High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 17

Zhao Ke couldn’t physically carry Huang Sumu, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t get out together.

Zhao Ke unfastened the safety harness from her waist and gestured for Huang Sumu to put it on.

“What about you?” Huang Sumu hesitated to take it.

“I have a way,” Zhao Ke said, directly slipping the harness over him.

Once Huang Sumu was secured, Zhao Ke called upward, “Pull!”

As the rope began to lift, Zhao Ke gripped it with one hand and steadily ascended without any external assistance.

Zhao Ke is so cool!

LOL, Lao Huang looks like a giant keychain!

After much struggling, they finally managed to rescue Huang Sumu.

Qi Xinshu and Yin Wenyuan, exhausted from pulling the rope, panted heavily. “Lao Huang, give me one good reason why you went into that cave!”

Huang Sumu scratched his head sheepishly. “I was just curious! Who knew there was a giant pit inside?”

“Then why didn’t you respond on the walkie-talkie?” Yin Wenyuan frowned.

“Walkie-talkie?” Huang Sumu’s face went blank as he patted himself down. He then smiled apologetically. “Sorry, I left it in the tent. Didn’t bring it with me.”

Case solved, everyone!

Who understands my hours of paranoid suspicion?

I do.

The group emerged from the cave, supported by each other, and immediately encountered Director Qu and the others, who had been anxiously searching for them.

Director Qu let out a long sigh of relief the moment he saw them, his tense facial lines softening. “Thank goodness you’re all out. As long as everyone’s safe, that’s all that matters.”

Huang Sumu stepped forward. “I’m sorry, everyone. I suggested this expedition, and I accidentally fell, causing you all so much worry.”

“My apologies, Director Qu, Xiao Yu, and Teacher Qiao. And thank you, Zhao Ke.”

“No need to thank me,” Zhao Ke replied.

Director Qu instructed the accompanying medical staff to check Yu Huizhou’s injuries. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Zhao Ke pointed to the bamboo rats she had caught earlier, lying near her tent. “I caught a few bamboo rats on my way here. I was planning to share them with everyone. Why don’t we eat them now?”

The mention of food instantly relaxed the group’s taut nerves. It was already past 2 PM, and they hadn’t had lunch yet. They were starving.

“Teacher Zhao, I’m so embarrassed,” Huang Sumu said politely, his eyes fixed on the bamboo rat.

Zhao Ke smiled faintly. “Shall I start the fire?”

“No, no, I’ll do it!” Huang Sumu exclaimed, startled. He ushered Zhao Ke to a seat and took over the task of starting the fire and roasting the meat himself.

Yin Wenyuan, Guan Muya, and Qi Xinshu each took on their respective roles, assisting with the preparations.

“Ke Ke is amazing! She’s taking care of both the food and us. I want to thank her too.”

“Thank you, Teacher Zhao.”

“Me too, thank you, Teacher Zhao.”

Zhao Ke chuckled, waving it off as a small matter. She offered to teach anyone who wanted to learn how to catch bamboo rats.

Yu Huizhou, his wound bandaged, hopped over to Zhao Ke’s side.

Zhao Ke helped him sit down.

“Teacher Zhao, thank you for risking your life to save me,” Yu Huizhou said earnestly, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Zhao Ke waved her hand. “It wasn’t really that risky.”

Yu Huizhou shook his head, then lowered his voice. “I can’t repay your kindness. After thinking about it, if Teacher Zhao doesn’t mind, I could introduce you to some film and television directors.”

Zhao Ke’s pupils constricted instantly, and she hurriedly shook her head. “No, no, thank you, but I don’t need that.”

She knew nothing about acting and only wanted to return to her original profession.

Then again, Yu Huizhou might seem unassuming, but his background must be quite deep.

After all, how else could he have survived in the entertainment industry after being completely exploited and smeared by the female lead?

Thanks to Zhao Ke, everyone enjoyed a hearty meal.

Director Qu surveyed the group, his eyes darting around before he clapped his hands to draw attention.

“Since we’ve all gathered here by coincidence, I’ll take this opportunity to announce something.”

“What is it, Director?” Qi Xinshu dutifully played the straight man.

Director Qu spread his arms wide. “Our show will be welcoming its first-ever guest star! Aren’t you excited?”

Excited? Not particularly.

Huang Sumu clasped his hands behind his back. “Director, just tell us if the new guest can bring more canned goods.”

Director Qu feigned anger. “Aren’t you even curious who the guest is?”

No one answered.

“Alright, alright, just wait for the Live Stream Comments to notify you then,” Director Qu said, turning away with a cold, dismissive air. Huang Sumu’s wails of “Can’t we bring just two more cans?” faded as the director stalked off.

The Production Team couldn’t keep secrets for long. That very evening, they announced the new guest: Qiao Shuxue.

Within minutes of the Weibo announcement, Qiao Shuxue’s massive fan army flooded the Live Stream.

What’s Zhao Ke doing here again, embarrassing herself?

Get lost, washed-up has-been! Stay away from our Snow Treasure!

We demand the Production Team replace her immediately! Guarantee our artist’s safety!

They arrived like a tidal wave, immediately spamming the chat. The original viewers were stunned into silence for several minutes before slowly realizing what was happening.

What’s wrong with you fans? Why are you attacking people the moment you arrive?

Are you serious? Ke Ke is a permanent cast member! Your precious Shu Xue is just a guest! What gives you the right to demand a replacement? Do you think the entertainment industry is your personal playground?

Ha! Don’t make me laugh. Our Snow Treasure’s status is practically charity work for your pathetic show. You should be kneeling in gratitude!

Zhao Ke is trash! She should have been kicked out of the industry long ago!

Is she going to target Snow Treasure again? I’m so worried!

Zhao Ke frowned, watching the chaotic mess in the live stream comments.

Qiao Qinglu had ultimately decided to team up with Huang Yu, and Yin Wenyuan, for convenience, had moved closer to Guan Muya and Qi Xinshu.

This meant that when Qiao Shuxue arrived, she would likely be paired with Zhao Ke.

Zhao Ke believed she had nothing to feel guilty about, but with the novel’s plot looming, she couldn’t be certain Qiao Shuxue wouldn’t do something unexpected.

Two days later, Qiao Shuxue arrived at the filming location.

Concealing her weariness and distaste for the long journey, she greeted the camera with a smile, “Hello everyone! You probably all know me already, so I won’t bother with introductions.”

The live stream comments exploded instantly.

Front row for Snow Treasure!

Still the same cool and dashing woman, aww!

Damn, my eyes have been cleansed! What a beautiful woman!

Director Qu chuckled and followed the script, “Shu Xue, why did you decide to join our show?”

Qiao Shuxue smiled brightly. “After spending so much time on film sets, I needed a change of pace. Besides, I’m a bit of a rock climbing enthusiast and love trying extreme sports. Before coming, I even took survival skills lessons from wilderness survival master Philier!”

The live stream comments erupted with praise.

Is this what a high-energy, powerful woman looks like? Amazing!

Snow Treasure is the best! Love you, darling!

Rock climbing is a piece of cake for Snow Treasure.

Visual overload! Speechless.

“If Shu Xue is so confident, I’ll have to keep one eye on guard and the other on alert,” Director Qu chuckled. “Here, this is your mountaineering pack.”

Qiao Shuxue smiled as she accepted the pack. Its immense weight made her wrist sink, but she quickly adjusted her posture and grinned at the camera. “The adventure begins now! Everyone, keep up with Guide Qiao!”

So beautiful! Can’t hear a word she’s saying.

Zhao Ke had been living the good life these past few days. Living off the land, she enjoyed a balanced diet of meat and vegetables. Her days were spent hunting and hanging off cliffs, admiring the scenery—it felt like a vacation.

“Xiao Yu is practically born with a natural talent for fishing! I hereby declare Xiao Yu the new Fishing Clan Chief, surpassing even Ke Ke!” Guan Muya’s voice crackled over the walkie-talkie.

Over the past few days, the group had grown bored and started using the walkie-talkies as a makeshift chat group, exchanging jokes and banter.

“I object! I demand a rebellion! My spear-fishing efficiency is far superior—I should be the Fishing Clan Chief!” Qi Xinshu’s tone was teasing.

“Alright, I’ll concede the title to you,” Yu Huizhou replied with a laugh.

“I object! Xiao Yu becoming the Fishing Clan Chief is what everyone wants. Fork Fishing is a crooked path!” Yin Wenyuan gradually let loose, his idol image hanging by a thread.

“How dare you slander my esteemed teacher, Master Ke!” Qi Xinshu shouted.

Zhao Ke smiled, about to respond, when Qiao Shuxue’s voice came through the intercom: “Hello everyone, good afternoon!”

“Hello, hello, Teacher Qiao!”

The group had already seen on the live stream comments that Qiao Shuxue was the guest, so there were no surprises.

However, the relationship between Zhao Ke, Qiao Shuxue, and Qiao Qinglu—the real and fake heiresses—was undeniably awkward. After the initial greetings, an awkward silence hung in the air.

For the past two days, Qiao Qinglu had been inexplicably withdrawn, sitting alone in corners. Huang Sumu would only call her over for meals; otherwise, she barely interacted with anyone.

But the moment Qiao Shuxue appeared, she proactively picked up the intercom: “Long time no see, Sister. Are you coming to play with me?”

Qiao Shuxue’s fans immediately erupted in fury, flooding into Qiao Qinglu’s previously sparsely populated live stream.

B1tch! B1tch! B1tch!

Shameless! How dare you speak, you usurper!

Qiao Qinglu, don’t you feel disgusted with yourself? I’m about to vomit!

Qiao Shuxue showed no trace of anger. “Sister, it’s been a while.”

But her tone shifted abruptly. “I won’t be joining you just yet. I need to find a campsite first.”

As expected of Qiao Shuxue, always independent.

Qiao Qinglu, get lost! Stop clinging!

Zhao Ke remained silent, but she hadn’t expected Qiao Shuxue to approach her so directly.

To put it in the words of Qiao Shuxue’s fans: How convenient that you just happened to be on the cliff Qiao Shuxue had her eye on.

“Hello, Zhao Ke. Has it been a while since we last saw each other too?”

Zhao Ke looked down. Qiao Shuxue stood at the base of the cliff, having removed her mountaineering pack, and waved at her from afar. Her voice came through the walkie-talkie, clear and precise.

Has it been a while?

Zhao Ke began to recall the original novel’s plot.

During a variety show, at Qiao Qinglu’s instigation, the original Zhao Ke had performed a staged fight scene with Qiao Shuxue using wooden swords. The wooden sword had grazed Qiao Shuxue’s cheek.

Later, Qiao Shuxue went to the hospital for cosmetic stitches, and the original Zhao Ke followed to apologize and clear her name. However, she was driven away by an angry mob of fans. The last time the original Zhao Ke saw Qiao Shuxue was outside the hospital entrance, where she was pushed to the ground while Qiao Shuxue stood behind a floor-to-ceiling window, coldly observing the scene.

Qiao Shuxue must know that her boyfriend had drained the original Zhao Ke of her entire family fortune. Yet she greeted her as if nothing had happened, displaying remarkable composure.

“Zhao Ke, could you check how big the cave is? Is there enough room for another tent?” Qiao Shuxue’s voice came through the walkie-talkie.