Watching Zhou Quchuan busy and skillfully setting traps in the woods, Zhao Lian couldn't help but doubt her previous speculation about his "past experiences".
From his adeptness in dealing with zombies yesterday to setting traps today, it proved that Achuan was not a weak and powerless man. Such a person should be valued in any team, and should not have ended up as a plaything due to his handsome appearance.
Perhaps he fell into the river before because of some other reason? Such as betrayal by teammates, encountering powerful enemies, and the like?
However, nothing is absolute. Regardless, Achuan had lost his memory and ended up in this place, just like her, a homeless and pitiful person.
"What are you thinking?" Zhou Quchuan's voice brought Zhao Lian back from her thoughts. She smiled and said, "Nothing."
"Pass me the pliers," Zhou Quchuan said, as he secured the iron wire of the trap on the ground. He knew that Zhao Lian was not a fool and, judging from her performance from yesterday to today, she would have some doubts in her mind. But as long as he played the role of a person with amnesia and attributed all his abilities to "muscle memory," it would be alright.
It's not that he looked down on Zhao Lian, but her abilities were indeed strained for wilderness survival in such an area. If he hadn't marked his "presence" in this area and defined the territory, she would have probably been torn apart by the incoming mutant beasts.
Being by her side could calm his mind and soul, aiding in his cultivation, so he didn't mind helping her in other ways. It was also a way to make amends for deceiving her, as he, Zhou Quchuan, did not like owing anyone favors.
Unaware of the deep hidden side of the seemingly sincere and even naive man in front of her, she handed him the pliers and carefully squatted on the side, watching Zhou Quchuan's actions, hoping to learn more skills for her future survival.
After watching for a while, she plucked up the courage to ask, "Achuan, can you teach me...? I can pay you, as long as you're willing."
"If you want to learn, I'll teach you," Zhou Quchuan said, smiling brightly and without any hidden agenda.
"Really?" Zhao Lian's eyes lit up, and then she felt a little embarrassed, "Then, next time if I catch rabbits or wild chickens, I'll give them all to you."
Zhou Quchuan looked at her excited eyes and said, "How about this, if you really want to pay me, like the other night, tell me a story or some customs and practices from before the apocalypse, that might help me recover my memory faster." He tapped his head after saying this.
"Okay, it's a deal!" Zhao Lian agreed.
Next, Zhou Quchuan began to explain the methods and precautions for setting traps to Zhao Lian. She listened and took notes, realizing that a simple trap had many intricacies, such as discerning what kind of animals frequented the area, selecting a location for the trap, and setting the bait.
Of course, it's better to try making one yourself rather than listen to too much instruction.
With Zhou Quchuan's guidance, Zhao Lian quickly completed a trap, using leftover fish heads and spines as bait. Afterward, they went to find another suitable location to set another trap.
To prevent their people from falling into the traps the next time, they needed to make some visible markings nearby.
After setting seven or eight traps in a row, Zhou Quchuan took Zhao Lian to look for wild rabbit burrows, but they ended up catching a batch of plump mountain squirrels midway. They only had a small cage and couldn't fit all the animals, so they left the woods early.
When they reached the riverbank, Zhou Quchuan checked the fishing net and found that it had caught two to three dozen fish. They reeled in the fishing net and, together, carried their day's harvest back home.
They enjoyed a delicious grilled squirrel for lunch. The meat was so fat and tender that when bitten into, the juices splattered, and the taste was so delightful that Zhao Lian almost swallowed her tongue.
After lunch, Zhao Lian started to process the river fish, trying to dry them out as fish jerky.
When she and Zhou Quchuan searched other houses for supplies earlier, they found many unopened bags of salt that were still in good condition and could be used. Therefore, she planned to make the fish jerky with added salt, making it more durable and less prone to decay.
Zhou Quchuan took responsibility for filling up a water tank in the corner of the main house that they had brought from another house, and then began to repair the windows and the entrance of the main house. He also made a simple soundless alarm system using threads; if a zombie came close to the house and touched the thread, the windmill inside the house would rotate rapidly, warning the people inside.
Another busy afternoon passed, and in the evening, heavy rain poured down from the sky again, scattering the accumulated heat of the day and bringing in a cool breeze.
By this time, their dining area had moved to the adjacent kitchen. The two of them sat at a small table, drinking warm fish soup and looking at the pouring rain outside. Their eyes were vacant, and they seemed lost in their thoughts.
It's strange to think that despite only knowing each other for a few days, being together in the same house, they never felt awkward even when there was nothing to say.
The heavy rain stopped completely in about half an hour, and the sunset once again bathed the earth in its warm glow, with a rainbow appearing in the sky.
Until the sun gradually set, it was still too early for both of them to fall asleep. Zhao Lian suggested using the evening to exercise, considering that their physical strength was still somewhat weak after the incident with the three zombies.
Zhou Quchuan remained noncommittal, but as he watched Zhao Lian doing high leg lifts, push-ups, and frog jumps in the yard, he quietly joined in.
"Phew...If you're tired, take a break," Zhao Lian gasped, aware that Ah Chuan's injuries had only just healed. Even with supernatural abilities, it was best not to push too hard.
However, seeing him appearing even more relaxed than herself, without even breathing heavily, Zhao Lian felt a surge of competitiveness. She refused to believe that his physical strength could be that good.
The moon had already climbed into the sky, casting its silver light upon the earth, illuminating the figures of the two of them exercising in the desolate yard.
After over an hour, Zhao Lian squatted on the ground, waving at Zhou Quchuan, and said weakly, "Let's stop here for today. I can't keep up with you."
Zhou Quchuan: "...". So, was this woman just testing herself to the limit a moment ago, with the intention of comparing herself to him?
He squatted on the side, showing signs of exhaustion, so tired that he didn't even feel like talking. Would she be dumbfounded if she knew that he was actually not tired at all, not even sweating? Forget it, he decided not to dampen her spirits.
As it was getting late, they both washed up and then returned to the house to lie down.
Although Zhao Lian felt very tired, she remembered the promise she made during the day and said, "Let me tell you a story. Didn't I talk about the origin of mooncakes yesterday? Today, let's talk about the legend of Chang'e on the moon."
"Mm," Zhou Quchuan leaned back against his head, quietly listening.
The moonlight outside cast a silver trapezoidal shadow on the ground through the window.
In the quiet environment, Zhao Lian's voice seemed to carry a certain magic, evoking the "qi" inside Zhou Quchuan to rapidly circulate, growing faster and faster until it formed a surging and unstoppable warm flow.
Perhaps because she was too tired, Zhao Lian's voice became smaller and smaller as she spoke, and she eventually fell asleep.
Zhou Quchuan still maintained his posture and listened to her even breathing, quietly smiling to himself, closing his eyes and continuing to cultivate.
It's not clear how much time had passed when Zhao Lian was suddenly awakened from her sleep, only to see a figure pressed closely against her.
She was startled and about to struggle and make some noise, when a large hand covered her mouth.
Zhou Quchuan's voice whispered in her ear, "Shh, don't make a sound."
Wide-eyed, Zhao Lian saw Zhou Quchuan's serious expression staring at her and seemed to be listening to some noise outside.
Her gaze moved to the white windmill hanging on the beam, and she saw it spinning silently-
Someone had stepped on the warning line outside the gate!
The author has something to say: There will be one more chapter at midnight.