SDIWD - Chapter 91

Chapter 91

The construction of the house was proceeding in an orderly fashion; the lower frame was already complete. The cave, after all, was not a place for long-term residence, so Bai Zhen and Hua Mu had moved out some time ago. They were living in a temporary shed, though Emergency Rations seemed to prefer the cave's environment and loved to sleep soundly inside during the day.

They had been on the mountain for nearly two months. Hua Mu's injury was recovering well, so Bai Zhen finally decided to go down and take a look. The jungle after the tsunami was like a ruin. Many plants had withered and died from the impact of the storm and the erosion of seawater, and tall trees could be seen lying scattered everywhere.

But the situation wasn't entirely bleak. Likely a result of survival of the fittest from living on the island year-round, many plants possessed a high tolerance for salt and were still thriving two months later. The dead vegetation had already begun to decompose, returning to nature to provide nutrients for new life.

Some things, in fact, required no human intervention at all.

Bai Zhen carried Hua Mu on her back as she climbed down the cliff face. Because the path was difficult, it took them three times as long as before to reach the seaside. They were still concerned about the south shore where they had lived for nearly half a year, so they went there first to assess the post-disaster situation.

The beach was completely transformed, a total mess, but it was a little different from the tragic scene they had imagined. The animal carcasses had either been washed away by the sea or had completely decomposed after two months; they didn't see a scene of bodies strewn everywhere reeking of a foul stench.

The bamboo shed toilet they had built was long gone, the short coconut trees that had stood on the beach had been uprooted, and even half the cliff face had collapsed.

The supplies Bai Zhen had salvaged from the sea were scattered everywhere, but the tide had also brought many things they had never seen before—there was even the bow of a small boat stuck upside down in the sand, looking quite spectacular.

Looking at this scene, Hua Mu couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and regret—after all, it was a shelter she had personally helped build, bit by bit.

"Miss, you rest for a while. I'll go see if I can find something to eat."

Bai Zhen put Hua Mu down and took a walking stick from the basket on her back, handing it to her. Hua Mu could now walk on flat ground with the stick without a problem, but she still couldn't do any strenuous exercise or exert too much force.

"You gather some firewood first. I'll start a fire, then you can go look."

They had come down this time not only to investigate the situation but also to bring some seafood back. If conditions allowed, they would stay for a day or two to make more sauces and sea salt. Living on the mountain had its inconveniences. Especially since Hua Mu had trouble with her leg and a fear of heights, a trip down felt like losing half her life.

What they didn't lack now was firewood. Fallen branches were everywhere, perfectly dried by the sun, and Bai Zhen quickly returned with a large pile. Emergency Rations, who had been sleeping in the basket, must have heard the noise. It crawled out from under the canvas cover and jumped onto the beach to play.

Hua Mu didn't pay it much attention or try to restrain it, simply taking out her flint to start a fire. Nearby, Bai Zhen quickly cleared a patch of sand, spread out a canvas, and then took out the luggage they had brought.

Pots, bowls, ladles, basins, seasonings, and food—though not much, their supplies were quite complete.

The Sentinel moved quickly, soon setting up a simple stove, and Hua Mu's fire was lit.

"Just find some shellfish, enough to make a soup for now. After lunch, you can make a couple of fishing rods, and we'll fish in the afternoon."

When they fled, Bai Zhen had snapped the fishing rods, taking only the line and hooks. To use them now, she naturally had to make new ones.

"Okay."

Having been away from the sea for so long, even the fishy smell that once made Hua Mu uncomfortable now seemed somewhat nostalgic.

While Bai Zhen went to find ingredients, Hua Mu also began searching the beach for useful items. The tsunami had brought the wreckage of many ships from around the island onto the beach; there might be some very useful items among it.

The Young Lady had completely transformed into a master scavenger, picking and choosing with her walking stick. Unfortunately, after the tsunami's destruction, many things were damaged. After searching for a long time, Hua Mu only found an axe and a slightly distorted iron box.

She cleaned the iron box, filled it with seawater, and set it over the fire, preparing to make some sea salt.

Bai Zhen returned shortly, holding a pot in her right arm and a large piece of seaweed in her left hand. The pot was filled with many shellfish, a lot of which Hua Mu had never seen before. The one on top was even half the size of the pot.

Hua Mu hadn't eaten seafood in many days, and she nearly drooled at the sight of the shellfish.

"Miss!" The Sentinel's harvest was bountiful, and she looked very happy. "Look what I found!"

Beneath a few flat shellfish was a large pot of mussels, their surfaces clean, obviously already processed and washed.

"Not bad, not bad." Hua Mu hadn't expected Bai Zhen to be so happy and mentally planned to make her a delicious meal. "Let them spit out sand for a while. We'll make soup with half and grill the other half. What are these shells on top? I've never seen them before. Are they tasty?"

Bai Zhen excitedly put the things down, picked up the enormous shell on top, and said with a face full of joy, "This is a Pinctada martensii!"

"With 'horse' and 'pig' in the name, it must be delicious." The Sentinel usually didn't care much for food. For her to be this happy, it must be super tasty!

Hua Mu grew even more expectant. "How do you like it cooked? I wonder if I can cook it well the first time."

Bai Zhen seemed to be amused by her words. She pursed her lips and looked at her, a hint of helplessness and indulgence in her expression.

"Miss, whether this is tasty or not is secondary… Look." She opened the shell, revealing the meat inside.

"Oh, why is it already dead?"

Hua Mu was very picky about the freshness of her ingredients.

"Miss, look what this is."

The Sentinel rubbed the oyster meat with her thumb. The soft meat squirmed a few times and secreted some juice.

My god, what is she doing? Why is this a little erotic? Has Bai Zhen been holding back for a long time?

Please stop holding back! She could say the words "I'm willing" ten thousand times!

"Wh-what are you doing!"

She had long known this person was a quiet pervert, but showing her something not suitable for children was just too much of a tease, wasn't it?

"Miss, just look!"

How could she bring herself to look!

Bai Zhen's fingers were long and slender with well-defined knuckles. Her wheat-colored skin created a strong contrast with the creamy white oyster meat, a sight that truly made one's heart flutter.

Hua Mu's gaze darted about, wanting to look but not daring to.

Is this person hinting at something? Is she propositioning me? Is my happiness finally here?

"Y-you, don't beat around the bush. If you want to, just do it."

Seeing that she just wouldn't look, Bai Zhen had no choice but to use her index finger to pluck the pearl from the oyster meat.

"Miss, look, it's a pearl!"

"Wh-why are you showing me a pearl? I-I don't want…" Hua Mu stopped mid-sentence, feeling something was off. "What pearl?"

Bai Zhen opened her hand. A perfectly round, white, lustrous, and translucent pearl lay obediently in her palm.

"Miss, a pearl, for you."

It was a real pearl, a gemstone nurtured by a wild Pinctada martensii.

Bai Zhen's gaze was sincere, ardent, and full of expectation, as if she wasn't just giving her a pearl, but her own heart.

Hua Mu's mind, which had been running wild with fantasies, went blank from this sudden surprise. Before she could even react, her eyes began to well up.

She had never thought the Sentinel was a romantic person. Oblivious and unromantic were her middle names. But sometimes, she would always surprise her, saying incredibly sweet nothings and giving her incredibly meaningful gifts.

This was the most romantic and precious gift she had ever received. On a deserted island like this, she had never imagined she would receive a gemstone.

"Miss, don't you like it?" Seeing her just staring blankly at her palm, neither speaking nor accepting it, Bai Zhen couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

Hua Mu quickly shook her head and reached out to take it, but her fingers stopped just as they were about to touch the pearl.

"Bai Zhen…"

"Yes?"

"Kneel on one knee."

Hua Mu felt a little sheepish, but the restlessness in her heart still made her say it.

Although Bai Zhen didn't understand why, she obediently did as she was told. The moment her knee touched the sand, Hua Mu took the small pearl from her hand.

She had imagined countless times the scene of someone… or rather, of Bai Zhen, proposing to her. This messy beach bore no resemblance to her fantasies.

But none of that mattered. The person she loved was kneeling on one knee and giving her a gemstone. This was the most romantic proposal!

Hua Mu clutched the pearl tightly and threw herself into the Sentinel's arms.

"Miss?"

Bai Zhen quickly caught her to prevent her from getting hurt.

Hua Mu's response was a passionate kiss.

Bai Zhen was caught off guard, her brain short-circuiting as she kissed Hua Mu. Happiness and pleasure made it impossible for her to think.

The Young Lady had always been reserved. Why was she suddenly so proactive?

"Bai Zhen…"

Hua Mu sat on her lap, for the first time completely unrestrained in her desire, shamelessly offering her red lips.

She really couldn't hold back anymore. No matter what, she was going to conquer this big fool when they got back. If she held back any longer, her leg might heal, but other parts of her would start having problems!

Although Bai Zhen usually tried her best to control herself, her desire for Hua Mu hadn't diminished in the slightest. If she could, she also hoped to be closer to her.

Hua Mu's initiative left her feeling flattered and overwhelmed, and she, in turn, allowed herself to indulge a little.

If it was just kissing, it would definitely be fine. She could control Hati, and she could control herself.

If it was just kissing.

Hua Mu, panting, leaned against Bai Zhen's chest, her expression docile, her posture clinging.

"Miss." The Sentinel held her firmly on her lap, lovingly stroking her hair and cheek.

She really hadn't expected the Young Lady to like the pearl so much.

Hua Mu hummed dazedly and murmured, "Help me make a ring with this pearl."

"Okay."

"I'll make one for you too."

"Mm."

Even without a wedding, without anyone's blessing, without any witnesses, Hua Mu didn't feel much regret. If they hadn't been stranded on this island, she might never have been able to be with Bai Zhen.

So, this was enough.

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