Desert Island Girl (Pure Lily) - Chapter 24.1

Honestly, the chances of houttuynia cordata curing Jiang Ning were very slim.

Her extremely weak immunity and the severity of her condition further reduced the likelihood of recovery.

Mu Xiaoyang didn’t know if a miracle would happen, but she was like a drowning person now, clinging desperately to even the faintest, most fragile hope.

In the forest, the air grew heavy and damp, and the wind strengthened, making the trees rustle and sway.

Worried about rain, Mu Xiaoyang and Bai Niao hurriedly ran back to the tent.

The first thing they did upon returning was check on Jiang Ning.

Looking at the quiet little miss lying on the bed, Mu Xiaoyang’s heart ached again.

Usually, Ning was the liveliest one…

Sighing silently, she turned to Lin Tingting and Yi Yun, “How is she?”

“No change, still feverish…” Yi Yun shook her head worriedly.

Lin Tingting clenched her fist, “But… but! Ning姐 hasn’t coughed up bl00d again.”

What a thing to say—constant bleeding would mean Jiang Ning was doomed…

“By the way, did you find any fever medicine?” Yi Yun asked suddenly.

“…” Bai Niao lowered her head, silent.

“No, the medicine was all ruined by water… Let’s eat first—even without medicine, Ning still has a chance!”

Ignoring Yi Yun and Lin Tingting’s exchanged glances, Mu Xiaoyang carried the big fish, pulled out a pot and cutting board they had found earlier, grabbed a few knives, and prepared to cut the fish into pieces for soup.

Outside the tent, Mu Xiaoyang placed the fish on the cutting board.

She crouched in front of it, first scraping off the scales with a sharp knife, then slicing open its belly to remove the innards.

Back when she ate fish, the fishmonger always handled the cleaning.

Now, doing it herself, the slimy feel of the innards was hard to describe, especially without gloves! Her hands reeked of fish.

But there was no choice—Ning wanted fish soup, and she had to make it happen.

It was almost funny. Yesterday, when Ning wanted soup, Mu Xiaoyang didn’t want to make it.

Now that Ning was dying, she rushed to catch a fish.

All those excuses about time constraints or lack of tools felt like just that—excuses.

Sigh… People only learned to cherish something when they were about to lose it.

Sighing deeply, Mu Xiaoyang raised the kitchen knife and fiercely cut the headless fish into several pieces.

After preparing the fish, raindrops began to fall, and the clouds grew thicker and darker.

Feeling anxious, Mu Xiaoyang quickly called Bai Niao and Yi Yun.

The three gathered branches and stones nearby.

They arranged the stones in a circle and loosely piled the branches inside.

Yi Yun asked Mu Xiaoyang, “Xiaoyang, Mu Mu said you want to treat Ning with houttuynia cordata?”

Pulling a lighter from the desk, Mu Xiaoyang nodded, “Yeah… I’ll drink some soup to regain strength, then go find houttuynia cordata. Please take care of Ning, Sister Yun.”

“This… I don’t mean to be a downer, but with Ning’s severe condition, a few herbs can’t possibly cure her! It’s already noon, and it’s about to rain. Going out to find herbs is dangerous. If you don’t find them and something happens to you…”

Yi Yun’s face was full of helplessness.

“…”

Igniting a small pile of dry leaves, a wisp of smoke drifted into the air.

The branches soon crackled and burned.

Mu Xiaoyang set the pot on the stones and shook her head, “What else can I do? Watch Ning die? I’d have nightmares for the rest of my life…”

“At least… let Mu Mu go with you for safety,” Yi Yun said, still worried, frowning.

Pouring oil into the pot, Mu Xiaoyang gazed at the distant mountains, “I want to check the other side of the mountain. Houttuynia cordata usually grows near rivers or in dark, damp places. The shady side of the mountain might have it. We don’t know what’s there—maybe wild animals, maybe harsh terrain. If… I mean, if there’s real danger, I can’t let two people be at risk at the same time!”

“Then I’ll go alone, and you stay,” Bai Niao volunteered.

Mu Xiaoyang winked at her, “Does Mu Mu know what houttuynia cordata looks like?”

“I… you could just tell me, right?”

“It’s hard to explain. Houttuynia cordata is tough to distinguish from regular grass. It’s better if I go myself.”

As they spoke, the oil heated up.

Mu Xiaoyang quickly put the fish pieces in, frying both sides lightly with a spatula.

She grabbed onions and ginger from the tent, sliced them, and tossed them into the pot.

The fire grew stronger, and Mu Xiaoyang added more branches, then poured in three full bottles of mineral water.

When they went to the kitchen earlier, Bai Niao had brought back salt and some common seasonings.

Mu Xiaoyang sprinkled a generous amount of salt into the pot.

Since the fish was fresh enough, she skipped the MSG.

Slowly, the water boiled, and the fish’s savory aroma mixed with the soup’s fragrance, rising in wisps of steam.

The clear mineral water gradually turned an enticing milky white.

Normally, Mu Xiaoyang would have downed three big bowls of such fresh fish soup.

But now, looking at the pot, she had no appetite.

If not for needing energy, she couldn’t have managed a single sip.

Using a board as a lid, she covered the pot.

The three kept adding branches through the gaps in the stones to keep the fire going.

After simmering for about half an hour, the fish soup’s aroma began to spread.

Mu Xiaoyang lifted the lid, and a big cloud of steam escaped.

The soup had turned a thick, creamy white, with tender fish pieces rolling in the pot, looking truly mouthwatering…

Such pure wild fish—Ning would surely love it!

Quickly grabbing bowls and chopsticks from a large bucket, Mu Xiaoyang served everyone a big bowl and set one aside for Jiang Ning, saying, “You all eat too. I’ll feed the little miss.”

How could the other girls eat calmly?

They followed Mu Xiaoyang into the tent.