Ziqian knew her. He had a good impression of this bubbly little female who was always talking about food. If she were in the modern world, she would definitely be a food enthusiast, maybe even running her own food channel.
His lips curved in a small, embarrassed smile. "The ingredients weren't enough," he admitted softly. "I could only give at least a bowl."
The crowd instantly lit up.
For the beasts with their large appetites, a single bowl was far from enough—but food they hadn't hunted or worked for was already a blessing. Just the thought of tasting something new, something different from their monotonous diet, was enough to make their hearts itch with anticipation.
Elder Sen, who had been silently watching from the side, finally spoke. Her voice carried both warmth and authority, cutting through the murmur of excitement. "You don't need to give anything, child. You've worked hard to find those ingredients. Keep it for yourself."
The crowd quieted instantly.
Tin's face flushed red as the weight of Elder Sen's words sank in. Only then did she remember the seed she had eaten earlier—the one Ziqian had risked himself to find. With monsters lurking in the forest and the constant threat of poison, it wasn't easy to discover new, safe foods.
"Ha… ha ha, I was just joking, Ziqian," Tin said with an awkward laugh, scratching the back of her head as her round cheeks grew even redder.
The others shifted uncomfortably, sharing the same thought. Their earlier eagerness suddenly felt shameless. Many lowered their gazes, embarrassed, but all eyes still slid back to Ziqian—waiting, hoping.
"No, no, I want to share it with everyone," Ziqian immediately said, shaking his head lightly. His cheeks flushed faintly, softening his already gentle features. "But since the ingredients are limited, it would be embarrassing if I announced it to the entire tribe. That's why I plan to invite some people."
His words were humble, but his pink-tinted cheeks and the way his eyes curved when he smiled held a quiet charm.
"If it's not too troublesome, I would want everyone present to have a taste after we're done preparing. You can just bring your own bowl," Ziqian added with a smile.
"No trouble at all!" The group chorused as if they had rehearsed it beforehand.
Ziqian couldn't help it—he laughed. It was a light, melodious sound. The pleasant lilt of it tickled the ears, leaving everyone present restless, as though they wanted to hear it again and again.
Dio, who rarely spoke, found his throat tightening. He had always admired Ziqian from afar, but seeing him like this—so gentle, so earnest—sent him into a daze. He could only stare, completely mesmerized, his heart thudding heavily in his chest.
Even Xue, standing at his side with his usual stoic expression, felt the corner of his lips twitch almost imperceptibly, but when his gaze swept across the group, it lingered on Dio. The beast was staring openly, completely dazed, as though he had forgotten how to breathe. Xue's brows drew together, and his expression darkened instantly.
"Then we will continue cooking and will call you all later," Ziqian gently said. Everyone dispersed with a smile, their hearts light with anticipation of tasting the fragrant dishes that drifted temptingly from the tent.
Elder Sen lingered behind, her eyes following Ziqian's delicate figure as he disappeared back inside. A sigh escaped her lips. Too kind, too beautiful…Admiration and jealousy would gather around that child like moths to a flame. It would not be easy for him.
Unlike what Elder Sen thought, Ziqian never believed himself kind for sharing the food with the ingredients he had painstakingly gathered. In his mind, this wasn't charity—it was an investment.
Once people tasted better food, they would naturally crave more. Desire could be a powerful motivator. They would search, experiment, and eventually cultivate new sources to meet their appetites. Step by step, their lives would improve—not through miracles, but through necessity.
Now that more people would eat, Ziqian knew he needed to add more dishes. He opened his mouth to instruct Xue to cut more meat to fry—but before a single word could leave his lips, a strong arm wrapped around his waist, and his words were swallowed by a rough, domineering kiss.
The kiss was rough, demanding, and almost punishing, stealing his breath until his head spun and his knees went weak.
When Xue finally let him go, Ziqian was panting, his lips swollen and his cheeks flushed. "W-what's wrong?" he asked. His voice was breathless and weak.
Xue's chest heaving with barely restrained instinct. He leaned down again, biting lightly at his lower lip—deliberately leaving a mark.
Xue didn't know why, but his chest felt unbearably stuffy, a restless irritation clawing at him as if urging him to lash out at someone. The voices outside, the way others had looked at Ziqian—it all tangled together into a heat he couldn't name.
So he kissed him.
Not to ask or explain, but because only by kissing the sub-beast could that heaviness loosen its grip. His lips pressed firmly against Ziqian's, again and again, then softer—on the corners of his mouth, on his flushed eyelids—until the wild pounding in his veins finally slowed.
He didn't answer Ziqian's question. He just held him tighter, pressing another lingering kiss on his lips, not stopping until he was utterly satisfied.
Ziqian blinked, dazed from the intensity of the man's kisses. His lips were swollen and tingling, his breath unsteady. "Xue…"
The man gave no explanation, only buried his face in the crook of Ziqian's neck as if hiding something he couldn't say aloud.
Ziqian's heart skipped a beat. He has a guess why Xue suddenly acted this way, but the raw possessiveness in those kisses made his chest warm instead of frightened. After a moment of silence, he sighed softly and lifted a hand to pat the man's back, indulging him. "Just… don't squeeze me so tightly. I still need to finish cooking."
After Xue finally loosened his hold, the two quietly returned to cooking, but the air between them was different—warmer, as if the kiss still lingered on their lips.
Xue bent over the chopping board to cut vegetables and sliced more meat with steady precision. His movements were fast yet careful while he kept an eye on the frying pan beside him.
On the other side, Ziqian half-filled two cauldrons with water, slipping in large bones and chunks of meat to begin the broth for boiled meat soup. While waiting for the broth to boil, he also laid out the ingredients for sweet and sour tofu.
As he worked, he felt Xue's gaze on him now and then, like the man was memorizing every movement he made. Ziqian's lips curved unconsciously.
They occasionally laughed together, asked each other questions, and exchanged brief comments while they were working. The warmth between them lingered in the air, subtle yet unmistakable. Ziqian felt a rare kind of warmth—cooking together like this smelled like comfort, like a home he never thought he'd find here.
Ziqian plucked a golden-brown piece of fried gizzard from the plate, its surface still faintly sizzling. With a mischievous little smile, he held it up and pressed it lightly against Xue's lips.
"Taste," he coaxed softly.
Xue hesitated, his brows knitting as if uncertain. But under Ziqian's expectant gaze, he finally parted his lips. The crisp bite gave way with a satisfying crunch, the rich flavor and unexpected savoriness spreading across his tongue. His eyes flickered in surprise.
"How is it?"
Xue didn't answer right away. Instead, he stared at Ziqian—at the brightness in his eyes, the soft curve of his lips, and the way he seemed to glow with joy. A strange heat stirred in his chest. The taste of the gizzard was good, but nothing compared to the sweetness blooming before him. Leaning just a little closer, his voice low and rough, he finally murmured, "Mn. You're right… it's good."
"I told you it would taste good," Ziqian said proudly, his lips curving into a triumphant smile.
He beamed, completely oblivious to the deeper meaning hidden in Xue's tone. "Right? You'll see—once we share this, everyone will like it too." He happily turned back to continue his dish.
Xue finished frying, and Ziqian decided to teach him how to make sweet and sour tofu. The beast hadn't expected that the lume fruit—long dismissed in the tribe—could, under Ziqian's guidance, be transformed into the perfect balance of flavors.
The excessive sweetness of the young fruit and the sharp tang of the ripe one blended into a perfect harmony, creating a glossy, fragrant mixture that clung beautifully to the golden pieces of tofu.
The sky was already dark when Ziqian and Xue finally finished cooking. A beautiful smile bloomed on Ziqian's face as he admired the food they had prepared together.
Two cauldrons of rich boiled meat soup simmered on the fire. Platters of golden fried meat and crispy innards glistened with oil. A large pan of sautéed bitter melon gave off its mellow fragrance, balanced by the savory aroma of white adobo. Beside them sat big bowls of sweet-and-sour tofu, stir-fried vegetables, and a small bowl of dipping sauce made from ripe lume fruit and onions—perfect for the fried gizzards and livers.
Everything they had managed to gather over the last five days now transformed into a feast.
"It should be enough for at least thirty people," Ziqian said with satisfaction.
"Rest while I call them," Xue replied, his tone as steady as ever.
They had already decided earlier who would be invited. Once Xue stepped outside, Ziqian couldn't help himself. He sneaked a piece of fried meat, quickly popping it into his mouth.
The flavor burst across his tongue, and his eyes curved into a smile.
This… this is what you call food!