Live Strong in the Wilderness-Chapter 38: A Torrential Rainstorm

The size of their clay basin was limited, and using stones that were too large would leave little water available. Stones about the size of a fist were more than sufficient.

After all, the water temperature for bathing or washing doesn’t need to be too hot, around 40 degrees is completely enough, even cooler is fine.

More than twenty minutes later, Xu Yi finished setting up the bed, then grabbed a plastic bag, a basket, and two clay basins to fetch water.

"We’d better bring the water to the camp, so we don’t have to go out to fetch water at night," Xu Yi proposed, as he had long considered the issue of fetching water.

Previously, without the discovery of bamboo, there was no way to proceed.

But now it was different; with a blade that could cut through metal like mud, Xu Yi could split regular wood open, hollow out the center, and channel the water through.

The water flow didn’t need to be particularly large, just enough to bring over some water.

"Take it slow; we’re already better off than others." Lu Ke started to feel that she was much better off than other survival challengers. The thought occurred to her when seventy-odd teams quit the day before.

Xu Yi was an exceptionally skilled hunter, and he also had incredibly good luck, finding a water source without much effort and, along the way, ensuring they never went hungry.

Currently, not only did they have a sturdy shelter, but they also had a water source and food supply for several days.

Lu Ke thought to herself that not many groups were as fortunate as theirs.

"Yes, we still have a lot of work to do, we definitely need to take it slow." Xu Yi nodded, understanding that these matters couldn’t be rushed. Being anxious alone wouldn’t solve anything.

In the wilderness, everything you need must be created by your efforts to obtain it.

Just like the knife Xu Yi had, it didn’t just fall from the sky. He collected metal, made molds, and finally cast it.

Everything in their shelter was crafted bit by bit by Xu Yi and Lu Ke’s own hands.

They fetched a round of water and didn’t go back because there were no more containers to hold the water.

Going forward, they needed more tools for holding water, preferably for storing drinking water.

Whenever he went out, Xu Yi needed to bring at least 500ml of water to ensure adequate hydration.

The consequences of severe dehydration were extremely serious.

The plastic bag could break with use, and this had to be considered, relying on a single plastic bag to solve the problem was not feasible.

Therefore, finding replacement tools was very necessary.

Back at the shelter, Xu Yi used the Engineer Shovel and his knife to lift two stones and placed them in the two clay basins.

"You wash first, I’ll go after you." Xu Yi suggested, bringing a basin of water to the ’bathroom’ Lu Ke had woven earlier, letting her go first.

Lu Ke nodded, not arguing with Xu Yi about it.

She went into the bathroom, undressed completely, and began to wash herself.

Washing her hair at night was impossible because it was too hard to dry.

She also planned, once Xu Yi finished washing, to ask him to cut her long hair.

The hair would still be useful for things like weaving short ropes.

Long hair was not only inconvenient, it also hindered tasks.

If she could go bald, she would be willing to do so, as it would eliminate many troubles.

Lu Ke carefully washed herself, knowing water was limited. She was too embarrassed to ask Xu Yi to fetch more water for her.

"Lu Ke, is the water enough? If not, kick the basin out, and I’ll get two more for you." Xu Yi knew that girls generally liked to keep clean.

"No, no need, it’s enough. I’ll be done soon." Lu Ke replied with a flushed face.

In the dimness of the bark cage, she relied solely on her sense of touch, her sensory cells sharpening...

After about ten minutes, Lu Ke emerged holding two basins.

"I’m done, your turn to wash," Lu Ke said.

Then, Xu Yi took the water to bathe.

Before enclosing the bamboo cage, he could see, but once closed, it became a dark space.

However, some light penetrated from below, at least making it possible to see where the basins were.

Xu Yi took off his pants and began to wash.

"A countertop is really needed; it’s troublesome to bend down to handle water like this. Squatting creates exposure risks, so a high surface is required."

Moreover, with a higher surface, washing clothes would also be a bit more convenient without bending down.

When Xu Yi finished washing, he decided to give Lu Ke more time tomorrow so she could wash her intimate clothing. After so many days, he figured she had wanted to do this for a while.

"Boom."

The sound of a muffled thunder broke the night’s silence.

"Could it be about to rain?" Lu Ke glanced at the sky and worriedly said.

"Very likely. Let’s move the mud bricks inside first to prevent them from getting wet," Xu Yi suggested, and began moving the bricks.

Just after they moved them, the rain began pouring down.

"Xu Yi, our house won’t flood, right?" Lu Ke asked, a bit concerned.

"It shouldn’t. I specifically chose a higher location during construction and dug drainage channels, so it shouldn’t be a problem," Xu Yi reassured. From the start, this had to be considered; otherwise, water influx would drench the sleeping bags.

"Good, then let’s rest early," said Lu Ke with a blush, then climbed into the sleeping area, curling into a corner.

"You go ahead and sleep; I doubt this rain will last long. I need to keep the fire going after a bit," said Xu Yi, as he felt the muggy heat often signaled a brief thunderstorm.

"Alright, remember to come sleep afterward," Lu Ke whispered softly, then closed her eyes.

Tonight, she slept in her clothes, finding it provided more security.

"Mm." Xu Yi nodded, watching the sky outside.

He then surrounded a fire pit with mud bricks and shoveled in a few coal embers to avoid the hassle of fire-starting later on.

He also moved some dried wood back into the house.

Distantly, the sky was suddenly split by a claw-like flash of lightning, gone in a flash, followed by a roll of thunder.

"Rumble!"

By the light of the lightning, Xu Yi saw the rain falling in the distance.

Taking advantage of the moment before the rain came, Xu Yi retreated inside and closed the door, preventing rainwater from splashing in, wetting the floors, and soaking the bed.

The downpour made Xu Yi think they should make a bigger bed.