You've Got a Good Eye, Kid...

As soon as Lin Xia finished speaking, Bibi Dong was about to set out the tableware, froze in mid-air.

In the firelight, a faint, almost imperceptible, hint of... embarrassment seemed to flicker across her exquisite profile.

"Pfft..."

A soft, barely suppressed laugh came from the side.

Qian Renxue raised her slender hand to cover her mouth, her golden eyes curving into crescents, filled with a teasing and warm mischief. She looked at her somewhat embarrassed mother, then at the bewildered Lin Xia, and explained with a smile:

"Silly brother, pack it up? How can we pack this up? This was made by Mother herself! It's the real deal, freshly made!"

"Ah?!"

Lin Xia was completely shocked. Her eyes widened as she scanned the dishes on the table and Bibi Dong, as if she were seeing her master for the first time.

Bibi Dong was exposed by her daughter, the embarrassment on her face quickly faded, replaced by a proud and slightly embarrassed expression.

She put down the plate in her hand, slightly raised her delicate chin, and glanced at Lin Xia with her purple eyes, trying her best to maintain the dignity of Pope, but her tone carried a hint of barely Frisk urgency to "vindicate" herself:

"Hmph! What, are you surprised? Before I became the Pope, I cooked all the time, you know! Taking care of myself is no problem!"

Bibi Dong paused, seemingly feeling it wasn't convincing enough, and added, her voice unconsciously rising a little.

"Moreover, as Pope, having control over the entire realm is a basic requirement. Isn't the art of cooking—the control of heat, timing, and seasoning—also a form of control? What's so difficult about a few simple dishes!"

Seeing Bibi Dong trying to maintain her dignity while making a childish excuse, Lin Xia was first taken aback, then felt an indescribable warmth and a strong smile well up in her heart.

Lin Xia never expected that her master, who was usually aloof and awe-inspiring like a god, would have such a domestic and even somewhat adorable side.

"Pfft, haha..."

Lin Xia finally couldn't help but laugh out loud—not a mocking laugh, but a heartfelt, joyful laugh filled with surprise and warmth.

He laughed as he nimbly stood up from the Limber carpet, brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes, and his face beamed with pure joy.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Xia strode to the small table and sat down in the seat opposite Qian Renxue, closest to Bibi Dong. He picked up the silver chopsticks in front of him, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the dishes spread across the table. Then, he looked up and greeted her with a bright smile:

"Master, Xue, please sit down! It smells so delicious, I can't wait!"

Their tone was so natural, as if they weren't on the outskirts of the perilous Star Dou Forest, but in the warm home of the Spirit Hall.

Looking at Lin Xia's open and expectant smile and hearing his natural greeting, Bibi Dong felt her slight embarrassment vanish instantly, replaced by a strange sense of satisfaction.

She nodded slightly, with a hint of barely Frisk reserve and pleasure, and gracefully took her seat in the main seat facing the Courtney.

Qian Renxue smiled and picked up her chopsticks.

Lin Xia couldn't wait to pick up the most tempting-looking piece of Soul Beast meat, coated in a rich sauce, blow on it to cool it down, and carefully put it into her mouth.

Moment!

The taste buds, like a activated Soul Guidance Array, radiated amazing brilliance!

The slices of meat melt in your mouth, incredibly tender, and the rich aroma of the meat, combined with the complex and mellow flavor of the sauce, explodes in your mouth.

The sauce is not simply salty and savory; it has extremely rich layers, with a perfectly balanced sweet aftertaste and several spices that Lin Xia had never tasted before, yet they blended together harmoniously. It perfectly complements the deliciousness of the Soul Beast itself, without a trace of fishiness, only ultimate satisfaction.

The timing and temperature must be perfectly controlled; too much and it will be overcooked, too little and it will be undercooked.

"Ugh--!"

Lin Xia's eyes widened instantly, and with food in her mouth, she let out a muffled but deeply impressed exclamation.

He chewed quickly for a few moments, then immediately picked up another piece of stir-fried vegetables with his chopsticks.

The vegetables are crisp and refreshing, carrying the freshest scent of the mountains and fields. They are simply stir-fried with salt and a few drops of Soul Beast oil to bring out their natural sweetness, creating a perfect flavor balance with the rich meat slices.

He tasted the golden, crispy root vegetables almost continuously—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a natural sweetness and a hint of milkiness.

The cold side dishes are crisp and refreshing, and quite appetizing.

Finally, I scooped up a spoonful of clear, fresh vegetable soup and put it in my mouth. The warm soup, carrying the sweetness of the vegetables, slid down my throat instantly, soothing my internal organs and washing away all the fatigue from my journey.

Every bite overturned Lin Xia's understanding of Bibi Dong and far exceeded his imagination of "outdoor meals"!

Lin Xia suddenly raised his head and looked at Bibi Dong, who was sitting in the main seat and watching him with a hint of nervousness and barely Frisk expectation.

Lin Xia's eyes were filled with undisguised amazement and admiration. He put down his chopsticks and gave Bibi Dong a thumbs-up, his voice clear and sincere, brimming with surprise and satisfaction.

"Master! This is amazing! This food... it's really, really delicious!!! It's a hundred times better than what the royal chefs at the Pope Hall make! No, a thousand times better!"

This heartfelt and genuine praise, like the warmest sunshine, instantly dispelled the last trace of uncertainty in Bibi Dong's heart.

Looking into Lin Xia's bright, star- Bibi Dong eyes, at his cheeks flushed with satisfaction from the food, and at his raised thumb... an indescribable warmth and sense of accomplishment surged within her.

She tried hard to maintain the Pope's composure, but the corners of her lips uncontrollably turned up little by little, eventually blossoming into an incredibly gentle smile, even tinged with a girlish pride and shyness.

The smile, illuminated by the leaping Courtney, was breathtakingly beautiful, as if even the starlight paled in comparison.

"Hmph, you're a smart kid... you know your stuff."

Bibi Dong turned her head slightly to avoid Lin Xia's overly intense gaze. Her voice carried a forced calmness, but it couldn't hide the joy of being praised. A blush crept onto her ears.

Qian Renxue saw all of this, watching her mother's rare, almost clumsy but incredibly genuine joy, and her younger brother's sincere praise and affection. Her golden eyes also filled with a warm smile.

She gracefully picked up a piece of root vegetable, put it in her mouth and savored it. She felt that this meal was a hundred times more delicious than any delicacy she had ever enjoyed in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

This simple campsite on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest has become the warmest and most precious haven because of the leaping Courtney, the unexpected home-cooked meal, and the genuine warmth that comes from shedding all pretense.

This was also the first time in all these years that Qian Renxue had eaten a meal cooked by her mother!