Reuniting with an ex isn't necessarily awkward.
Especially if the breakup was amicable.
The awkwardness comes from the aftermath.
For example, if the ex has a new partner who is more excellent than you, and their relationship is better than yours was, that new partner becomes proof that leaving you was the right choice.
Even more awkward is if this new partner has a great personality and is friendly to you... and there's more than one of them...
That is the pinnacle of awkwardness.
Not to mention the blatant intimacy, the moans, and the thick scent of sex, all of which force Jiang Qi to recall those days.
Those days when Chuck belonged only to her.
This was Jiang Qi's state of mind over the past few days. It was too complex to summarize in one word.
Fortunately, none of this mattered to her anymore.
Squeak, squeak, squeak...
The valve tightened, stopping the clear water flow. Squatting under the water tower, Jiang Qi shook her hands, propped herself up on her knees, and stood slowly. Just as she was about to wring out the clothes on the wooden board...
Suddenly, her vision was engulfed by darkness and dense, colorful static. Her ears rang with a piercing buzz.
Her heart began to pound violently and irregularly. Her face went pale instantly. As if drained of all strength, she stumbled and collapsed onto the ground.
"Hah... hah..."
Her mood plunged into shadow. Jiang Qi gasped for air, her hand instinctively fumbling at her pocket, but finding nothing.
She curled up on the ground, hugging her knees, trying desperately to stay conscious.
She didn't know how long it lasted—it felt like an hour—before the palpitations and dizziness finally faded.
She didn't get up immediately. She sat there blankly, pale-faced, eyes wet.
Her delicate face was filled with despair and sorrow.
If Chuck saw this, he would be shocked that the girl who always wore a smile and seemed so lively could have such an expression.
But for Jiang Qi, this was her life.
The real life hidden beneath her smiles and optimism, devoid of even a sliver of hope.
Pulling herself together, Jiang Qi struggled up, dusted off her butt, picked up the clothes, and began wringing them out.
The sorrow and pain faded from her brow. A smile returned to her pale lips.
She was used to this life. No big deal.
Half a month ago, she thought her life was over. Unexpectedly, God gave her more time and let her meet Chuck again on this island.
At least before she left, she could hear his voice and see him again. Even if he no longer belonged to her...
That was enough for Jiang Qi.
Inside the house, a golden figure hid behind the window lattice.
Julia leaned against the wall, arms crossed, brows furrowed, her exquisite face solemn.
...
...
"Are you nervous?"
Crossing the stone beach into the redwood forest, Chuck suddenly turned to Valentina and asked.
"Why should I be nervous?"
Valentina didn't deny or act tough; she just looked puzzled.
Looking at her calm face, Chuck felt a trace of admiration.
Without habitually disregarding life and death, how could one have such a mindset?
To avoid misunderstanding, Chuck carefully phrased his next words.
"I'm not backing out or lacking confidence. But there's always a 'what if.' What if we don't beat the leopard and get eaten for lunch? Doesn't that make you nervous?"
"Everyone dies eventually. I'm not afraid."
Valentina answered casually.
It oddly made sense.
But as her words fell, her emerald eyes turned to Chuck, brows furrowing with genuine concern.
"But I don't want you to die."
Chuck froze, then smirked.
"Didn't you want to kill me several times before?"
"I still want to kill you. But that thing between your legs would be a waste."
Valentina rolled her eyes at him, tightened her grip on her javelins, and ignored his teasing.
They passed through the redwood forest into the humid tropical jungle, continuing until they reached the border of the western lake plains.
The sea breeze blew, and the open plains remained peaceful.
Yet they emitted a faint, deadly danger.
Chuck didn't act rashly. He stopped, took something from his waist, and carefully put it on his head.
His vision darkened and narrowed. The weight on his neck increased.
He turned, his voice muffled and echoing slightly inside the helmet.
"How is it?"
"..."
Valentina wasn't one for compliments. After thinking hard, she described exactly what she saw.
"Like you put a bucket on your head."
"As long as it works."
Chuck adjusted the helmet with both hands. It was the piece of gear he had spent the most effort on.
As planned, a full-coverage steel helmet with only a vision slit. The neck and shoulders were padded with sheepskin and fiber cloth, acting as a liner and neck guard.
Turning around, his vision was blocked by about 30%, hearing by over 50%. But with his enhanced mental stats, it just brought him back to normal human levels.
In exchange, he gained powerful protection for his head and neck.
It might look clumsy, but the quality was undeniable. It was key to defeating the leopard.
Chuck took the pike from his back, took a few steps, then had an idea. He turned to Valentina, raising his pike and shield.
"Do I look like a Spartan warrior?"
"...I don't know. Stop asking."
Valentina despaired. She didn't understand the point of his getup, but as long as he was happy.
"I'm a Spartan warrior, so you're an Amazon warrior."
Chuck looked at the silver-haired woman carrying javelins, her fiber clothes shortened for mobility. Her wild, light outfit exuded a unique charm.
"Amazon warrior?"
Unlike her earlier impatience, Valentina's eyes lit up at this title.
She didn't know what it was, but it sounded good.
Amazon... sounded like selling stuff, a bit lame, but she liked "warrior." She was one.
Just as she got interested and wanted to ask what a Spartan and Amazon were, Chuck changed the subject.
"Stick to the plan. Find a place to hide. I'll go check it out."
"..."
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Valentina fall silent, Chuck tilted his bucket-helmeted head.
"Nothing... be careful."
Valentina suppressed her annoyance, sighed at the baffling man, turned to a nearby bush, and sat down directly.
Seeing this, Chuck knew she had her own rhythm. He didn't say more and looked at the plains again.
Under the bucket helmet, his expression grew serious.
It was finally time.
It had been a long time since he faced the black bear in bloody combat.
Back then, his farm was just starting. Now, he lived in comfort but still came to challenge a stronger enemy.
This time, his purpose was purer.
Resources, food, even the [Other Shore Flower] were goals, but not his motivation.
By now, Chuck was like a gamer fully immersed in the progression. He didn't need a reason to go to the next level.
He just wanted to kill the monsters blocking his way.
Crunch—crunch—
Old shoes stepped on low shrubs. Pike in hand, Chuck advanced slowly and warily.
Unlike the brazen black bear, this leopard was vigilant and stealthy. To this day, Chuck hadn't even seen it.
Clearly, when it appeared, it would be roaring and biting.
Inside the helmet, Chuck could hear his own breathing, steady and calm.
For some reason, he wasn't as nervous as before.
Maybe because he was prepared, maybe because he had backup, or maybe he was just used to facing the unknown.
Step by step, Chuck fully entered the open plains.
He looked around, realizing he was deeper than his last probe, yet there was still no movement.
What's going on? Where's the leopard?
You aren't even in the plains! Where are you hiding?
Chuck turned, wanting to ask the eyewitness Valentina for intel.
But looking back, the spot where she sat was empty.
Chuck sighed. Just as he was about to move forward, a rapid rustling sound came from his side.
In a flash, an electric signal shot from brain to arm. The sharp pike drew a bright crescent in the air, whistling toward his flank.
"ROAR!!"
A shrill roar erupted. The pike missed. The spiked buckler guarded his chest firmly.
Chuck stumbled, adjusting his footing. Seeing the long tail flash by, cold sweat soaked his back.
Too fast! Where did it come from?!
A split second slower, and he would have been pinned.
The charging leopard twisted flexibly before the pike, like a fish, closing in instantly then pulling away. It turned to face Chuck, golden vertical pupils staring fiercely, emitting a threatening growl.
"Phew—"
This time, Chuck finally saw the leopard clearly.
Circular rosettes covering its body, larger than expected, streamlined form, and visibly sharp claws and teeth.
This leopard was much bigger and faster than those on TV.
Compared to the clouded leopard in the redwood forest, this was a different dimension!
A true big cat!
Watching the beast slowly approach, Chuck swallowed. Heart rate up, adrenaline pumping. He pointed his pike forward.
Against the bear, long weapons proved effective against charges.
But against this terrifyingly agile leopard, Chuck wasn't hopeful.
Sure enough, just as the leopard entered striking range, its patterned body blurred into a shadow, vanishing from his sight!
The helmet's limited vision meant Chuck could only judge direction by sound. He swung the pike again based on the rustling.
Swish!
This time, he felt contact.
But a roar right next to him told him he wasn't the only one willing to trade injuries.
Good! Come on then!
Chuck roared, discarding the pike and reaching for his waist, shielding his chest with the buckler.
In the next second, a massive force hit the shield. No matter how firmly Chuck stood, his upper body fell backward uncontrollably.
CLANG!
A crisp sound accompanied by tooth-aching metal grinding. Chuck's head buzzed, but he was unhurt.
"ROAR!!"
A loud roar exploded in front of him, filled with impatience, confusion, and uncontrollable rage.
Drops of foul saliva fell through the helmet slit onto Chuck's nose. A triumphant smile appeared on his lips. His hand gripped the sharp short sword at his waist.
And thrust upward with all his might!