Chapter 26: The Best Actor Keeps a Black-Hearted Vixen

Everyone was full of confidence and raring to go catch the pig, heading out immediately after finishing their meal. Su Tang was no different; she clutched a length of rope in her hand, completely forgetting about her slingshot. Song Heqing walked behind them, his expression one of helpless resignation.

With 001’s guidance, Su Tang naturally knew where the pig was hiding. She approached the spot bit by bit, intentionally or otherwise leading the others toward it.

*Rustle, rustle...*

At the familiar sound, Su Tang stopped in her tracks and looked toward that direction with a wary gaze. The others heard it too, and seeing Su Tang’s alertness, they instinctively grew cautious as well.

*Oink, oink...*

The pig shuffled around in the grass for a long moment before finally poking its head out. The two sides locked eyes for a while; the group was waiting for the right moment to strike, while the pig seemed stunned to suddenly find itself surrounded by so many people.

In a flash, the pig turned and bolted, moving with incredible speed. As it brushed past Wen Tian, she let out a shriek and tumbled to the ground in fright. The others didn't spare her a glance, instead rushing off in pursuit of the pig. But it was far too fast; in an instant, it had vanished. This was the wilderness, filled with places to hide, and the pig had slipped into a thicket and disappeared without a trace.

It was then that everyone realized the production team’s "freebies" were not so easily obtained.

Su Tang was so exhausted that she collapsed onto the ground. Song Heqing, who was standing nearby, thought something had happened to her and hurried over to check. He crouched halfway down before her and asked with concern, "What’s wrong?"

Su Tang hung her head, waving a hand weakly. "Nothing, just exhausted." This body was simply too frail; it seemed she would need to start working out more in the future.

Seeing Su Tang sitting on the ground, the others followed suit to rest. Watching Song Heqing still half-crouched, Su Tang reached out and gave him a tug, causing him to land on the ground as well. Seeing Song Heqing look momentarily stunned, Su Tang couldn't help but burst into a giggle. "Pfft..."

Seeing this, the others couldn't help but laugh as well.

"Hahaha, Su, you’ve got guts, daring to mess with Song like that," Chang Qinghua roared with laughter.

Shen Lü added fuel to the fire, "Su Tang, you’ve gone too far! Brother Song, you should give her a good thrashing."

Song Heqing merely shook his head with a wry smile and gave Su Tang a light, chiding look. "It’s fine."

That reproachful gaze made Su Tang’s skin tingle; her fox tail nearly popped out in excitement.

Su Tang: [001! I’ve decided, I must have this man, Song Heqing!! He is absolute perfection, pure perfection!!]

001 replied dryly: [Are all of you in the Fox Clan like this?]

Su Tang: [Don't misunderstand the Fox Clan, okay? It’s just that Song Heqing is exceptionally top-tier, alright?]

Su Tang hurriedly and eagerly took out the bottled water she had brought and handed it to Song Heqing. "Here, Brother Song, have some water."

Song Heqing looked at her with surprise, but he didn't refuse, accepting the bottle.

"No way? You’re only giving it to Brother Song?" Shen Lü protested from the side.

Even Chang Qinghua chimed in, "Exactly, exactly."

Su Tang had no choice but to take out another bottle and hand it to Shen Lü. "You and Brother Chang can share this one."

The group had been exhausted from chasing the pig, and Shen Lü and Chang Qinghua finished the bottle between them in no time. Song Heqing glanced at the basket on Su Tang's back. "You only brought two bottles?"

Su Tang nodded and whispered, "I only brought one for you and one for me." She looked at Song Heqing as if waiting for praise, but her expression immediately fell. "I just didn't expect that no one else would bring any."

With people all around, Song Heqing suppressed the urge to pat her head. He sighed helplessly and held out his bottle. "There's still half left; you drink it."

Su Tang shook her head in a panic. "It’s okay, Brother Song, I’m not thirsty. You finish it."

Song Heqing shoved the water into her hand. "Drink it if I tell you to."

Su Tang’s earlobes turned red, and that blush quickly spread across her face. She muttered under her breath, "Does this mean we’re having an indirect kiss?"

Watching her secret delight, Song Heqing interrupted with a chuckle, "I was holding the bottle away from my mouth when I drank; I didn't let it touch the rim."

Su Tang instantly sobered up. "Oh..."

Her reaction was so transparent that Song Heqing asked, "You seem disappointed?"

Su Tang pouted slightly, looking at him with eager eyes. "A little..."

Song Heqing was about to say something when Shen Lü cut in, "Should we start heading back?"

Chang Qinghua stood up and looked around. "True, and where did Wen go?"

"She should still be back where we started, right? Let's go back and look for her." Su Tang agreed, standing up. She turned to Song Heqing with a beaming smile and said, "Brother Song, time to go."

"Alright." Song Heqing rose and followed behind them.

He stayed a step behind Su Tang, still unable to fathom the reason for his fluttering heart, though he was certain it wasn't love at first sight. Yet, in just two days, observing Su Tang’s actions had become a habit. This, in turn, made him increasingly sensitive to her behavior. He even felt a flicker of irritation when he saw her being all sweetness toward him, only to turn around and chat happily with Shen Lü.

Song Heqing pushed those thoughts down and couldn't help but shift his gaze back to Su Tang. She was currently discussing how to use a slingshot with Shen Lü.

After a day, Shen Lü was getting impatient. "When are you going to teach me?" He pulled out his own slingshot, playing with it as he walked.

Su Tang thought for a moment, tossed the rope she had been carrying into her basket, and took out her own slingshot. "Once we meet up with Sister Wen, I’ll teach you." As she spoke, she began picking out suitable pebbles from the roadside. After choosing some for herself, she started picking them out for Shen Lü as well.

Shen Lü followed her around, curious. "Is there some trick to picking these?"

Su Tang handed the stones to him. "As long as they look good to you, that's enough."

Shen Lü: "............"

Just then, Song Heqing walked over. "What are you two doing?"

Su Tang looked at him immediately, her smile exceptionally bright. "Brother Song, we’re picking stones."

Song Heqing glanced at the pile in Shen Lü’s hands and smiled. "Pick some for me, too. I’d like to learn later as well."

Hearing this, Su Tang hurriedly emptied the stones from her pocket and handed them to him. "Here, take mine, Brother Song."

Looking at the stones in his hand, Song Heqing’s lips curved into a pleased smile. "And what about you?"

Su Tang waved her hand dismissively. "I’ll just pick up some more."

"Then I’ll join you." Song Heqing tucked the stones into his pocket and bent down to pick through the gravel alongside her.

Shen Lü, who had been inexplicably squeezed out, stood there in silence: "............"