CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 356: SPENDING THE NIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN

"Ugh, I’m scared! I want to go home."

Although Li Anqi’s face was pale, she was still holding on. However, Song Mengshi and Liu Xuelian could no longer bear it and started crying softly, causing Teacher Xu to rub his temples with a headache and curse silently in his heart.

Damn it, what is this mess? It was supposed to be a simple trip, but why did it turn into such a rotten situation? The most annoying part is that Old Man Ma, who should be in charge, is useless, along with two female students as weak as water.

Women being like water sometimes add beauty, but in such critical times, they only cause annoyance.

Not just Teacher Xu, but the other male students also frowned deeply. They felt wronged; if it weren’t for these female students, would they be out here drinking the cold wind?

"It seems that those three people we encountered earlier must be local bullies, and the villagers surely won’t shelter us now. For now, we can only seek refuge in the mountains for the night and try to hitch a ride by the roadside early tomorrow morning," Teacher Xu said spiritedly.

There was no better solution at the moment, so everyone reluctantly headed to the nearby mountain. Sisi, pulling along Zhu Yunxiu and Mo Liu, along with Shangguan, slowly followed the group.

They camped on the hillside behind Chen Zhuzi’s house. The terrain here was relatively flat, there was also a mountain spring, which was suitable for camping. Most importantly, it was surrounded by mountains on three sides with only one path leading up. As long as they guarded this path, they need not fear Jin San and his gang.

The spot was chosen by Teacher Xu. Sisi raised her eyebrows again, feeling that the school had really made a poor choice this time. Although Teacher Xu might not be as artistically accomplished as Professor Ma, his ability to handle situations was far superior to that of the artist Professor Ma. If Teacher Xu had led the trip, they wouldn’t have suffered this undeserved disaster. Bureaucracy really kills people!

The night in early autumn was chillingly cool. Sisi took out a thick jacket from her bag and put it on, and others also added layers. However, while the problem of warmth was solved, the issue of food remained unsolved.

"Teacher Xu, everyone hasn’t had dinner yet; we need to think of a way to solve the food issue," Chang Yunhuan said, noticing that Professor Ma was of no help, and directly sought out Teacher Xu.

Teacher Xu, troubled, looked at the twenty or so students. With so many people needing food, where could he find provisions? Forgive him for being an artist who knew nothing about survival in the wild.

Chang Yunhuan smiled faintly and said, "How about this, Teacher Xu? A few male students and I will look nearby for any edible wild vegetables and fruits, while you lead the other students to protect the female students, and in the meantime gather firewood for warmth. We can divide the tasks and cooperate; how about that?"

"Alright, let’s do that. Thank you for your trouble, Chang Yunhuan."

Teacher Xu sighed in relief. Although he usually did not appreciate Chang Yunhuan’s tendency to always take charge, in this critical situation, he was truly grateful.

Chang Yunhuan smiled, pleased with himself. He somewhat thanked those ruffians; if not for them, when would he have had the chance to shine?

"Let’s find some food," Shangguan suddenly stood up.

"I’ll also go," Sisi also stood up, pulling along Zhu Yunxiu and Mo Liu, not willing to leave them behind.

Teacher Xu was worried about them and wanted them to stay put, but Sisi said with a smile, "Teacher Xu, don’t worry. Shangguan will protect us. More people mean more strength, and we can find more food like that."

Teacher Xu hesitated, and Liu Xuelian, who had stopped crying, sourly said, "Teacher Xu, they are war heroes. What could possibly go wrong?"

Liu Xuelian, deeply resenting that Shangguan and Sisi had not stepped in to save her when she was teased by Jin San and the others, couldn’t help but make a snide remark.

Sisi couldn’t be bothered with such people, just giving her a cold glance. It’s truly seeking one’s own death; even at this point, one still doesn’t know to restrain one’s temper.

Teacher Xu probably also remembered Shangguan’s majestic posture and Sisi’s fierce club from earlier, and after reminding them not to go too far, he let them go.

Once they were out of the hillside, Sisi took out some jerky from her bag and handed it to Shangguan and the others. Shangguan’s eyes lit up immediately, and he started gnawing on the jerky. Zhu Yunxiu and Mo Liu, also very hungry, devoured it fiercely.

"Sisi, you really have foresight. You never forget to bring delicious food when going out. Oh, it’s so tasty." Zhu Yunxiu said while eating and giving Sisi a thumbs up; it was her first time experiencing hunger in this lifetime, and it was not a pleasant feeling at all!

Sisi, smiling sweetly, nibbled on the jerky. "Sister has a big granary on her back, won’t let you starve."

Shangguan’s wilderness survival experience was very rich. With a few swipes here and there, she found a nest of wild rabbits, seven or eight big and small, along with two snake nests containing pairs of 3-4 meters long interlocking cauliflower snakes, and also scooped up a nest full of about a dozen field mice.

After thinking it over, Sisi found a secluded place to release some pheasants, knowing that they would come out to forage at night, so as not to arouse Shangguan’s suspicion.

"Shangguan, there are pheasants here," Sisi called out.

Shangguan moved very quickly, jumping left and right, and soon caught the three pheasants Sisi had released. Holding the plump pheasants, Shangguan was extremely satisfied; she loved eating pheasant legs the most.

The four returned fully loaded. At this moment, Yun Huan and the others also came back as they had found many edible wild fruits. These classmates all praised Yun Huan, saying luckily they had him, otherwise they would have starved. Even Professor Ma praised Yun Huan.

Yun Huan was modest outwardly, but inside he was overjoyed. However, his pride shattered upon seeing the hefty meats on Sisi and the others.

The other classmates decisively abandoned the sour and astringent wild fruits and crowded towards Sisi and her group.

"He Sisi, you guys are amazing, managing to catch so many wild animals? Ha-ha, living outside isn’t so bad, getting to eat meat!" A male classmate gleefully watched as Shangguan and Sisi processed the animals.

The other classmates also continuously praised them. Yun Huan bitterly bit into the wild fruit in his hand. It was so sour and astringent, truly disgustingly inedible, spitting out the fruit residue, Yun Huan also scrambled over, as no one would reject meat.

During the barbecue, Sisi tore up the fennel leaves she had found earlier in the wilderness and sprinkled them on the meat, then took out a bottle of salt from her bag.

"Sisi, you are really funny, bringing salt when going out?" Zhu Yunxiu couldn’t help but laugh.

"Salt is a great thing; it increases strength, disinfects, seasons, a must-have item when going out," Sisi advertised seriously.

The aroma of the roasting meat drifted around, causing everyone’s stomachs to growl incessantly, staring eagerly at the meat on the fire.