Chapter 22

Wearing her hiking boots, Li Yuanxi walked through the forest. The two paths she had taken before hadn’t yielded anything edible, so today she chose a different route.

She headed to the left side of the island, where the vegetation grew thicker in the sunnier spots. Walking through the dense woods, she frequently looked up, scanning the trees for any signs of fruit.

The quiet forest was filled with the rising and falling chorus of insects. Occasionally, a seabird flew overhead. As she reached a slope, Li Yuanxi caught the scent of lemons. Her eyes lit up.

Following the fragrance uphill, she spotted a small grove of wild lemon trees. It was a wonderful, unexpected find.

Li Yuanxi walked around the wild lemon trees excitedly. She counted nine small, undersized lemons hanging from the branches.

Lemons were incredibly rich in Vitamin C—exactly what she and Wei Shu needed.

Li Yuanxi carefully avoided the thorns on the lemon tree as she quickly stripped the leaves. She planned to take them home to brew tea.

Lemon leaves could be steeped in water, she knew. They were rich in flavonoids, and the complex compounds in the leaves were very beneficial for the body.

Most importantly, the leaves contained dietary fiber, which could relieve constipation and promote intestinal health. It was exactly what they needed.

Li Yuanxi wasn’t greedy. She gathered enough leaves for her and Wei Shu to last about a week, and picked the few remaining fruits.

She guessed that a seagull had eaten a lemon fruit, carried the seed to the island, and it had eventually sprouted, growing into this patch of wild lemon trees.

Li Yuanxi marked the spot and continued forward. There was very little ocean trash in the center of the forest. “Looks like the tsunami didn’t sweep across the whole island,” she thought.

She was relieved. The last thing she wanted was for the island to be regularly washed by tsunamis. No matter how much food she and Wei Shu stockpiled, they couldn’t withstand that.

As usual, Li Yuanxi liked to climb to the highest point. She stood on a bare, exposed rock, looking down at the island. The shape of the coastline resembled a phoenix tree leaf, angular and irregular.

The sea breeze was incredibly pleasant. Li Yuanxi turned to look at the highest peak. “Tomorrow, I’ll bring Wei Shu up here for a hike. She’s been wanting to explore the forest.”

Having finished her climb, Li Yuanxi carefully slid down the rock and continued her slow exploration of the forest, searching for starchy staple foods like carbohydrates.

As she descended a different path, her eyes locked onto something. You’ll never guess what she saw.

Li Yuanxi’s eyes widened. She ran over excitedly, kneeling on the ground. Cupping the funnel-shaped leaves in her hands, she burst into wild laughter. “Hahahahaha!”

She was ecstatic. “Hahahaha! It’s taro! Taro! A whole patch of taro!!”

Li Yuanxi bent down, looking around, quickly examining the plants to confirm they were indeed taro.

She had assumed she’d be lucky to find some cassava, one of the most common wild staple foods on an island, but this was a jackpot.

Li Yuanxi used her small axe to dig. This time, she really unearthed a huge pile—enough to last them for a long time.

She thought about how long it had been since they’d last had any carbohydrates. The only carbs she had found before were bananas and banana tree hearts, and she had already cut down and eaten the few banana trees she had found.

Black soil clung to Li Yuanxi’s hands, but she dug on with glee, laughing like a child, already imagining going back to show off her find to Wei Shu.

She had found so much on this single trip! After digging up the last taro, she wiped the dirt off them and counted them one by one. There were a total of thirty taros, both big and small.

If she and Wei Shu ate three taros a day, that would last them ten days. But they couldn’t just sit back and rely on that. Otherwise, after ten days, they’d be out of food again.

In the end, Li Yuanxi selected a few taro roots to use as seeds and replanted them. She didn’t know how long they’d be here, but at least she wanted to leave behind food for next year.

After burying the seeds, she gathered the taro leaves. She tied them with two vines and prepared to carry them back. The taro leaves could be boiled and stir-fried.

Li Yuanxi loaded her full backpack basket and headed home, her steps lighter and more cheerful than before.

She could finally take a good two-day rest. Then she and Wei Shu could thoroughly explore the island. At least for the next ten days, they wouldn’t have to worry about food.

A bright smile lit up Li Yuanxi’s face. “I wonder what Wei Shu is doing at home. Wait till she sees all the treasures I brought back!”

Inside the cave, Wei Shu’s breathing was rapid. She was drenched in sweat. Lying on the bed, she couldn’t even muster the energy to tend to the dying fire. She struggled to open her mouth, helping herself breathe.

Her right hand lay loosely over the back of her neck. Sweat plastered her hair to her temples. The cloyingly sweet fragrance filling the cave was almost suffocating.

The buttons on her shirt were undone, revealing the upper part of her chest. She wanted to cool down, but the coolness never came.

Her skin was flushed a delicate pink. The internal heat drove her to seek something, anything, to cool her down. Her soft, ragged breaths filled her with shame.

This was the most disheveled she had ever been during a Bonding Heat. Wei Shu closed her eyes. At least Li Yuanxi wasn’t here to see her like this.

The entire cave was saturated with Wei Shu’s pheromones. It was very similar to the scent of Diptyque’s Do Son perfume—elegant and refined, carrying the fragrance of tuberose and an alluring hint of musk.

But her own scent was more natural. During Bonding Heat, it was multifaceted and seductive. The tuberose’s cool fragrance held a cold charm and delicate beauty, yet also a sense of elegance and cloying sweetness.

Her pheromones were changeable and complex—able to attract everyone’s attention innocently, yet also capable of silently overwhelming them.

As a high-level omega, Wei Shu’s pheromones were inherently colder and more elegant. Now, without any suppressants, she lay weak and helpless on the bed.

She hadn’t expected the heat to flare up so soon after Li Yuanxi left. Her Bonding Heat had never deviated from its schedule. Now it had arrived a full two days early.

Sweat soaked her pillow. Her whole body was burning. She was determined to endure the physical urges. Wei Shu hugged herself, as if it would provide some sense of security.

“Hot…”

“Li Yuanxi…”

In her haze, Wei Shu seemed to see Li Yuanxi. She reached out with all her might, wanting to push her away, yet also wanting to pull her closer.

Li Yuanxi stood at the seaside, feeling refreshed after washing the taro, taro leaves, and the few pathetic-looking, small lemons she had picked. She washed them all clean and put them back in her basket.

The sun was hidden behind thick white clouds. Li Yuanxi took off her clothes, intending to take a bath and swim in the sea before going home.

“La-la-la~ La-la-la~” Li Yuanxi dove headfirst into the seawater. Her movements were agile and graceful; she swam through the water like a fish.

The waves didn’t daunt her in the slightest. But she knew her limits. She bathed in the sea and swam for about ten minutes before getting out.

She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, Wei Shu would find out she had gone into the sea with her wound not yet healed, and she’d be scolded.

Li Yuanxi picked up her shoes and headed home. Before she even reached the cave, she caught a faint, pleasant scent again. “Could there be some kind of fragrant tree on this island?” she wondered.

“Tomorrow, I’ll take Wei Shu to find it when I have time. She’ll love this smell.” Li Yuanxi quickened her pace, shouting out childishly as she neared the cave, “Little Shu Shu, I’m home! Look at all the goodies I brought back!”

Completely unaware of the situation, Li Yuanxi walked into the cave. Seeing Wei Shu lying on the bed, she thought she was asleep. She moved quietly, adding firewood to the nearly extinguished fire.

She put the metal bucket of water on to boil and threw in a few clean lemon leaves. When the cold, boiled water came to a rolling boil again, the cave was filled with a fresh, lemony scent.

Li Yuanxi couldn’t smell Wei Shu’s pheromones at all. Her own pheromone gland was a little warm, but she ignored it. It happened from time to time; she was used to it.

Wei Shu’s eyes opened sometime during that. Her black, jewel-like pupils held a dark, determined light. She slowly sat up and cleared her throat softly.

Hearing the sound, Li Yuanxi immediately turned around. Seeing Wei Shu awake, she started to greet her, but the elegant, restrained smile on Wei Shu’s cool face sent a shiver down her spine.

“Hi!” Li Yuanxi waved stiffly. She thought Wei Shu must have found out she went swimming in the sea. Her mind was already working on a thousand excuses.

“I’m feeling a bit unwell. Could you pour me a cup of hot water?” Wei Shu’s voice was hoarse as she made the simple request. Her gaze settled on Li Yuanxi like a gentle feather, making her whole body feel tingly and strange.

Wei Shu’s eyes were incredibly captivating. Every smile and expression carried a unique charm, a kind of sexual tension.

Li Yuanxi couldn’t quite put her finger on what was wrong, but she knew something was off. She decided she would just apologize properly if Wei Shu started yelling at her.

If she just admitted her mistake properly, Wei Shu definitely wouldn’t stay mad. Yeah, that was it. With a strange feeling in her heart, Li Yuanxi poured a cup of water and handed it to Wei Shu.

“You look… really pretty today,” Li Yuanxi said, handing over the cup and taking a quick step back, trying to say something nice to get Wei Shu to act normal again.

Wei Shu gave a light laugh, her gaze deep and mysterious. “Is that so? Wasn’t I pretty before?” she asked.

Li Yuanxi scratched her cheek. “No, it’s not that. It’s just that you look especially good today.” No matter how she looked at Wei Shu now, she seemed like a man-eating flower. Her internal alarm was screaming that Wei Shu was dangerous.

After finishing her hot water, Wei Shu handed the cup back. As Li Yuanxi reached out to take it, Wei Shu suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her close, her gaze burning intensely.

Li Yuanxi stared at her nervously, swallowing hard. She was about to confess her ‘crime’ when Wei Shu wrapped her arms around her waist.

A hot breath fell on her nose. Something soft and with an incredibly pleasant texture pressed against her lips. It felt like jelly.

Li Yuanxi froze, staring blankly at Wei Shu’s actions. Wei Shu moved her lips clumsily against hers. After a while, it started to hurt a little. Li Yuanxi unconsciously licked her lower lip, her tongue accidentally brushing against Wei Shu’s.

Li Yuanxi belatedly stared at Wei Shu in shock. Wei Shu had her eyes closed, her lips pressed against Li Yuanxi’s, trying to rouse the alpha beside her.

Li Yuanxi reached up and felt Wei Shu’s forehead. It was burning hot. Her arm was scorching too. Li Yuanxi’s right hand quietly moved to the area around Wei Shu’s pheromone gland. She confirmed her suspicion and quickly pulled her hand away.

“Wei Shu, calm down. Your Bonding Heat is starting.” Li Yuanxi quickly lifted Wei Shu and laid her on the bed. She turned around, wet a towel with cold, boiled water, and just as Wei Shu lunged at her, she slapped it over her face.

The towel was as effective as a bucket of cold water thrown on Wei Shu’s fevered mind.

“Are you calm now?” Li Yuanxi asked, looking at the frozen Wei Shu.

“Mmm.” A cold, muffled reply came from under the towel. Her reason finally returned. She turned her back to Li Yuanxi, the towel still covering her face.

“Ahem. Are you okay?” Li Yuanxi looked at Wei Shu’s back. Had she been too rough? Maybe she should be gentler next time?

Wei Shu pressed the towel hard against her brow. She hadn’t expected the Bonding Heat to drive her body’s instincts to such an extent, making her try to seduce the alpha beside her.

This kind of thing usually only happened between AOs who had already marked each other. There was no reason for it to happen between her and Li Yuanxi.

Wei Shu didn’t dwell on why she had tried to seduce Li Yuanxi. She was just grateful that Li Yuanxi’s pheromone gland hadn’t responded. Otherwise, the situation would have spiraled out of control.

The atmosphere in the cave became awkward. Li Yuanxi, seeing that Wei Shu seemed to be okay, quietly returned to the fire and focused on boiling water.

She finally understood that the scent she had been smelling on and off was Wei Shu’s pheromones. But how could she smell them?

Li Yuanxi was baffled. “Where am I going to sleep tonight?” she worried. With Wei Shu’s Bonding Heat in full swing, she couldn’t stay in the cave.

“Thank you.” Wei Shu’s expression was cool as she removed the towel. She put the awkward incident behind her. But her ears were still bright red, and her eyes were moist, a faint light flickering in them.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Want some more lemon tea?” Li Yuanxi held her own coconut shell cup, taking small sips. It was their only cup, which she had given to Wei Shu.

“Just a little more. Thank you.” Wei Shu took the cup from Li Yuanxi’s hand, lowering her head without a word as she looked at the green lemon water. Neither of them knew what to say.

Li Yuanxi unconsciously licked her lips, which were still warm from the friction. The memory of that soft, bouncy touch lingered. Wei Shu saw this from the corner of her eye, and her face turned an even deeper shade of red, as if it might bleed.

What had just happened was probably the most reckless thing she had ever done in her life. Actively seducing an alpha who wasn’t in heat… it was something she had never even dared to imagine.

Wei Shu’s fingers gripped the cup tightly, turning white. She couldn’t let go. The shame was overwhelming. Li Yuanxi could see her distress.

“It’s really nothing,” Li Yuanxi said softly, looking at Wei Shu’s face.

“We don’t have any barrier patches or suppressants. But you don’t have to worry about me. You know what I’m like.”

Li Yuanxi tried to give Wei Shu a sense of security. Wei Shu looked up and stared at her, her hair tousled, her gaze dark and flickering.

“I won’t come back to the cave for the next few days, but I’ll check on you a few times a day to see how you’re doing. You can get through this if you just hold on.” Li Yuanxi gave Wei Shu a word of encouragement.

“If the Bonding Heat can’t be suppressed or marked…” Wei Shu didn’t finish the sentence. Both she and Li Yuanxi had learned the biology.

Li Yuanxi’s throat went dry, and her eyes stung. “Maybe you can create a miracle!” She knew Wei Shu was suffering, and there was truly nothing she could do about the Bonding Heat.

“Well, thank you for your faith in me.” Wei Shu rolled her eyes. She took a sip of water. The lemony tea actually tasted pretty good.

Seeing that Wei Shu seemed less uncomfortable, Li Yuanxi sighed in relief. She started showing off the food she had brought back, trying to distract her.

Looking at Li Yuanxi’s beaming, satisfied face, Wei Shu wondered why she was always so easily pleased.

Li Yuanxi never asked for much. As long as she had a little bit of happiness, she was content.

Even stranded on this deserted island, she was always cheerful, maintaining a boundless energy, leading her through this difficult survival situation.

They had been on this island for nearly twenty days. Without Li Yuanxi, Wei Shu couldn’t have lasted even ten.

It was because of Li Yuanxi that she knew wilderness survival wasn’t actually that hard. Perhaps, here, her greatest enemy would be loneliness.