Desert Island Girl (Pure Lily) - Chapter 27.2

In the long, despairing moments, Mu Xiaoyang stood dumbly in the swamp, but after waiting, the mud didn’t swallow her.

“?”

Curiously looking down, Mu Xiaoyang couldn’t help but laugh bitterly: The swamp was shallow, barely past her calves.

She nearly scared herself to death over a shallow swamp! It was almost comical.

But even a shallow swamp made her cautious—she struggled to move with the mud just past her calves.

If it were deeper, she’d be truly stuck.

Unknowingly, she’d brushed with death twice…

Picking up her stick, she probed the ground, moving slowly to avoid deeper pits beneath the rotting leaves and mud.

Leaning on the stick, Mu Xiaoyang waddled like a penguin through the swamp, panting heavily, her vision filled with colorful spots.

From noon, crossing the forest, climbing the cliff, searching for herbs, being swept by the river, and now trudging back along the riverbank, her only rest was squatting to pee at the mountain’s base.

Her stamina was long overdrawn.

Fearing she’d faint in the swamp, Mu Xiaoyang pushed forward desperately!

When she finally dragged her mud-caked legs out of the shallow swamp, they trembled uncontrollably!

Unable to hold on, she collapsed with a “thud”!

“Ugh… ugh…”

Her delicate face covered in mud, Mu Xiaoyang lay on the ground, practically a mud person!

She wanted to ignore everything—the pouring rain, the muddy ground she hated—just lie there and sleep comfortably…

But was that possible?

Obviously not.

Her fingers grasped a handful of mud. Mu Xiaoyang gritted her teeth, struggling to stand.

She couldn’t stop here! Mu Xiaoyang! Move! Move! Ning was counting on her!

She knew lying down would only make her more exhausted, until she couldn’t get up…

Cheering herself on, Mu Xiaoyang bit her lip, her face pale, trembling as she propped herself up with the stick.

Her left leg twitched constantly!

It felt like the tendons were snapping from pain!

So painful! It hurt like hell! Worse than menstrual cramps!

Her left leg kept spasming!

Mu Xiaoyang’s face contorted in pain.

She pounded her thigh, but the pain didn’t ease.

Helpless, she limped forward, leaning on the stick.

The night deepened, the temperature dropping further.

Her arm holding the flashlight was so cold it was nearly numb!

The sound of rain, wind, and rustling leaves… all seemed to fade.

In Mu Xiaoyang’s bloodshot eyes, only the river remained—to her, it wasn’t just a river; it was the path home…

Swaying as she moved, her backpack swung at her waist. She looked so frail, as if she might collapse any moment.

Walking mechanically, she didn’t know how long it took—maybe an hour, or two?

Finally, a flicker of emotion crossed Mu Xiaoyang’s numb, rigid face.

That… that tree? Yes… yes! She recognized that tree!

Hurriedly scanning her surroundings, Mu Xiaoyang’s breathing quickened, excitement rising, her hand trembling on the stick: She was back! She really made it back!

This was where she passed when searching for a campsite!

She had washed her face by this river!

Ahead!

Further on, there’d be a big rock in the river!

She nearly cracked her head on it while catching fish!

To confirm, Mu Xiaoyang limped forward quickly—sure enough!

Though the river had swollen, the rock still stood firm in the rushing water, stubbornly poking out, proclaiming to her that she had truly walked back!

Grinning with a few strange laughs, Mu Xiaoyang found her voice eerie—was that her laugh?

It sounded like an old witch with dog hair stuck in her throat…

But she didn’t care anymore: In the distance, her flashlight’s beam caught the outline of the green tent! Like her, it had withstood the storm!

Filled with boundless joy, Mu Xiaoyang felt like crying from seeing familiar scenery for the first time.

She hurried toward the tent, the closer she got, the clearer the voices inside became.

“Don’t be reckless, Mu Mu! The rain’s too heavy! Going out is suicide!”

“No way! It’s just light rain! Don’t stop me! I have to find her!”

“Stop arguing, sisters! There’s light outside! Is Sister Xiaoyang back?”

The girls’ voices were so pleasant!

Mu Xiaoyang’s heart surged with excitement!

A burst of strength welled up!

She pushed toward the tent, shouting hoarsely, “Everyone! I’m back! I found the houttuynia cordata!”