After the bearded man had gone far away, Lin Li looked at the fish in his hand, fished a silver testing needle out of his storage space, and gently pierced the flesh.
A dozen seconds later, the testing needle was still silver white. Only then did he relax. He cut the fish into small pieces, threaded them onto iron skewers, and set them over the fire to roast slowly.
The tender fish tightened rapidly under the heat, its surface developing a crispy, golden-brown crust. When the fat dripped down and stirred up smoke and sparks, the fragrance grew even richer.
Meanwhile, the bearded man returned to camp and told everyone about the tables, chairs, and exquisite tableware he had seen. The others immediately clicked their tongues in amazement.
Chen Che picked up the meat skewer Lin Li had given him, brought it carefully to the tip of his nose, and took a cautious bite.
The meaty fragrance exploded in his mouth, carrying just the right hint of smoky fire. There was not even the slightest fishy taste.
"No poison, and it tastes incredible." He waved to his companions. "Everyone, give it a try. The little brother's cooking is truly excellent."
The cold wind continued to howl, and the icy lake continued to shimmer with a crystalline chill, yet lunchtime at the two camps was exceptionally pleasant.
Chen Che and his group gathered around the bonfire, chatting about everything under the sun. Lin Li sat beside a rock and ate slowly. Even the chill in the air seemed to have faded considerably.
After lunch, Lin Li let out a satisfied burp, put the pots, bowls, and utensils into the Mysterious Small Island, then took out a reclining chair and a black eye mask before lying down in comfort.
He had just