The sky grew darker day by day, as if covered by a layer of thick, indelible ink.

The leaden-gray clouds pressed heavily overhead, threatening to collapse at any moment and swallow the entire world.

The cold wind was no longer the refreshing coolness of autumn, but had transformed into a tangible blade, howling through the forest, swirling up the remaining withered branches and leaves, and emitting a mournful wail.

The tracks of birds and beasts have become sparse. Except for a few cold-resistant species, most creatures have hidden themselves away, preparing to face the long and cruel trial that is about to begin.

Lin Feng stood in front of his carefully reinforced and expanded wooden house, feeling the increasingly biting chill.

A thin layer of white frost had formed on his eyebrows and stubble, and his breath quickly turned into white mist, which was then dispersed by the cold wind.

He tightened his winter robe, which was made of multiple layers of thick animal hides and lined with soft rabbit fur, and calmly surveyed the desolate world before him.

"A blizzard is probably not far off."

He muttered to himself, his voice carried somewhat by the wind. Yet, in stark contrast to this harsh environment was his inner steadfastness and fulfillment. This winter, he was better prepared than ever before.

The original little wooden house has long since changed its appearance.

Around it, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, several auxiliary buildings of varying sizes sprang up from the ground.

These are all new warehouses that Lin Feng has built himself over the past few months, using his increasingly skilled carpentry techniques and high-quality timber sourced from the forest.

The reason is simple: there is too much inventory, and the original warehouse is already overburdened.

The largest new warehouse, almost twice the size of the main cabin, is specifically designed to store bulk, non-perishable supplies.

Inside, small mountains of firewood and charcoal were neatly piled up, categorized by type. The firewood was all split into uniform lengths and thicknesses, stacked tidyly, and exuded a dry, woody fragrance.

Charcoal, carefully crafted from hardwood, is jet black and shiny, producing a clear, metallic sound when struck. It is his lifeline for keeping warm and cooking in winter.

On the other side of the warehouse were bundles of various processed animal hides, including soft rabbit and fox skins, as well as tough bison hides.

There were also some leathers with strange patterns that he had peeled off from unknown beasts.

These are all valuable materials for making clothes, bedding, and repair tools.

In the corner, there were also piles of various metal ingots and semi-finished tools that he had collected and forged, gleaming with a cold metallic luster.

Next to the main wooden house is a medium-sized warehouse, which is Lin Feng's "granary".

As soon as you step inside, the rich aroma of food wafts over you, making your mouth water. Huge wooden racks are hung with dried strips of meat—venison, wild boar, and elk.

These jerky pieces are carefully marinated with salt and spices, giving them an enticing dark red color and a unique salty aroma.

Next to it were cured and smoked meats in earthenware jars and wooden barrels, large chunks of meat covered in thick layers of fat—a hard currency for replenishing energy in winter.

What Lin Feng was most proud of was his mountain of "Golden Fox Rice".

This fragrant and nutritious wild rice, with its plump and round grains, was stored in a specially made large wooden box lined with moisture-proof animal hide, occupying the very center of the granary.

Besides Golden Fox Rice, he also collected other edible grains and beans, which, although few in number, still enriched his diet.

Salted fish and dried fish were also important reserves. Rows of dried salted fish strung together with "tough vines" hung from the beams of the warehouse, like silver wind chimes.

Most of these fish are caught in the fall and, after being pickled and dried, can be preserved for a long time.

He expanded the cellars several times. The original small cellar beneath the main wooden house has now been transformed into a complex and interconnected underground storage system.

Referring to some knowledge he had about cellar construction, he carefully designed the ventilation openings and moisture-proof layer to ensure that the cellar remained cool and dry all year round.

He used one of the largest cellars to store root vegetables that required low-temperature storage and some fresh meat.

He consciously collected a large number of plant roots and stems similar to carrots and wild yams, and buried them in moist sand, which effectively extended their shelf life.

He would also wrap some fresh prey in thick animal hides after initial processing and hang them deep in the coldest part of the cellar to freeze and preserve them using the natural low temperature.

Another cellar was used specifically to store the fruit wines he brewed.

Looking at the fully stocked warehouses and cellars, Lin Feng felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction and pride.

This was not merely an accumulation of food and supplies, but also the culmination of his wisdom, sweat, and strength, forming a solid foundation for his survival in this harsh wilderness.

He knew that with these reserves, he would be well-prepared to handle any sudden disaster, let alone a winter.

"Everything is ready, just waiting for winter to come." He patted a wooden box filled with golden fox rice next to him, a relaxed smile on his face.

Lin Feng felt no fear or weariness about the long winter that was about to begin; on the contrary, he was filled with anticipation.

He has even planned out a happy life of "staying at home" for himself.

He imagined what it would be like when a blizzard raged outside and the whole world was covered in ice and snow.

He stayed in the warm, cozy cabin. The fire in the fireplace crackled and popped, driving away all the chill.

He curled up on that comfortable bed.

Phantom, the little beast with bright, lively eyes, would, as usual, curl up in his arms or lie beside his pillow, making contented purring sounds.

A human and a beast, keeping each other warm.

Wangcai would lie in front of the fireplace, dozing off, occasionally swishing its tail, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

He could brew a pot of "forest herbal tea" made with wild fruits and herbs, the aroma of which would waft through the warm air.

Then, he would open his phone and revisit those classic movies, or immerse himself in the fantastical world of words.

Occasionally, he would take out a simple musical instrument he made himself: a bamboo tube with its core hollowed out and polished smooth, and play some tuneless tunes to amuse himself.

Of course, delicious food is also essential.

He had plenty of ingredients to try making all sorts of delicious dishes: roast meat, stews, fragrant Golden Fox Rice, and various snacks he invented himself.

Just thinking about such a life filled him with immense comfort and happiness. It was a tranquil seclusion from the world, a freedom that belonged entirely to him, undisturbed.

Just when Lin Feng thought his winter preparations were perfect and he was ready to "hibernate" in peace, a routine patrol brought him another unexpected and huge surprise.