Once enough wood was transported, it only took about ten minutes to complete the wooden frame of the roof, thanks to the pre-carved grooves on the walls and Mu Liang's strength.
"Mu Liang, I'll lay the stone bricks, and you pass them to me," Mino said lightly, climbing onto the roof.
"Be careful and stand firm," Mu Liang cautioned, handing her the first stone bricks.
"Got it!" she replied happily.
Mino worked diligently, already imagining what it would be like to live in her new house.
By the time half the roof was covered, darkness had fallen. A bonfire was lit in the yard, and they continued working by its light.
An hour later, the roof was finished. The rock tortoise connected all the stone bricks into a solid, unified surface, ensuring the house would be waterproof.
"Finally done!" Mino jumped off the roof, her fists clenched with excitement. After a full day of anticipation, she could finally face her new home.
"Let's start moving things over," Mu Liang said, patting her shoulder.
"Yeah!" Mino nodded enthusiastically.
Girls don't usually have many belongings, and Mino only moved a few items: a pillow, wooden boards for the bed, two wooden bowls, a bucket, and the wooden shed door. She planned to use the boards to make her own bed and the door for her room—small touches of home.
Mu Liang stood silently at the wooden shed's doorway, torch in hand, watching her. He didn't stop her—these items were part of her memory with Big Sis. Even if he couldn't find Big Sis in the future, this was a kind of alternative companionship.
"Let's go," Mino said, hugging the pillow and turning away. She looked back at the shed several times, uncertain if she'd ever return.
They climbed onto the rock tortoise, disappearing into the dark wilderness. Mino's face was bright with joy, darting in and out of the new room as she hugged her pillow.
"Is this really my own room?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes, you can arrange it however you want," Mu Liang confirmed with a smile.
"Hee hee! I'll clean up the room!" Mino laughed, her voice clear and sweet.
"Clean tomorrow," Mu Liang said, glancing at the pile of items in the yard and hall. Already hungry, he set about building the firepit for dinner.
He constructed a square firepit, lined the bottom with soil, and added a layer of sand for insulation. A smoke exhaust pipe led to the roof, creating a proper chimney.
"The firepit and chimney are done," Mu Liang said, surveying his handiwork with satisfaction. He thought with amusement, Using my rock-piercing ability to build a firepit—now that's a new application!
He simply hung a steel pot, poured water for the broth, and arranged the barbecue.
Sniff~~ Mino peeked her head from the room's doorway, inhaling the aroma.
"Aren't you hungry?" Mu Liang asked, turning the barbecue.
"Of course I'm hungry," Mino replied. She would have been lazy if it weren't for the excitement of moving into the new house. She perched by the firepit, watching the stew and barbecue, reminding herself to save some meat.
Looking at Mu Liang's soot-streaked face, she changed her words. "It's okay, isn't it?"
Today had been long and busy; a proper meal was well-deserved.
"The soup needs a little longer to get that meaty flavor," Mu Liang said, surprised at her attentiveness.
"Didn't you say thieves and spies might come?" Mino asked, shyly switching topics.
Mu Liang flipped the barbecue and replied softly, "How can you tell when someone has left a camp?"
Some things can't be explained directly; he wanted her to think for herself. In the future, they'd be living together, and survival skills would be necessary.
"I think… you look at the footprints?" Mino's ears twitched as she thought.
"Exactly. The depth of the footprints can indicate when someone left," Mu Liang said appreciatively.
"But there's an easier way too," he added.
"What method?" Mino blinked, curious.
"The burning degree and temperature of charcoal," he explained. "By observing how long it takes the charcoal to burn out and the soil beneath it to cool, you can calculate when people left."
"I understand," Mino nodded, trying to absorb the lesson while still holding the skewer Mu Liang handed her.
"Eat quickly—you'll work better once you're full," he said, passing her a bowl of broth.
"Okay," Mino replied, pouting adorably as she took the wooden bowl.