Having had several experiences of camping out, Shi Tou had learned from Lai Fu and the others how to build a campfire. After resting for a while after putting down the firewood, Shi Tou fumbled around and built a fire by himself.
Seeing that Shi Tou was sweating profusely and covered in sawdust, Pei Han said, "Well done. Go wash up by the stream first."
Stone respectfully replied, "Yes, Master," and then trotted off to the stream.
Ever since he started studying with Pei Han, Shi Tou has become nervous every time he sees Pei Han, and speaks to Pei Han with utmost respect, a stark contrast to his attitude towards Min Yueqing.
Shi Tou felt gratitude mixed with admiration for Min Yueqing. He had already secretly decided to follow Min Yueqing for the rest of his life to repay her kindness. Therefore, he felt more at ease in front of Min Yueqing.
Of course, this is partly because Min Yueqing gives off a more easygoing vibe, while Pei Han appears more serious.
Pei Han grabbed the branch with the ingredients in one hand and took out a tinderbox with the other, preparing to start a fire.
At this moment, Min Yueqing walked over with Pei Ji. Min Yueqing said, "Let me light the fire."
Pei Han shook his head and said with a smile, "No need, one hand is enough for me."
After hearing this, Min Yueqing did not refute it, but instead said, "Then I'll help you get these branches. You should build two wooden frames, right?"
This would be inconvenient for Pei Han to operate with one hand, and Min Yueqing felt that he would not refuse.
Stone quickly washed his hands and face, then ran back. Upon hearing this, he immediately said enthusiastically, "Master, I'll get it!"
As Shi Tou spoke, he reached out his hand. Pei Han chuckled twice at Min Yueqing and handed the item in his hand to Shi Tou.
Min Yueqing: ...
Pei Ji looked at the stone's hand, then at her own hand, which was two sizes smaller, and silently thought that she wanted to grow up quickly.
Pei Han moved swiftly and quickly started a fire. The wooden frame was also set up. He took the long branch with the rabbit and two fish skewered on it from Shi Tou's hand and placed it on the fire.
The remaining shorter branches each had half a fish speared on them. Pei Han simply stuck them into the ground next to the campfire, letting the edge flames slowly spread.
Min Yueqing rarely saw such a simple outdoor barbecue, and found it very interesting.
Later generations had all the necessary barbecue equipment, such as grills, grill pans, and grill racks. Even when going outdoors, grills and charcoal were the most common tools. For safety and convenience reasons, many restaurants even abandoned open flames and used electric stoves instead, making this primitive barbecue method quite rare.
Seeing the flames slowly roasting the fish skin on the branches, Min Yueqing suddenly remembered the essential seasonings for barbecuing. She quickly used her mind to transfer some salt, pepper, cumin, and other seasonings to her body, and then pretended to have just remembered them before taking off her purse.
Min Yueqing handed the purse to Pei Han and said, "Open it and take a look."
Pei Han untied the pouch, leaned closer to take a look, and immediately smelled the aroma of spices. He asked Min Yueqing with delight, "Is this seasoning?"
Min Yue nodded naturally and explained, "It's a habit I developed on the way here; I carry it with me just in case."
Upon hearing this, Pei Han felt that his wife had truly suffered. Not wanting to evoke unpleasant memories for Min Yueqing, he stopped talking about the topic.
Actually, with Amei and Shitou by her side on the way here, they didn't need to use anything that Min Yueqing carried with her. But precisely because of this, even Pei Ji and Shitou didn't know what she would carry with her, and neither of the children questioned Min Yueqing's statement.
Pei Han would flip the meat on the wooden rack every now and then. When the rabbit and fish were sizzling with oil, he would grab some seasoning from his purse and sprinkle it on. The seasoning wasn't sprinkled very evenly, but an overpowering aroma of roasted meat immediately spread out. This was undoubtedly the barbecue smell that Min Yueqing was familiar with.
Min Yueqing and Pei Ji stared intently at the fragrant roasted rabbit and fish, while Shi Tou swallowed hard, wishing he could start eating right away.
Pei Han used his dagger to cut open the rabbit meat and took a look. The inside had changed color. He solemnly announced, "It's cooked."
Pei Ji immediately cheered and moved closer to Pei Han. At this moment, Shi Tou completely forgot his awe of Pei Han and followed Pei Ji forward.
Pei Han placed his hand on the wooden frame on the right and called out to Shi Tou, "Go over there and help me move the wooden frame away."
Stone obediently followed orders and moved the wooden rack with Pei Han, removing the roasted meat from the fire.
Pei Han then pulled up all the grilled fish from beside the campfire and moved them to the same spot.
Being outdoors, they inevitably lacked the necessary eating utensils, so the group wisely abandoned many of the rules they followed at home and happily ate using a makeshift grill.
Pei Han first used his only dagger to cut off a plump rabbit leg and handed it to Min Yueqing. Then he cut off two more rabbit legs and gave them to Pei Ji and Shi Tou. Finally, it was his turn.
The four of them didn't mind the heat and each grabbed a rabbit leg to gnaw on. With all the seasonings, every bite was bursting with freshness and flavor, and the meat was incredibly tender, making it impossible to stop eating.
Seeing that Min Yueqing liked it, Pei Han cut off another piece of tender rabbit meat and handed it to her after she finished eating, saying, "Eat more."
Min Yueqing accepted it with a smile without hesitation. Upon seeing it, Pei Ji anxiously said to Pei Han, "Father, I want one too!"
Pei Han chuckled, rarely seeing his son so enthusiastic about any food. "Finish what you have in your hand first, and I'll save you a piece here."
The rabbit was quickly devoured, and the group unanimously turned their attention to the remaining grilled fish.
There were so many fish that there was no need to cut them with a knife; everyone could get two whole fish.
The grilled fish had been sitting for a while, and the fish meat was no longer hot. Min Yueqing grabbed a tree branch with one hand and tore off a piece of fish meat with the other and threw it into her mouth. It was indeed as salty and delicious as she had imagined.
Min Yueqing couldn't help but squint her peach blossom eyes with pleasure, savoring the familiar and delicious taste.
Seeing that Min Yueqing's method of eating was simple and effective, Pei Ji also tried to tear the fish meat with his hands. However, he was not strong enough, so he did not pick up the branch, but instead held onto the branch stuck in the ground to tear it apart.
At first, Pei Ji's movements were not very skilled; it was more like picking than tearing. But as he picked more, he gradually found some tricks and was able to pick out larger and larger pieces of fish meat at a time.
Pei Han is similar to Min Yueqing in this respect; he also doesn't do too many things for Pei Ji in daily life, but lets Pei Ji try things on her own.
It's okay if you take some detours along the way; trial and error are common when trying to learn new skills.
Pei Ji slowly ate the fish, managing to finish most of it, but that was his limit; he couldn't eat another bite.
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