Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 104

The Ninth Airdrop

Bracelet Date: June 6

Current Time: 6:39 AM

            

To-Do List:

1. Gradually move the treehouse supplies to the waterfall campsite.
2. Explore the mountainous terrain and lake area above the waterfall. (Whether from the descriptions in the original novel or the pre-match helicopter bird’s-eye view of the arena, it is clear that the headwaters of the Toa River are located in a lake halfway up the mountain.)
3. Find a suitable location to build the third-generation shelter.

Current Action: Competing for the ninth airdrop supplies.

---

After going through eight previous airdrops, the other contestants had also figured out a pattern: the location of the drops likely shifted once every two times.

            

The last drop had just shifted to the waterfall, so this one would definitely be there as well. Over the past few days, they had migrated near the waterfall to prepare in advance for the drop.

She wasn’t surprised to spot Huang Heshan and Xue Yunshao lying in wait in the grass along the riverbank. Anyone who knew the drop point in advance and didn’t prepare would be a fool.

The helicopter circled loudly above the waterfall before departing, dropping two packages.

            

Three groups of contestants, but only two supply packs.

Another shortage-driven competition.

No wonder last night’s notification mentioned that the competition would grow more intense; future airdrops would likely be set up this way from now on.

            

Previously, running slow just meant getting slightly worse supplies. Now, running slow meant getting nothing at all—a disguised way of forcing the contestants to steal and fight for resources.

The two airdrop crates landed on the slope upstream of the waterfall. Since the contestants were waiting in ambush on the downstream banks, they had to scramble upward.

Nan Huaixu was already skilled at climbing steep slopes and could basically keep up with Liu Yinxi’s pace.

            

Scrambling up the steep incline, they ran along the river. From a distance, they could see the labels on the two crates.

This time, the crates didn’t list detailed supplies. The labels only read: Food Supply Pack 1 and Food Supply Pack 2.

Fortunately, the original novel happened to describe the contents of both packs. While the other contestants were in the dark, Liu Yinxi knew exactly what they contained.

            

With a thoughtful look but without slowing her pace in the slightest, Nan Huaixu asked in a low voice, “Which one should we choose? One or two?”

At the same time, Liu Yinxi said, “I’ll take one, you take two.”

A flicker of confusion crossed Nan Huaixu’s eyes, but she quickly grasped her partner’s meaning and veered toward Crate 2.

            

Based on their observations from the riverbank earlier:

Huang Heshan had camped at the lowest point, making her the furthest from the crates. However, she was relatively closer to Crate 2, so she would likely choose it.

Xue Yunshao was waiting at the highest point, giving her the greatest advantage among the three groups. Her distance to both Crate 1 and Crate 2 was roughly equal.

            

Liu Yinxi and Nan Huaixu were positioned higher than Huang Heshan but lower than Xue Yunshao, placing them closer to Crate 1.

Considering the circumstances, the key variable in this scramble was Xue Yunshao.

Liu Yinxi wanted Crate 1, but Xue Yunshao was closer to it, which could compensate for her slower speed. At this moment, they had to steer Xue Yunshao toward Crate 2.

            

That was why Liu Yinxi had sent Nan Huaixu after Crate 2.

Consider the situation from Xue Yunshao’s perspective:

Both Crate 1 and Crate 2 were very close to her. Suddenly, two people dashed out to claim them.

            

The one targeting Crate 1 was Liu Yinxi, who was fast and highly skilled in combat. The one targeting Crate 2 was Nan Huaixu, who was slightly slower and had no combat skills.

Therefore, Xue Yunshao would be much more likely to go for Crate 2, as it was the easier target by comparison.

As for Huang Heshan, she was much further away. She wouldn’t create as strong a visual impact on Xue Yunshao as the approaching Nan Huaixu. In her haste, Xue Yunshao would very likely overlook the threat of Huang Heshan.

            

This was psychological warfare.

Liu Yinxi decided to take the gamble.

Sure enough, after seeing Liu Yinxi and Nan Huaixu split up, Xue Yunshao ran toward Crate 2 without hesitation.

            

Liu Yinxi let out a cheerful whistle and scrambled up the steep slope on all fours. Having eliminated all threats, claiming Crate 1 was as easy as reaching into a bag to grab a prize¹.

On the other side, seeing that Liu Yinxi had the situation entirely under control, Nan Huaixu breathed a sigh of relief and slowed her climbing pace slightly.

Nan Huaixu’s change in pace didn’t escape Xue Yunshao’s notice. She asked gently, “Are you tired, Teacher Nan? The steep slope is dangerous, so why don’t you take a break?”

            

Nan Huaixu frowned. Did Xue Yunshao even realize she was in a competition? Her supplies were about to be lost, yet she was showing tender concern for her rival?

Immediately after, before Nan Huaixu’s bewildered gaze, the gentle expression on Xue Yunshao’s face gave way to utter shock.

Huang Heshan didn’t play by the rules. Instead of taking the dirt path, she scaled the sheer cliff right next to the waterfall. Using one hand to grip a tree root protruding from the stone for leverage, she drew her bow with the other and shot an arrow right through the parachute of Crate 2.

            

The force of the flying arrow jarred the crate, which was already precariously balanced on the edge of the rocks. After wobbling a few times, Crate 2 fell with a loud crash and rolled down the hill. Directly below, Yu Yan was already in position to receive it.

The battlefield had shifted in the blink of an eye.

Her absolute advantage had turned into an absolute disadvantage. Xue Yunshao was utterly stunned. Before she could process what had happened, Liu Yinxi, who was already sitting on the high slope clutching Crate 1, called out to those below with a grin, “Incredible shot, Huang-jie!”

            

Xue Yunshao: “…”

“…” Huang Heshan tilted her head up and shot a glance at Liu Yinxi. Then, she looked down and saw that Yu Yan had successfully retrieved Crate 2. She climbed sideways onto the dirt slope, then headed down to meet up with Yu Yan.

Nan Huaixu watched the whole display, shook her head in silence, and retraced her steps into the forest. She would wait for Liu Yinxi to join her so they could return to their campsite together.

            

Several drones circled the waterfall to capture the scene, their cameras panning from angle to angle as Xue Yunshao’s fans in the livestream erupted in frustration.

【Shameless!】

【Unfair! Huang Heshan used a tool to snatch the crate!】

            

【Isn’t that a foul? A single pair of contestants is only allowed to grab one crate! Nan and Liu are acting in bad faith!】

【What is Luo Ling even doing? Every other group is working in pairs, but A Yun has to fight one against four! How is she supposed to compete!】

【I’m so mad I smashed my screen! (Anger)】

            

【A Yun was closest to both crates at the start. She had a huge chance of winning either one. What a pity QAQ】

【I think A Yun should have gone for Crate 1.】

【Exactly, Yunshao should not have gone for Crate 2. Even though Huang Heshan was far away, she is incredibly fast. Yunshao was totally misled by Nan Huaixu, sigh.】

            

【Excuse me, what exactly was Nan Huaixu’s role in this scramble?】

【To express Liu Xixi’s admiration for Huang Shanshan (Dog head)】

【Pfft!】

            

【Are the people saying Xue Yunshao should have grabbed Crate 1 serious? Since Huang took out Crate 2 with an arrow, what makes you think Liu wouldn’t do the same?】

【This is the main stream lobby. A lot of people aren’t Liu Yinxi’s fans and don’t watch her solo stream every day, so they probably don’t know she made a bamboo bow.】

【Liu Yinxi has plenty of tricks up her sleeve. Even without an arrow, she would have used something else.】

            

【To put it bluntly, Xue fans thought Xue Yunshao was guaranteed to get either one, but that’s not how it works in reality.】

【Xue Yunshao pushed her gentle persona too far². Who stops halfway through a scramble to ask their rival if they’re tired? I’m completely speechless (Shock)】

【Hahaha, the most shocked one was Nan Huaixu. Her expression when she looked at Xue Yunshao completely changed. She probably didn’t expect an opponent to feed³ like that (Facepalm)】

            

【Actually, she isn’t faking a persona. She really is just that kind of calm, non-confrontational person.】

【How could an athlete have that kind of personality? How would she ever compete and win medals?】

【That’s why Xue wanted to retire long ago. The figure skating team invited her to stay as a coach, but she declined.】

            

【Retiring from figure skating only to join a survival show? Uh…】

【Xue Yunshao is a contestant who truly practices ‘friendship first, competition second.’ Even if she has to go hungry, she can’t bear to see the others suffer.】

【I was wrong. I shouldn’t have called Yu Yan a saint⁴; Xue Yunshao is the real goddess here.】

            

【Why is Liu Yinxi taking the long way with the crate? Isn’t she going to meet up with Nan Huaixu?】

【To hide her tracks, obviously! She just secured the supplies, so she can’t let her rivals find them.】

【Oh, I see (Nod)】

            

【Hello everyone, I’m new here! Who is the strongest contestant in this show? Whose stream should I watch?】

【Liu Yinxi! Just go straight to the Nan Huaixu and Liu Yinxi stream. You won’t regret it ^o^】

---

The bushes rustled.

            

Liu Yinxi looped through the forest twice to ensure she wasn’t being followed before meeting Nan Huaixu at their prearranged spot.

“Thanks for your hard work, Teacher Nan.”

“You too. Have you opened the crate yet?”

            

“Not yet. I wanted to open it with you.”

“All right, let’s take a look now.”

The two sat down on the grass. As Liu Yinxi lifted the lid of the airdrop crate, the first thing she saw was a checklist card, and beneath it, a waterproof storage bag packed to the brim.

            

Ninth Airdrop Supply Checklist (※ indicates items contained in this crate)

※ Food Supply Pack 1: Beef jerky 50g * 2 bags, protein energy bars 30g * 4 bars, oral rehydration salts 5g * 3 packs

Food Supply Pack 2: Pure meat sausages 50g * 2 links, nut and dried fruit oatmeal 120g * 1 bag, canned mixed fruit 425g * 2 cans

            

Liu Yinxi opened the storage bag and verified that the quantities of the food items were correct. When she looked up, Nan Huaixu was studying the checklist card.

Feeling a little sheepish, Liu Yinxi said, “Sorry, Teacher Nan. The supply pack we got doesn’t look as delicious as the other one.”

Her apology stemmed from the fact that she knew Nan Huaixu had a sweet tooth. Despite having foreseen the contents of both supply packs through the original novel’s system, she hadn’t chosen the food Nan Huaixu would have preferred.

            

Nan Huaixu put away the card and looked at her gently. “Don’t apologize. We’re very lucky; the supply pack we got is actually the one we need more. Beef jerky is easier to preserve than sausages. Since we already have grains, our carbohydrate intake is sufficient, which makes the protein bars a better fit. There is fruit all over the rainforest, but we don’t have salt. The oral rehydration salts in this bag are the most critical item. If we fall ill and get dehydrated, they can save our lives.”

Nan Huaixu’s assessment aligned perfectly with Liu Yinxi’s own thoughts.

Nan Huaixu continued, “I don’t care if the survival food tastes good or not. We have to prepare for a war of attrition. I’m not the fragile person I was a month ago; I don’t need to be coaxed with treats anymore.”

            

With that, she offered Liu Yinxi a soft, elegant smile. “Besides, your cooking tastes much better anyway.”

The lovely smile coupled with the sincere praise gave Liu Yinxi a massive boost of confidence. She stared at Nan Huaixu with a grin, a thousand things rushing to her mind, yet she couldn’t find the words. She could only sit there, smiling foolishly.

Nan Huaixu held her gaze for a brief second before looking away, her lips curving upward. “What are you smiling foolishly for?”

            

Liu Yinxi lowered her head, nervously tugging at her messy ponytail. “I don’t know either…”

Oh, her hair had grown longer.

“I know. You’re just a naturally cheerful person. Come on, let’s head back to our campsite.”

            

“Mm-hmm…”

Liu Yinxi slowly lowered her hand from her hair, stealing a glance at the person beside her from the corner of her eye.

Thump-thump.

            

How strange. Why does my heart race, and why do I want to smile the moment I think of her?

---