Survival Deadline

The Emergence of Contradictions

1Although there was no boiled fish, the taste was truly amazing! Despite not allowing her to order, the playful-eyed man shared the ingredients he had exchanged with his portion for her to eat. Manda enjoyed the potato starch cooked in the fish head, which was soft, chewy, and slippery.

She ate a lot, filling her stomach until it bulged outward before she finally stopped.

The playful-eyed man himself was regretful because the only seasonings he managed to exchange were oil, salt, soy sauce, garlic paste, and wine. He lamented the lack of vinegar which prevented him from fully showcasing his culinary skills.

"Kid, you're really good at cooking! Did you study it specifically?" Yuan Fang, who benefited from the meal, wiped his mouth and asked.

"It's a hobby," the playful-eyed man replied lazily, tossing a couple of dry branches into the fire.

Yuan Fang had gathered these dry branches, showing he was quite adept in this area and didn't take long to collect a large pile.

Manda, washing her hands by the sea, was caught off guard by the rising tide that soaked her skirt hem.

"… What a cursed place."

Yuan Fang and the playful-eyed man: "…"

As night deepened, the chill from the sea breeze grew stronger, but the number of people strolling on the beach increased.

Indeed, the nightlife of glitz and glamour found in the city was absent here, leaving only the sea breeze to enjoy.

"Wow, the stars are so beautiful!" a girl exclaimed.

Manda looked up to see the deep blue night sky scattered with stars, their light varying in intensity. Each star seemed to reflect into the hearts of those gazing at them, forming a connected yet individually brilliant tapestry.

There was no moon.

"Manda!"

Manda turned, dodging the hand reaching out to her before it could touch.

The newcomer laughed, "We've been looking for you for quite a while, didn't expect you to be enjoying the beach first."

Behind him, indeed, were Qiao Yuanyuan and Tan Wenbin, along with a new, timid-looking girl with thin-framed glasses, hiding in the back.

She nodded, "Good evening."

"Your dinner looks really sumptuous. You even have pots and pans; how did you manage that?" Lu Lin asked.

The other three also stared at her, seemingly waiting for an answer.

Manda looked at him, then pointed towards the playful-eyed man.

"It was his doing."

Everyone's gaze turned to the playful-eyed man, who, caught off guard, asked, "Is drawing hostility also a service included in the package for you, miss?"

Manda replied modestly, "Please be brave enough to admit the truth."

The playful-eyed man felt as if Manda was challenging him to a duel.

…Of course, that was not possible.

He stacked a pot, a pot lid, and two stainless steel plates, handing them to Yuan Fang, who was still in a daze, "Mind cleaning up since you contributed the least? Thanks."

Yuan Fang, touching his nose, obediently went to wash the dishes.

As for himself, he hoisted the remaining hundred-plus pounds of fish and shrimp from the sea with one hand and carried other vegetables and grains with the other, heading straight to his room without sparing a glance for the latecomers.

The one who had approached them clearly wasn't easy to deal with, and he had no intention of lighting that fire.

Just before reaching his door, he heard Manda say.

"See, he's also incredibly strong and capable of anything."

Bang!

The door to room 1098 slammed shut.

That was the benefit of generously giving away half from the start; though he wasn't thrilled by these minor inconveniences, he was too lazy to fuss over them.

"Is that so…" Though Lu Lin hid it well, his tone betrayed his emotions, which was exactly why Manda had shifted the responsibility to the playful-eyed man.

Lu Lin's familiarity, to put it bluntly, didn't guarantee he wouldn't shamelessly ask for favors.

Manda didn't like his behavior but was bad at rejecting outright, opting instead for the method she used just now.

However, Lu Lin wasn't easily dissuaded, knowing well that nothing in this world comes without a cost. He continued with a smile, "By the way, what did you get from your card?"

Manda calmly counter-asked, "May I choose not to answer?"

Qiao Yuanyuan interjected, "…It's just a casual conversation, you don't need to be so defensive, little sister."

"Oh," Manda took the lesson, "It's something very valuable."

This "very valuable" piqued everyone's curiosity, with Qiao Yuanyuan pressing, "What is it?"

"It's food."

"What kind of food?"

"Something from the sea."

"What from the sea?"

Manda faced four curious faces, leisurely adjusting her rolled-up sleeve.

"I won't tell you."

Qiao Yuanyuan's face flushed with anger, "Why are you like this?!"

"Because I don't like being lectured by someone I've only met once."

Manda glanced at her coldly and walked away.

Qiao Yuanyuan, frustrated, exclaimed, "How can there be such people! It was just a normal conversation, what's there to hide? I just wanted to show concern for her, a young girl alone, what an attitude, no good deed goes unpunished!"

Tan Wenbin spoke up for fairness, "She indeed had no obligation to answer."

Lu Lin shrugged, "A girl like her probably doesn't lack people's concern."

The glasses-wearing girl added weakly, "We shouldn't force others."

Unexpectedly, everyone sided with Manda, leaving Qiao Yuanyuan storming off in a huff, "So it's all my fault, then!"

The gentle girl raised her hand, "Don't worry, Lu Lin, Tan Wenbin, I'll go check on Sister

Yuanyuan…"

Lu Lin sighed, then smiled again, "Xiao Si, that would be great, thanks."

Xiao Si nodded and hurried after her.

Tan Wenbin looked troubled, "Qiao Yuanyuan really has a bad temper."

"Ah, she's a spoiled young lady, just be tolerant. Girls are probably scared in this situation."

The two chatted as they turned to leave.

During this, Lu Lin glanced towards the center of the island, squinting unconsciously.

He felt it was important to get on Manda's good side.

When Yuan Fang, who had gone to clean up, returned, he found the once crowded fire pit now deserted, touching his head in confusion.

"Where did everyone go?"

Left alone, the sea breeze felt even colder.

Truly lonely.

After a few days of interaction, Yuan Fang had come to understand Manda a bit.

Sensitive and decisive, seemingly fragile but actually tough and fearless, she belonged to the type not to be underestimated based on appearances.

As for that playful-eyed Aaron, elusive and lacking integrity, Yuan Fang couldn't make out much more. However, realizing this much was enough.

"Who knows what we'll face tomorrow." Yuan Fang smiled wryly, "My daughter is still in high school."

Manda, who was piling sand castles in her skirt, added height to the walls, "Worrying in advance is useless."

"True, but what else can I do besides worry?"

Manda paused her work, sincerely suggesting, "You could join in; we can have a competition."

Aaron, half-buried in sand, flatly refused, "Don't even think about making me judge."

Yuan Fang: "…" These young people are so carefree, the future seems bleak.

As the oldest, he felt obligated to plan for the future, forcibly steering the conversation back on track, "No matter what happens tomorrow, Manda, stick with me. I might not be able to do much… but at least you'll have someone looking out for you."

"Even if we could meet at the start, the chances of me always following you are slim."

Yuan Fang was taken aback, "Why?"

"This is a turn-based game, and not everyone's rounds will be the same, indicating it's essentially a solo game," Manda explained, looking up at him, "Though temporary teams may form, the ultimate goal is individual clearance."

Aaron snapped his fingers, "Correct."

"Can't we just stick together and clear it as a group?"

Manda shook her head, "Temporary teams are inevitable, but forming a permanent team and clearing as a whole is nearly impossible. This is a game betting on life; no one can afford to lose their life, so absolute trust and cooperation don't exist."

Yuan Fang disagreed with her view, "You're thinking too extremely. There are things more important than life in this world. Otherwise, words like dedication and sacrifice wouldn't exist."

"I fully agree with you," Manda carefully stood up, "Assuming one in a hundred is willing to dedicate and sacrifice, out of our 1,138, that means eleven are selfless. So, how do you ensure your team is among those eleven?"

"Everyone should have that spirit…"

Manda interrupted, "You can't add conditions to reality."

Yuan Fang, unable to argue, fell silent.

Aaron's voice was tinged with sarcasm, the upward curl of his eyes mocking, "Not everyone has the moral height of Officer Yuan. Better watch out for yourself."

If these two were really tied together, who would look after whom was yet to be determined.

But then, what did it matter to him?

Maybe he'd be the first to conserve energy for this new world.

"Hey—Manda—"

A distant shout made Aaron laugh.

Manda's lips downturned, her face tensing.

Lu Lin, tall and quick, soon reached Manda's side, greeting her warmly, "You're here again, isn't it a bit hot outside?"

"Then please go back inside."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha." Lu Lin laughed loudly, "I've been indoors too long, wanted to enjoy the sun too."

He made his presence felt daily for ten days. Although not overbearing, it was as annoying as a fly buzzing in one's ear.

Manda subtly stepped aside, improving her castle from another angle.

To her surprise, she found herself looking forward to tomorrow.