Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 72

Soft Palm Bark and Dried Moss

Liu Yinxi looked at Nan Huaixu in her arms, her heart full of self-blame. The two of them had almost fallen to the ground together; if they had accidentally tumbled down the slope, it would have been disastrous.

From the looks of it, she had frightened Nan Huaixu.

            

Liu Yinxi immediately let go, grabbed her backpack and the small bucket, and moved to a safe patch of grass. “Teacher Nan, are you alright?”

Nan Huaixu brushed the mud from her palms. “I’m fine.”

Liu Yinxi freed a hand to adjust her pants. “I’m sorry, my menstrual period started suddenly. I moved a little too slowly just now and almost made us fall.”

            

Nan Huaixu’s expression changed abruptly. “Just now? Then your pants…”

Liu Yinxi had just washed her clothes yesterday. Under the limited conditions of the wilderness, bloodstains were difficult to scrub out. The hot, humid weather made it easy for a massive amount of bacteria to breed, adding another layer of trouble to their situation.

Liu Yinxi’s expression was calm. “It’s fine. I calculated the days and figured it was about time, so for the past couple of days, I’ve been using soft palm bark and dried moss as a pad.”

            

Nan Huaixu breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. But the flow will be heavy for the first two days, so you shouldn’t do any strenuous movements, or else it will be hard to wash out.”

“Yeah, I won’t go too far.”

“You’re injured and on your physiological period. You should eat something nutritious to replenish your strength. I hope we catch some large prey when we check the traps tomorrow.”

            

“I hope there’s some large prey, too.”

She didn’t dare dream of red meat; she just prayed for a wild jungle fowl or a lizard.

The two rested briefly before continuing on their way.

            

Nan Huaixu said, “The freeze-dried beef pieces in the freeze-dried rice rehydrate into really large chunks. You should steep it and eat it tonight.”

Liu Yinxi was so surprised that her steps faltered. “Teacher Nan, that’s your favorite emergency reserve food. We can’t just touch it casually.”

Nan Huaixu had her own reasoning. “I’ve already eaten it once. You’re injured, so it’s only right that you eat it.”

            

Liu Yinxi suddenly realized that there was an ‘information gap’ between her and Nan Huaixu’s understanding.

In just three short days, Nan Huaixu had repeatedly emphasized her injury. She had helped her wash, soaked her clothes, cooked for her, and now even wanted to give her her favorite tomato beef rice.

This was because, in Nan Huaixu’s perception, her foundation was still the original host—a soft-rice alpha¹ who had been delicate and physically weak for years. Even if she had improved recently, it couldn’t change the fact of her formerly poor constitution. That was why Nan Huaixu was exceptionally worried about her. After all, this was a team competition; if any teammate slipped up, it would affect the other.

            

But Liu Yinxi wasn’t the original host. The body she inhabited after transmigrating into the book was her own, miraculously reverted to her early twenties. She possessed every bit of the physical stamina and skills she ought to have; there was absolutely no need to worry.

This was the information gap between Liu Yinxi and Nan Huaixu—an information gap that could never be synchronized.

—I transmigrated into this novel. The world you live in is a book. My original body is very strong, so please don’t worry.

            

Never mind Nan Huaixu; if someone had said that to Liu Yinxi before she transmigrated, she would have thought they were a lunatic.

This information gap wasn’t only reflected in their understanding of her physical body, but in many other aspects as well. As their understanding of each other deepened, these divergences would only multiply.

Given this situation, Liu Yinxi wouldn’t brush off Nan Huaixu’s well-meaning care. Most of the time, she gladly accepted it and gave back in return—just as Nan Huaixu had said: whoever treats me well, I will treat well.

            

But in an instance like this, where Nan Huaixu offered the precious freeze-dried rice to someone completely unbothered by her physiological period, Liu Yinxi definitely couldn’t agree.

Thus, Liu Yinxi tactfully expressed her thoughts and declined. “Thank you for the kind thought, Teacher Nan, but I really don’t need it. I don’t get cramps during my period; at most, my mood just gets a little irritable. Eating what we normally eat is perfectly fine. We have cassava, rice, and banana stem core, and we’ll have roasted fish and boiled shrimp tonight. That’s very hearty. The freeze-dried rice is an emergency supply; let’s save it.”

Nan Huaixu walked behind Liu Yinxi, her energetic expression darkening slightly. She fell silent for a moment before replying, “Alright, I understand. I just wanted you to replenish your energy. Speaking of emergency food, didn’t you cook instant noodles for me when we first moved to the riverbank?”

            

She had wanted to encourage Liu Yinxi in the same way Liu Yinxi had encouraged her—letting her eat a little better, giving her a bit of moral support.

But hearing Liu Yinxi’s words just now, she instantly realized she had been wrong.

Encouraging someone’s spirits only worked when they were at a low point. It was obvious that Liu Yinxi was not feeling low at all; Nan Huaixu’s actions would only pointlessly waste their emergency rations.

            

Nan Huaixu sighed silently, feeling somewhat lost.

She prided herself on being adept at reading body language and observing people. Yet, unfortunately, when facing Liu Yinxi—who could catch all her subtlest emotional shifts—she found herself unable to read her heart in return.

Nan Huaixu sank into deep thought.

            

What do I have to do to truly reach into this person’s heart?

In city life, she could handle social nuances with effortless ease, but here in the wilderness, she couldn’t immediately think of a good method.

She could only say that the companionship of a survival teammate was, in itself, a rare and precious bond.

            

On the way back, they climbed over several difficult gullies and slopes. Under Liu Yinxi’s guidance, Nan Huaixu had become increasingly proficient. Even when Liu Yinxi didn’t slow down to wait for her, she could keep up with Liu Yinxi’s normal pace.

Upon arriving at the shelter, Liu Yinxi washed her hands and went to handle her personal hygiene first.

Nan Huaixu lit the campfire, boiled water, and scaled the fish for roasting.

            

The splashing sound of flowing water drifted up from beneath the raised platform. Nan Huaixu spaced out as she skewered the small fish.

Counting from the drop day on April 8th to today, May 10th, it had been a full month and a bit more. None of the four teams of guests had been eliminated yet. She wondered how they were doing.

How much longer did they have to live these kinds of days?

            

Nan Huaixu predicted that someone was bound to be eliminated soon. She and Liu Yinxi had received compensation supplies, grabbed the better items from each airdrop, and even used traps and fish traps to catch prey. Among the four teams, they could be considered the ones with the most food—yet even they worried about insufficient food, let alone the others.

Especially the teams of Luo Ling and Yuan Fang.

Speaking of which, did Liu Yinxi know that Luo Ling was also competing before she signed up?

            

Liu Yinxi joined the competition because she had inherent outdoor capabilities, coupled with the fact that she needed money.

And what about Luo Ling?

Nan Huaixu couldn’t understand why Luo Ling had signed up for a survival competition. This Big Niece of hers had always lived a pampered life; she hated dirt, mud, and bugs more than anything. Even if it was to gain internet traffic and sell products, she wouldn’t go to such extremes.

            

After turning it over in her mind, Nan Huaixu felt there was only one possibility: it was for Xue Yunshao. Xue Yunshao had publicly stated in interviews that she wanted to participate in 《Survivor》 at least once. It just so happened that she retired this year, so she was taking the opportunity to transition her career and pave a way out for her future.

Then she would just wish her Big Niece success in getting her heart’s desire.

Let them be locked together permanently.

            

Please don’t pull that returning grass² nonsense.

“Wow, Teacher Nan, they’re already roasting.”

Nan Huaixu was startled by the sudden voice. Instinctively, she offered a slight smile to the “returning grass” in question, feeling a pang of unfounded guilt. “All done? Sit.”

            

“Mhm.” Liu Yinxi pulled over the small stool, scooped the small river shrimp out of the water bucket, rinsed them, and tossed them into the boiling water to cook.

“Teacher Nan, since we won’t be traveling far for the next two days, I’d like to inventory our supplies and refurbish the leaves on the shelter roof. When I go to scout the path upstream in a couple of days, do you want to come with me?”

“Upstream?”

            

“Right. The airdrop route has been shifting upstream. Past seasons of 《Survivor》 have always followed this pattern.”

“Sure, let’s go together, as long as you don’t mind me dragging you down.”

Liu Yinxi scratched her head in shame. “I won’t. I just didn’t think things through thoroughly before. I’m sorry.”

            

For this, she truly had to thank Yu Yan for waking her up to the fact that she should wholeheartedly teach Nan Huaixu outdoor skills. Originally, she had thought this was just a variety show—they would stay for two or three months at most, so just taking good care of her teammate would be enough. She hadn’t actually considered training Nan Huaixu up to the standards of an expedition team member.

Now Liu Yinxi had realized her error. Since the two of them were together day and night, she ought to build a bond of mutual reliance.

Success, after all, was mutual.

            

Nan Huaixu’s gaze shifted to Liu Yinxi’s right arm. “How’s the wound?”

Liu Yinxi placed her left hand on her right shoulder and rolled her arm. “Much better. I won’t need the gauze starting tomorrow. Save resources.”

“I’ll change your dressing later.”

            

“Sometimes I feel as if you’ve turned into a completely different person,” Nan Huaixu suddenly said, stirring the shrimp soup.

Liu Yinxi’s heart tightened. “Is… is that so?”

Could it be that Nan Huaixu is suspicious of me?

            

Did I do something extremely out of character?

Nan Huaixu’s voice was gentle. “It’s normal, though. Everyone undergoes a metamorphosis when they encounter a major turning point. Breaking out of the cocoon to become a butterfly—no destruction, no construction³.”

Liu Yinxi hurriedly followed her lead. “I do feel like my mindset is different from before, but I can’t really articulate how. After joining this competition and listening to your insights, I’ve learned so much new knowledge.”

            

Nan Huaixu’s eyes curved in a smile. “I’ve learned a lot from you, too.”

Sigh. The outdoor skills Liu Yinxi knew were utterly useless in city life anyway.

Nan Huaixu’s sincere words were making her embarrassed.

            

The campfire crackled and popped. The atmosphere was exceptionally quiet, and Liu Yinxi didn’t know what to chat about.

Saying nothing at all was also very peaceful. It lacked the awkwardness of the silence they had experienced back at the old shelter.

Contrary to the past, it was Nan Huaixu who took the initiative to start a topic. “You said that your Rank One⁴ introduced Luo Ling to you. If your Rank One had been someone else, would you have agreed?”

            

Liu Yinxi tilted her head.

Following the original host’s logic, of course she would agree. Money is there to be earned; what does it matter who the gold master is?

“Of course I’d agre—”

            

The words reached the tip of her tongue before Liu Yinxi slammed on the brakes.

Wait a minute. Her image in front of Nan Huaixu had already undergone a change. She couldn’t just straightforwardly answer the way the original host would anymore.

Liu Yinxi asked, “Teacher Nan, are you asking about the past, or the present?”

            

【Classmate Xiao Liu has gotten smarter (Thumbs up)】

【So she would have in the past, but won’t now?】

【What? Tipping enough to reach Xixi’s Rank One means you can date⁵ her? Say no more, I’m off to top up my account.】

            

【Sister, wake up. This is the 《Survivor 5》 livestream. Xixi is still living the wilderness life and doesn’t have a personal livestream channel (Crying-laughing)】

【The soup is boiling, are they going to eat or not? If they aren’t eating, let me taste it (Tongue)】

【Why is Nan Huaixu asking this? She isn’t a gossipy person.】

            

【Don’t believe the personas fabricated by the entertainment circle. The internet says Nan Huaixu is aloof and cold, but that’s just because she didn’t do variety shows before and people rarely saw her. Look at this show—does she seem aloof? The compilation of her smiles from this past month is longer than the last ten years combined.】

【Is it possible that Manman smiles so much on 《Survivor》 because the person sitting across from her is Liu Yinxi? (Chew chew chew)】

【What kind of girls does Xixi like?】

            

【Reference Luo Ling [Photo][Data]】

【Luo Ling doesn’t count. That was just taking money to serve a boss.】

【Xixi already said it. All the prerequisites she could set would be invalidated the moment she met the person she loved. Love doesn’t have a template; it can’t be confined.】

            

【But without an economic foundation, the entire superstructure will collapse. Best to just work hard and make money. Either way, I don’t want to be in a situation where the girl I love is standing outside a display window, unable to tear her eyes away from a piece of jewelry, and all I can do is stand out there with her, staring blankly.】

【Just act within your means. Happiness and satisfaction come in many forms; the key is whether or not you are being treated earnestly.】

Liu Yinxi waited for a few seconds.

            

Nan Huaixu ladled out the shrimp soup and lifted her eyes with a beaming smile. “I want to ask about your present.”

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