Island Survival: Starts by chopping a tree-Chapter 50 Yam

Jogging toward his destination, Jeff finally got a clear view of the vegetable ahead. "This is yam!" he exclaimed excitedly.

The girls, who were playing with the cute little rabbits, followed Jeff while each carried one of the rabbits they had caught.

Charlotte, however, didn’t join in since she was already satisfied with their haul.

There were four rabbits in total, and each was securely tied, so there was no risk of them escaping from the girls’ grasp.

"See? Didn’t I tell you the captain would be happy with what we found?" Ariana said to Jessica, who had been skeptical earlier.

"But just to be sure, let’s ask him if he’s really satisfied," she added, even though the answer was obvious—it was written all over Jeff’s face.

"So, Captain, do you like it?" Ariana asked, standing beside him.

Jeff nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he squatted down.

"This yam will greatly help us build a strong foundation for long-term survival," he exclaimed.

If you didn’t know, Jeff had read countless books about yams. They are calorie-dense and rich in carbohydrates, making them an excellent source of energy for daily survival and activities.

Unlike fruits or some vegetables that spoil quickly, yams can last for weeks when stored in a cool, dry place.

They are also incredibly versatile, offering various ways to prepare meals and making them a welcome change from monotonous survival food.

Not only are they easy to cook over a fire, but they can also be combined with other ingredients for variety. For long-term preservation, yams can be dried or smoked, ensuring a sustainable food source.

Yams also offer significant nutritional benefits that go beyond just providing energy. Their high fiber content aids in digestion, helping the group maintain gut health, which is a critical factor for survival on the island.

They are rich in potassium, which is essential for muscle function and reducing fatigue, allowing everyone to stay physically active.

The Vitamin C in yams boosts immunity, making them crucial for avoiding illnesses in the challenging island environment.

Additionally, the Vitamin B6 they contain supports brain function and helps manage stress, keeping the group mentally sharp and focused.

Like if anyone in the group suffers from an upset stomach, yams are easy to digest and can provide relief.

Additionally, after injuries or illnesses, yams are an excellent way to replenish energy and aid in recovery.

[Don’t ask me if it’s true or not because that’s only based in research]

Yams are also sustainable for replanting, as parts of a tuber, like the sprouting tips, can be cultivated to grow new plants in the future.

The best part is that yams thrive in tropical climates with minimal care, making them perfect for island survival.

"Yams can also serve as an excellent emergency backup food, in case hunting fails," Jeff thought as he gently caressed the yam with his hand.

"Not only that, but cooked yam paste could even work as a natural adhesive for crafting or patching things."

Yams have another unique use: they can lure herbivores like rabbits or boars into traps.

Rabbits, for example, are naturally attracted to starchy, sweet vegetation, and the enticing scent of yams makes them perfect bait.

For boars, which are omnivores and opportunistic feeders, yams are especially enticing.

These animals are naturally drawn to tubers and root vegetables, including yams, due to their sweet flavor and starchy texture.

"We can eat this yam every day," Jeff announced to the group, holding up the tuber.

"It’s easy to cook, by just roasting it over the fire. And once the pot is fully dried, we can even make a broth or soup with it." he finished, as they nodded

"Oh yeah have you guys done with filtering the water," Jeff asked the group again.

Seeing his tired face, Emma hurriedly took some bamboo container as he brough the bowl made of coconuts.

"Here, it’s ready after filtering," Emma said, handing the container to Jeff.

Jeff smiled at her hospitality as he took it, pouring the filtered water into the homemade bowl.

He drank deeply, savoring the coolness of the clean water. Layla, arriving just a moment too late, felt a pang of sadness for missing the chance to offer it herself.

However, as she glanced at the yams she had helped Jessica and Ariana find, a sense of pride washed over her. She reminded herself that her contribution had been just as valuable.

Gurgle

The sound of Jeff drinking filled the air as he finished the entire bamboo container of water.

Wiping his mouth, he sighed in satisfaction, feeling his thirst completely replenished.

Jeff paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the group. He noticed something that hadn’t stood out before—the girls’ clothes were in bad shape.

Torn fabric, small rips, and fading colors were now glaringly obvious. The sight made him realize that his next project needed to be something essential, ’colthes’.

"We’ll need something new to wear," he thought to himself.

The idea of crafting clothes began to take root in his mind.

Unbeknownst to him, his gaze drifted to Emma, who was standing nearby.

His eyes lingered on her blazer, which had its top button undone, revealing her bosom as it gently pressed against the worn fabric.

He stared for a moment too long, lost in thought. However, his obliviousness didn’t go unnoticed.

Everyone can see his gaze was staring at it firmly.

Even Emma was starting to get shy and hot from his daze guys, "Don’t tell me this kid is starting to get lustful, because who wouldn’t be? We are all female here and it is very much impossible for a young man like him filled with vigor to be unaffected right" she though her face was very hot.

"Should I help him?" She said biting her lips, as she clutched her skirts.

Layla followed Jeff’s gaze and immediately realized where he was looking. Her eyes drifted to her own chest, and a pang of jealousy bubbled up.

There was nothing there to attract such attention—not yet, anyway.

"Not for now, but in the future, there will be," Layla thought to herself, filled with determination.

At only 18, she reassured herself she still had time to grow. Jessica, on the other hand, was starting to feel uncomfortable as she noticed Jeff’s lingering gaze.

Puffing up her cheeks in annoyance, she crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him, her expression radiating silent disapproval.

Ariana stood off to the side, observing the scene with no particular reaction. She was nonchalant, her head slightly tilted as she wondered why the others were making such odd faces.

Charlotte, however, couldn’t handle the awkward moment any longer. With a sigh, she walked over to Jeff, leaning down slightly to place a firm hand on his shoulder.

The unexpected touch jolted Jeff out of his deep contemplation. Blinking, he looked up at Charlotte, who was gazing at him with a faint hint of anger on her face.

He frowned slightly, confused by her expression as he tried to understand what he’d done to upset her.

"Um, yes?" Jeff asked, tilting his head, his tone full of genuine confusion.

Charlotte, seeing Jeff pretending to be confused, felt her smile twitch. How thick-skinned could this young man be?

He’d been caught red-handed, yet he still refused to acknowledge it.

She let out a snort, poking his cheek in mock reprimanding. "If I hadn’t stopped you, were you planning to keep staring at that vixen’s big breast?" she bellowed, her tone sharp but laced with exasperation.

Jeff blinked in confusion, following her gaze back to Emma’s partially unbuttoned blazer.

Charlotte’s jaw dropped at his shameless audacity, he was actually looking again!

Finally, the gears in Jeff’s head clicked. His eyes shifted to Emma’s now flushed and shy face, then to the other girls’ scowling expressions.

Realization just hit him like a brick.

"Now, do you realize what you’ve done wrong?" Charlotte bellowed, her arms crossed as she glared at him.

Jeff glanced back at her with beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

He was misunderstood, greatly misunderstood. "Um, I can explain," he stammered, his voice shaky.

"I was just... thinking about something. I wasn’t... I mean, I was just in a daze, and—" he kept stuttering.

"So, Captain, what you’re saying is," Jessica interrupted, her irritation evident as she narrowed her eyes, "when you were looking at big sister’s breast, you were thinking about something lewd—like fondling it, right?"

Her blunt words struck like a bolt of lightning. Jeff’s eyes widened in shock.

"What?! No!" he thought, panicked by how far they had misunderstood him.

His mind scrambled for a way to clarify, but his gut screamed at him to stay silent.

He wanted to explain the truth—that he’d been contemplating how to make clothes—but his instincts warned him that saying it out loud would only make things worse.

He’d trusted his gut since he was a child, and it had rarely led him astray.

Not knowing what to say, Jeff sighed and looked down, feeling defeated.

Talking to girls had never been his strong suit, he didn’t even have any girl friends, and just one guy friend back home.

This situation? Was way out of his league.