Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 64
by Little PandaThe Sixth Airdrop
Bracelet date: May 8
Current time: 6:46 AM
To-do:
- Gain as much time as possible to secure the designated supplies.
- Trade rice and mixed beans for seven-color brown rice.
- Explore the upstream Toa River basin and coordinate with teammates to master outdoor skills.
Current action: Competing for the sixth airdrop supplies.
Following the fifth airdrop, the four teams had successively moved their shelters to the middle and lower reaches of the main Toa River, all familiar with the location of the estuary, hiding early in the woods to wait.
The notification instructed each team to send their strongest swimmer to compete for the airdrop, but in reality, every contestant had arrived.
Ten minutes later, the helicopter flew over the riverbank, and the airdrop crate plummeted from midair, releasing orange-red smoke the instant it landed.
This crate was larger than all previous ones. The helicopter turned and departed—it seemed all the supplies this time were in this single large crate.
Liu Yinxi sat calmly in the grass, watching figures rush toward the riverbank from several directions. Nan Huaixu looked at her anxiously, about to ask, but Liu Yinxi stood up.
“Teacher Nan, you go.”
Nan Huaixu looked bewildered: “Me? Even if you went now, it would be too late.”
They had already missed the optimal starting time. The airdrop crate was being flanked from three sides by the other three people.
But Liu Yinxi’s tone was perfectly composed: “It doesn’t matter. Just go over normally. The four teams haven’t reached the point of fighting over a single airdrop yet. If the production team only drops one, it must be a special airdrop—being first doesn’t help.”
Recalling the wild jungle fowl incident, Nan Huaixu immediately understood her meaning. But airdrops were hard-won, and Nan Huaixu couldn’t afford any loss. She immediately started running toward the airdrop crate.
Liu Yinxi glanced around, picked up a plastic bag, and walked toward Yu Yan, handing her the glass jar inside.
“Xiao Yu-jie.”
“Xiao Liu? Aren’t you competing for the airdrop this time?”
“Teacher Nan is competing.” Liu Yinxi raised the jar, the white rice and beans inside shifting slightly. “Let’s trade the rice first.”
Yu Yan opened her backpack, took out a small plastic bottle filled with brown rice, and handed it to her.
Yu Yan removed the small pink flower decorating the glass jar and asked Liu Yinxi: “The flower from last time—Teacher Nan liked it, right?”
Liu Yinxi walked a few steps, then turned back: “Mm. Thank you for taking me to find the flowers.”
Yu Yan’s eyes curved into a smile: “You’re welcome. It’s repayment for you helping me pull down the vines.”
That day they had traveled together—if Liu Yinxi hadn’t helped her pull down the vines, it would have been troublesome for Yu Yan to reach the vine flowers on the tree.
Liu Yinxi put the brown rice bottle into her backpack and walked quickly toward the airdrop crate surrounded by contestants.
Yu Yan followed behind her.
Scattered across the riverbank’s sand and stones were the airdrop crate’s outer packaging, its shock-absorbing filling material also torn out and strewn across the ground.
Several people surrounded a metal cylinder about 1.2 meters tall. Printed on its top were the words “Survivor Vending Machine,” and its body was divided into upper and lower sections.
The upper section was smaller, with a touchscreen on two-minute standby; the lower section was larger, featuring a tempered glass display case containing four types of supplies. At the very bottom was an access panel marked with a pickup symbol.
The middle section connecting the upper and lower parts was wrapped in a ring of metal sheeting. Directly below the touchscreen was an opening about the size of a Chinese checkers marble, labeled: Insertion Slot.
Huang Heshan stuck her finger into the insertion slot.
Yuan Fang pulled her away: “My sister, don’t break it—all eight of us have our supplies inside its belly!”
Huang Heshan gave her a cold glance.
“Staring won’t help either.” Yuan Fang stepped away from her, crossing her arms. “What is the production team up to now?”
“Please step aside.” Ying Luoling pushed past Yuan Fang and Lu Yiqi, bending down to examine the goods in the glass case.
※Survivor Vending Machine~ Currently available:
Shea Butter Cream 20g × 1 box
Mosquito Net × 1
Mosquito-Repellent Herbal Cream 15g × 1 bottle
Soapnut Soap 10g × 1 bag
Ying Luoling pointed at the shea butter cream, turning back to call out: “Yunshao, I want this one.”
Xue Yunshao walked over, finished examining all four items, and gently touched the top of her head: “I think we need the mosquito repellent more.”
Ying Luoling frowned with grievance, her expression pitiful: “But we can apply herbs to repel insects. Yunshao, my face has been so rough lately, the skin on my hands and feet joints is all cracked—I need cream. Please?”
Xue Yunshao’s eyes showed tenderness as she agreed: “Alright. Let’s figure out how to use the vending machine first, then I’ll try for the cream.”
Nan Huaixu stood at the side of the vending machine. Liu Yinxi whispered to her: “Teacher Nan, which one do you want?”
Nan Huaixu’s gaze shifted from the glass case. She put her hand behind her back and held up two fingers for Liu Yinxi. Liu Yinxi nodded and made an OK sign back.
The two reached a silent agreement—with all opponents present, they couldn’t reveal their target supplies.
Eight robot dogs gathered together wagging their tails, their screen faces displaying happy emojis, then reluctantly separated to focus on their respective filming duties.
【Manman held up 2—is she going for the second item, the mosquito net?】
【I think so. Skincare and ointment Liu can already make herself—the mosquito net would be most practical for them.】
【Awooo! Mosquito net! Get it!】
【It looks so thin though—can it really block those fierce jungle mosquitoes?】
【I don’t think it’ll make much difference. At best it’s better than nothing. If it were me, I’d choose the herbal cream.】
【Lu Yiqi’s eyes are glued to the soap XD】
【No wonder she’s a soap-scented alpha—soap attracts soap1 (dog head)】
【Boss Yuan’s eyes look like she wants the herbal cream.】
【Just fight it out—winner picks (shrug)】
【Looking at their combat ability, they might not get either (facepalm)】
【Yunshao is so warm and thoughtful, such a gentle older sister who always takes care of her teammates—Luo Ling’s skin cracked and she’s helping her get cream (touched)】
【That’s kind of dumb though. Saying what you want in front of opponents—completely ignoring the consequences of being targeted. If she doesn’t lose, who will?】
【So what? Our Yunshao doesn’t care about that three million prize. Yunshao is a world champion—years ago in an interview she said she really likes Survivor, that challenging the wilderness is her dream. You impoverished humans can’t understand Yunshao’s rich spiritual world (disdain)】
【Oh please, saying she doesn’t care about the prize money, but going on the show to earn traffic—and the fundamental purpose of earning traffic isn’t to make money to eat?】
【At least our Xixi is honest—she’s always upfront about loving money.】
【What a greedy girl2, so honest (blush) me too.】
【Give it a rest—that reek of money, cozying up to Nan Huaixu, who knows what she’s plotting (eye roll)】
【So what? Some people want to cozy up and can’t even get close—does Nan Huaixu even acknowledge you?】
Each team had a brief exchange, then sent representatives to play rock-paper-scissors. The winner would activate the vending machine.
“Scissors.” “Paper.” “Rock.”
Nan Huaixu won the final round. Under everyone’s gaze, she walked to the vending machine, placed her hand on the touchscreen and tapped it. The screen lit up, playing a short animation of a few seconds.
As the animation played, cheerful music reached all the contestants’ ears: “Ding-dong-ding~ Welcome~ I’m the Happy Vending Machine~”
This was followed by the vending machine’s self-introduction: “Good morning, dear Survivors ^_^”
“I’ve prepared four items for everyone. Before purchasing, please tap the ‘Verify’ button to register your fingerprint—each team’s contestants only have one purchase opportunity.”
Nan Huaixu followed the instructions and pressed the verify button. Eight circles appeared on the screen. She pressed her thumb to circle number 4, opening the purchase interface.
The vending machine said: “Welcome! Please select your preferred item.”
Nan Huaixu noticed the opponents behind her staring at her. She tapped the first item—shea butter cream.
Ying Luoling quickly said: “Gugu, you want the cream too?”
Nan Huaixu glanced at her: “Testing.”
Ying Luoling grew anxious. She knew that if Nan Huaixu wanted the cream, Liu Yinxi would definitely grab it for her before Xue Yunshao could.
Ying Luoling tugged pitifully at Nan Huaixu’s sleeve: “Little Gugu, my face hurts so much from dryness. If you get the cream, can you trade me a little?”
“Testing first.”
Nan Huaixu didn’t have time to negotiate with her. The other contestants were too impatient to listen to Ying Luoling’s needs—they just wanted to figure out how the vending machine worked as quickly as possible. Only Xue Yunshao quietly comforted Ying Luoling, urging her not to worry, that there would be a way.
The vending machine said: “Confirm purchase of shea butter cream? No returns or exchanges after purchase.”
“Confirmed for you.”
“Please insert currency—one pearl. No restriction on pearl size.”
“You’ve got to be kidding! Pearls?!” Yuan Fang was the first to lose it and curse. “Where am I supposed to get that thing? And these supplies aren’t worth the energy it takes to find pearls!”
Lu Yiqi fell silent, gazing toward the sea.
Huang Heshan: “…”
Yu Yan lowered her head, reaching up to remove the grass rope from her neck. Huang Heshan pressed her hand down and shook her head at her.
Beside them, Xue Yunshao’s expression grew as troubled as Ying Luoling’s.
Nan Huaixu frowned. This was indeed difficult.
But after getting the mosquito net, they could reduce the harm from mosquitoes and insects.
Every day they spent significant time checking their bodies for bugs. No matter how much herbal paste they applied, they still got stung. A mosquito net could solve this major problem.
Nan Huaixu tapped the exit button. The vending machine’s screen returned to standby mode, and the help button in the upper right corner flashed.
Nan Huaixu quickly pressed the help button. The vending machine played a warm reminder: “Survivors, like the robot dogs, I’m solar-powered with ultra-long standby~ There’s no time limit on sales—after you obtain currency, you’re welcome to find me anytime to purchase~”
“I’ve also prepared diving mask and snorkel sets for underwater use. Press the button on my back to open the rear compartment and retrieve them.”
“End. Survivors, good luck~”
Nan Huaixu walked behind the vending machine, found the indicated button, and pressed it. With a click, the rear compartment door popped open, revealing four sets of simple diving respirators in different colors. Each team took one set.
Liu Yinxi received the blue respirator. Through her sleeve, she gripped Nan Huaixu’s wrist: “Let’s go.”
Nan Huaixu followed her pace, looking back at the six contestants examining the vending machine and respirators. She asked Liu Yinxi quietly: “Back to the shelter?”
Liu Yinxi’s eyes were calm: “The beach.”
Her tone was so composed that Nan Huaixu felt momentarily confused: “Now? Shouldn’t we go back and prepare some things? Wait—do you know how to dive? The ocean is so vast, who knows where the pearl oysters are. Since the vending machine has no time limit, let me ask Yu Yan first…”
Liu Yinxi pulled her along.
Nan Huaixu hesitated, her gaze shifting between Liu Yinxi and Yu Yan: “Wait…”
Liu Yinxi reached out to block Nan Huaixu’s view behind her: “Teacher Nan, the seawater is warmest in the afternoon. If we head to the beach now, the timing is perfect.”
“The key is not to dive blindly—I should still ask around first—”
Liu Yinxi smiled gently, gripping her hand firmly: “Come on, let’s go.”
One way or another, she’d get two.
The small one to insert coins, the big one for our Teacher Nan to wear.
Footnotes
- A pun on the Chinese idiom 'xīngxīng xiāngxī' (like attracts like / mutual appreciation between similar souls), replacing 'xīngxīng' (stars/souls) with 'zàozào' (soap-soap). The '(dog head)' emoji indicates a joking tone.
- A Chinese internet slang term (dà chán yātou) for a girl who is openly fond of food or openly greedy about things she wants. Used affectionately or self-descriptively.
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