Chapter Sixty-Seven: Tropical Island

At first, when she learned that the variety show Zhou Miao had chosen was "Wild Frontiers," Zhao Jingya was actually reluctant. She wanted to ride Zhou Miao's wave of popularity, but not in this way. The guests on this show didn't live like normal people—their meals were irregular, and they often had to eat things that were utterly disgusting. Just thinking about it made Zhao Jingya's stomach uneasy.

But her agent saw things differently. After the Golden Melody Awards incident, Zhou Miao's fame had reached its peak. Now, not only were his fans paying attention, but even the general public was watching him closely. If Zhao Jingya appeared on a wilderness adventure show alone with him—even if he didn't want to play up a couple dynamic—the loneliness of the wild would naturally paint them as a pair of lovers in distress. If Zhao Jingya took the initiative just a little, the couple fans would flock in. After her agent's analysis, Zhao Jingya had to admit it made sense. If she calculated it that way, enduring a bit of hardship would be worth it. So she reluctantly agreed.

"Wild Frontiers" was modeled after a famous foreign survival show. However, because the program pursued realism so relentlessly, guests underwent excruciating trials, and eventually, no big-name celebrities wanted to participate anymore.

When the director of "Wild Frontiers" received calls from the agents of Zhou Miao and Zhao Jingya, he felt as if a pie had fallen from the sky—no, as if he had landed right on a pie! The hottest idols in the country, whom every major variety show tried and failed to invite, were now asking to join his program—he must have been dreaming!

As soon as the call ended, the director contacted his staff and convened an emergency meeting overnight to plan the new episode.

A week later, Zhou Miao and Zhao Jingya arrived by helicopter on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific. Their task was to survive for fifteen days on the island without any tools. If they gave up halfway or the production team decided they could no longer survive, the show would end and their challenge would fail.

Of course, the production team wouldn't let two total novices with no survival experience fend for themselves. Retired special forces soldier and survival expert Coach Ma Run would join them for the challenge. But don't think that having a pro would let them relax and do nothing—in the wild, supplies are scarce, and everyone must contribute. Expecting one person to support two pampered stars simply wasn't possible.

Previous episodes had run into this problem: celebrities were too spoiled and refused to do anything, leaving all tasks to Ma Run. Eventually, even Ma Run nearly starved, unable to carry them any longer, and the challenge had to be abandoned.

To ensure the guests' safety, a small medical team was stationed on the island alongside the film crew, but unless the participants had problems, they wouldn't offer any assistance.

The tropical island was bathed in midsummer sun, the sand beneath their feet soft, the ocean stretching endlessly before them, and the warm sea breeze caressing their faces—a pure delight.

If they were only staying for an afternoon, it would have been incredibly relaxing. Unfortunately, they had no time to appreciate the beautiful scenery; from the moment the show began, they faced the pressure of survival.

Zhao Jingya, twenty-three years old, wore a white blouse and denim shorts, her fair and slender legs particularly eye-catching. Her face was lightly made up, enhancing her already attractive features. The look seemed simple, but it was the result of her efforts all morning—after all, one must look good on television!

Zhou Miao, on the other hand, kept it straightforward: sportswear and hiking boots, prioritizing convenience.

Ma Run shielded his eyes from the sun and said, "From now on, we need to get into the right mindset. Surviving fifteen days here is no easy feat. Fresh water, food, shelter—none can be neglected."

He glanced around. "We're at our best right now, so we must make the most of it. I'll head inland to check things out. You two, pick some coconuts—there are plenty of coconut trees here. Let's split up."

Zhou Miao nodded. "Alright, no problem."

Seeing neither of them object, Ma Run breathed a sigh of relief. He'd truly feared they'd refuse to work, and he couldn't very well criticize them.

Once Ma Run went inland, Zhou Miao and Zhao Jingya walked along the beach looking for coconut trees. It wasn't long before they spotted a row of them, their crowns laden with green coconuts.

"So tall... We'll have to climb to get them," Zhao Jingya said, looking up.

When it came to climbing trees, Zhao Jingya couldn't help but look at Zhou Miao.

Noticing her gaze, Zhou Miao clenched his fists, his face darkening in anger. "Why are you staring at me? I can't climb trees! If you want coconuts, pick them yourself!"

"Fine, if you won't climb, you won't climb. But why are you shouting so loudly?" Zhao Jingya replied, aggrieved.

"Hmph!" Zhou Miao, his pride stung, strode over to another coconut tree and tried to knock down coconuts with a stone. He hit them several times—though he managed to land a blow, the coconuts were too sturdy to be easily dislodged.

Zhou Miao glanced at Zhao Jingya, who was struggling to reach the coconuts with a stick, then quietly moved farther away. Out of her sight, he climbed the tree like a monkey and easily plucked coconuts, which dropped onto the sand.

In just a few moments, Zhou Miao stripped the tree of all its coconuts. As he was about to come down, he saw Zhao Jingya, clutching a coconut, gazing up at him in surprise.

Damn... When did she get here?

Zhou Miao, awkward but trying to remain composed, climbed down. He tapped and knocked on the coconut as if checking its ripeness.

Fully mature brown coconuts shouldn't be drunk—their juice turns milky white and drinking it raw can cause diarrhea. Only the transparent juice in green coconuts is safe to drink.

Zhao Jingya, wisely, didn't mention the tree climbing again. Hugging a coconut, she asked, "How do you eat this? The shell is so hard."

"No tools—we'll have to break it open by force."

Zhou Miao found a large stone and smashed the coconut against it several times. The shell caved in, juice spilling out, and he quickly drank it.

He had to admit, wild coconuts tasted different from those sold in stores—there was a refreshing coconut fragrance.

Zhao Jingya tried to emulate Zhou Miao, but how much strength could a young woman muster? After a few attempts, her hand throbbed with pain.

Rubbing her wrist, she pitifully said, "I can't break it. Could you help me?"

"Hey, Ma's back," Zhou Miao, as if he hadn't heard, went to greet Coach Ma returning from the island.

Zhao Jingya was upset—Zhou Miao was really giving her no face at all! No matter what, she was a delicate beauty!

Frustrated, she grabbed the coconut and smashed it fiercely against the stone. With a crack like a bone snapping, gleaming coconut water poured out.