The last rays of the setting sun bathed the warm courtyard once more, and wisps of smoke rose from the shelter.
Lin Feng carefully washed the collected "star velvet" with clean water, and its unique aroma became more and more intense during the washing process.
He cut some of the "star mushrooms" into thick slices, preparing to use the simplest method—charcoal grilling—to savor their original flavor.
The other part is diced and prepared to be stewed with some of the previously stored exotic beast meat to make a delicious mushroom and meat soup.
Lin Feng handled the precious "dragon scale caviar" with even greater care.
He lightly stirred it with a tiny amount of natural "salt crystals" extracted from a special plant to enhance its umami flavor, but he didn't dare to add too much, for fear of ruining its perfect flavor.
As for the flesh of the "Dragon Scale Fish", it is delicate and firm, with a light pink color and an enticing aroma.
Lin Feng decided to grill part of it and slice the other part into thin slices to try making sashimi.
Soon, an enticing aroma filled the open space of the shelter.
Thick slices of "star mushroom" sizzle over the charcoal fire, golden oil seeping from their surface. The intense aroma of the mushrooms mingles with the smoky fragrance of the charcoal, making one's mouth water.
Lin Feng simply sprinkled a little bit of his homemade spice powder on the food and placed it into the bowls of Qin Lan, Su Wanqing and the others who were already waiting.
Everyone eagerly picked up a piece and put it in their mouths.
"Hmm!" Almost everyone let out a satisfied sigh.
The texture of "Star Mushroom" is smooth and chewy, with a unique chewiness, and the taste is absolutely delicious. It has a rich mushroom aroma and a sweet aftertaste, as if the essence of the entire forest is concentrated in this small piece of mushroom meat.
"It's so delicious! Mr. Lin, this is the best mushroom I've ever eaten!" Xiao Mei said indistinctly as she chewed, her face beaming with a happy smile.
Next up was grilled "dragon scale fish".
The fish skin is roasted until it's crispy and fragrant, while the fish meat is tender and juicy. With a gentle bite, the delicious juices burst in your mouth, carrying a faint, citrus-like fragrance that blends perfectly with the natural sweetness of the fish.
The "Star Velvet" alien beast meat soup brought out the ultimate in deliciousness. The rich flavor of the alien beast meat and the fresh aroma of the "Star Velvet" blended together, creating a thick and flavorful broth that left a lasting impression with every bite.
Finally, and most anticipated, is the "Dragon Scale Caviar".
Lin Feng distributed the prepared caviar to everyone, giving each person a small spoonful. He didn't add anything with it, simply letting everyone savor its purest flavor.
When the black pearl-like fish roe bursts in your mouth, releasing an unparalleled storm of umami and saltiness, everyone is captivated by the ultimate deliciousness.
It was an enjoyment that defies description; it made my very soul tremble.
"This...this is simply a divine delicacy!" Even Qin Lan, who was usually calm and composed, couldn't help but let her beautiful eyes shine as she sincerely exclaimed.
Su Wanqing squinted her eyes happily, savoring the delicious flavor dancing on her tongue.
Tang Bao also raved about the caviar. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at Lin Feng, full of admiration, and said, "Brother Lin Feng, you're amazing! You always find such wonderful things! Being with you is a surprise every day!"
This dinner was undoubtedly the most sumptuous and delicious meal Lin Feng had had since arriving on this planet.
Fresh star oysters, delicious dragon scale fish, and premium dragon scale caviar not only satisfy people's appetites, but more importantly, they bring hope and a love for life.
Looking at the genuine smiles on everyone's faces, Lin Feng felt a surge of warmth and satisfaction.
Night once again embraced the warm basin, the campfire inside the shelter crackled, and the lingering aroma of food in the air had not yet completely dissipated.
A feast for the taste buds, featuring "star velvet" and "dragon scale caviar," left everyone with a lingering glow of satisfaction and happiness on their faces.
The women huddled together in small groups, chatting and laughing quietly, discussing their day's harvest and the amazing delicacies. The atmosphere was one of the most relaxed and peaceful they had experienced since arriving on this alien planet.
Lin Feng sat in his usual spot on a large, polished rock, with his loyal dog Wangcai beside him. Wangcai lay lazily, occasionally yawning contentedly.
On his other side, curled up, was a strange beast that resembled a cat but also possessed a wild and mysterious quality—this was "Phantom".
Lin Feng smiled faintly as he gently stroked the Phantom's soft fur.
The presence of this little thing always allowed him to relax his tense nerves a little.
He casually picked up a glass next to him and started drinking.
He had just taken a sip of water when the phantom, seemingly attracted by the flickering flames of the campfire or perhaps wanting to interact with Lin Feng, suddenly leaped lightly off his lap, attempting to pounce on the non-existent "enemy."
"Meow!"
The little guy was agile, but because he landed unsteadily, one of his hind paws accidentally snagged the glass that Lin Feng had placed on the edge of the rock.
"Clatter—bang!"
The crisp cracking sound seemed particularly jarring in the relatively quiet night.
The glass fell onto the hard stone floor and shattered into pieces instantly, splashing water all over the ground.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The laughter stopped, and everyone's eyes turned to the source of the sound.
The phantom was clearly startled by this sudden turn of events; its body tensed instantly, and a hint of panic flashed in its silver eyes.
It froze on the spot, staring at the shards on the ground. Then, it cautiously raised its head, looking at Lin Feng with pitiful eyes that were a mixture of innocence, fear, and pleading. A weak "woof" sound came from its throat, as if to say, "Master, I didn't mean to..."
Lin Feng was slightly taken aback, but when he saw Mei Ying's pitiful appearance, the slight displeasure he felt from being disturbed vanished instantly.
Far from being angry, he found the little creature's frightened appearance rather endearing.
He reached out and gently pulled the Phantom into his arms, lightly scratching its soft chin with his finger, his voice so gentle it could melt water: "Silly boy, were you scared? It's okay, it's just a cup. If it's broken, it's broken. Don't be afraid."
As he spoke, he gently patted Phantom's back, his tone full of affection: "Be careful next time, don't be so clumsy. Look at you, did you get your paws cut by the shards?"
He carefully examined the Phantom's claw pads and was relieved to find that it was unharmed.
The phantom sensed its master's comfort and its tense body gradually relaxed.
It rubbed its little head against Lin Feng's chest and made a satisfied purring sound.
Those around them smiled knowingly at the sight.
Tang Bao saw all of this.
She sat not too far from Lin Feng, holding a glass of the same material in her hands, which contained fruit tea that she had specially saved to savor slowly.
When Phantom broke the glass, her heart skipped a beat, instinctively thinking that Lin Feng would be angry.
After all, in this resource-scarce wasteland, every item has value, even a cup.
However, Lin Feng's reaction was far beyond her expectations.
There was no scolding as expected, no displeasure whatsoever, only endless tenderness and comfort.
He spoke softly, and his doting gaze made Tang Bao a little stunned, a complex emotion welling up in her heart.
"So...so Brother Lin Feng likes this kind of thing?"
She thought to herself, "If I make a small mistake and then look pitiful, I can get his forgiveness and comfort, and even... more gentle treatment?"
Tang Bao used to be a well-known internet celebrity. She knew how to show her cute and vulnerable side to win the love and sympathy of her fans.
Arriving on this cruel alien planet, she tried her best to adapt and learn various survival skills, but the deep-seated desire to be noticed and cared for never truly disappeared.
Lin Feng's strength, composure, and occasional gentleness had already won her heart, and she regarded him as a man she could rely on.
Seeing Lin Feng's doting affection for Mei Ying, a bold yet naive idea suddenly popped into her mind.
"If... if I accidentally broke something like Phantom, and then looked at Brother Lin Feng with those pitiful eyes, would he speak to me gently like that? Would he hug me and comfort me?"
Once this idea takes hold, it grows wildly like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
She felt that this might be a good opportunity to get closer to Lin Feng and let him see her "cute" side.
She felt that as long as she acted innocent and pitiful enough, Lin Feng would not really be angry.
After all, even a small pet can be forgiven for making a mistake, so it shouldn't be a big deal for her, a living person, to break a cup, right?
Tang Bao's heart began to race. She secretly glanced at Lin Feng and saw that he was still looking down, comforting the phantom in his arms, completely immersed in interacting with his pet.
She glanced again at the ceramic cup in her hand and the scattered shards of the cup not far away.
A plan quickly took shape in her mind.
She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind.
Holding her cup, she casually stood up from her seat and slowly walked towards the campfire, pretending to add some hot water.
Her steps were deliberately unsteady, and her eyes held a hint of what she perceived as panic.
In the courtyard, most people's attention was still on Lin Feng and Mei Ying, or they were talking in hushed tones. Not many people noticed Tang Bao's slightly strange behavior at this moment.
I walked to an area where miscellaneous items were piled up, and there were some scattered stones there as well.
A barely perceptible hint of tension and anticipation flashed in Tang Bao's eyes. She calculated the angle and force, and then, "just right," stumbled.
"Oh dear!" she exclaimed, deliberately lowering her voice but still loud enough for anyone to hear.
The cup flew out of his hand.
"Crack! Bang!"
Another crisp cracking sound rang out, almost a repeat of the previous sound.
The ceramic cup in Tang Bao's hand also fell onto the hard stone and shattered into several pieces, splashing the fruit tea inside everywhere.
The series of cracking sounds silenced the shelter, which had just returned to normal.
This time, everyone's eyes were focused on Tang Bao.
Tang Bao tried hard to control her expression. She imitated the phantom's appearance just now. Her face was pale, her body trembled slightly, and her big, watery eyes quickly filled with tears.
She stared in panic at the shards on the ground, then abruptly looked up at Lin Feng with the innocent, pitiful look she had practiced countless times, her voice trembling with tears as she cried out in a flustered voice, "I...I'm so sorry! Brother Lin Feng! I...I didn't mean to! I didn't hold on properly..."
She even bit her lower lip slightly, trying to make herself look more pitiful, hoping that Lin Feng would come over and gently comfort her, just like he did with Phantom, and tell her "it's okay".
However, what she received was not the tenderness she had expected.
Lin Feng was enjoying a moment of tranquility brought by the Phantom when this sudden scene made him frown deeply.
His face instantly darkened, his eyes turning icy cold, devoid of any warmth.
The phantom in his arms sensed its master's anger, shifted uneasily, and let out a soft whimper.
When Tang Bao saw Lin Feng's cold gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition arose within her.
She almost couldn't maintain her innocent expression, but she forced herself to, tears welling in her eyes, her voice choked with sobs: "Brother Lin Feng... I really... really didn't mean to..."
Lin Feng didn't speak. He slowly put down the Phantom in his arms, stood up, and walked step by step toward Tang Bao.
His steps were slow, but each step felt like it was stomping on Tang Bao's heart, making her feel suffocated by the pressure.
The atmosphere around them became heavy, and everyone held their breath, watching the scene with tension.
They could all sense the undisguised anger emanating from Lin Feng, a stark contrast to the gentleness he displayed towards Phantom earlier.
When Lin Feng walked up to Tang Bao, he looked down at her, his eyes filled with disappointment and disgust.
"Not on purpose?"
He sneered, his eyes icy: "If you can't even do this little thing right, what use are you to me!"
Tang Bao felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze, and tears finally welled up in her eyes. She hurriedly shook her head, "No...no...Brother Lin Feng, you have to believe me..."
"Believe you?" Lin Feng could no longer suppress his anger, and he suddenly raised his hand.
"Smack!"
A resounding slap landed hard on Tang Bao's face!
The force was so great that it made Tang Bao stagger, and half of her cheek swelled up at a visible speed, with a trace of blood even seeping from the corner of her mouth.
Her head buzzed as if struck by a heavy hammer, her mind went blank for a moment, and all she could hear was a sharp ringing in her ears.
Everyone was stunned!
No one expected that Lin Feng would actually make a move, and with such a merciless slap!
Qin Lan and Su Wanqing's expressions changed drastically, and they exclaimed almost simultaneously, "Mr. Lin!"
Tang Bao covered her burning, painful cheek, looking at Lin Feng in disbelief, tears streaming down her face like broken beads.
She was completely bewildered, not understanding why this was happening. The script wasn't supposed to go like this! Why did the Phantom receive comfort for breaking the glass, while she received a slap?
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