All the celebrity guests returned to the base camp before sunset, except for Zhong Ruanxing who was nowhere to be seen.
Knowing she was paired up with Xia Xi, no one paid much attention at first, believing her survival skills to be superior compared to everyone else based on her performance the day before. As it got darker and Zhong Ruanxing still hadn't returned, the guests started to worry, except for Duan Mangyun.
It was then the production team finally revealed that Zhong Ruanxing had chased a chicken all the way to the manor of the Island Master, and was kept behind for dinner.
The guests: "???"
Livestream comments: 【???】
The audience had watched Zhong Ruanxing get lost on camera. At first, the cameraman was anxious and tried to contact the director while searching for her. Viewers were also concerned seeing the blank footage. But later, the cameraman seemed to have received some news and visibly relaxed. The footage was then cut.
The audience thought Zhong Ruanxing had made her way back to the base, but after tuning in to other guests' livestreams and not seeing her return by nightfall, they started to worry like the guests.
Just when the viewers were as anxious as the guests, the production team finally disclosed her whereabouts.
With the Island Master! Having dinner together!
Production team, do you even hear what you're saying?
Who was it that claimed the Island Master is too esteemed and sacred to offend, and his territory is off limits? Who was it that portrayed the Island Master as some fearsome and mysterious figure to the guests and audience? And now you're telling them that the Island Master actually invites guests over for dinner?!
Facing the guests' incredulous stares, Director Yan cleared his throat awkwardly, "This was indeed accidental. Zhong Ruanxing managed to earn the Island Master's favor through her own charm. The rules announced before coming to the island still stand; you can ask Zhong Ruanxing for details when she returns."
And so they waited until nightfall for her return.
Even knowing Zhong Ruanxing's whereabouts, Xia Xi who went out with her was still worried and wanted to go look for her, but was persuaded to stay put.
Fortunately, Zhong Ruanxing came back after just a few minutes.
A chicken in her left hand, a bag in her right, looking radiant and glowing.
Bai Yinyue immediately went up to her, "You're finally back!"
Curious about the Island Master, everyone gathered around. As Zhong Ruanxing opened her backpack, they realized Song Jingxing had packed a lot of ingredients for her - frozen seafood, fresh vegetables, and vacuum-packed beef, lamb, and pork.
Xia Xi was astonished, "Did you just rob the Island Master?!"
Zhong Ruanxing felt warm inside but didn't show it on her face. "The Island Master gave them to me. He is very hospitable and kind!"
Livestream comments:
【Not only having dinner together, but also giving so many supplies, I feel like this Island Master has ulterior motives】
【Obviously, he must be entranced by our Xingxing's beauty! 】
【But Zhong Ruanxing, isn't it inappropriate to eat the Island Master's food and take his stuff?】
【What's wrong with an Island Master who could afford his own island giving the guests some supplies?】
【The Island Master who could buy his own island must be loaded. Zhong Ruanxing has caught his eye, tsk tsk】
【Some people must be green with envy huh? Hey, the Island Master simply likes Zhong Ruanxing, he likes peerless beauties, suck it you jealous uglies】
【So the male guests have to compete not only with each other but also the Island Master?】
......
Thanks to the abundant resources Zhong Ruanxing brought back, the guests can finally enjoy a proper meal tomorrow afternoon. Everyone started looking forward to tomorrow.
But before that, they still needed to share the results of today's tasks. Zhong Ruanxing marked several spots where she found wild resources, and they decided to arrange people to go gather them tomorrow.
Although Xia Xi didn't find any chickens, he discovered a wild fruit forest that solved their fruit needs for the coming days.
Despite the awkward atmosphere between them, the team of Cheng Yaowen and Bai Yinyue made the biggest harvest, finding floating supply crates near the southern coast.
The supply crates were the same color and shape as those airdropped on the island, but over three times bigger, obviously containing abundant supplies prepared by the production team.
However, the floating crates were about 600 feet from the shore, impossible to swim over to retrieve the supplies - too dangerous. They would need to take a boat there. But without one, Bai Yinyue suggested they build a bamboo raft with materials at hand.
After discussing, they decided on building a raft as their main mission starting tomorrow.
Of course, before bed, it was time for the guests to vote.
After partnering up for a day, they should have developed some rapport and feelings, if any. Last night it was the female guests choosing the males, so tonight it should be the males choosing the females.
As expected by the production team and viewers, other than Xia Xi who clearly favored Zhong Ruanxing, the pairs who got along well today - Yong Yun and Yao Jingshan at base, and the coordinated Duan Mangyun and Yang Ze - would likely choose each other.
Especially Duan Mangyun and Yang Ze, who had been giving off sparks the whole day. Yang Ze was chivalrous and helped with everything, as if afraid to tire Duan Mangyun out. And Duan Mangyun, no longer as delicate as yesterday, insisted on staying by Yang Ze's side passing him tools under the blazing sun.
They exchanged shy, meaningful glances, thanking each other politely - the bashfulness and tenderness of young love exciting the viewers. While not as intimate, Yong Yun and Yao Jingshan also gave off good elder chemistry that viewers enjoyed.
As for the young miss and young master Cheng, well... No one knew if this was their normal interaction, but the constant snarky bickering was a bit odd. Can't say they were a bickering couple, and can't say they disliked each other either, still addressing each other formally.
Anyway, not as shippable as before!
And Cheng Yaowen still hasn't shown interest in any female guest, same for Bai Yinyue, so the likelihood of them choosing each other was still high.
As for Xia Xi, even though they were separated today, he clearly had a thing for Zhong Ruanxing and would surely vote for her tonight! This was the one vote the production team and viewers were most certain of.
But to the production team and viewers' great surprise, all their guesses were wrong!
When the voting results were announced the next day, Yang Ze who they thought would choose Duan Mangyun picked Yong Yun instead. Yao Jingshan who they thought would choose Yong Yun picked Zhong Ruanxing. And Xia Xi who they thought would choose Zhong Ruanxing picked Bai Yinyue!
No one picked Duan Mangyun, because Cheng Yaowen also picked Zhong Ruanxing.
How could their guesses be so off?!
Duan Mangyun looked at Yang Ze in disbelief, her once affectionate gaze now incredulous.
Yesterday when paired up, Yang Ze was very attentive to her, thoughtful in speech and conduct, so Duan Mangyun naturally developed feelings. She had never felt so thoroughly cared for before. And Yang Ze was also helping her the night before, so Duan Mangyun thought he was interested in her too.
But he abandoned her for Yong Yun!
Duan Mangyun watched him briskly walk toward Yong Yun, bright smiles in his eyes. That smile was different from how he smiled at her - his smiles to her were always gentlemanly and polite, nothing wrong with them. If not for the contrast now, she wouldn't have noticed anything off.
Why?! Other than seniority, what did that old woman Yong Yun have over youthful, pretty her?!
On screen, Yong Yun also raised her brows in surprise, then shook her head with a light laugh.
Xia Xi went to Bai Yinyue and heard her ask in puzzlement, "Why did you choose me?"
Xia Xi scratched his head and sincerely explained, "Wasn't the point of coming here to get to know the female guests? I've already interacted with Zhong Ruanxing, now I want to get to know you. After I've interacted with all four female guests, I'll know who I'm most compatible with and initiate my pursuit!"
Bai Yinyue looked at the unexpectedly earnest singer in surprise and nodded, "Good thinking."
Xia Xi flashed a mouthful of white teeth, "Right?!"
On the other side, the double-chosen Zhong Ruanxing unhesitatingly picked Yao Jingshan. Cheng Yaowen's face darkened as he glowered at Yao Jingshan, sending chills down the latter's back.
Bai Yinyue added insult to injury with a sigh, "Oh dear, what to do Student Council President, seems like no one wants to pair up with you besides me."
Cheng Yaowen turned his head and glanced at her, with his usual lazy smile back on his face. He spoke in an indifferent tone: "No one picked me, so I get to take a break today?"
The director wiped the sweat from his brow and said firmly: "Single guests will be paired up automatically."
Cheng Yaowen looked at Duan Mangyun, who had lowered her eyes beside him, and chuckled: "Alright then."
