novelslam Chapter 33 Don't go, stay with me
Chapter 33 Don't go, stay with me
Compared to having someone by her side during the day, Chen Duling, who was constantly suppressing her panic, would always have the image of the mutated python, its two huge python eyes fixed on her, appear in her mind when she crawled into the tent that usually gave her a sense of security.
It is said that successful artists must have a strong heart, but for the still young Chen Duling, she never thought that participating in this program just to challenge herself would result in such a shock.
Sensing something was wrong, Zhao Liying came over to comfort her, but to no avail. Left with no other option, Zhao Liying turned to Yuan Linghan for help. She knew that Chen Duling needed security most at that moment, and Yuan Linghan was the best person to turn to.
Arriving outside Chen Duling's tent, Yuan Linghan asked softly, "Dudu, what's wrong?"
As soon as he began questioning, Yuan Linghan noticed that Chen Duling, who had been lying in the tent sobbing, had swiftly thrown herself into his arms. Clinging tightly to his neck, her voice filled with fear and grievance, she cried, "Brother Yuan, I'm scared!"
Yuan Linghan, who was being held, stiffened for a moment before finally saying gently, "Dudu, don't be afraid. With me here, you don't need to be afraid of any demons or monsters. I've already killed it, so you really don't need to be afraid."
"But as soon as I close my eyes, it stares at me with its two big eyes."
Hearing Chen Duling utter those words through sobs, Yuan Linghan was both amused and exasperated. He knew, however, that it was understandable that Chen Duling, who had never experienced such a shock before, would react with such fear and anxiety.
Sensing that their posture was a bit awkward, Yuan Linghan half-squatted and bent over, while Chen Duling sat at the tent entrance, her upper body almost hanging on Yuan Linghan. Most importantly, Chen Duling was wearing a purple short-sleeved pajama set.
Even though she wasn't particularly tall, Yuan Linghan could clearly see the breathtaking expanse of white skin beneath her open neckline when he lowered his head slightly. Being young and full of vigor, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to resist such temptation!
Seeing Chen Duling's terrified and helpless face, Yuan Linghan took a deep breath and could only continue, "Dudu, I asked the doctor on the show for some medicine that can treat panic attacks. Do you want to try taking two?"
"No! I want you to be with me right now. I feel much better with you by my side."
"Okay! Then I won't take the medicine, and I'll stay by your side. But could you let go of me first? It's so awkward holding me like this."
After hearing these words, Chen Duling finally loosened her grip, but she still said, "Then don't go, stay with me, okay?"
"Okay! I promise I won't leave, I promise I'll stay by your side."
"Then come to my tent!"
As Chen Duling uttered those words, the fear in his mind was largely overshadowed by his shyness. Although he wanted to say that it was inappropriate, he couldn't bring himself to refuse after making that promise.
Left with no other choice, he could only let Chen Duling wrap her arms around him and lead him into the tent, which had been converted into a large mosquito net. Fortunately, their shelter wouldn't be recording or broadcasting anything tonight, so they weren't worried about the footage being leaked.
If viewers in the live stream were to witness this scene, the commotion would likely be even greater than the daytime slaying of the mutated python. As for Wu Yue and Zhao Liying, who were chatting outside, neither of them were the type to gossip.
Once inside the tent, Yuan Linghan, who couldn't sit comfortably, could only lie down. Chen Duling, who had been clinging to his arm the whole time, snuggled into his embrace as soon as he lay down. With her warm, soft body in his arms, Yuan Linghan felt a rush of blood to his head.
But Chen Duling said softly, "Brother Yuan, can you hug me? My back feels a little cold!"
"good!"
The arms that had initially been loosely embracing her eventually became a full hug. Yuan Linghan even reached out and placed Chen Duling's sleeping bag directly behind her as she lay on her side. And now, nestled in Yuan Linghan's arms, Chen Duling finally found the sense of security she had previously lost.
As her mind gradually calmed down, Chen Duling, sensing the somewhat ambiguous and romantic atmosphere, suddenly said, "Brother Yuan, let's chat?"
"Okay! What do you want to talk about?"
Do you have a girlfriend?
The sudden question startled Yuan Linghan for a moment before he finally replied, "No!"
Have you ever been in a relationship?
"No, not at all!"
"So, do you want to be in a relationship?"
The barrage of questions caught Yuan Linghan off guard, but he still managed to calm himself down and said, "I don't have that idea for now! Dudu, I grew up in an orphanage, and love is a luxury for me."
"Would you mind dating me?"
Chen Duling, who threw out the direct question, seemed to have found the courage from who-knows-where. For a rising star like her, any news of a relationship would undoubtedly deal a severe blow to her career. But for some reason, she just wanted to act impulsively.
From childhood to adulthood, she was always seen as a well-behaved girl. But she wanted to rebel just this once, even if it meant getting hurt badly. After all, in her view, this was perhaps the price to pay for growing up and maturing.
For an ordinary person, a direct confession in such an atmosphere might lead to a deeply unforgettable love. But Yuan Linghan, having awakened her memories of her past life, didn't want to take advantage of her vulnerability and knew that such a relationship was unlikely to have a happy ending.
After a moment's thought, Yuan Linghan tightened his grip on the girl's arm and said, "Dudu, you're a good girl. In other situations, I might feel honored to have such an excellent girlfriend as you."
Love is not a game, especially for someone like you whose career is on the rise. If news of a relationship breaks, it will inevitably deal a heavy blow to your career. Love should be mutual and supportive, not a messy affair born of impulsiveness.
"What if I don't mind?"
"Dudu, thank you for your appreciation. But I can't do that; it would make my conscience uneasy. I have a suggestion; would you like to hear it?"
"Brother Yuan, what are you saying?"
"There are only two days left until the challenge ends. After the show is finished filming, we will return to the real world. If you still want to have a relationship with me then, I will try to have a private relationship with you."
But what I need to tell you is that you're a rising star in your career, and your profession means you can't spend every day with your beloved boy like ordinary girls. Similarly, I'll soon be facing a completely new challenge.
"What kind of challenge?"
Tom, who bought the mutated python during the day, promised to recommend me to participate in Citibank's Wilderness Challenge this year. It's a competition that brings together wilderness elites to challenge themselves in the wilderness for 100 days, and I want to give it a try.
"One hundred days, roughly the time it takes you to film a movie. After I complete this challenge, if you still feel I'm the partner you're looking for, then we'll officially start a relationship. When you feel it's time to go public, we'll do so, okay?"
Having been in the entertainment industry for several years, Chen Duling knows that there is no such thing as true love in the entertainment circle. Celebrity couples often spend little time together due to their professions, and coupled with the need to immerse themselves in acting and create hype, so-called true love often ends without a trace.
After listening to Yuan Linghan's explanation, Chen Duling became even more convinced that her impulsive confession might have been the wisest decision she had ever made. In the end, she agreed to Yuan Linghan's suggestion and decided to set a test period for their relationship.
Taking advantage of Chen Duling's calmed-down state, Yuan Linghan said at the opportune moment, "Dudu, for your health and emotional well-being, why don't you take two Dragon Bone Tranquilizing Pills later and see if they work, okay?"
"Okay! But I don't like taking medicine. I'll take it if you give me a reward, okay?"
Faced with Chen Duling's coquettish tone and her squirming body in his arms, Yuan Linghan, feeling manipulated, had no choice but to give in. Finally, Chen Duling swallowed the last two calming pills, her face full of grievance.
But when it came time to claim the reward, Yuan Linghan found himself increasingly anxious and restless. Towards the end, he and Chen Duling almost crossed the line and made a grave mistake in the small tent!