Substitute Alpha Gets Confessed to by Her Ex’s Aunt on a Survival Variety Show – Chapter 79
by Little PandaThe Seventh Airdrop
Bracelet date: May 16.
The morning light was clear and bright.
The eight guests gathered on the riverbank of the Toa River’s Great River Mouth.
It was already past seven o’clock, but there was no sign of a helicopter in the sky. Everyone looked up in confusion. Liu Yinxi also craned her neck a few times just to go through the motions; otherwise, always acting out of the ordinary would arouse suspicion.
The guests stood with their respective groups, keeping a certain distance from one another. They greeted each other politely, their faces perfectly amiable, but their body language betrayed their wariness. This was not a regular encounter; it was a crucial moment to compete for supplies.
Nan Huaixu gazed downstream for a long time before leaning close to Liu Yinxi and lowering her voice. “Is the helicopter late?”
This season of 《Survivor 5》 felt less reliably organized to her than the previous ones, carrying a hint of putting the cart before the horse just for the sake of gimmicks. They were notified last night that today would be a special airdrop. Could the production team have made a mistake while trying to pull a stunt, causing the airdrop to be delayed?
Liu Yinxi shook her head innocently. “I don’t know.”
The other guests also showed signs of concern. Yuan Fang complained to the robot dog’s camera, while Huang Heshan impatiently kicked at the pebbles.
Ying Luoling was likely tired of standing. She found a clean, large rock and sat down. “Yunshao, I’m thirsty.”
Xue Yunshao took off her backpack to fetch some water, unscrewing the cap before handing it to her. “Drink slowly. Don’t choke.”
Ying Luoling took two shallow sips. Xue Yunshao stood beside her, holding up a banana leaf to shade her from the sun.
Ying Luoling tilted her head to lean against her side. “Yunshao, how much longer do we have to wait?”
“It’s hard to say. The airdrop will definitely come. If you’re tired, just sit and rest.”
“Mm.”
Liu Yinxi shifted her gaze away from them, having to admit that she admired Xue Yunshao a little. Reading the original novel, she had merely thought Xue Yunshao was a hypocritical central air conditioning1. But after meeting the real person, she realized Xue Yunshao genuinely loved taking care of others. Not just anyone could endure a month in the wilderness and still have the patience to coax someone who constantly dragged them down.
Liu Yinxi turned her head back and met Nan Huaixu’s gaze.
“T-Teacher Nan.”
Nan Huaixu smiled. “Are you thirsty?”
“I’m alright.” Drinking too much water outside and needing to use the restroom was not a wise choice.
Nan Huaixu’s eyes curved in a smile, and she walked into the shade of the trees to cool off. Not far beside her, the cylindrical Survivor Vending Machine still had its small lights on. After days of wind and sun exposure, its colorful paint was no longer as bright as when it first landed, and its top was covered with a thin layer of dust.
Nan Huaixu gave it a second look. Was this machine still on even though all the goods were sold out? Was the production team not collecting it? Jinzhou Island was currently making vigorous efforts to rectify environmental pollution issues, and the production team had always prioritized environmental protection measures during the competition. It made no sense for them to leave the machine behind after all the supplies had been exchanged.
Harboring these doubts, Nan Huaixu stood up and walked over. To her surprise, the vending machine sensed someone approaching and automatically lit up its screen.
“Hiya, hiya, clever survivors! I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
The vending machine suddenly emitted a loud voice, startling the others. The guests quickly gathered around.
Liu Yinxi was both astonished and delighted. Nan Huaixu had actually discovered that the key to the seventh airdrop was the vending machine! This was fantastic; now she wouldn’t have to pretend to accidentally play with the vending machine later and call everyone over to investigate.
Liu Yinxi walked to Nan Huaixu’s side, while the rest of the group gathered on either side, forming a semicircle around the vending machine.
The vending machine’s screen played a short animation congratulating the guests on surviving for a month, followed by a short video documenting the netizens’ voting activity.
“This special airdrop consists of supplies chosen for you by your fans. Please click the ‘Confirm Receipt’ button at the bottom of the screen. In one hour, the helicopter will drop the gifts your fans have prepared for you.”
The screen displayed the fan gifts corresponding to each group of guests.
—Xue Yunshao & Luo Ling team: extra-large box of assorted meat jerky * 1
—Yuan Fang & Lu Yiqi team: large mosquito-proof hammock * 1
—Huang Heshan & Yu Yan team: multifunctional rainproof and moisture-proof tarp * 1
—Nan Huaixu & Liu Yinxi team: solar-powered four-wheel mobile portable mini fridge * 1
Liu Yinxi quickly scanned the gift list, unable to help but marvel at how clever Nan Huaixu’s fans were. They had considered things so meticulously to even think of a solar-powered mini fridge.
【Xixi! Xixi! Do you see it?! We Liu fans sent this!】
【Hehe~ Many of us Liu fans are outdoor enthusiasts. We know what Xixi needs better than the Huai fans do~】
【I’m the one who created the post for the mini fridge! The Huai fans were building a tower2 to gift you envelope sleeping bags, but I felt a preservation tool was more necessary in the tropical rainforest （acting cute3）】
【Hey, hey! The gift was mostly boosted by us Huai fans, alright? （Hmph hmph）】
【The post we made was good too. Sleeping bags and moisture-proof mats. As long as it helps them, it’s fine. Don’t step on4 others.】
【Stop arguing, everyone. Regardless of whose fans we are, the Vegetarian Team is all one family （Hug）】
【Speaking of which, does Xixi know she already has 300,000 fans? （Starry eyes）】
【She probably doesn’t. She has no internet and is living like a savage. She might even think there are 300,000 trolls5 cursing her right now （Laugh-cry）】
【The truth is out6. Before Xixi joined the competition, the comment sections on her streaming account from three years ago and her lifestyle account from the past two years were full of insults…】
【This fridge doesn’t have a freezing function, does it? Being so small, it can’t hold much anyway.】
【No freezing function, but it has a very small ice-making compartment. As for interior volume, it can hold five or six bottles of mineral water. It can solve their problem of temporarily storing fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, if they accidentally get burned or sprained, it can make ice for a cold compress.】
【It’s enough. Anything larger would be hard to carry around. The mini version already has some weight to it.】
【It has wheels, so it can be dragged on flat ground, but for climbing mountains, it has to be carried by hand.】
【I’m dizzy. They really gifted A Yun a box of chicken jerky, beef jerky, pork jerky, and cod jerky （Facepalm）】
【What else could they do? Yunshao gives Luo Ling all the good food every time. Gifting meat jerky will at least allow Yunshao to eat a bit better.】
【I’m honestly getting a little angry. In a team, the one who exerts the most effort should eat the best. Yunshao is very gentle and considerate, but she shouldn’t spoil Luo Ling so much.】
【What’s wrong with Lingling? After an alpha undergoes differentiation7, their pheromones enhance their physical fitness. They are naturally more resistant to hunger and fatigue than omegas. Isn’t protecting omegas what they should do?】
【Luo Ling is pitiful! Why do so many people complain about her crying? Please, she got bitten by venomous bugs and broke out in blisters. It hurts so much, but she’s not allowed to cry? Then when you get pustules in the future and it hurts to death, you’re not allowed to cry either. Crying means you’re disgusting and annoying （Hehe）】
【Does Miss Yanyan like the moisture-proof tarp she received?】
【Didn’t the Boss say we should vote for the most useless post? I voted for the strong inhibitor injection. Why did you all vote for the moisture-proof tarp?】
【Are you stupid? How could the Boss not care for her apple of the eye!】
【The moisture-proof tarp is great! Huang-jie mentioned last time that the shelter’s rainproofing wasn’t cutting it. Laying this over it will be perfect.】
【Not bad, not bad. Huang-jie and Yuyu are both very satisfied （Happy）】
【Wait, Boss Yuan and Lu Yiqi are two people, but there’s only one hammock?】
【Blind student, you found the Watson point!8】
【Did you eat the word ‘large’?】
【Hahahahaha, just thinking about Yuan Fang and Lu Yiqi stuffed into a hammock together, swinging back and forth while bickering, makes me laugh like crazy XD】
By the rainforest riverbank, the vending machine’s voice continued. “Please note, the outer shell of each gift airdrop crate is marked with the names of the corresponding team of guests, along with printed messages from the fans. Please be careful to distinguish them when collecting your airdrop crates to avoid taking the wrong one.”
“During this one-hour wait, I have prepared a delicious breakfast for everyone. Please click the button on my back to open the rear compartment and collect it. There is only one portion per person!”
“Thank you all for using the Wilderness Happy Vending Machine. My mission ends here. After this airdrop, I will be collected by the production team. It’s time to say goodbye to everyone~ Good luck, survivors.”
“Bye-bye! ^_^”
After the voice message finished playing, Nan Huaixu pressed the ‘Confirm Receipt’ button. A pop-up window indicated that the claim was successful. Then, the screen automatically went black, and the vending machine’s power lights flicked off.
The guests murmured in surprise. While they were chatting, Huang Heshan decisively opened the vending machine’s rear compartment, took out two pieces of whole wheat bread, and handed one to Yu Yan.
Liu Yinxi and Nan Huaixu had already eaten roasted fish for breakfast. Exchanging a glance, the two reached a silent consensus and stored their bread in their backpacks.
Xue Yunshao kept one piece of bread for herself and gave the entirety of the other to Ying Luoling to eat.
Yuan Fang tore open a bag of bread, broke the piece inside, and split it half and half with Lu Yiqi.
Yuan Fang crouched by the river, chewing heartily. “This airdrop is too ungenerous. Hiding it so deeply, who would’ve thought of it?”
Liu Yinxi’s tone was boastful. “Teacher Nan thought of it!”
Yuan Fang chuckled. “Yes, Teacher Nan is clever and wise. That’s Teacher Nan being amazing. What are you feeling so smug about?”
“Teacher Nan is my Captain. Why can’t I be smug? I’m just smug.”
“Old Sis Liu, it’s not that your sister has a sharp tongue, but a person should keep a low profile. If you’re this proud, be careful that extreme joy doesn’t turn to sorrow.”
“Get lost, get lost, a dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory9. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, and looking at how your cheeks have sunken in from hunger, you look just like a zombie. You’d better worry about your extreme hunger turning to sorrow first.”
“Little heartless wretch. You don’t feel sorry for your sister at all.” Yuan Fang gave a hmph and focused on eating her bread.
There was still an hour before the airdrop arrived. There was no need to fight for it this time. Since they were idle anyway, Liu Yinxi and Nan Huaixu discussed it before wandering into the woods, gathering some herbs and vines.
As it neared eight o’clock in the morning, the hum of churning air currents drifted over from the distance. Liu Yinxi called out to Nan Huaixu, and they hurriedly rushed back to the riverbank.
A moment later, the helicopter flew in from downstream. It hovered briefly over the riverbank, dropped four airdrop crates, and then soared off into the distance.
The crates landed one by one, and the guests each claimed their respective portions.
Liu Yinxi opened her airdrop crate, popped out the handle at the top, and carried it back to the shelter.
Nan Huaixu walked ahead to clear the path for her, turning her head. “Is it heavy?”
Liu Yinxi heard the excitement and curiosity in her voice. She brought the crate to her hand. “It’s not heavy. Teacher Nan, want to try?”
Nan Huaixu took it with both hands. “Alright, you carry it for a stretch, and I’ll carry it for a stretch.”
The corners of Liu Yinxi’s mouth lifted. Looking at Nan Huaixu’s figure from behind, she resembled a little kitten eating canned food10 for the very first time.
The intense sunlight shone upon the green leaves, and the insects chirped wantonly among the trees.
Liu Yinxi sat downstairs at the treehouse. She pinched the instruction manual in her left hand and placed her right hand on the mini fridge’s switch. “Three, two, one, power on!”
Nan Huaixu leaned over, staring at the inside of the fridge with a face full of novelty. With the flip of the switch, the fridge emitted a faint hum. A minute later, it blew out cool, refreshing air.
“So cool!” The stray hairs on Nan Huaixu’s forehead were blown back by the cold breeze. She lowered her eyelashes slightly, revealing a contented smile.
“It’s already blowing air so quickly? That’s great!” Liu Yinxi bent over and leaned in, squeezing to Nan Huaixu’s side. “I want to feel it too.”
Nan Huaixu shifted to the side to make a little room. Liu Yinxi was about to shove her entire head inside, prompting Nan Huaixu to hastily cup her cheeks from behind. “Don’t stick your head in there. What if it gets stuck?”
“Oh, oh.” Liu Yinxi let herself be pulled back by her strength. Seeing her goofy appearance, Nan Huaixu let out a soft pfft and giggled.
Watching her laugh, Liu Yinxi laughed as well.
There truly was such magic in the world—making one unable to resist mirroring her expressions.
Footnotes
- An internet slang term referring to someone who distributes their warmth to everyone equally, like central air conditioning. Often implies being a flirt or lacking boundaries.
- Internet slang for posting multiple replies in a single forum thread to stack comments like 'building a tower'.
- Internet slang (mài méng) meaning to deliberately show off one's cuteness or act innocently adorable to gain affection.
- Internet fandom slang (lā cǎi) meaning to praise one's own idol by dragging down or stepping on someone else.
- Internet slang (hēizi) for anti-fans, haters, or trolls who maliciously attack someone online.
- Internet slang (zhēnxiàng le), meaning someone has just spoken the absolute truth or exposed the reality of a situation.
- The biological process in ABO settings where a person manifests their secondary gender (alpha, beta, or omega).
- An internet meme (huá diǎn) originating from a misquote of Sherlock Holmes' 'You found the blind spot, Watson' (盲点, máng diǎn), intentionally swapping the characters to say 'You found the Watson point, blind student' (盲生，你发现了华点). It means spotting a crucial or amusing detail.
- A common Chinese idiom meaning a bad person cannot say anything good, often used jokingly among friends to tell someone off for making snide remarks.
- Slang used affectionately, typically referring to canned wet food for cats. Liu Yinxi compares Nan Huaixu to a kitten eating canned food for the first time.
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