The cold wind by the lake was still biting, and the empty glass bottle of "happy water" was held in the hands of the women as if it were a treasure.

They huddled in a slightly sheltered rocky hollow, the fire burning weakly, unable to dispel the bone-chilling cold.

"Are we... just going to continue like this?"

Qian Xiaoxiao's voice was choked with sobs. Her once proud shrewdness and cunning seemed so ridiculous and presumptuous in the face of Lin Feng's almost godlike power.

"To starve to death, or to freeze to death..."

Su Wanqing hugged her arms tightly, her face as pale as snow.

As a former heiress, she never imagined she would end up in such a state.

Lin Feng's bottle of Coca-Cola was like a mirror, reflecting their current embarrassment and humiliation, as well as the insurmountable chasm between them and that man.

But at the same time, it was also a spark of civilization, reminding them of what a wonderful world once existed.

"No, we can't just give up like this."

Qin Lan spoke, her voice hoarse yet exceptionally firm.

As the de facto leader of this group of women, she knew she couldn't afford to fall apart.

She looked at the glass bottle in her hand, its smooth texture, this incredible creation, which stirred up a long-suppressed will to survive deep within her.

"Lin Feng... although he is so powerful that he is not like an ordinary person, he is still just a human being."

Qin Lan said slowly, her gaze sweeping over everyone, "A person's energy is always limited. He can create those magical things, build sturdy wooden houses, and tame wondrous mounts, but he can't be good at everything."

Ruan Mengtian was a little confused: "Sister Qin Lan, what do you mean?"

“What I mean is,” Qin Lan took a deep breath, a glint of light flashing in her eyes, “we… can try to establish a… connection with him. Not begging, but… a deal.”

"A trade?" Shen Jiaqi's eyes widened. "What do we have to trade with him? He has nothing to lack!"

"No, he will be short of it."

Qin Lan's tone was unusually certain: "He loves food, you can tell from the potato chips and spicy strips he makes, to that bottle of 'happy water'. He needs all sorts of spices."

“He might not have enough time and energy to carefully search for plants on his own. He would also need help with some trivial tasks, such as processing animal hides and collecting firewood.”

Su Wanqing's eyes lit up: "You mean, we'll use our labor, or anything we can gather that's useful to him, to exchange for food?"

"Yes."

Qin Lan nodded, "This is our only chance. Rather than sitting and waiting to die, we should take the initiative. At least, this will allow us to live with some dignity."

Tang Bao said timidly, "But... will he agree? He looks... so cold."

How will you know if you don't try?

Qin Lan stood up, her body swaying from hunger and cold, but her eyes were filled with a resolute determination: "Rather than waiting to die here, I'd rather face him. Even being rejected is better than this."

This suggestion was like a lifeline, stirring a ripple in the otherwise lifeless hearts of the other women.

Yes, the more "divine" Lin Feng's abilities are, the more it shows that he controls resources that they cannot even imagine.

If they could get even a tiny bit from him, it would be enough to give them a glimmer of hope in this cruel wilderness.

They began to discuss it in detail. What could they do? What plants did they recognize?

What price could they bear? Every question was a matter of life and death, and they discussed it intensely and earnestly.

Ultimately, they decided that Qin Lan and the relatively composed Su Wanqing would act as their representatives to find Lin Feng again and present their "trade request".

They gathered all the animal hides they had that could keep them warm and made the two of them wear them. They also shared the last bit of dried fish they had with them to replenish their strength.

A few days later, when Lin Feng returned to the cabin after a routine hunt with several plump snow rabbits and an unlucky young snow fox, the perceptive Wangcai suddenly growled in a low voice, warily watching a sparse grove of trees not far from the cabin.

Lin Feng followed Wangcai's gaze and saw two familiar figures standing there timidly; they were Qin Lan and Su Wanqing.

They looked more haggard than before, but there was a strange light in their eyes.

"What is it?" Lin Feng asked, his voice flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

He was somewhat surprised that these women actually dared to come to him.

Qin Lan took a deep breath, braved the cold wind, and took a few steps forward, trying to make her voice sound confident: "Mr. Lin Feng, we...we would like to discuss a deal with you."

"trade?"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly, a playful smile curving his lips. "What qualifications do you have to negotiate with me? Or rather, what do you have that I need?"

Su Wanqing interjected, "Mr. Lin Feng, we know you are interested in various spices and special plants. If we split up and search this forest, it will be more efficient than if you did it alone."

"We can gather all the seasonings you need, or other plants that interest you. All we need is... some food to keep us alive."

Qin Lan added, "We can also help you with some chores within our capabilities, such as processing the animal pelts you hunt or collecting firewood. We don't ask for much, just enough to ensure we have something to eat every day so we don't starve."

Lin Feng listened quietly, his eyes like a deep pool, making it impossible to see what he was thinking.

He does need some manpower to handle those trivial but time-consuming tasks.

For example, he has recently become interested in several newly discovered tree barks and grass seeds with distinctive odors and wants to collect them in large quantities, but one person's energy is limited.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly asked, "Oh? What useful plants do you recognize?"

Qin Lan and Su Wanqing exchanged a glance, feeling slightly relieved. This meant there was hope!

They quickly described some plants that they knew could be used as spices or had special uses.

For example, there is a small red berry that emits a numbing aroma similar to Sichuan peppercorns, a shrub with leaves that have a strong spicy fragrance, and a plant whose roots and stems can be ground into powder to thicken soups.

Lin Feng listened without commenting.

He knew most of these things, and had even collected some of them.

But as they said, having more people would indeed make things much more efficient.

Moreover, they would do everything in their power to survive.

"Can."

Lin Feng finally nodded. "I can provide you with food, but only if what you gather satisfies me. If you slack off or try to deceive me, the deal can be terminated at any time."

"We understand! We would never!" Qin Lan and Su Wanqing were overjoyed and quickly assured each other.

"in addition."

Lin Feng's gaze swept over their thin clothing. "I will give you some processed animal hides so you can sew your own warm clothes. But these are also part of the transaction, and you will need to work harder to earn them."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Lin Feng! Thank you so much!" The two were so excited they almost knelt down.

This is not just food, it's hope for survival!

Thus, a peculiar "employment" or "trade" relationship was established in this primeval wilderness.

Lin Feng gave them some initial tasks, such as collecting large quantities of those red berries with a numbing taste, and a small black herb seed that he had recently discovered, which, when dried and ground into powder, could be used as a substitute for pepper.

He also gave them some relatively intact dried meat and several tanned, soft animal hides.

When Qin Lan and Su Wanqing returned to their temporary shelter with these "life-saving" supplies, the other women burst into a suppressed cheer.

They saw a glimmer of hope for survival.