The area above the waterfall was not the highest point.
There was still a stream flowing, and Yan Qing could faintly see the mountain peak in the distance.
She decided to continue following the river. She believed that by following the waterway, she would eventually find the place she wanted—a spot both safe and flat.
Last night’s location had been good, but Yan Qing was convinced that an even better place awaited her.
Keep moving forward!
Using her entrenching shovel to clear the way, Yan Qing observed her surroundings, occasionally cutting down small trees and leaving marks.
She remained vigilant for danger. From yesterday until now, she hadn’t encountered any, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t any. Her movements were deliberately loud to scare away snakes, rodents, insects, and ants.
Checking her watch, it was 12:30 PM. She looked around and decided to have lunch here.
The spot was a rocky slope with the river running through it, the water carrying a refreshing coolness.
Yan Qing found a flat area by the stream, threw a few bottles of soda into the water to keep them cool, and sat on a rock to rest for a while.
She didn’t have the energy to cook, so she took out the stinky tofu and spicy hotpot skewers she had bought at the night market.
She also grabbed a bottle of soda, feeling the cool water and cool drink. She drank half the bottle in one go and let out a satisfied burp:
“Ah, perfect.”
After finishing her meal, she collected the drinks from the stream into her space and continued moving forward.
By 4:30 PM, she was still on the trail, yet to find a suitable place to spend the night.
Ahead, the path split—one to the left, one to the right.
After a moment of thought, Yan Qing resolutely chose the right path—because the stream there was wider!
The sky was beginning to darken. The forest was already dim, with only light filtering through the gaps above. Yan Qing took out her solar flashlight.
Half an hour later, the forest became completely dark. Occasional distant, unknown animal cries echoed through the trees.
Yan Qing felt a little scared and quickened her pace. Eventually, she pushed through a dense patch of unknown tall grass.
She emerged into an open area, but the path ahead was blocked.
In front of her was a sheer cliff. There was no waterfall as she had imagined.
Instead, a stream emerged from a cave in the cliff, flowing down to form a small creek.
Yan Qing decided to investigate.
At the cave entrance, she shone her flashlight inside and set a pile of dry branches ablaze, adding a few fresh leaves tied in a plastic bag to create thick black smoke.
She waited until the smoke cleared at the entrance before venturing inside.
The cave was about ten square meters, roughly the size of a small bedroom, shaped like a mango.
Groundwater seeped from the far wall, forming a clear pool. The overflow trickled outside. Shining her flashlight into the water, she saw a few small fish but no other creatures.
This would be her place to stay for the night.
She found her outdoor lamp, hammered a nail into the wall, and hung it up.
The entire cave was brightly illuminated, fully visible. She tidied the dry branches at the entrance, estimating they would last the night.
A night without fire was impossible.
She carried the branches into the cave and lit a fire.
Yan Qing then set up her tent, following the same routine as last night. Once organized, she took out her cookware and prepared her meal.