When Song Lejin returned, Lin Sui immediately went up to him, worried. “Where did you go? This forest is full of bugs and easy to get lost in. Don’t wander off; what if we got separated?”
Song Lejin replied, “I just went to look for a restroom. Don’t worry, I didn’t go far. Besides, I’m back now, aren’t I?”
Lin Sui asked, “Did you find one?”
Song Lejin nodded. “There’s a temporary restroom up ahead. We can check it out.”
Lin Sui said, “I’ll let the others know.”
They had been resting here for quite a while, and it was about time to pack up and leave.
Song Lejin’s gaze swept over the group before settling on Shen Yuqing and Song Wangzhuo, who were dozing with their eyes closed.
He had been exhausted all day yesterday, and the hard-sleeping surface had kept him awake at night. Yet, these two seemed to be sleeping soundly.
His resentment grew, but when others glanced his way, he quickly reverted to his usual sweet and gentle demeanor.
Shen Yuqing was indeed very tired but still kept some awareness. If he fell asleep now, he’d be dead to the world.
He had noticed Song Lejin’s return.
Earlier, when he and Song Wangzhuo had discussed leaving, Lin Sui had come over and persuaded them to stay. Even though Shen Yuqing had suggested following Song Wangzhuo’s lead, Song Wangzhuo had ultimately chosen to remain likely out of consideration for him.
Still, as Lin Sui had pointed out, sticking with the team was the best option before reaching the third checkpoint, at least for some peace of mind.
Yet, Shen Yuqing couldn’t shake his unease. The images in his mind couldn’t be false.
When he asked the system, it couldn’t pinpoint the timing either this was beyond the original plot.
The plot had derailed so much that the system’s incompetence seemed even more glaring.
After resting for another half hour or so, the others gradually began packing up to head toward the checkpoint. But just then, the leader of Team 5A approached and said, “I think we should lay low for now. There’s still plenty of time.”
Lin Sui asked, “How do we lay low at the checkpoint?”
The 5A leader replied, “How? You can’t just kill everyone who shows up. The checkpoint won’t open until the day after tomorrow.”
Lin Sui frowned. “So, what’s your suggestion?”
“Let’s rest a bit longer and move at night,” the 5A leader said. “Moving in broad daylight makes us too conspicuous. Night travel would be much better.”
Lin Sui hesitated. “But it’ll be pitch black. Won’t that be difficult?”
“There are streetlights,” the 5A leader countered. “For alphas, even if the lights are spaced far apart, visibility won’t be an issue. Whether it’s ambushing or traveling, nighttime is far more advantageous.”
Lin Sui wavered. “I’ll need to discuss this with my team.”
The 5A leader gestured for him to go ahead and returned to his own group.
Lin Sui relayed their proposal to the others, though his attention was mostly on Shen Yuqing. Even though he was the team leader, Shen Yuqing often made the final call.
Shen Yuqing asked, “What if we insist on leaving now? Would they still stay behind?”
Lin Sui nodded. “That’s exactly what they’re thinking.”
Shen Yuqing glanced at the sky. Truthfully, he still wanted to head to the checkpoint earlier.
Lin Sui said, “I think they make a good point.”
Meaning he also leaned toward staying and setting out at night.
Shen Yuqing replied, “Alright then.”
He sighed. “Let’s all rest a bit longer.”
This spot was indeed well-chosen, and it would be hard to find another like it later.
Besides, judging by the time, there were only two or three hours left until dark. He even double-checked with the system, which confirmed that most others were also resting, and plans had been adjusted since the checkpoint gates wouldn’t open until the day after tomorrow.
After all, engaging in chaotic battles on the first day wasn’t particularly meaningful their main goal was to cross the line safely.
Lin Sui smiled. “Got it. I’ll go tell them now.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Go ahead.”
After Lin Sui left, Song Wangzhuo asked, “Didn’t you want to go to the checkpoint earlier? Why did you agree so suddenly?”
Shen Yuqing replied, “They all want to rest.”
Continuous mental strain and excessive physical exertion had taken their toll on everyone. Since Shen Yuqing and Song Wangzhuo had decided to stay with the group, they had to consider everyone’s needs.
Moreover, it was clear that Song Wangzhuo wasn’t in the best shape either.
His injuries had weakened him, and resting for another two or three hours wouldn’t hurt anything.
Song Wangzhuo hummed in agreement. “Then let’s rest a bit more.”
He sat back down and pulled out the insect-repelling sachet he’d just put away. “Tie this on.”
Shen Yuqing took it and quickly fastened it around his wrist. It really did keep the bugs away.
Yawning, Shen Yuqing remarked, “Didn’t expect you to have so many useful things.”
It seemed like Song Wangzhuo’s bag had everything one could need, all practical items.
Song Wangzhuo shrugged. “Just small things. Nothing worth mentioning.”
Shen Yuqing patted his shoulder. “You’re too modest.”
He yawned again. “Whatever, I’m going back to sleep.”
With that, he leaned against the tree trunk and dozed off.
Song Wangzhuo turned to say something else but found Shen Yuqing already fast asleep.
He watched him for a moment. Shen Yuqing’s ability to sleep soundly was impressively consistent.
Two hours wasn’t particularly long, but it wasn’t short either.
Shen Yuqing had a good nap, though his body felt stiff from the awkward position. A quick stretch fixed that.
Looking around, he saw the others still resting or chatting quietly.
Lin Sui and Song Lejin were together as usual, with Song Lejin now meditating with his eyes closed.
Shen Yuqing yawned again, but a bottle of water appeared beside him.
He glanced at it, took it, and drank.
His own food supplies were nearly gone, he’d need to restock once they reached the safe zone.
Just then, the 5A team leader was discussing something with Lin Sui again. Lin Sui nodded and came over to relay the message: “They suggest sending three people from each team ahead to scout the path. If everything’s clear, they’ll come back for the rest.”
“Why not just go together? Splitting up seems unnecessary,” Shen Yuqing said, finding the plan a bit illogical.
Lin Sui explained, “They said there are too many people, which might startle the snake in the grass. So, we need to scout ahead first. If there are others nearby, our large group moving together would make us easy targets.”
Shen Yuqing was about to say something when Song Lejin unexpectedly walked over and said, “In that case, I’ll go.”
Their main goal was to scout the path, not engage with others, but there was still some level of danger involved.
Lin Sui said, “You should stay here. A few of us will go.”
Song Lejin replied, “Brother Sui, you’ve already protected me so many times on this journey. Even though I’m an Omega, I can’t always rely on everyone to shield me.”
He added, “Otherwise, I’ll really seem useless.”
Lin Sui met his gaze and sighed, “…Fine, I’ll go with you. Then we’ll pick one more person.”
Their eyes fell on the two followers, who quickly said, “Bro, we’d rather rest. We’re exhausted.”
Truthfully, Song Lejin was the only one in the group who hadn’t contributed much everyone else had pitched in to some extent.
Since the followers had made their stance clear, they couldn’t very well force them.
Lin Sui then looked at the other two.
Song Wangzhuo was just about to volunteer when Shen Yuqing beat him to it, “I’ll go with you.”
He had to eliminate any chance of Song Wangzhuo and Song Lejin being alone together!
Lin Sui nodded, “Alright. We probably won’t go too far anyway. Once we find a suitable spot, I can come back and call the others.”
The five-member Alpha team had also been selected, and the allergic Alpha was among them. Shen Yuqing breathed a sigh of relief with both of them gone, Song Wangzhuo’s risk factor would decrease.
The six of them set off while the remaining five stayed behind to guard their belongings, dividing the tasks clearly.
Shen Yuqing followed behind, his gaze constantly shifting between Song Lejin and the fully armed Alpha.
The Alpha walked at the edge, not exchanging a single word with Song Lejin.
It seemed today would be uneventful.
As he walked, Shen Yuqing couldn’t shake the image of Song Wangzhuo tumbling down a slope. He had to find a way to keep Song Wangzhuo away from all hillsides!
Just then, Song Lejin suddenly let out a startled cry.
Shen Yuqing snapped back to attention and saw him sprawled on the ground; the others already gathered around him. Lin Sui, in particular, looked worried as he asked, “What happened? Are you okay?”
Song Lejin clutched his ankle. “I wasn’t paying attention and stepped on a rock. I think I twisted it.”
One of the Alpha team members crouched down and examined it. “The bone’s fine. I have some bruise ointment in my bag. We’ll apply it when we get back and do a quick wrap, it’ll be fine.”
Lin Sui said, “Then let’s head back first. Treat the injury properly so it doesn’t leave any lasting issues!”
But the Alpha team leader objected, “We’ve come all this way. Turning back empty-handed seems like an overreaction.”
Lin Sui countered, “Then I’ll take Lejin back. The rest of you can keep going.”
“What good would you be? Do you even know how to apply medicine?” The one who had checked Song Lejin’s foot said, “I’m in the medical program. I’ll take him back.”
Lin Sui hesitated. “But…”
Song Lejin’s face was scrunched in discomfort as he tugged at Lin Sui’s sleeve. “Let this classmate take me back. It’ll be fine.”
The man said, “If you don’t believe me, then take him back yourself.”
The problem was, their team didn’t have any medical students either!
Lin Sui looked at Song Lejin’s pained expression and finally gave a slight nod. “Alright, I’ll come back as soon as possible.”
He then turned to the medical student and said, “Please walk slowly.”
The medical student responded with a hum, “Got it.”
Then, he turned his back to Song Lejin. “Hop on.”
There was no way Song Lejin could walk with his injured foot.
Song Lejin leaned onto the alpha’s back, and the alpha carried him back.
Lin Sui sighed worriedly, “Ah, I shouldn’t have let him come in the first place.”
Song Lejin glanced at the fully geared alpha and said, “Alright, get to work quickly so you can return sooner.”
Lin Sui nodded, reluctantly turning his head to watch Song Lejin and the others walk away before channeling his concern into determination and striding forward swiftly.
He needed to finish the task quickly so he could check on Song Lejin.
Regret gnawed at Lin Sui as he ventured deeper into the woods. If only he hadn’t let Song Lejin come along earlier.
