Minho nodded lightly. "Understood."
After saying that, he turned around and left.
Only then did Hayoon find Immo and Sulyeon and talk to them about the invitation.
Sulyeon's eyes lit up, clearly tempted.
Last time, the stir-fried beast meat she had eaten at Hayoon's place was still unforgettable.
Even though their family used the same method, for some reason, whether it was heat control or cooking skill, it just did not taste as good as Hayoon's version.
Food was always scarce in their daily lives, so visiting someone else's home for a meal was usually considered inappropriate.
Because of that, Sulyeon did not immediately agree.
Immo smiled and declined politely. "I am an elder. Teaching you young ones is what I should do. There is no need to be so polite."
Hayoon still sincerely insisted. "Not only did you teach me valuable skills, you also helped me sort out poisonous mushrooms and gave me part of the mushrooms you originally collected. I am truly grateful."
"I have already exchanged ingredients with others in the tribe. Please come to my place for a meal."
"Besides, do you not want to know how to make Spelon Berries taste good?"
That last sentence really convinced Immo.
Seeing this, Sulyeon smiled and persuaded her. "Mom, let's go. It will be lively eating together like this."
Hayoon paused for a moment and thought to herself that it was actually three households.
Immo considered it for a moment and then smiled warmly at Hayoon.
"Alright then. I will go tell Leeho. Hayoon, thank you for today."
Hayoon quickly replied, "Auntie, you just told me not to be polite, but now you are being polite to me. It is getting late, let us stop thanking each other. I will hurry back and prepare, you all come over early."
Immo and Sulyeon nodded together. "Got it."
The sun hung high in the sky, slightly shifting toward the west.
Hayoon estimated it was around two or three in the afternoon.
In modern times, it would still be quite early for dinner.
But here, tools were limited and beastmen had large appetites.
From preparation to finishing a meal, it took quite a long time, so she had said it was already getting late.
She carried two heavy baskets on her back, humming happily as she walked toward the cave.
When she was still some distance from the entrance, Haeun came running over with thumping steps, shouting excitedly. "Sis! You are back! I heard you went mushroom picking today. How many did you get?"
Hayoon smiled. "Quite a lot! But I traded half of the mushrooms for other food."
Haeun reached her side and took the basket from her, carrying it toward the cave entrance.
"Huh? Can this green fruit be eaten?" he asked, noticing the Spelon Berries inside.
"It can be eaten, but it needs to be processed first."
Haeun showed a doubtful expression because he had already smelled the pungent scent.
"I will help you then," he said, even though he clearly did not like it.
"No rush," Hayoon said. "Let's wash the Spelon Berries and mushrooms first."
"Okay."
There was a stream nearby, so the two of them carried the baskets over.
The Spelon Berries only needed a quick rinse, but the mushrooms required more careful cleaning.
She left Haeun by the stream to sort and wash them, then picked up the Spelon Berries and stood up.
"I will go start the fire."
"Mm. After I finish washing the mushrooms, I will bring them over… huh? Why are Immo and the others here?"
Hayoon slapped her forehead. "I forgot to tell you. I am hosting dinner for them tonight."
Haeun immediately got excited. "Great, great!"
"Hayoon, we are here!"
Sulyeon was the first to wave from a distance.
Sulyeon had returned with their family.
In her hands were not only a large amount of fresh beast meat, but also a basket of bird eggs.
After a simple greeting, Hayoon walked over and took the items from Minho.
She looked surprised. "You traded for so many bird eggs?"
"Eat them slowly," Sulyeon replied.
Hayoon smiled. "Alright. But we do not need that many tonight. I will put some inside the cave."
"Mm. Do you need me to do anything?"
Hayoon did not hold back. "Build another fire pit. We need to render some beast oil."
"Understood."
Immo and the others also took out what they had brought after hearing their conversation.
Hayoon looked over and saw that besides beast meat, wild vegetables, roots, and mushrooms, they had even brought salt and beast oil.
She shook her head with a smile. "Auntie, I said I was treating you. Why did you still bring ingredients?"
Immo smiled as well. "These would not stay fresh at home overnight. It is better to bring them and share together."
Sulyeon added, "Exactly. Being able to eat your cooking is already wonderful. I will help you too! Just tell me what to do."
Standing behind Immo, Leeho, a sturdy man with dark skin, said honestly, "Then I will go chop some firewood."
Hayoon felt a little moved in her heart and stopped refusing. "Alright, let's prepare together and try to eat earlier."
A stone stove and a fire pit made of stacked firewood were both burning fiercely.
Hayoon assigned everyone tasks: Haeun fetched water, Sulyeon washed vegetables, Immo chopped ingredients together.
Leeho was in charge of chopping firewood, and Minho was rendering beast oil in a stone pot.
Everyone got busy.
On the stone stove, Hayoon laid down a flat stone slab.
After washing it clean with water, she cut open part of the Spelon berries and took out the peels, spreading them on the slab.
She also took a pair of long chopsticks and kept turning the peels according to the heat.
Soon, the roasted berry peels changed color and released a domineering numbing, peppery aroma that made Hayoon keep swallowing unconsciously.
As the fragrance grew stronger, it also became more pungent.
Hayoon tilted her head and sneezed several times.
With the wind blowing, everyone else was not spared either.