Fortune Across the World

Chapter 69: A Clever Solution to Starting a Fire

Realizing her instinctive action, Lu Weixi blushed with embarrassment, quickly trying to pull away from Ding Qiyu's embrace. However, Ding Qiyu held her firmly, whispering in her ear, "I promised I wouldn't let go."

Lu Weixi, her face flushed, gently pushed against Ding Qiyu, "Still, let's think about starting a fire first..."

Ding Qiyu's grin was practically reaching the sky, "Alright, we'll start the fire and then continue~" She released Lu Weixi and took a few steps forward, picking up a small branch, pondering the challenge, "But... do we really have to make fire by friction?"

"You could make a 'fire bow,'" Lu Weixi suggested from behind.

"A 'fire bow'? What's that?" Ding Qiyu was surprised for the second time that day. She stood up and returned to Lu Weixi's side, eager to hear more, "Tell me how, and I'll do it."

Feeling the chill from the damp air after leaving Ding Qiyu's warm embrace, Lu Weixi explained, trembling slightly, "A 'fire bow' is a bow-like tool for starting a fire. You'll need a bendable stick for the bow and a string or some sturdy grass. The stick is the bow, and the grass is the string. You wrap the string around another small stick, place it on a wooden board with some dry tinder underneath, and then move the bow back and forth to spin the stick, creating enough friction to ignite the tinder. Perhaps it's similar to what you called 'making fire by friction'?"

Understanding her explanation, Ding Qiyu's eyes lit up, and she excitedly hammered her fist into her palm, "No, no, what I was thinking of was using hand friction—probably wouldn't even see sparks before nightfall! Your method is much more efficient!" Seeing Lu Weixi shiver, Ding Qiyu felt a pang of sympathy. She removed her outer garment and draped it over her, hoping it would provide some warmth, however slight.

With her outer garment off, the wooden exoskeleton beneath was exposed. As she checked the mechanism, a small spring-loaded blade popped out. She skillfully dismantled the exoskeleton and held it in her hands, "Let's gather materials as you suggested, together."

Lu Weixi clutched the damp yet slightly warm garment, nodding, "Of course, I'll help you find them."

Together they ventured outside the cave in search of materials for the fire bow. Ding Qiyu, familiar with wood types, quickly found a suitable branch for the bow, cutting it with the small blade, trimming off the twigs, and testing its flexibility. Satisfied with the choice for the bow, she turned to see Lu Weixi bending to pull up some long grass. Alarmed, she immediately warned, "Hey! Weixi, don't touch that. Some grass has sharp edges; you'll hurt your hands." In two quick steps, she reached her and used the blade to cut the grass, reassuring, "I'll handle this. You just supervise."

Lu Weixi felt warmth in her heart, grateful for Ding Qiyu's constant care, and smiled softly, "I want to help too..."

"Suggesting this method was already crucial help. You can be the overseer—I’ll be the laborer~" Ding Qiyu tested the grass for toughness and texture, cutting several more pieces just in case, then searched for suitable wood for the drill.

"Let me carry what you've found," Lu Weixi offered, wanting to contribute.

Seeing the hopeful look in her eyes, Ding Qiyu double-checked the materials to ensure there were no splinters or sharp edges before handing them over. Watching her smile with satisfaction, Ding Qiyu felt a deep sense of happiness, even amidst their predicament, simply because she was by her side.