Chapter 71

"You actually know this?" Hank Cooper's fingers trembled as he pointed at the unassuming fern.

Lucy White didn't even glance up. "Serrated fern. Crushed leaves can stop bleeding."

Hank, refusing to believe, pointed at seven more plants in rapid succession. Lucy identified each effortlessly, even detailing their growth cycles and medicinal uses.

"No way!" Hank grabbed his short hair in frustration. "It took me five years apprenticing under my uncle to learn these!"

Victor Stone leaned against a tree trunk, chuckling. "Looks like the 'Walking Plant Encyclopedia' title has a new owner."

Lucy twirled a leaf between her fingers. "My mom's a horticulturist. I've been identifying plants since I was three."

[Live comments exploded]

[What kind of photographic memory is this?!]

[That soldier's existential crisis face is killing me]

[Is Lucy cheating or something?]

Hank suddenly dropped to one knee, clasping his hands dramatically. "Master, accept this humble disciple!"

The group burst into laughter. Ethan Smith's eyes gleamed with admiration. "How about Professor Lucy gives us a botany lesson?"

"Yes! Way better than textbooks!" Daniel Miller raised his hand eagerly.

The hike transformed into Lucy's showcase. She explained plant characteristics while sprinkling in fascinating trivia—like how certain orchids mimic female bees to trick males into pollination, leaving everyone awestruck.

"Wait!" Hank grabbed her wrist as she reached for a plant. "That's poisonous, right?"

Lucy shook the red berries in her palm. "Perfectly safe with mint leaves. Even boosts alertness." She popped one into her mouth.

Hank turned pale, but when Lucy remained energetic five minutes later, he surrendered completely.

Botanists in the livestream panicked:

[Some of these remedies aren't even in academic papers!]

[Someone record this—it's priceless field research!]

Three hours later, the other guests were dragging their feet. Robert Lee collapsed onto the ground. "I'm done..."

"Let's camp here." Hank checked the map, then smirked. "But dinner's DIY tonight~"

Lily Green nearly cried. Her blistered feet begged for energy bars.

"We're catching fish," Lucy announced.

Ryan Clark blinked. "Where? This is middle of nowhere."

Lucy pointed southeast. "River one kilometer away. Determined by vegetation patterns and slope gradient."

The group: "......"

Is she even human?

Jason Wright timidly raised his hand. "Professor Lucy... are you actually a rainforest spirit?"

[We bow to the master] flooded the screen. The director grinned at skyrocketing ratings.

"Coming?" Lucy already rolled up her pants. "Fish sleep early."

Ethan was first to follow. "Absolutely."

Moonlight silvered Lucy's silhouette. Watching her, Hank suddenly saw the familiar jungle through new, wondrous eyes.