Chapter 23: The Law of the Jungle

"All right!" Peng Qian was clearly surprised by Jia Lue's words, but seeing Jia Lue's expressionless face, he frowned slightly. Naturally, he kept his composure, hiding his true thoughts deep within.

Peng Qian then looked at the fatty, seemingly wanting to assert his presence without making a scene, his voice firm and beyond reproach: "Han Yu, put the bag down and let him find some things!"

Though Peng Qian appeared generous, in my heart, his motives and thoughts were worlds apart from Jia Lue's.

I did not know what these people were thinking, but seeing the backpack being unloaded from the fatty with Liu Huan's help, my heart grew heavy. After all, I was the one who had found this bag; regardless of who it had belonged to before, I was the one who had retrieved it. Now, it had clearly become their property, and they acted as if they were perfectly entitled to it.

Despite my resentment, seeing everyone watching me, I didn't hesitate for the sake of Lan Fang and Qu Xiang. I immediately took out the medicine and first-aid kit I had organized from the side pocket. In front of them, I calmly took out some antibiotics, cold medicine, and two blister packs of anti-inflammatory pills. I also grabbed a small, curved suturing needle and two lengths of surgical thread from the kit, feeling much more at ease.

"Why are you three taking so much medicine? Don't you see the fatty's arm is severely injured and hasn't healed yet?" Zhou Jianguo asked, seemingly shameless; I couldn't fathom how dark his heart had become. I wondered if he was deliberately trying to stir up resentment and hostility toward us just to make himself feel better.

"I've taken less than a third of the supplies. You are all perfectly fine, and you can see Sister Lan Fang's condition. Zhou, don't go too far!" My eyes were burning with rage. Looking at these people, I felt no fear. This man, known as the most long-winded in our company, showed an unexpectedly high level of hostility toward us. I didn't know if he had been suppressed for too long at work, but perhaps because I had seen Luo Wei's body soaking in the water, I felt a sense of recklessness—like a sinking ship that had nothing left to lose. Whoever stood in my way was going to have a hard time!

"You..." Zhou Jianguo clearly wanted to say more, but seeing the fire in my eyes and that his so-called companions offered no support, he swallowed his words. However, his cold gaze showed he hated me to the core.

"Let's go!" Jia Lue had no interest in Zhou Jianguo's provocation. In his view, having acquired what he wanted—or perhaps out of some underlying caution—he didn't want to linger. He signaled for Liu Huan to pick up the bag, told the fatty to shoulder it again, and walked off without even looking back. Even though Zhou Jianguo was unwilling, seeing the group leave and perhaps recalling the food he had just seen in the bag, his Adam's apple bobbed as he hurried after them, not wanting to be left behind.

Watching them walk away, I had no desire to speak. However, Huang Jianfen turned back to look at us slowly as she left, her eyes cold. I didn't know what she was thinking, but since I had obtained the essentials I needed, I didn't pay much attention. After all, who is to say that a misfortune is not a blessing in disguise?

"Those bastards!" Once they were gone, Qu Xiang cursed bitterly. At the same time, she turned her back to me, signaling for me to untie the bindings on her hands.

Lan Fang was very weak and seemed even more listless. She leaned heavily against Qu Xiang, and as soon as the figures disappeared, she seemed unable to hold on any longer, her body sagging toward the ground. Qu Xiang was startled and immediately bent down to hold her. "A-Jing, Sister Lan Fang seems to have a high fever!"

"We need to find a way, or she will be in grave danger!" I took the medicine and water, and together with Qu Xiang, we helped Lan Fang to a large rubber tree outside, letting her sit against its protruding, flat roots.

Lan Fang wasn't unconscious, but her body was burning hot, and her breathing was rapid. I gave her some of the antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pills, and cold medicine. She was dazed but didn't refuse, clearly aware of her situation. She realized that if she couldn't save herself, she might die here, so she remained very quiet.

"Sigh, A-Jing, what should we do?" Having eaten the heart of a banana tree, Qu Xiang was still holding on, but the sudden reappearance of Peng Qian and his group was unnerving. Added to the thought of Brother Wen's group, Qu Xiang felt restless.

"Xiang, you eat something first, I'll think of a plan in a moment!" I regretted that the bag of beef jerky had been taken. I should have shoved it directly into my pocket. If Qu Xiang could have eaten some, with her rural upbringing, her strength would have recovered quickly.

I poured seven or eight peanuts into Qu Xiang's hand. Hearing her chew them one by one, a crisp, low sound, made my mouth water. But I didn't eat; I had already had a little, and since supplies were limited, I didn't want to waste food.

"It's just too bullying!" Sitting on the tree roots, Qu Xiang began to cry, hugging her knees and not daring to look at me. She stared in the direction the others had left, cursing, "They bully us just because there are more of them! If they run into that ruthless group, they won't even know what hit them!"

"Don't cry, Xiang. Crying won't change the facts!" My heart turned cold as the surroundings grew dark. Seeing Qu Xiang sobbing made my heart ache, and I couldn't help but gently pat her shoulder. "Sigh! It's not their fault, really; it's that we don't understand the rules yet!"

"Rules? What rules?"

Qu Xiang looked surprised, lifting her head to see Lan Fang's lips peeling. She carefully helped Lan Fang drink a little water to moisten her throat along with the medicine. Seeing Lan Fang drink, her own throat moved—she was clearly thirsty, too. After two small sips, Lan Fang shook her head at Qu Xiang, signaling she didn't want more, and croaked, "Don't waste it, just wetting my throat is enough."

"The law of the jungle! Xiang, haven't you realized? It's survival of the fittest now..." Although Lan Fang was weak, she saw things very clearly. Perhaps seeing Qu Xiang's aggrieved state, she murmured in a low voice that cut through the darkness.

I was stunned. I hadn't expected that Lan Fang's physical beauty had clearly overshadowed her intelligence. Hearing her words, I looked at her with new, serious consideration.

This woman is no simple person.