WS - Chapter 118
Chapter 118
There were many words she didn't know how to begin.
And some, in this situation, no longer needed to be said.
Song Shiyue looked at Yu Nianbing—who was clearly interrogating her, clenching her fists before the question was even answered, the rims of her eyes already red—and there were some words that had to be spoken.
Otherwise... suddenly dropping dead without warning would scare people, wouldn't it?
"Ever since the earthquake, I've felt pretty off. No strength, so tired." Song Shiyue planned to skirt the heavy stuff and just give Yu Nianbing a little inoculation. "I was afraid later on I wouldn't have the energy to think about this stuff, so I wanted to tell you in advance. And these things aren't easy to say when there are a lot of people around. Like this belt—it comes from a bit of selfishness on my part. If later we can all keep going together, it wouldn't be a bad thing for everyone to use. But if later on we can't keep going, then at least you... ahem, we can still use it ourselves."
This was the first time, after Song Shiyue had been acting so strangely, that she was willing to talk about her physical discomfort, and she seemed somewhat sincere about it. Although the self-correction stumble at the end was a little hard to ignore, Yu Nianbing at least relaxed somewhat, no longer having that extremely resistant and suspicious look from before.
"Earlier, you were digging that tunnel and hauling stones out from inside it. It's only normal to be tired." Yu Nianbing offered words of comfort that she didn't quite believe herself, then softened further. "Don't worry. Didn't Doctor Ni say it too? Once you eat something tonight and get a good rest, you should be fine by tomorrow morning. Don't start imagining the worst when nothing's actually happened."
So who exactly was the one running wild with imagination the whole way here?
Song Shiyue looked at Yu Nianbing's solemn, bluffing face, her heart full of tangled emotions, yet she couldn't help letting out a little laugh.
Really... adorable.
"So, I'm tired. Will you put the belt on for me?" Song Shiyue edged closer to Yu Nianbing, face utterly brazen.
Yu Nianbing: "..."
She kept feeling like something was off, like she'd stepped right into a strange trap.
In the end, Yu Nianbing still couldn't withstand Song Shiyue's nagging. She not only took the belt but was also forcibly made to listen to the full explanation of how to rationally pick out the seam threads.
"I'll just put it on for you for a little while. Tomorrow morning, when you have your strength back, you put it on yourself." As Yu Nianbing undid her own small leather belt, she confirmed with Song Shiyue over and over.
Song Shiyue agreed wholeheartedly, though inwardly she sighed. She was afraid she didn't even have tonight, let alone tomorrow morning.
But in truth, Yu Nianbing, who was humoring Song Shiyue exactly as she wished, was hardly foolish enough to be fooled by a few words. It was just that Song Shiyue's words were spoken with such utter sincerity that Yu Nianbing genuinely couldn't parse out what exactly Song Shiyue was driving at.
Yet seeing Song Shiyue clearly suffering, sweating, panting, her hand unconsciously pressing against her waist now and then as if straining to hold on, yet still trying to coax her with words... Yu Nianbing just couldn't keep stubbornly refusing.
It was just that, in complying with Song Shiyue, Yu Nianbing felt even more unsettled. Even as she undid the belt, her hands trembled uncontrollably.
She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to think deeply or meticulously. But for Song Shiyue to act this way... it kept giving her the feeling that she was about to lose her.
Yu Nianbing's belt was a normal belt, not that hard to remove. Even though her hands trembled and trembled, she still got it off after a short while.
The two exchanged belts and fastened them around their waists. Song Shiyue finished first this time, then watched Yu Nianbing's hands trembling so much she couldn't even push through the first belt hole. She couldn't help letting out a soft sigh and reaching out her hand.
With the livestream now off and her own life likely about to end, Song Shiyue instead let go of her reservations. She no longer cared much about what kind of distance Yu Nianbing wanted to maintain between herself and someone with a prior confession on the record.
The thick, wide belt squeezed through each hole.
Neither of them spoke. So close, yet so far apart.
"There, done." Song Shiyue cinched the belt firmly one last time for Yu Nianbing.
Yu Nianbing remained silent.
Song Shiyue knew that with Yu Nianbing's intelligence, she probably hadn't been convinced by her earlier words. But still... she should have at least been given a dose of inoculation.
Otherwise... she wouldn't be like...
Song Shiyue looked at the belt that had originally been hers—the one Yu Nianbing's trembling hands had struggled with for so long without getting a single hole through.
"Oh, right. This too. Hold onto it for me. Inside there's a coil of fishing line wound into a loop." Song Shiyue pulled from her pocket a chubby hair tie with two glass beads.
"Song! Shi! Yue!" Yu Nianbing's face changed color. She practically squeezed the name out from between her clenched lips and teeth.
"Okay, okay, don't be mad. Yes, it's that hair tie. But I washed it well, washed it several times." Song Shiyue pulled back her hand, hesitated a moment, then asked, "How about I take off the fabric cover for you and you just take the fishing line directly?"
"You... you think this is why I'm angry?!" Yu Nianbing had clearly resolved to humor Song Shiyue a little, but the belt, and then the hair tie—all things that would only be useful later—she was really reaching her limit.
Song Shiyue lowered her head, looking very much the picture of obedience.
Just when Yu Nianbing thought she might say something useful, the young woman in front of her raised her head with a grin, looking as if nothing had just happened.
"This fishing line is still very strong. You can use it not just for fishing, but also for setting traps, even as a weapon. You can think of it as a blade with toughness—as long as the speed and force are enough, it can cut through some things." Song Shiyue smiled on the surface and spoke with an easy tone, but her words were full of cold intent. "For example, near where you're sleeping, string them between trees and tie some stones that can knock and make noise—you can set up an early warning. Or pull them taut at neck height. When an enemy is chasing you, lead them into it. If the opponent is moving fast, it'll be enough to snag them to a halt. Whether you want to flee or strike back, it gives you an extra opportunity."
Yu Nianbing: "..."
Song Shiyue actually wasn't sure whether Yu Nianbing's current silence was because she kept forcing things on her, or because her words had scared her a little.
But... it didn't matter.
Taking two deep breaths, Song Shiyue fought off a moment of dizziness and swiftly continued. "If two people work together, using fishing line to strangle someone with greater strength isn't impossible either. But unless you absolutely have to, it's best not to use these crude little tricks in a direct confrontation. Use the things around you and on you to make some small traps, barriers, and then run—that's the best choice."
As for what sort of ripples Song Shiyue's continuous stream of words stirred in Yu Nianbing's heart, that could be set aside for now.
But the viewers watching the livestream on StarNet were truly a bit dumbstruck.
"This... are we sure it's not a face-swap bug? This topic feels like I'm listening to Zhao Da and Zhao Er talking shop."
"Sister Song is seriously talking about how to kill... is she really..."
"Clearly Sister Song had that helpful-person persona. Is she suddenly switching to assassin?"
"First salt, now fishing line... is Song Shiyue a third killer?"
"??? What third killer? Don't go slandering my Sister Song, okay? Didn't you hear her talk about defense first, and then traps and strangulation later? I think Sister Song has also figured some things out."
"I think Song Shiyue is teaching Little Ice Block how to protect herself. Sometimes having the awareness to strike back really is an important thing."
"Right, friends above, don't be so naive. Don't think that looking at or hearing about these kinds of topics sullies your eyes and ears. If the time comes and you've never thought about it, never prepared for it, that's when you're really done for."
"Sister Song really is capable. She even brought salt and fishing line. But I don't think she's another killer. If she were a killer, why would she be telling Yu Nianbing all this?"
"Maybe a killer who's been beguiled by beauty..."
"??? What's with the person above?"
"Maybe a killer who's been beguiled by beauty... (doge*100) I'm joking... forgot to add the doge..."
"Wait, why is no one asking why Song Shiyue sounds like she's giving last instructions to Little Ice Block? What's going on? Shouldn't these things be discussed and handled together later?"
"Yeah... feels like Song Shiyue is way too urgent. A lot of things probably won't turn out this bad. There haven't even been any signs yet."
"She's giving her stuff away so urgently too... something just feels wrong. It really does sound like last instructions!"
...
The things StarNet viewers could see, how could Yu Nianbing not see them?
She saw them. But she couldn't bring herself to ask.
"Why are you acting like you're giving your last instructions?"
This sentence was one Yu Nianbing could never, ever say out loud.
The more Song Shiyue acted like it, the more she did these things, the less Yu Nianbing dared to ask.
Confused and bewildered, evading and retreating. Faced with Song Shiyue, whose mouth was as tight as a river clam, Yu Nianbing could only endure the silence with clenched teeth.
But Song Shiyue didn't quite mind Yu Nianbing's silence.
She reached and took down the backpack on Yu Nianbing's back—the one that belonged to her—fished around inside, and pulled out the little half-bag of jerky that was left after it had been soaked twice and she'd wolfed some down.
"Zhao Da and Zhao Er each have a copy of the map. I'll see in a bit if I can get another look at it. If not, use this half-bag of jerky tonight to trade for it. When we were rescuing Feng Qianqian inside before and lifting that rock, Zhao Da and Zhao Er didn't use their full strength. And later, when we were carrying the stretcher outside, you saw it too. In the end, we can't really count on them to keep properly fulfilling their bodyguard duties. But right now, they're still a bit mindful of everyone and willing to share a similar share of responsibility. If you find them at this time to trade for the map, there's still a chance it might work." Song Shiyue said, shoving both the jerky and the hair tie into Yu Nianbing's hands. She added, "But it's also possible they won't just give it to you. Still, do your best to remember the route to the old castle. If there's a fire, burn a couple of charcoal sticks and draw it on the back of your clothes, too... anyway, every bit you can remember is a bit more."
Yu Nianbing didn't dodge away. Silently, stiffly, she let Song Shiyue shove the things into her hands. Her face was an icy calm, but in her heart a great blizzard was rising.
Good. Very good. Just go ahead and say it all. You've even specified a time now.
You've managed to get specific to the point that tonight you won't be around anymore?
Really good. Very good!
Song Shiyue already didn't dare look at Yu Nianbing's expression, let alone meet her eyes. She only kept her head down and, again, took down Yu Nianbing's backpack.
"For your jerky, I'll make a few sealed little pouches for you. We'll take apart your jacket in a bit. Best to hide a few pieces on your person, just in case." As Song Shiyue opened the pack and took the jerky out, she gave a regretful sigh. "Should have made meat pellets or strips back then. They'd be easier to stash."
"Only take apart my jacket?" Yu Nianbing was so upset she was getting dizzy.
Song Shiyue didn't answer, but her hands worked faster.
You couldn't hide too much in the lining of clothes. If you put too much in, it was easy to spot.
Song Shiyue only took a few pieces of jerky out, sealed them, but when it came to taking off Yu Nianbing's jacket, she still inevitably had a moment where their eyes met.
A thousand words and ten thousand thoughts clogged in Yu Nianbing's heart, but in the end, she still let Song Shiyue strip the clothes from her.
Prying, pulling, biting...
It was just a small section of tight stitching, yet Song Shiyue tried every trick in the book, ultimately resorting to slowly picking out the seam thread with the stone knife.
Yu Nianbing just watched quietly, watching Song Shiyue spend so much effort and energy on that seam thread.
A couple of days ago, never mind seam thread—Song Shiyue probably could have torn this whole garment into strips with her bare hands.
The signs of abnormality, in every way, never stopped.
"Alright, hang it in the lining behind your pocket. If... if it comes to a situation where someone tries to search you, if you get a chance, shake them toward the back beforehand. The lining layers inside are all connected." Song Shiyue said, paused briefly, then continued. "Tonight we'll all be together. That jerky on us... will probably have to be shared out. But the few pieces in the lining—just treat them as your final life-saving supplies. Only consider using them when there's really no other way. Same for the salt. If the later camps have supplies we can take, you might not need them. But if something goes wrong later, at least you'll still have a few things on you."
Yu Nianbing: "..."
Song Shiyue still didn't mind Yu Nianbing's silence. She just kept speaking her full, blunt truth, letting it all out. "No matter what, protect yourself first. Then help others. Don't do things beyond your ability. Zhao Da and Zhao Er, though they're holding back now, still have the highest combat strength in the team. Like they said, the protective shield in this area is gone. Who knows what we'll run into. As much as possible, you should stick with them. But, also remember: the moment you sense Zhao Da and the others' attitude turning wrong, or if the team encounters irreconcilable conflicts—even if it means leaving—don't put yourself in danger."
"You tell me to follow Zhao Da and Zhao Er, and also tell me to leave on my own if something's off. Aren't you contradicting yourself? And what's the point of saying all this now? It's all just hypothetical. It would be better if, when the time comes, you take me and choose. Isn't that better?" Yu Nianbing had listened to it all. It was just that in Song Shiyue's every sentence there was only one person—no 'we.' This really made Yu Nianbing more and more uncomfortable the more she thought about it, and a bit of anger crept into her words.
If I could take you and choose, would I need to say so much now...
Song Shiyue gave a bitter smile.
Her brain wasn't a screenwriter's brain, either. Events in the world shifted in a thousand ways. How could she predict exactly what the situation would be like then? She could only cudgel her brains and pour out everything she could think of all at once. Song Shiyue truly wished, in these few moments that felt stolen, that she could pour all her experience and ideas into Yu Nianbing...
"We should go back." Yu Nianbing, seeing that she was once again met with Song Shiyue's silent treatment, really couldn't take it anymore and actively proposed ending this trip to resolve personal matters.
Song Shiyue, who had been racking her brains trying to organize the next round of reminders, was startled at these words and instinctively said, "Wait."
Yu Nianbing's outstretched hand drew back. Her gaze fell upon Song Shiyue with deeper weight.
"Keep the knife on you. Even when you're sleeping at night, keep it tucked against your chest. Don't trust others too easily. Leave yourself a little more leeway. If you get separated or have to split up, get back near the villa as fast as you can—that way you won't miss the rescue. When you can get food and water, stockpile more. But be careful not to leave too much scent on yourself. Sleeping in a tree at night is also a good option..." Song Shiyue rattled on, head down, counting off on her fingers.
"We're going back." Yu Nianbing grabbed Song Shiyue with one pull.
Yu Nianbing truly could not bear to listen to Song Shiyue say these things now, especially when the more she spoke, the more blunt she became. The more it felt like once all those words were heard, something terrible would happen.
Song Shiyue, caught off guard, was pulled by Yu Nianbing, and her whole body was dragged into a stagger forward.
One thought she'd been standing quite steadily.
One knew for a fact she'd barely used any strength.
This stagger made both Song Shiyue and Yu Nianbing freeze on the spot.
So, it was true. Time was nearly up.
Song Shiyue coughed, feeling like she couldn't even catch her breath properly.
"I..." Yu Nianbing's thoughts were in chaos. Her intuition made her sense an even more ominous aura.
"Teacher Yu... ha. Yu Nianbing, you really are a good person. I'm really happy to have met you." Song Shiyue, having managed to catch her breath by patting her chest, raised her head and smiled.
Yu Nianbing: "..."
Even though Song Shiyue's face was now flushed red, her hair plastered damply against her, sweat dripping from her chin from time to time, looking utterly disheveled.
But those eyes—still so bright and translucent, like an honest heart you could see straight through.
So much concealment. So much that couldn't be spoken. Yet now, Yu Nianbing still felt that she saw Song Shiyue's true heart.
It was just that the feeling of being moved and the surge of emotion lasted only a moment.
The next second, Yu Nianbing heard Song Shiyue, eyes twinkling with a smile, say, "So let me take care of a personal matter, and then we'll head back."
Yu Nianbing: "..."
She never, ever expected this wasn't just a cover story.
Song Shiyue was so blunt about it that Yu Nianbing couldn't help but blush to the tips of her ears, and of course, she nodded.
"I'll wait for you over there." Yu Nianbing turned quickly and strode several steps back toward where they'd come from, but her steps soon halted.
Yu Nianbing spun her head around sharply, only to see that behind her, Song Shiyue did not look at all like she was loosening her clothes and crouching down to handle her business. Instead, she was standing straight there, also watching her.
Eyes met, a spark of lightning. Even in a moment like this, Yu Nianbing was still angered into a laugh.
Song Shiyue, truly a piece of work.
Yu Nianbing didn't bother caring whether the flash of intuition just now was her own overthinking or the truth. She just stalked sideways over to a nearby tree and, with her stone knife, cut a very long length of vine. And throughout this action, Yu Nianbing's gaze did not shift the slightest bit away from Song Shiyue.
One vine, connected at both ends. The section fastened around Song Shiyue's wrist was tied by Yu Nianbing with knot after knot... dead knots.
"While you're taking care of your personal matters, keep pulling this vine constantly. At least once a second. If you go more than three seconds without pulling, I will turn my head around." Yu Nianbing spoke with a stern expression, tugging the vine on Song Shiyue's wrist a couple more times for good measure.
"Isn't that a bit much..." Song Shiyue had tried to resist, but with the little strength she had left, she was long past being a match for Yu Nianbing. Now she could only play innocent and wait for someone to soften.
"It's perfectly fine." Yu Nianbing didn't buy Song Shiyue's act one bit. Her gaze was locked on. "Remember: once a second. After three seconds, I'm turning around to look at you."
Song Shiyue: "..."
Honestly, had the earlier inoculation worked too well...
The vine knots were tied like this, and the stone knife had been taken away too. Never mind three seconds—three minutes wouldn't be enough for her to untie this vine. No need to watch this closely.
And Yu Nianbing used her actions to tell Song Shiyue: yes, it really would be this close.
It had to be said, this was the most awkward handling of personal matters in both of Song Shiyue's lives.
Having someone nearby... was so much more embarrassing and difficult than having zombies around.
Thank goodness this might be her last time... Otherwise, spending days like this, her kidneys couldn't bear it.
A vine pulled down from a tree—how long could it really be?
Merely five or six meters in length, and on Song Shiyue's end, so many knots had been tied.
Listening to the rustling sounds behind her, Yu Nianbing had long since blushed to more than just the tips of her ears. Her whole face was a rosy flush, and she couldn't help but reach up and cover both ears.
And the viewers watching the livestream on StarNet at this moment were also...
"I feel like this new livestream page's camera is even smarter than the original one. It actually adjusts in real time and gave us a long-distance wide shot..."
"Even though Sister Song is already a peaceful mosaic, looking at Yu Nianbing right now, I really can't look straight at that pure mosaic anymore!"
"Little Ice Block is really... inflicting this torment on herself..."
"I've been a fan of Little Ice Block for so many years, but I really never knew she was this kind of Little Ice Block! Hahaha!"
"I can understand it. With the way Song Shiyue was acting just now, like she hated that she couldn't get the rest of her life's instructions out in one go—if it were me, I'd tie her up too."
"This Yaoxing Storm just started and Sister Song already can't hold on and is going to end things herself? I don't believe it..."
"Yeah, I find it strange too. If Song Shiyue had found a way to survive, she wouldn't leave on her own. But right now, it doesn't look like she's facing a dead end either. What on earth is wrong with her to be giving so many instructions?"
...
The confusion was shared, but the feelings about it varied.
Song Shiyue had perhaps once thought of going the way of the old elephant that retreats to the forest and quietly awaits its end. But that idea, in truth, she had already rejected.
Not to mention the others. Just take Yu Nianbing... If she disappeared without a word, Yu Nianbing would definitely spend a lot of time searching for her. In the team's current situation, that would undoubtedly make the others discontented. Whether Yu Nianbing forced the team to stay and search, or the team reluctantly waited for Yu Nianbing to search for a while and then continued walking together—both would be terrible situations for Yu Nianbing.
So... in truth, Song Shiyue had already chosen to die in front of everyone. That was the reason for calling her out this time to give her instructions and, along the way, give her an inoculation.
She never imagined Yu Nianbing would be so alert.
On the way back to the team, Song Shiyue looked at the vine on her wrist, where one knot bit into another, knot after knot connected together. It was a bitter, amused sort of heartache.
How she wished she could have a little more time, could steal a few more days in this world...
Song Shiyue tried hard to make her already softening steps keep pace with Yu Nianbing beside her. Every extra step she could take was a stolen bit of life. Song Shiyue walked with such precious care that she nearly forgot to be sad.
When the whole team set off again, they finally got a bit of luck. They hadn't walked far before discovering a clearing with good terrain, surrounded only by wild grass and low shrubs, with tall trees kept far away.
"Let's rest here for the night. It's getting late." Zhao Da, who at some point had taken the de facto lead of the team, set down the stretcher in his hands.
Everyone came forward to examine the surroundings.
"Everyone gather some firewood. Let Song Shiyue start a fire for us. Get a fire going first." Captain Yang turned and said.
In the dimming twilight, everyone looked around but didn't see Song Shiyue. Then they heard a voice from the grass. Yu Nianbing, looking almost like she was kneeling there, answered coldly, "She's tired. She fell asleep. Doesn't the production team have a lighter on them?"
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