High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 13

Zhao Ke tilted her head, glancing at Qiao Qinglu. Instead of the expected shock or fury, Qiao Qinglu remained eerily calm, almost like a mannequin.

“I never asked you about going independent, nor did I ever suggest forming a separate team.”

[On a certain date, I saw a female celebrity openly sabotaging another on the live stream.]

[Is Qiao Qinglu planning to retire tomorrow? Does she think she doesn’t have enough scandals already?]

[Well, ever since the fall, they’ve been completely at odds. Now Qiao Qinglu is openly trying to sabotage Zhao Ke. If Zhao Ke resists, it will disrupt the show’s progress.]

Qu Zhuocheng’s smile faltered.

Zhao Ke met Qiao Qinglu’s venomous gaze head-on.

“Qiao Qinglu, why would you openly admit to your petty schemes?”

[Yeah, why would Qiao Qinglu say that?]

[Honestly, Zhao Ke is so calm, it’s like she’s not even involved.]

[Maybe she’s already broken down inside.]

Suddenly, Qiao Qinglu let out a short, sharp laugh. “Xiao Ke, why do you still lie so much? Don’t you even remember what you said?”

“But you were the one who begged me to help you get into a group alone with me!” Qiao Qinglu exclaimed, her eyes widening dramatically. The corners of her crimson lips curled upward into a grotesque grin as her facial muscles strained, her arms flung wide as if she’d just heard the most absurd joke imaginable.

Is Qiao Qinglu really this confident? Could Zhao Ke be the one lying?

But Zhao Ke seems so calm. It doesn’t seem like she’s lying.

Emmm, I’m not sure if I should say this, but Qiao Qinglu’s excessive excitement is starting to look like a precursor to a psychotic break.

Agreed. I’m a psychology student, and if Zhao Ke is telling the truth, it means Qiao Qinglu may already be experiencing visual and auditory hallucinations. Plus, her rapid speech suggests flight of ideas.

This is getting scary.

Qu Zhuocheng’s expression turned serious. “Alright, that’s enough for now. There will be opportunities to switch groups later.”

“Everyone, check your supplies and prepare to depart.”

The live stream split into individual feeds, each participant receiving their own broadcasting equipment and drone.

This was a solitary wilderness survival challenge. No camera crews would accompany them; only walkie-talkies for emergencies.

Essential items like the tent had already taken up most of the space in Zhao Ke’s hiking backpack. Zhao Ke, Wang Ran, and Li Minjing huddled together for a final check of their gear.

Her live stream had few viewers, and there was little activity—not even trolls bothered to comment.

Zhao Ke only has two assistants?

At least she has some.

In contrast, the other participants’ live streams were flooded with encouraging messages from fans.

After packing up, Zhao Ke wasted no time and prepared to set off.

“Look on the bright side,” she said, comforting Wang Ran and Li Minjing, who looked worried. “You two get ten days off.”

“Please be careful!”

“Yeah, if it gets too dangerous, just quit. It’s not worth it.”

Zhao Ke waved goodbye, ducked into the dense forest, and quickly disappeared from sight.

The mountain forest was incredibly lush, thick with tangled undergrowth and decaying leaves. Every step she took crunched loudly through the brittle, fallen branches.

Zhao Ke walked silently forward. After about ten minutes, when the pole in her hand began to feel increasingly cumbersome, she realized she was still live streaming.

“Let’s find a campsite first,” she said.

She finally spoke her first words on the live stream.

Phew, she’s not mute after all.

No way, she should team up with someone. This is too dangerous.

As if she can just find a partner on demand. Who wants to carry dead weight?

Zhao Ke ignored the comments and glanced at the paper map in her hand. “There’s a mountain to the west. I’m heading there.”

Don’t go! The other three teams are all heading east or north.

Let her go. It’s her life anyway.

Climbing the mountain was a long and tedious process. The shaky camera footage made for poor viewing, so the production team seized the opportunity to insert interview clips of each participant.

Host: Zhao Ke, what do you hope to gain from participating in “Four Frames of Life”?

The answer was practically written in the question itself: to experience different ways of life and gain life insights.

But Zhao Ke replied, “To save up more for retirement.”

Host: What preparations did you make before joining the show?

The other participants all gave answers about learning farming skills and preparing for agricultural tasks—a group of unlucky fools who had been duped by Director Qu.

Zhao Ke: “I cut off the water and electricity at home. Being away for these days will save some money.”

I can’t hold back the laughter anymore! Hahahaha!

What’s with this subtle sense of hardship?

Now I truly understand Zhao Ke’s identity as a high-altitude worker.

Why does she give off this vibe of someone who’s so honest they’ll just keep enduring hardship? Hahahaha!

Don’t romanticize suffering, people! (Hiding behind the screen, secretly laughing)

The sun slanted downward, around 2 or 3 PM, the hottest time of day in the mountains. Moisture steamed from the dense forest, making the air stifling and humid.

Zhao Ke wiped sweat from her neck with a tactical-gloved hand, set down her backpack, and pulled out her water bottle, planning a brief rest.

She propped the live stream equipment against a tree branch.

The lithe young woman, dressed in practical camouflage gear, planted one foot on a fallen log and tilted her head back to drink.

Is it okay to say this? Zhao Ke’s forearm is so sexy!

So cool it’s making my old face blush!

Damn, this is exactly how she charmed me back in the day! Then she kept playing those annoying, brainless second female leads over and over!

Seriously, what’s so cool about drinking water? Are you all just horny?

After a few minutes of rest, Zhao Ke resumed her journey.

The live stream chat erupted in a flurry of comments, but Zhao Ke glanced at it briefly and ignored it.

After another hour of walking, Zhao Ke reached her intended destination.

The forest suddenly opened up, revealing a small clearing. Beyond it rose a sheer cliff face, its jagged peaks towering like a twenty-story building.

Is she going to camp in this clearing? It looks pretty good.

No way! Camping at the base of a cliff is too dangerous. One falling rock and you’re done for.

Zhao Ke glanced at the chat. “I’m not planning to camp at the base of the cliff.”

She retrieved the drone she had been carrying and launched it, sending it soaring into the sky.

What’s she doing? Why is the screen suddenly split?

The Production Team gave everyone drones. The right side is probably the drone’s view.

What’s the point of the drone?

Probably to help the contestants find water sources. I don’t know why Zhao Ke’s just flying it around randomly.

Zhao Ke ignored the chat, focusing on piloting the drone along the cliff face.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to fly far before spotting what she was looking for: a cave located midway up the cliff.

An ideal campsite.

Far from the forest, safe and secure.

“I’ve found it,” Zhao Ke announced.

Found what?

Look at the drone’s view—there’s a dark crevice.

What seam? That’s a cave.

Zhao Ke didn’t linger. She strode along the cliff base toward the cave entrance.

She stopped at the cave’s mouth.

“I’m putting away the live stream stick now. You can watch through the drone’s camera,” she explained, stowing the stick in her mountaineering backpack.

The live stream switched to a bird’s-eye view from the drone.

Zhao Ke transferred control of the drone to the Production Team. Under their guidance, the drone hovered about two meters behind her, meticulously recording her every move.

What’s she doing? Why is she putting down her backpack?

Is anyone stopping her? Didn’t they say no camping at the cliff base?

Zhao Ke pulled out her climbing rope, safety harness, expansion bolts, and other gear from her backpack.

Viewers watched as she expertly donned the harness, slung the coiled climbing rope around her waist, and began to climb. The live stream chat erupted with question marks.

??? What’s with this setup?

Am I about to witness history? The first celebrity live-streaming a mountain climb!

Zhao Ke’s done High-Altitude Operations before, but rock climbing is a whole different beast!

Holy crap, this is terrifying! I can’t watch!

After a quick assessment of the route, Zhao Ke embedded an anchor into a crevice in the rock face and began her ascent.

Her fingers gripped the crevices in the cliff face, repeatedly testing the stone’s stability before shifting her weight.

She did the same with her feet, carefully finding protruding points and confirming their solidity.

Every two to three meters, Zhao Ke hammered in an anchor point, ensuring she would be quickly stopped if she suddenly fell.

Wow, Zhao Ke is so professional!

She’s developing a new route! What a badass!

What do you mean by “developing a new route”?

It means Zhao Ke is climbing a cliff that no one has ever climbed before. She’s the first to attempt it, making it extremely dangerous.

Zhao Ke moved upward with almost no hesitation, each climb within the reach of her arm span. Her body pressed tightly against the cliff face, even her more daring movements exuded an inexplicable sense of stability.

Came here after hearing about her, watching closely. She’s a pro! Sharing the live stream!

This woman is definitely a veteran. Look at her route planning, her power moves—damn, she’s incredible!

Many viewers from other live streams were drawn to Zhao Ke’s channel by its surging popularity.

Ahhhhh, she’s so cool! I love her!

Now this old man is falling headfirst into the rabbit hole again.

No wonder Zhao Ke could save Qiao Qinglu. With physical abilities like that, who can compare?

Let’s shout it out: Woman among women, the ultimate female!

Hello, wifey, are you there?

The drone continued to ascend with Zhao Ke. Halfway up, she paused to rest and glanced back to see the drone behind her. Smiling, she waved.

“Good afternoon, everyone.”

What a beautiful woman!

Mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy ahhhhh!

So cool! So cool! How can someone be this cool?

Zhao Ke extended her hand, and the drone obediently landed on her forearm.

“Good girl,” she praised.

With a flick of her wrist, the drone swiftly retreated, its camera zooming out to capture the lone figure of the young woman standing between the cliffs—spirited, both tiny and magnificent.

Mom, I’m dead!

I’m willing to forgive Consort Zhao for all her past transgressions.

Screw it, I’m kneeling now!

Oh no, my heart’s racing! Is this… love at first sight?