Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 139

You Don’t Talk Much

In the quiet of the night, Nan Huaixu looked at Liu Yinxi’s face, a flicker of light dancing in her eyes.

She thought: this was a little alpha who, not long ago, had been asking her basic questions about life and knew nothing at all about romance — yet now she could say something so certain.

            

Coaxing someone, even. It would be enough if she didn’t turn tail and run first.

Nan Huaixu lay on her back and smiled. “You’ve come a long way when it comes to feelings.”

Liu Yinxi smiled too, tilting her head back to look at the ceiling. “I’ve made progress, haven’t I?”

            

Nan Huaixu asked, “Did you lose your temper easily when you were dating before? Did you coax her, or did she coax you?”

Liu Yinxi answered according to the original novel’s setting: “Easily. Neither of us coaxed the other. Who was I to ask anyone to coax me?”

The original host had been prone to temper tantrums, but Liu Yinxi thought that if Ying Luoling had responded to her normally, she wouldn’t have flown off the handle so often.

            

But that was a paradox — Ying Luoling had only kept her around for her looks and had no real interest in her, so naturally she couldn’t be bothered to engage.

Nan Huaixu said, “You don’t even have experience. How can you talk about coaxing someone for a lifetime?”

Liu Yinxi answered without hesitation: “Well, I’m telling you about it right now, aren’t I?”

            

“Me?” Nan Huaixu turned her head.

Liu Yinxi glanced at her hastily and closed her eyes. “If the other person is serious and reliable, of course you can’t give up. It’s late. Good night.”

Nan Huaixu gave a faint smile. “I see. Good night.”

            

After exchanging good nights, they both closed their eyes and pretended to sleep, each lost in her own thoughts.

Inside Liu Yinxi’s chest, her heart pounded like a drum. She didn’t dare admit a shameful thing: when she spoke of seeking a lover’s forgiveness, of coaxing someone for a lifetime, the figure that flashed through her mind was Nan Huaixu.

Liu Yinxi felt it was presumptuous and was filled with deep remorse. At the same time, she told herself: it was normal to feel a fleeting attraction toward such an outstanding woman — she just needed to mind her manners going forward and keep a proper distance.

            

She couldn’t presume to claim a woman simply because she was beautiful, intelligent, resilient, famous, wealthy, and possessed every quality she admired.

She was merely a lonely soul who had experienced death once, a passerby passing through this book.

Liu Yinxi, don’t forget why you entered this competition: to win the prize, pay off the debt, and continue your journey exploring the world.

            

On the other side, Nan Huaixu quietly raised her head and opened her eyes to look at the alpha pretending to sleep.

She guessed Liu Yinxi probably thought she was putting on a convincing act.

What Liu Yinxi didn’t know was that Nan Huaixu remembered her breathing patterns asleep and awake with perfect clarity.

            

Nan Huaixu understood: if this woman started getting flustered in front of you, started putting on an act — that was your signal to pursue.

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Bracelet date: June 29.

Morning, bright sunshine.

            

The rain that had lasted for days finally stopped.

Liu Yinxi swept the shelter floor clean of dead branches and rotting leaves, opened all the door panels and curtains, and let the air circulate through the house.

They hadn’t gone out to gather supplies for a few days. The fish from the pool had all been eaten — and a fat one had even escaped when the water rose during the rain. Fortunately, they had a large crate of eggs and two quail, enough to last them a while.

            

Liu Yinxi went to the lake to fish, and Nan Huaixu headed into the forest to gather leaves and fruit.

At dusk, they returned to the shelter to cook. Fei Tuoma arrived with her payment.

“Smells great. Add a little of mine too.” Along with a large object wrapped in bark cloth, Fei Tuoma had also brought a small bag.

            

Liu Yinxi reached out to take it and pulled a small bottle of mixed seasoning — cinnamon, cloves, pepper, and more — from the bag. “You sure know how to show up at dinnertime.”

Fei Tuoma leaned over the fragrant lunch box with a smile. “I think as long as it’s edible, it’s fine. But my Mami says my cooking is terrible — that won’t win an omega over.”

Liu Yinxi: “Telling me that doesn’t help.”

            

Fei Tuoma watched carefully as she seasoned the fish soup. “I want to see how you do it.”

Liu Yinxi narrowed her eyes. “…”

Nan Huaixu came over with a plate of cut fruit and, seeing Liu Yinxi’s odd expression, laughed. “Liu Yinxi, look at that face.”

            

Liu Yinxi immediately put on a smile. “Teacher Nan.”

Nan Huaixu offered the fruit to Fei Tuoma. “Welcome as our guest. You can learn cooking from Liu Yinxi.”

Liu Yinxi said hastily, “Actually, I’m not that good either.”

            

Nan Huaixu patted her shoulder lightly. “Don’t be so modest.” She turned to Fei Tuoma. “I learned from her too. She cooks really well.”

Fei Tuoma had already readied the small bowl she had brought. “Wonderful!”

The three of them ate together. It had been a long time since things were this lively.

            

It was mainly Nan Huaixu and Fei Tuoma doing the talking; Liu Yinxi said far less than usual.

Fei Tuoma: “Liu, you don’t talk much. It’d be nice if you were a bit more cheerful.”

Liu Yinxi: “…” No, I just don’t have much to talk about with you.

            

Nan Huaixu said with amusement, “You don’t know — she’s usually a chatterbox. It’s probably just that communicating in a foreign language is tricky, so she talks less.”

Fei Tuoma nodded understandingly. “Oh, that’s fine. We can gesture with our hands.”

Nan Huaixu couldn’t help laughing. “So funny.”

            

Liu Yinxi obligingly searched for a topic of conversation. “Fei Tuoma, what’s wrapped in that bark of yours?”

Fei Tuoma quickly unwrapped the bark covering, revealing a square, neatly shaped box.

Liu Yinxi and Nan Huaixu were both startled. “The ‘行’ treasure chest¹?!”

            

“You really do recognize this.” Fei Tuoma scratched her face, embarrassed. “I found it near Giant Banyan Valley. I thought a forest ranger had lost it and wanted to return it to them. It was only after I met you two that I realized I must have taken your supplies. I’m sorry! Here, I’m returning it to you.”

Liu Yinxi opened the chest: two fishing pole trekking poles, two pairs of diving socks, four pairs of fascia protection sock sleeves — every item the treasure chest had originally contained was there, not a single one missing.

They had discovered the treasure chest first and rushed over immediately. By all rights, they were the most likely to have claimed it. And since all the other contestants already assumed they had taken the chest, they might as well accept it now.

            

Nan Huaixu looked thoughtful and sighed. “So it was you who took it, Fei Tuoma. We were so puzzled about where the chest had gone. It never crossed our minds that there was anyone else in the rainforest besides us.”

Fei Tuoma apologized repeatedly. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Nan Huaixu served her some food. “It’s all right. Stop apologizing and eat your dinner.”

            

Liu Yinxi closed the chest and asked Fei Tuoma, “This is something you should return to us. Does it count as fair payment?”

Fei Tuoma froze. A tuft of hair stood up on her head, pushed up by the feather headband. Then it dawned on her. “Hahaha, you’re right! What do you want? I’ll get it for you.”

Liu Yinxi shoveled rice into her mouth. “No need. The eggs you gave us are more than enough. We said we’d help you, but we didn’t really do anything special.”

            

Nan Huaixu nudged Fei Tuoma’s elbow. “Hey, can you teach us how to hunt rabbits — fast, accurate, and ruthless? They’re so hard to find. Where do they usually hang out?”

Liu Yinxi, chewing fish: “Teacher Nan, I can hunt them myself!”

Nan Huaixu’s eyes crinkled. “It’s more convenient to ask Fei Tuoma. She’s an incredible hunter.”

            

Fei Tuoma was very modest. “I’m nowhere near as good as my Mami. Hunting rabbits is simple. There are fewer by the lake, but the meadows on Zhida Mountain have plenty. Rabbits are usually active at night, so they’re easier to catch after dark.”

Liu Yinxi listened with perked ears. “Which direction are the meadows?”

Fei Tuoma sat up straight and pointed to the northeast of the lake. “Whenever you have time, I’ll take you there.”

            

“Thank you, Fei Tuoma,” Nan Huaixu said. “But we’ll go ourselves. If you keep helping us like this, the competition judges will rule us in violation.”

Fei Tuoma frowned. “Why?”

Nan Huaixu: “Because we’re supposed to survive in the rainforest on our own skills. The competition has its rules, just as you have your principles in the forest. We both respect each other, all right?”

            

Fei Tuoma nodded, only half understanding.

【So it was a wild woman who took the “行” treasure chest after all!】

【Never thought I’d live to see the truth come out!】

            

【Our army gains another crate of supplies, combat power surges — all units, charge!】

【Ugh, too late! If they’d gotten the chest earlier, Manman wouldn’t have torn up the soles of her feet near the cave QAQ】

【Is this fair?】

            

【If Fei Tuoma hadn’t taken the chest, other contestants could have grabbed it too. Why should it end up with Nan Huaixu and Liu Yinxi?】

【Doesn’t the competition committee care!! This doesn’t count as a violation??】

【Trash competition, not even worth watching.】

            

【If you don’t want to watch, get lost.】

【Speechless. Did you even watch the stream carefully? No matter who discovered the chest first, after Yuan Fang was eliminated and the production team announced that treasure chests could be seized, Manman and Xixi were the first to reach the chest’s hidden location. This chest rightfully belongs to them.】

【Some trolls² aren’t even bothering to pretend anymore (rolling eyes)】

            

【I suspect the haters in this stream, besides the clueless³ Xue Fans and Luo Fans, also include paid trolls⁴ bought by the rivals of Manman’s new company (thinking)】

【Hahaha, Liu Yinxi sitting next to Fei Tuoma and can’t hold a conversation at all (laughing-crying)】

【She cares about Nan Huaixu, doesn’t she (cheeky smile)】

            

【When are they going to ⁵serve up some romance/fcnt】

Nan Huaixu poured the leftover bones and vegetable broth into the stone trough to feed the Little Black Dog and the two large wolf-dogs. Fei Tuoma said she had a few more dogs back home, all guarding the house.

Nan Huaixu ate a mango while asking Fei Tuoma, “Your mother came here twenty years ago. Counting the time for the expedition and the pregnancy, have you just come of age this year?”

            

Fei Tuoma paused, then lowered her voice. “I am already a Forest Warrior, Nan-jiejie.”

Liu Yinxi raised her head.

Nan Huaixu noticed an odd gaze sweep over. She saw Liu Yinxi furrow her brow slightly and ask with her eyes what was wrong. Liu Yinxi shook her head to indicate nothing, and went back to weaving her basket.

            

Nan Huaixu turned back to Fei Tuoma. “Then how old are you this year? What year were you born?”

Fei Tuoma mumbled her birth year and month.

Nan Huaixu said in surprise, “You’re only seventeen this year? I never would’ve guessed — you’re so tall and strong. You haven’t even come of age yet. You shouldn’t call me Jiejie — you should call me Aunt.”

            

Fei Tuoma grew anxious. “I have come of age! In the forest, fifteen-year-olds can take the warrior trial!”

That was just how children were — they liked to talk themselves up as older.

At Nan Huaixu’s age, you wished you could be younger again.

            

Nan Huaixu spoke earnestly to Fei Tuoma. “The forest has the forest’s rules, and my country has its own rules. To me, seventeen is not yet an adult. You’re a little sister who should be in high school. I’m in my thirties — you should call me Aunt.”

Liu Yinxi nodded without hesitation. “Yeah, exactly! See, I get to call her Nan-jiejie, but you have to call us both Aunt.”

Fei Tuoma’s suspicious gaze swept over Liu Yinxi’s youthful face. She asked, “How old are you?”

            

Liu Yinxi crossed her arms. “I’m almost twenty-four.”

Fei Tuoma argued her case. “You’re not much older than me. How come you get to call her Nan-jiejie, but I can only call her Aunt? No fair — I want to call her Nan-jiejie too.”

Liu Yinxi’s mouth curled high. “No, no, no, Little Fei Tuoma. We’re not the same. I’m an adult alpha.”

            

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