HPDBC Chapter 8 When you're hungry, everything tastes good.
Chapter 8 When you're hungry, everything tastes good.
Unaware that Chen Duling was struggling with how to sleep that night, Yuan Linghan, seeing the sun about to disappear below the horizon, picked up the tarpaulin he had chosen earlier and built a temporary A-frame shelter on the left side of the platform.
Although it was just a temporary structure made of tarpaulin, it still served its purpose of providing shelter from the wind and rain. After doing all that, Yuan Linghan put his sleeping bag and backpack inside. Then he picked up the single tent, ready to help Chen Duling set it up.
Although the tent wasn't very big, it was definitely enough for one person to sleep in. After the dome-shaped tent was set up, Yuan Linghan gave it a good tug to make sure it wouldn't be blown away by the wind, then gestured for Chen Duling to try crawling inside.
"Dudu, this tent doesn't come with an air mattress, so the sleeping bag might be a bit uncomfortable against your back. Try it out first, and if you feel uncomfortable, I'll cut some banana leaves to put underneath; that should make it more comfortable."
"Thank you, Brother Yuan, it's nothing! I think these conditions are already quite good."
With the tent set up, Chen Duling finally felt she had her own private space. Although Yuan Linghan's temporary shelter was right next door, she didn't feel scared; on the contrary, she felt quite safe.
Yuan Linghan transferred all the supplies he brought to the island to the platform. He looked at the sky and suddenly said, "Dudu, I want to go to the beach to find out when the tide rises and falls in this area, and maybe find some seafood to eat."
Before Yuan Linghan could finish speaking, Chen Duling said, "Brother Yuan, I want to go with you."
Actually, he had already guessed the outcome before asking. After all, it was dark, and Chen Duling would definitely be scared if left alone in the shelter. With him, at least she would have someone to look after her. But these kinds of things should be discussed with her opinion first!
Seeing Chen Duling's eagerness, Yuan Linghan didn't say much and simply said, "Then take the flashlight provided by the production team, and also a long-sleeved jacket. The temperature difference between day and night is quite large on this island, so don't catch a cold."
"Okay, Brother Yuan!"
While Chen Duling went to find her jacket and flashlight, Yuan Linghan put on his camouflage jacket. Although they were just going to the beach, he still carried his axe and bow and arrows with him. In addition, he also had a headlamp provided by the production team.
Fortunately, headlamps, flashlights, sleeping bags, and camping lights weren't included in the ten items. Otherwise, without these items, nighttime would have been much more difficult. This shows the production team did have some conscience!
As the sun set, Yuan Linghan led Chen Duling towards the beach. Meanwhile, the other nine groups of challengers had also set up their temporary shelters. However, compared to the grand project Yuan Linghan had undertaken, their shelters were quite simple.
Those who received two single tents simply cleared a space by a stream with fresh water and set up their tents. Whether further shelters will be built is currently unknown.
But Yuan Linghan believes that although it's not the rainy season, rain is inevitable. If it rains on the island, setting up tents directly on the ground would make even sleeping a problem. How can they complete the challenge without proper rest?
Those who chose the 30-pack of instant noodles ate instant noodles for their first meal after arriving on the island. In the early stages, instant noodles could sustain them for three to five days without much problem. But after a while, they couldn't possibly rely on instant noodles every day, could they?
What truly surprised the audience was that on their first night on the island, only Yuan Linghan and Chen Duling managed to find ingredients at the beach before dark. In contrast, all the other contestants chose to eat and then rest.
Meanwhile, the production team officially started the online live stream. When viewers flooded into the live stream and saw the other nine groups of guests staying at the camp to improve their shelters or preparing food, they were somewhat surprised.
"Is this really a desert island survival story? It feels more like they're on vacation."
"If we don't hurry up and collect supplies now, what will we do if we wait until we run out of the rations? Will we go hungry every day?"
"They only have thirty days left to live. I think they'd be lucky to last three!"
"It seems that joining the army is still the most reliable option. Dudu made a good choice this time."
"Sigh, I'm so envious of this guy, he actually got the chance to spend the night on a deserted island with Dudu!"
Unaware that the live stream had already started, Yuan Linghan led Chen Duling towards the receding tide area. Seeing that the tide was still going out, Yuan Linghan felt that coming at this time was indeed the right choice.
Looking at the girl beside him, Yuan Linghan smiled and asked, "Dudu, have you ever gone beachcombing?"
"We rushed through! But it was all just for fun. I do know those seafood items are edible. These are mussels, also called dried mussels. They're delicious in soup or blanched. Let's pick some to take home and cook some later!"
Seeing that Chen Duling recognized a lot of edible seafood and shellfish, Yuan Linghan felt that she was at least taking this challenge seriously. As for whether she could persevere to the end, that would depend on whether she could find enough food.
Because the tide had just receded, the two of them collected quite a few edible shellfish in the rocky area. What truly made Chen Duling happy was that Yuan Linghan dug out two blue crabs weighing over half a pound each and several stranded octopuses from under the rocks.
Although Chen Duling wanted to collect more, seeing that the wind was picking up on the sea, Yuan Linghan said at the right time, "Dudu, it's getting windy, let's go back first! What we've collected now should be enough for us to eat. It would be a waste to collect too much and not be able to finish it."
"Okay! Let's go back then! If we can find this much seafood every day at low tide, then we won't have to worry about going hungry."
"But you can't eat seafood every day, can you?"
Taken aback for a moment by the teasing, Chen Duling laughed and said, "That seems true! We only have five jin of rice, and even if we eat it sparingly, it won't last long. I just don't know if we can find any other food supplies on this island."
"Take your time searching! Once the shelter is built, we'll have more time to explore the island. Give me the stuff, let's go home!"
"Yes, let's go home!"
After handing the collected seafood to Yuan Linghan to carry, Chen Duling obediently followed behind him into the jungle. The occasional mountain breeze sent a chill through Chen Duling, who quickly pulled her coat up and wrapped it tighter.
In less than half an hour, the two finally returned to their shelter below the cliff. Turning on two camping lights instantly brightened their makeshift campsite. Without even resting, Yuan Linghan fetched water and started a fire to prepare to steam the seafood they had just collected.
Because they had collected a lot of seafood, they didn't cook porridge for dinner and ate seafood directly to fill them up. After the steamed seafood was ready, Chen Duling poured some seafood soy sauce as a dipping sauce, and the two sat facing each other again to enjoy the freshly cooked seafood.
She picked up a cooked octopus, dipped it in soy sauce, and tasted its chewy, sweet flavor. After swallowing, Chen Duling's face flushed with excitement as she exclaimed, "Wow, I never imagined that seafood could taste so good like this!"
"Good ingredients often require only the simplest cooking methods. Of course, the most important thing is that we were really hungry."
As Yuan Linghan said these words, Chen Duling smiled and echoed, "Yes, when you're hungry, everything tastes good."
"Then remember to eat more! I know that you celebrities are all very conscious of your figure. But we'll be living on the island for thirty days, and I can't guarantee that you'll be able to eat your fill every day. So, eat as much as you can when there's food available."
"Okay! I'll definitely eat more tonight!"
Seeing that Chen Duling liked octopus, Yuan Linghan specially picked it up and gave it to her. He also shared the larger of the two steamed crabs with her. However, Yuan Linghan ate most of the remaining snails and shellfish in the pot.
Based on the energy he's used today, he can't guarantee he'll last until the end if he doesn't replenish it promptly. Although seafood isn't very filling, eating too much can still stave off hunger. This dinner will at least be more filling than the one he had during the day!