The bathroom still held the warmth and scent of shampoo. Turning on the hot water, Shi Jinzhe's body quickly warmed up.
His wounds had healed, but his wrinkled fingertips, still raw from being soaked, hadn't recovered.
After taking a shower, Shi Jinzhe walked out of the bathroom and collapsed onto the bed.
The thought of having to walk through the rainforest for several days, just as he had seen on the map, made him feel miserable.
Shekh sat in the driver's seat, his hair almost dry, and waited for ages without seeing anyone: "Shi Jinzhe, time to eat."
"They're here."
After filling their stomachs, the two lay down.
At three in the morning, the rain outside was getting heavier and heavier.
Unlike the open fields, there's little wind here, and the sound of rain pattering on fallen leaves is very soothing.
Before going to bed, Shi Jin set her alarm for 8 o'clock and then slept until 4 pm the next day.
He put down his brick-like phone, which could only tell time, and groggily turned over to look at Shekh first.
Shekh was lying on the inside when she turned her head, and their eyes met.
"You turned off your alarm at eight o'clock in the morning. Your movements were swift and precise. You didn't look like you hadn't woken up at all. I thought you did it on purpose."
"My soul was awake, but my body wasn't."
“No, your body was awake too.” Shekh stood face to face with Shi Jinzhe. “You even kissed me.”
"..." Shi Jinzhe suspected that he had lost his memory after sleeping, "How come I have no recollection of it at all?"
"Because you fell asleep."
The disappointing man just tapped her ear twice and then fell asleep again without saying a word, leaving her disappointed.
“I was too tired yesterday…” Shi Jinzhe tossed his phone aside: “So our seventh day has passed just like that.”
Shekh could tell from his voice that he was still half asleep, a little slurred, and lower than usual. "Yes, it's over."
"Are we still traveling today?"
Shi Jinzhe took her hand, pressed Shehe's palm against his face, and stroked the back of her hand with his eyes closed.
Shekh bent his arm and moved closer to him: "I'm not leaving. You're still asleep, so keep sleeping."
Shi Jinzhe was really not awake; after a few words of conversation, he fell asleep again.
Dusk is approaching.
He woke up naturally at 6:30.
Natural light filtered through layers of tree canopy, bringing nightfall into the forest early and plunging the car into darkness.
The hand that Sheikh had placed on his face before he went to sleep was now resting on his collarbone.
Shi Jinzhe had no idea how he had lost his pillow while sleeping. He reached behind his head and pulled the pillow back.
Shekh noticed he was awake and turned on the small light: "Did you sleep well? I want to eat fish. There's a small ditch down there, there's some there."
After a while, he regained his strength and sat up.
Shekh had already scouted the route and was just waiting for him.
"How you want to eat it."
"Anything is fine."
"Then I'll do as I please." Shi Jin folded down from the bed and turned on the car headlights for illumination.
There is a small ditch down the slope ahead, which connects to the main river. It has flowing water and fish.
Shekh got off the car with him and stood by the water to watch as they tried to catch fish.
Many fish were hiding among the rocks at the bottom of the water. The water was shallow, making them easy targets. I would cut them one by one, which would startle a few small crabs each time.
He caught two large ones, slammed them against a rock, and stunned the lively fish.
After preparing the fish, Shi Jinzhe made a fish soup.
The small pot was hung over the charcoal fire, simmering slowly.
While the soup was cooking, he and Shekh strolled around the car.
On the small hillside, Shi Jin would fold a banana leaf in his hand to prevent water droplets from falling from the leaves above.
Shekh hid under the banana leaves, picked the flower from this banana tree, and took away the ripe fruit from the banana tree next to it.
Shi Jinzhe: "Before eating any plants you've never seen before, rub them on your wrist or behind your ear, just in case. If you experience any stinging or itching, don't eat them."
Shekh peeled the banana peel. "Neither you nor I should get poisoned."
She can heal herself when her condition worsens; she has the ability to resist toxins. The probability of her having any problems after eating this little banana is basically zero.
Shekh sighed silently, unsure whether his self-healing could counteract his venom.
She dared not take the gamble, dared not try.
Looking at her broken lips, she felt more and more regretful, so she simply took a big bite of the banana.
If it's poisonous, then so be it. If she's poisoned, let Shi Jinzhe bleed her to save her.
The refreshing banana was soft and chewy, even better than she had imagined, and Sher was very satisfied.
She brought the last bite to Shi Jinzhe's lips, so he could have a taste too.
Shi Jinzhe took the last bite and nodded in approval: "Not bad, the fruit flavor is quite strong."
Shekh broke off another banana flower and ate it as they walked, asking, "How do you eat this banana flower?"
"After removing the flower stalks, blanch and soak them in water. They can be used in cold dishes or stir-fries, but it's not really suitable to stir-fry in our car because of the oil fumes. Let's make them into cold dishes, which are also very refreshing."
"Then do it this way, I want it cold."
On the way back, Shi Jinzhe unexpectedly discovered a well-hidden ice cream bean tree. He counted three or four mature, stick-shaped fruits hanging on it.
"Shekh, get the butterfly knife out. There are ice cream beans over there."
Is it cooked?
"Cooked."
"That's good."
Shech felt that holidays were truly the greatest invention, and that he would be happy no matter what he did on such a day.
She parted the bushes, aimed at the largest fruit, and threw it precisely. The butterfly knife pierced through the fruit, and as she pulled the knife back, it brought the fruit with it.
"Your aim is really good." Shi Jinzhe watched as she hit the second fruit, wondering why Shehe was so skilled at throwing.
Whether she used a gun or a knife, she never missed a shot.
"Maybe this is talent."
"So it was the little genius Sheikh."
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