Niu Zaizhao lit a fire and sat by Liu Geyang's side from dusk until dark, not feeling hungry even though he hadn't eaten for two meals. Looking at Liu Geyang's increasingly pale face and shallow breathing, Niu Zaizhao finally understood what it meant to feel anxious.

Shortly after dark, a torrential downpour descended upon the mountains. Despite the protection provided by the dense, broad canopy of trees, the rain and mud flowing from the ground quickly soaked the ground where they stood. The campfire dwindled, and without dry wood to fuel it, it slowly died out. Darkness enveloped them once more. Niu Zaizhao removed his half-dry coat and draped it over Liu Geyang's legs, hugging his upper body. He felt Liu Geyang as cold as ice, as if his vitality was slowly fading as his body temperature dropped.

Niu Zaizhao stroked Liu Geyang's arm and prayed silently, hoping that Chen Qingshan could notify the search and rescue team to save them.

There were two little people in her heart arguing with each other. The rational one said:

Don't be silly, Niu Zai Zhao, you know how big Luolong Mountain is. Even if a 500-person search and rescue team came, they would be a drop in the ocean in the primeval forest. Forget about finding people, you'd be lucky if you didn't get lost! Luolong Mountain is prone to mudslides and flash floods after heavy rains. For the safety of the search and rescue team members, they won't brave the rain to look for people. Liu Geyang is doomed!

But another sentimental villain comforted:

Don't be afraid, Niu Zaizhao, Chen Qingshan will notify Southwest University, and Professor Wang will definitely find a way to save you!

The rational villain looked disdainful:

Idiot! Professor Wang, do you think he'd dare to go into the mountains in this torrential rain? Even if he did, with the lab's limited manpower, could he find anyone? Judging by Liu Geyang's expression, if he doesn't get medical help for a few more hours, then...

Niu Zaizhao shook her head vigorously, driving the bad thoughts out of her mind and not daring to think about them anymore. Now all she could do was wait patiently, waiting for the rain to stop, waiting for rescue, or waiting for... death to come.

Shortly after the downpour subsided, a gentle drizzle began to fall, making the already cold and damp conditions even more unbearable. Niu Zaizhao held Liu Geyang in her arms, her own back already soaked by the rain, and she shivered. She didn't dare look at Liu Geyang's face, forcing herself to pay attention to her surroundings, carefully distinguishing between the sounds of wind and rain, hoping for a miracle.

At this moment, two green lights appeared in the bushes not far from them, like the eyes of an animal. Judging from the distance between the two green dots, the animal was not much bigger than a kitten.

A green light watched Niu Zaizhao from behind the bushes. Seeing no danger, it approached him. It turned out to be a small weasel with a slender body, a pointed head, and round ears. The weasel circled Niu Zaizhao and Liu Geyang, then hopped away into the bushes and disappeared.

At this time, Niu Zaizhao was so cold that his teeth were chattering. Although he still didn't feel hungry, in order to raise his body temperature and restore his strength, Niu Zaizhao took out a bag of bread from his bag, ate a small half of it in a few bites, and put the rest back into the backpack. He didn't know how long it would take to be rescued, and this half piece of bread might be his last ration, so he had to save it.

The half bottle of mineral water that Liu Geyang had finished was still in his backpack. Niu Zaizhao licked his cracked lips, looked at it again and again, but he couldn't bear to drink it. He reached out and grabbed a large leaf, caught some rain water and wet his lips with it.

At this moment, the bushes in front began to shake violently. Niu Zaizhao felt nervous. Now was the time when large animals such as wild boars went out to forage for food. They had no campfire to protect them. If they encountered a wild beast, she could run away, but what about Liu Geyang?

Niu Zai had no time to think, so he picked up a wet stick and looked at the bushes, intending to hit it with the stick to scare it no matter what came.