppers along the way, they might catch a ride to alleviate their fatigue.
As for the equipment they couldn't bear to part with, Jinlao suggested they abandon it. However, Xiaoguang, under Junya's imploring gaze, sealed a bunch of newly made clothes inside a cocoon and placed it in a dry tree hollow. He created layers upon layers, turning it into a fortress, and even mimicked the style of a wuxia novel by writing "Junya's Treasure Trove" on the tree trunk, which finally satisfied Junya.
However, after the group set off, Junya suddenly became unhappy, recalling something. Xiaoguang didn't understand, so he asked her what was wrong.
"Inside are my clothes, and you even marked a treasure trove? What if someone discovers it? They'll laugh at us, won't they?" Junya said with resentment.
"Huh? That's unlikely."
"Not likely? What if it happens? My personal items are in there. If someone finds out, they'll laugh!" Junya thought about her homemade underwear, her face turning red and her ears burning. She was also a bit annoyed. "You, you idiot, you're just adding fuel to the fire. Why did you have to write that?"
"Uh, I'm sorry."
"Don't talk to me. You're annoying!"
Jinlao's leg had mostly healed, but Junya continued to walk alongside her father. Xiaoguang was leading the way, while Jinlao had already determined the general direction. This trio moved through the dense forest, going from one tree branch to another, in an almost rhythmic fashion.
Eating, resting, eating, resting—this routine continued throughout the journey. Xiaoguang took the lead sometimes, while Jinlao explained facts about plants and animals, or delved into physics. Sometimes, Jinlao would whimsically discuss music theory with the two young ones and even recite a poem when the mood struck. Thanks to the stability of the high-altitude ecosystem, they encountered few predatory animals along the way. Even when they stumbled upon bird nests, they were located below them where the branches were thicker and more suitable for nesting.
Throughout the journey, Jinlao carefully observed and collected specimens based on what he saw. He analyzed the island's ecological chain for the three of them.
"At the moment, it appears quite simple. There shouldn't be any large predators, at least not snakes. Wild rats are the top of the food chain, and there are eagles in the sky that probably eat both fish and rats."
"Then there are sea birds. They fly by in the sky sometimes, but they definitely don't land around here. According to speculation, there are probably other nearby islands that serve as their gathering places. There are quite a few insects in the trees, though they're less common at higher altitudes, possibly due to the frequent rainy season. The insects Xiaoguang rides probably only come up to the top occasionally, and they mostly stay active on the ground."
Throughout the journey, Jinlao kept pointing things out to Xiaoguang, and the latter greatly benefited.
Walking and resting, they traveled for almost a week. They traveled during the day and rested at night. During this time, they encountered grasshoppers many times. Xiaoguang would always shout and run toward them, then ride the grasshoppers back. As usual, Junya would step on Xiaoguang's back with her eyes closed. However, this time, she didn't sit on his lap.
As time passed, Xiaoguang's compatibility with the grasshoppers improved. Sometimes, they would even come over when he called. What was even more surprising was that once, a golden beetle actually circled around the three of them in the air. When Xiaoguang excitedly called it down and almost tried to ride it, Jinlao and Junya, who thought the air was too risky, reminded him to be careful. Xiaoguang complied after some thought. Jinlao, puzzled, couldn't quite figure out what was going on. Oh well, enjoy the results for now, focus on the journey, and study later when there's time.
"Aren't you afraid of heights anymore?" Junya reminded him.
"I haven't been for a while," Xiaoguang said cheerfully. "I don't know why, but now I'm not afraid at all."
"As long as you don't fall, it doesn't matter, right?" Junya teased Xiaoguang. "Watch out for bird droppings. With your size, any pile of crap under the trees could engulf you."
"Junya, be nice." Jinlao reminded his daughter. This child, she never used to talk like this before. It's really puzzling.
During a moment alone with Xiaoguang, Jinlao unintentionally brought up, "Junya often vents her frustrations on you. Aren't you angry? Actually, she wasn't like this before—she used to be quite well-behaved. Perhaps this recent turn of events has left her with unrelieved stress..."
"Hehe, it's okay, really, it's fine. Junya means well." Xiaoguang smiled, thrilled that he could spend so much time talking with such a pretty girl for the first time.
"Oh, well-intentioned? Hehe, you're quite magnanimous. Don't you find her spoiled?" Jinlao teased.
"It's not like that. She's a good person."
"Hmm? What's good about her? Don't tell me you young people only care about looks, and that looks equal righteousness?"
"Hehe, looks do play a role, but she truly is outstanding. In this environment, I've never seen her be gloomy or throw a tantrum. Even in the dirtiest conditions, she silently arranges and cleans up. With simple materials, she sews creative clothing. Her hands are often bruised, but I've never heard her complain of pain. A few casual remarks occasionally reveal her multifaceted talents. She arranges a few items in the tree hollow, and it instantly becomes a delightful place. She's the kind of person who can manage both the hall and the kitchen."
Jinlao gave Xiaoguang a peculiar look. This kid is quite sharp. In his view, it seemed that his daughter and her boyfriend had that kind of relationship—the one where she could manage both the hall and the kitchen. Why did it become like this in Xiaoguang's perspective? Could it be that this is my daughter's true nature?
One couldn't help but admire Xiaoguang's perception. He saw in Junya more than just a girl's capriciousness. In this budding love, Xiaoguang still didn't grasp a certain truth: "When you're young, don't encounter someone too dazzling. Otherwise, in the future, it's hard to truly like someone."
Furthermore, it was like beholding a brilliant light or a breathtaking view. Such magnificence, breathtaking and captivating. However, unfortunately, it wasn't his. Even if the person who could have her let her go, how could such a beautiful person be seen by only one?
Fortunately, this beauty, this brilliance, would support an ordinary youth's journey to the peak, inspiring him to strive and attain a matching significance.
They continued to travel intermittently—walking during the day and resting at night. Finally, one day, they encountered heavy rain. The three immediately sought shelter from the rain in a "nest" made of resilient branches. While the dense leaves provided shelter from the rain, the wet branches had become slippery and unsuitable for walking, so the three could only wait patiently.
The rain was heavy, and it showed no sign of stopping even after a whole day. Due to Jinlao's constant reminders throughout the journey, they consistently replenished their food and fruit resources, so they weren't worried about their diet. However, the time spent waiting was getting quite long, which inevitably heightened the anxiety they already felt.
"Alright, let's just lie down completely." On the second afternoon, Jinlao, with the assistance of the two, observed the sky closely for a long time before concluding that this was the rainy season, expected to last at least ten days.
Xiaoguang was okay, but when he saw Junya close her eyes and sigh, he felt a pang of sympathy for her.
Having spent nearly a week in the makeshift shelter, the rain showed no signs of abating—it was growing heavier by the day.
Perhaps accustomed to her father's lectures, Junya spent most of her time nearby in safety, seeking enjoyment. The thick leaves provided excellent rain protection, as the torrential rain couldn't penetrate. Only a few spots in the forest allowed drops to fall, and most of the time, the dampness was caused by mist and the rainwater flowing down the tree trunks.
Many of the cocoons they collected along the way proved to be of great use. Junya used them to create various types of clothing, passing the time.
At this moment, Xiaoguang was engrossed in a one-on-one tutoring session with Jinlao.
Jinlao possessed a special ability to simplify profound knowledge, making it easily comprehensible. He had been imparting various pieces of knowledge along the journey, and during nights of rest, he provided intensive guidance. When they were unable to venture out in the rain, Jinlao became Xiaoguang's exclusive teacher.
At the point when Xiaoguang lamented being a failure, Jinlao could even assume the role of a philosopher to console him.
"What defines human failure? Look, Qin Shi Huang was powerful, right? He died at fifty, and eleven years later, his descendants were all gone. Hu Xueyan was rich and accomplished, but his ending was tragic. How about Shang Yang? If you were given a chance to leave a mark in history, but you had to be dismembered after death, would you do it?"
"No, absolutely not." Xiaoguang immediately shook his head. Joking aside, what's the use of being powerful? If you die early and your descendants also die out in a blink, is that success?
"That's right. I'm not just filling your mind with inspirational nonsense; I'm trying to help you understand. In life, there's no such thing as success or failure—only experiences." Jinlao sighed.
At this moment, Xiaoguang followed Jinlao's gaze and looked at Junya, who was sitting not far away, hugging her legs and gazing at the rain with a pensive expression.
"Jinlao, when we find our organization and return to our homeland, you will still be a legendary figure like a deity." Xiaoguang said.
"Would you still be willing to come and listen to my lessons then?" Jinlao looked at Xiaoguang.
"I'd be willing, of course. Could you save me a spot? I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up if you progress too quickly by then." Xiaoguang quickly answered.
"You'll keep up, you'll keep up. You can come to my house for lessons in the future, and I'll teach you individually. Your master's cooking is delicious."
Although Xiaoguang was nicknamed "A-Dai" (Fool), he wasn't foolish at all. At this moment, he humorously got up from the ground and bent over to Jinlao, "Disciple pays respects to Master."
"Hehehe." Jinlao chuckled, his laughter resembling that of an old fox.