Not much is known about Yao Hui, and the brief exchange just now didn't provide much information about her.
As they were speculating about her identity, they saw Yao Hui approaching, accompanied by another person.
It was Xu Daming.
This fellow had been following Yao Hui ever since he left earlier.
The two had spoken at length. However, for the most part, Xu Daming was doing all the talking, while Yao Hui's attitude towards him was one of clear impatience. She had no desire to deal with such a man. But at that moment, there was nothing she could do, so she silently acquiesced.
The group had stopped, and seeing that Chen Fan and his companions were also resting, Yao Hui thought this was the perfect opportunity. Thus, she came over with some food.
Upon seeing the woman approach, Chen Fan's conversation with the people around him shifted.
"We still have a few more days of travel to get out of this desert. Based on our estimations, we should be at this location on the map!"
The group looked earnestly at a simple map spread before them, which detailed the general layout of the desert they were in. Such a map was not easily obtained. It was only through Sha Lu's efforts in finding a few very good friends that he was able to acquire this lead, as everything in this place was difficult to measure. Ordinary people certainly wouldn't possess such a precise map.
"Chen Fan."
Yao Hui walked over, sat down beside them, and placed some food on the ground. "Here, try some. This is a bento box I brought from home. It tastes pretty good. You must be hungry, right?"
Sha Lu's expression changed instantly, and he eagerly reached out to take it. Bai Zhannian beside him snorted in annoyance and slapped Sha Lu's hand away. Sha Lu looked at Bai Zhannian with a touch of grievance.
"Chen Shao hasn't spoken yet, and you're already reaching for someone else's gift. What do you mean by that?" Bai Zhannian said irritably. Sha Lu had no choice but to back down.
At this moment, all eyes were focused on Chen Fan. Even Xu Daming was looking at him. He had spent the entire morning talking extensively, recounting many of his experiences. He had thought this would make the woman like him more, allowing for deeper communication. But who could have imagined that Yao Hui would remain completely unfazed, even at this moment? The prepared bento boxes were not offered to him, but instead, given to Chen Fan. What was so special about this guy? Xu Daming was filled with intense jealousy.
Chen Fan, however, shook his head and smiled, saying, "Miss Yao, thank you so much for your kindness. This bento box looks delicious, but it's not really appropriate for us to accept such a generous offer!" He then gave a bashful smile.
Seeing the smile on his face, Yao Hui clearly hadn't anticipated this outcome. She had gone out of her way to invite them for a meal, which she felt was quite an effort. Who would have thought that Chen Fan would refuse so bluntly?
"Chen Fan, isn't that a bit much? Miss Yao specifically came here to bring you food, and it's handmade. How can you refuse it like this?" Xu Daming exclaimed loudly.
Looking at the expression on his face, Chen Fan could only smile helplessly. Was there something wrong with his refusal?
"Xu Daming, this has nothing to do with you. Whatever Chen Fan chooses to do is his decision."
Just as everyone expected a quarrel to break out, Yao Hui spoke. "I'm truly sorry, Chen Fan. I didn't expect this to happen. However, I merely came with good intentions, wanting you to taste my cooking, and I had no ulterior motives!"
"I know!"
"Since you don't want it, I... I..." At this point, Yao Hui looked on the verge of tears, her face filled with hurt.
Xu Daming immediately snatched the bento from Yao Hui and placed it on the ground. "Eat, why wouldn't we eat? Miss Yao, you don't need to worry. If these two don't want it, I'll eat it! Hmph, I can't believe there are people in this world who are so ungrateful."
Chen Fan looked at the man before him, thinking him truly foolish. At this moment, he probably hadn't even grasped the real situation. With Xu Daming causing trouble, Chen Fan had no choice but to change his tune.
"Alas, alright. Since it's Miss Yao's kind gesture, it wouldn't be right for us to refuse it outright at this moment!" Chen Fan said, looking at Yao Hui with a serious expression. "Thank you, Miss Yao!"
"You're welcome!" Yao Hui smiled. Just as Xu Daming picked up chopsticks to serve himself, she quickly snatched them from his hand and offered them to Chen Fan. Xu Daming felt resentful but had no recourse.
And so, they spent a very pleasant 'dinner'. Throughout the meal, Xu Daming's mood was consistently poor. More than once, he shot Chen Fan icy glares, as if everything happening was because of him, as if Chen Fan were the sole culprit. But only Chen Fan understood that Xu Daming hadn't yet grasped the gravity of the situation. That was why he felt like the victim.
After dinner, Yao Hui returned to set up a tent to rest, while Chen Fan and his group began setting up their own.
"There seems to be a significant issue with this Yao Hui. She's being far too kind to you, acting nothing like a stranger should. However, we can't yet determine if she's from District 13 or the Knights of the Undead!" Bai Zhannian quickly identified the root of the problem after weighing the possibilities. Yao Hui's current behavior was indeed peculiar, and they didn't believe she was entirely innocent.
Chen Fan, hearing this, smiled and shook his head. "If only I knew what was going on. But everything that's happening clearly tells us that this isn't as simple as it seems. I just hope she's not from District 13, otherwise, our escape will be very difficult." Chen Fan prayed silently.
The group gradually began setting up their tents. As night fell, the temperature dropped, and fewer people were active outside.