Finally, night fell and the city lights came on. The four of them sat around the table to enjoy their dinner. It was already quite late, but the dishes on the table were exceptionally plentiful.
The first thing that catches the eye is a whole beggar's chicken, its aroma irresistible and its color enticing. It's baked in a thick layer of mud, resulting in a golden-brown, crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. Gently peel back the mud shell, and a rich aroma instantly fills the air, making your mouth water.
Next to the beggar's chicken was a large pot of steaming chicken stew with mushrooms. Unlike previous versions, this chicken stew wasn't primarily made with mushrooms and wild vegetables; instead, it featured plenty of chicken and a moderate amount of mushrooms. The chicken pieces were large, stewed to perfection, tender and melt-in-your-mouth; the mushrooms absorbed the chicken's savory broth, resulting in a smooth, smooth texture and rich flavor. This combination made the dish a highlight of the meal.
In addition to the two main dishes mentioned above, there were two fragrant roasted rabbits on the table. Wang Lun, with his skillful hands, had meticulously sliced the meat from one of the rabbits into thin, even slices. These slices were neatly arranged on a plate, resembling a beautiful work of art.
Meanwhile, Li Ling wasn't idle either. She took out some carefully stored jam from the kitchen and cleverly added a touch of sweet honey, stirring it well to create a unique jam that was both salty and sweet. This jam could not only be eaten directly, but also added a special flavor to the already delicious rabbit slices.
In addition, a large plate of snow-white noodles was placed on the table. They were as thin as cicada wings, crystal clear, as if one could see the scene on the other side through the noodles. This plate of noodles undoubtedly added a touch of freshness to this sumptuous dinner.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Wang Lun woke up. He carefully rolled out of bed, careful not to wake Li Ling, who was fast asleep beside him. However, Li Ling seemed to have the same keen sense of awareness, opening her eyes almost at the same time as Wang Lun. Although the chill of the winter morning felt like an invisible force encroaching upon them, the two simply smiled at each other, quickly put on their thin clothes without hesitation, and then quietly opened the door and stepped outside.
The two left their thick coats to Liu Ruoxi and her sister, and came out wearing only t-shirts.
Wang Lun gently closed the door, as if afraid to disturb the person still sound asleep inside. Then, he turned and took Li Ling's slightly cold hand, and together they walked slowly out of the camp, facing the biting wind. At this moment, the world was quiet, with only the sound of their light footsteps echoing in the air.
On the warm kang (heated brick bed), the sisters Liu Ruoxi and Liu Ruoling, who had been keeping their eyes closed, opened them simultaneously at the slight sound of the door closing. Liu Ruoling's eyes instantly welled up with tears, which slid down her fair cheeks. Seeing this, Liu Ruoxi quickly reached out and hugged her sister tightly, gently stroking her back and softly comforting her, "Don't be sad, okay? We just need to hold on a little longer, and we'll see Wang Lun and Sister Li Ling again soon." However, Liu Ruoling, embraced by her sister, didn't notice that Liu Ruoxi's eyes were also glistening with tears.
Wang Lun and Li Ling walked side by side, and soon arrived at a crystal-clear stream. The babbling water shimmered with golden light in the morning glow, like a beautiful painting. Wang Lun stopped, turned to look at Li Ling beside him, and said solemnly, "Lingling, it's not too late to change your mind now. Once you press that exit button, there's no turning back." Li Ling tilted her head slightly, meeting Wang Lun's concerned gaze. She rubbed her cheeks, which were slightly red from the cold wind, and replied firmly, "I won't regret it!" Before she finished speaking, she resolutely raised her arm and pressed the button on her bracelet.
Watching Li Ling's decisive action, Wang Lun smiled with satisfaction. He then took a deep breath and, without hesitation, pressed the button on his wristband. Just then, a deep rumble grew louder as it approached. A moment later, a helicopter pierced the sky and landed steadily on the open ground beside the stream. The cabin door slowly opened, and two crew members waved to Wang Lun and Li Ling. Wang Lun and Li Ling exchanged a glance, then quickly boarded the helicopter. Accompanied by the powerful airflow generated by the rapidly spinning rotors, the helicopter gradually ascended and eventually disappeared into the distant horizon.
Months later, in a quiet mountain village in Sichuan, sunlight streamed down the winding mountain roads, bathing the entire village in a golden glow. At that moment, the once peaceful village became unusually lively, as villagers flocked to the same place—a wedding was being held!
The open space in the village was bustling with people, filled with laughter and chatter. Some exchanged greetings, while others peered curiously at the upcoming wedding ceremony. Outside, the atmosphere was lively and boisterous; inside, it was equally packed with relatives and friends who had come to offer their congratulations. Everyone sat around tables, munching on fragrant melon seeds and chatting animatedly about everyday matters, completely unaware that the television was still playing its own program.
Just as everyone was engrossed in their conversation, a deafening burst of firecrackers suddenly rang out. It turned out that the wedding procession was slowly returning to the village. As the car doors opened, a newlywed couple appeared before everyone's eyes. Upon closer inspection, the handsome groom in his sharp suit was none other than Wang Lun; and the beautiful bride beside him, draped in a pure white wedding dress and looking like a fairy descended from heaven, was Li Ling. Hand in hand, the two walked towards the house, their faces beaming with happiness.
A series of traditional wedding procedures proceeded smoothly. Finally, the most crucial moment arrived. The emcee, microphone in hand, solemnly asked, "Beautiful bride, at this moment, the handsome man standing before you is your life partner. Do you take him to be your husband, to spend the rest of your life with him?" Li Ling, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, gazed lovingly at Wang Lun, her eyes filled with love and determination. A sweet smile played on her lips as she softly said, "I do." Before her words had even finished, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the room.
However, amidst this warm and romantic atmosphere, no one noticed that the television screen inside was broadcasting a shocking news report: "At 8:37 PM Beijing time last night, the highly anticipated wilderness survival event came to a tragic end. After a long and arduous struggle, the last participant in this challenge succumbed to hunger and collapsed at the campsite, passing away forever. Let us mourn this unfortunate loss of life and the other two hundred brave participants..."
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