Luckily, one thing *could* stop Xiao Hu from sleeping: delicious food.
The aroma of grilled fish slowly wafted through the air. The cumin seeds sprinkled on top popped, their scent mingling with the sweetness of honey-glazed fish and other flavors... The intoxicating fragrance roused Xiao Hu from his sleep.
The little one rubbed his eyes. "Female Mother, is it time to eat?"
"Almost," Yu An replied. She directed Han Li to flip the fish while she brushed on layers of her secret sauce. "Xiao Hu, go get your brothers. We're about to eat."
In the time it took her to grill the fish, all the Zaizai except for Xiao Hu had disappeared. With Lu Lu watching over them, however, Yu An wasn't too worried.
Having received his mission, Xiao Hu jumped down and plunged headfirst into the bushes.
The fish was grilled to perfection—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. The skin was so crisp it curled at the edges, the oil SIZZLING as it bubbled to the surface.
