Gu Xiaoxi, with Xiao Xiao full of food and drink, only emerged from the mountains and returned, carrying two wild rabbits she had caught.
On the other side, Zhao Zilong and Yun Xiao had already ceased hostilities.
Shao Changfeng sat alone on the beach, gazing at the sea, hoping the search and rescue team would arrive soon. He always felt there was something odd about the atmosphere, which made his scalp tingle.
Gu Xiaoxi tossed the wild rabbits over to Shao Changfeng, "Take these and wash them, let’s roast them for dinner."
Shao Changfeng turned his head, watching Xiao Xiao continually licking its teeth, he also knew the little guy had eaten its fill.
He skinned the rabbits while Gu Xiaoxi set up the firewood on the fire. Then she sat down next to Yun Xiao and asked, "Why are you here?"
This place was remote, very far from the military camp.
Yun Xiao just lowered her head and remained silent.
Gu Xiaoxi lifted her gaze to Yun Xiao’s profile, with the sporadic light from the fire casting a particularly enchanting shadow over her features.
In fact, Yun Xiao was a very beautiful woman, especially with her well-defined facial features. Her eyes were somewhat reminiscent of Xiao Xiao’s when it was angry, both fierce and ruthless like a wolf’s. Her thin lips were often pursed, not uttering a single word, as if she was guarded against everyone.
"The squad leader is definitely going to question you about this. You’d better come up with an explanation in advance!" Gu Xiaoxi didn’t press further. She just poked at the flames with a stick, speaking in a detached tone.
Zhao Zilong glanced at Yun Xiao and said to Gu Xiaoxi, "Breaking military regulations warrants punishment! You’ve made everyone drop what they were doing to come look for you. The squad leader certainly won’t let you off easily."
Yun Xiao simply kept her head down, dark eyes fixed on the flames, not saying a word.
Gu Xiaoxi had grown accustomed to her cold, emotionless disposition; otherwise they wouldn’t have lived in the same dormitory for a month without speaking a single word to each other.
"Here, the rabbit meat is ready." Shao Changfeng returned with the prepared rabbit meat, and Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong started roasting it over the fire.
From the beginning to the end, Yun Xiao sat motionlessly, not stirring at all.
Even when the roasted rabbit meat was offered to her, she simply took it and began to eat quietly on her own.
Xiao Xiao, on the other hand, was drooling on the side, quickly devouring its portion before nudging up against Shao Changfeng and tugging at his clothes.
Shao Changfeng wordlessly tore off a piece of meat for it, then turned to Zhao Zilong and managed to secure another piece.
Finally, Xiao Xiao set its sights on Gu Xiaoxi, meandering over to her, making a whimpering sound, with big watery eyes that seemed on the brink of shedding tears.
Gu Xiaoxi laughed heartily at the sight. For the sake of food, this fellow truly had no shame or limits.
It was actually trying to cozy up and act cute to her, its "enemy", wagging its tail.
Gu Xiaoxi simply handed over all the untouched meat she had to it, and Xiao Xiao joyously carried the food away to eat heartily.
She took the opportunity to reach out and stroke its smooth fur, gentle and silky to the touch. Xiao Xiao seemed thoroughly to enjoy it, squatting in front of her, allowing Gu Xiaoxi to get close.
"Shameless dog!" Zhao Zilong clicked his tongue, "If someone bullied me, I wouldn’t rest until I’d had my revenge."
"Woof woof woof!" Xiao Xiao suddenly raised its head and barked at Zhao Zilong, seeming to protest his words.
Shao Changfeng snickered and said, "Xiao Xiao is admitting it has no shame."
"Woof woof woof..." Xiao Xiao growled in protest.
Zhao Zilong and Shao Changfeng both burst into laughter.
At that moment, on the small island, the bonfire continued to burn.
The sound of laughter carried far, and it wasn’t until some day in the future when they reminisced that they realized how precious those times of companionship had been.
Gu Xiaoxi waited an hour before the search and rescue team arrived by boat.
Gu Xiaoxi and the others didn’t get back to the Sixth Unit until eleven o’clock at night.
Yun Xiao was called in for questioning.
Gu Xiaoxi took Xiao Xiao back to the kennel. Just as they were about to part, Xiao Xiao became agitated, jumping around Gu Xiaoxi, baring its teeth and grimacing.
Zhao Zilong and Shao Changfeng watched in confusion, "What’s it doing? Wasn’t it just fine a moment ago?"
Gu Xiaoxi held her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Without guessing, she knew why Xiao Xiao was so agitated.
She hadn’t fulfilled her promise of a bone broth.
"How about this! Tomorrow... tomorrow I’ll send someone to buy the ingredients, and then I’ll cook it for you personally, okay?" Gu Xiaoxi said helplessly. She certainly couldn’t go stealing someone else’s food for it!
She made a call to the caretaker to figure out a solution.
Gu Xiaoxi reassured Xiao Xiao, then took out her phone and dialed Quan Shaoqing’s number.
A moment later, Quan Shaoqing’s gentle voice came through the phone.
"Caretaker, do me a favor! Cook up a pot of beef soup and bring it here." Gu Xiaoxi smiled as she spoke.
Upon hearing her request, Quan Shaoqing put down his work and asked with a laugh, "Beef soup, is it for you?"
Gu Xiaoxi immediately explained the day’s events, and Quan Shaoqing understood, "Then bring it home to eat."
"Ah!" Gu Xiaoxi exclaimed, "Is that okay?"
"What’s not okay about that! I’ll call your squad leader later and get you leave!" Quan Shaoqing said, his lips curling into a radiant smile.
Gu Xiaoxi immediately responded with joy, "Alright! Then I’ll go tell Xiao Xiao. Remember to cook a big pot of beef and bone soup!"
"Sure!" Quan Shaoqing said indulgently, always ready to fulfill her requests.
Gu Xiaoxi hung up the phone cheerfully and then ran to the kennel to share the good news with Xiao Xiao.