Chapter Five: A Frightening Encounter

“Fang, didn’t you want to go?” Qu Xiang, who knew Lan Fang somewhat, looked at her expression with surprise.

Lan Fang nodded slightly, tacitly agreeing.

“Enough, enough!” I was somewhat annoyed by Lan Fang’s stubbornness. When Qu Xiang said no, I naturally questioned it: “You can barely move on your own. If you take a few more steps in this damp rainforest, it’s not just about whether your wound will tear open—if it gets infected by these bacteria, you’ll be in serious trouble!”

I didn’t have much trust in Lan Fang, since I hadn’t known her long. Even her beauty couldn’t shield her from death and hunger at this moment.

“This doesn’t concern you, does it?” Lan Fang even sneered, glaring at me with resentment.

I didn’t know what she thought of me, but I was annoyed. I had broken ties with Peng Qian for her sake and didn’t follow the main group. For her to say it wasn’t my concern—did she think I was useless?

“Don’t be stubborn. You stay here, Xiang, you don’t move either. I’ll go take a look alone!” Seeing Lan Fang’s obstinacy, I lost my temper and spoke firmly.

“Ah Jing, what are you doing?” Qu Xiang saw Lan Fang was furious and struggling to get up, even gritting her teeth to shake off Qu Xiang’s hand as she tried to help, slowly moving upstream. Qu Xiang shot me a sharp glare.

Damn!

After giving her a warning, she’s still acting out?

“Hey! I said, stop right there!” Seeing her tremble in pain, I didn’t follow, but couldn’t help shouting.

Her thigh was nearly pierced by a bamboo spike; normally, one wouldn’t dare to pull it out, fearing damage to major blood vessels. She was gravely injured and still moving forward; this might aggravate the wound and cause uncontrollable bleeding.

“Ah Jing, you’re too much!” Qu Xiang complained, seeing my harshness. Lan Fang, either from anger or pain, kept trembling.

I didn’t see Qu Xiang wink at me, but hearing her say I was excessive, I felt a surge of resentment. No matter the perspective, I really couldn’t deal with Qu Xiang. But thinking about who I was really concerned for, I was at a loss for words.

Lan Fang seemed indifferent and kept grabbing trees and branches along the way. Qu Xiang, naturally worried, hurried after her and reached out to support her, but Lan Fang pushed her away, refusing any help.

“This woman is unreasonable! Damn, is she trying to cause trouble?” Seeing her relentless struggle, I rushed over, grabbed her waist from behind, and lifted her up.

“Ah! Let go, you…!” Suddenly embraced by a man from behind, even with Qu Xiang nearby, Lan Fang trembled all over and instinctively struggled.

“We’re together now. If you don’t behave, I’ll throw you into the river to drown!” I glared at her sideways and spoke fiercely.

“You… you try it!” Seeing I didn’t move to release her, Lan Fang calmed a little but sneered disdainfully.

“You don’t believe me?” Without hesitation, I really swung her toward the riverbank.

“You’re crazy!” Qu Xiang was terrified and caught Lan Fang before I could let go.

“Let me go…!” Lan Fang struggled and shouted.

“Still not listening?” My expression darkened. With Qu Xiang here, I couldn’t be too harsh, but I was truly afraid Lan Fang might misunderstand. After all, her face was pale earlier, and now her eyes were moist.

Held by Qu Xiang and me, Lan Fang unexpectedly clutched my shirt tightly. Despite the sharp pain in her leg and recent shock, she suddenly grabbed my collar and burst into tears.

For a moment, both Qu Xiang and I were stunned.

What the hell was going on?

“Alright… alright, stop crying, okay?” Though she wasn’t heavy, holding her like this made my arms ache. Seeing her cry softened me, especially with Qu Xiang glaring at me. I sighed, “Alright, alright, Miss, I apologize!”

“You know your wound. If you’re this stubborn, we don’t even know what could happen. What if something goes wrong?” Seeing her sobs lessen, I looked at Qu Xiang. “Don’t sulk at me. You really can’t go far. If the wound tears or gets infected, all three of us will be in big trouble!”

“Mind your own business!” Unexpectedly, just as she seemed to calm, Lan Fang exploded, “You almost drowned me. You’re trying to kill me!”

“Alright, alright, Fang, stop arguing!” Qu Xiang finally intervened as Lan Fang struggled again. “How about this? You guys see if it works.”

I didn’t know what Qu Xiang meant, but seeing Lan Fang still in my arms, turning her face away, I looked at Qu Xiang helplessly.

“Ah Jing, how about this? You worry about Fang, Fang wants to retrieve our luggage. Why don’t you carry her and we go together? That way we’re not separated, and it’s safer, okay?” Qu Xiang said with some resignation, her mind spinning quickly.

“Fine!”

“No!” Both Lan Fang and I nearly shouted at once. I thought it was feasible, but Lan Fang flatly refused.

“If you don’t listen, I’ll really throw you!” I threatened again.

“You, get lost!” Unexpectedly, Lan Fang, usually composed, swore rudely.

“Do you think you can break free? Look at you now. Throwing you into the river is effortless for me!” I sneered, trying to intimidate her.

“Let go! Get away from me!” Lan Fang pushed me hard and roared fiercely right in front of me, looking extremely displeased.

This time I said nothing. Holding her, I walked straight to the riverbank. Lan Fang tried to push me away, but weighing less than a hundred pounds, she was no match for me. Seeing me silent and cold, arms outstretched, her expression changed again.

“Try acting up once more. My patience has limits. Don’t test me!” For a woman so high and mighty, making her listen was hard. But in this environment, force was more effective than words.