The two teams opposite me had each lit a bonfire. The three fires formed a triangle, keeping the three groups apart.
Over there, people were laughing and chatting. Over here, all I heard was the crackling of the wood as it burned. I was used to it by now,
but the contrast still made me feel
a little cold.
I reached back and picked up a piece of cured meat, rubbed some oil on it, and held it over the fire. The aroma wafted through the air, driving away some of the chill and drawing
my attention to the meat.
I stared blankly into the fire. I wasn't sure how much time had passed before I came to, but when I did, Yuejian's footsteps were fading into the distance. Beside me...
there was something left behind, which looked like some kind of food.
I froze for a moment, then hesitated before picking up the lunchbox containing the mystery food. I glanced at Yuejian, who was walking away. He seemed to sense
something and turned back to smile at me before leaving.
"Heh... Kids these days."
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, though I couldn't tell if it was bitter or touched. I opened the box. Inside was a blob of something that looked
like batter, with a spoon beside it.
"Can... you eat this?"
After hesitating, I stuck the fragrant grilled meat into the ground and dipped a fingertip into the box. I looked at the stuff...
It was white and sticky, like the paste people used to hang Spring Festival couplets before the apocalypse. But... there was a faint hint of fragrance to it.
I hesitated, then put my finger in my mouth and tasted it.
"Mmm... Not bad. Is this seaweed flavor?"
That was right.