Chapter 25
Odalys patiently answered Stellan's questions. Stellan, be careful; he keeps asking Catalys—he's fixated on you.
[Did she manage to catch fish with her bare hands?!] [Odalys is amazing! How did she do that?]
I'm only just learning that you can hypnotize fish to come to you.
[I have a feeling there's more to Odalys than meets the eye. How does she know everything? Could she be a hidden boss?]
The viewers kept guessing, their eyes glued to the livestream, afraid to miss anything. Some even took notes. Originally intending to watch a variety show, they unexpectedly gained new knowledge. Some students and teachers even called others over to watch and explain what Odalys had said; others Googled to verify her claims. Some fishing enthusiasts even rushed out with their gear to try it themselves.
It was meant to be a light entertainment show, but it attracted enthusiasts from various fields, causing a surge in online viewers. The director grinned uncontrollably.
"Hurry up; something's wrong with the waves," Odalys said, shouldering her catch.
Stellan, still reveling in catching a fish, heard her warning. He turned back to the sea and saw a half-red sky on the opposite shore.
"The sky's red, and the air is stuffy; it looks like it's going to rain," Stellan muttered.
They quickened their pace. By the time they returned to the cave, it was six o'clock. Freya and Selah had gathered plenty of dry firewood and placed it inside the cave, tidying the surrounding grasses. From a distance, they saw the two returning with fish.
"They're back!" Selah exclaimed, excitedly pulling Freya forward. She completely forgot Freya's A-lister status, grabbing her hands like a best friend.
"You went fishing! So many?" Freya approached happily, circling them, her stomach rumbling with hunger. As a celebrity, she ate sparingly, and having only a small breakfast, she hadn't eaten lunch. By evening, she was starving.
"You guys are incredible! We didn't see any fish when we arrived. How did you catch them?" Freya gasped, her eyes fixed on the fish.
Stellan gestured towards Odalys. "Odalys caught the big ones."
"By hand?" Freya was intrigued.
Selah helped Odalys unload the fish, listening intently, eager to learn their method. Stellan proudly recounted the details, leaving Freya in utter shock.
Feeling she'd missed out on a lottery, Freya said tearfully, looking pitifully at Odalys, "Odalys, call me next time if something like this happens again." Always mature and composed, she rarely acted so coquettish.
"Alright, I'll call you all next time," Odalys agreed.
She rolled up her sleeves, gutting the fish with her dagger. Stellan and Selah fetched water. Freya ran to gather more firewood. They divided tasks efficiently, expertly handling the fish.
"Odalys, you're amazing! You even brought a collapsible pot and stand!" Freya exclaimed admiringly.
Odalys produced the collapsible pot and stand, sliced the fish, and prepared to grill it. After finishing one, she threw another into the pot, then crushed some freshly picked pepper and sprinkled it on the fish.
[Were you a chef?] Stellan was stunned.
Odalys chuckled softly, tending the fire. "I grew up in the mountains and had to fend for myself for a long time. I used to cook for…"
"So you can identify medicinal herbs from that experience?" Freya asked curiously.
Odalys stirred the fish. "Yes, my mentor was knowledgeable in pharmacology, and I learned traditional medicine from him. Identifying medicinal herbs is a basic introductory course."
Selah looked at her enviously. "Odalys, you're so amazing. I wish I were you." Initially timid, fearing she wouldn't fit in, she found them easy to get along with, unlike previous shows. Her anxious heart settled; no longer needing to be vigilant, she became more lively.
"You better not. Mountain life is harder than you imagine. If you can't endure the hardships, you'll break down or even go insane. But I was abandoned by my family at three, so I grew up in the mountains and got used to it, which is why I don't feel lonely," Odalys said. City dwellers couldn't survive long in the mountains.
Everyone was stunned.
"Abandoned by your family!" Freya was shocked. Her attention had been on the delicious-smelling fish, but Odalys's words diverted her.
Odalys smiled lightly. "Not every parent loves their child."
Silence fell.
"Alright, let's eat before the fish burns," Odalys urged as the grilled fish emitted a rich aroma. The fish in the other pot was boiling. They picked up hastily carved forks—not perfect, but usable. Starving after a day, they devoured the fish, forgetting table manners. The remaining two fish were given to Kenny and the crew.
[Oh my, is that true? Abandoned by her parents? Does anyone know who Odalys's parents are? Dig them up!] [If Odalys becomes popular through this show, will her parents come back to exploit her?] [I only thought she was cool, but now I realize all she knows is common sense from living in the mountains. Life there is really tough. You have to do everything yourself.] [Stellan's eyes are full of heartache when he looks at Odalys. I can't take it!] [Odalys, be friends with Freya! Women should support each other. Your parents don't care about you, but we do.]
The livestream fans were stunned again. Some, however, suspected Odalys of playing the victim for sympathy and contacted paparazzi to investigate her background. Sophia and Finnian's fans, in particular, wanted to expose Odalys's "true face" and suppress her, oblivious to Odalys's group.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Finnian was thrown into disarray by Odalys's words. He turned back, with Sophia and Atlas following. Lucian had no say.
"What are we going to do tonight! We haven't eaten anything today!" Atlas exclaimed.
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