The relentless pace of their research push suddenly eased, and a rare sense of leisure settled over the mountain village.
For once, everyone had time to come... everyone in Ishigami Village came to help cook!
The ingredients had all been prepared the day before. The cattle and sheep had been slaughtered and cleaned, and the fruit, vegetables, and other ingredients had been sorted neatly.
Li Xiang carefully set the whole cattle and sheep she had marinated in advance onto the charcoal grills.
She adjusted the coals and kept the cooking heat under control.
The fresh fragrance of the marinade seeped into the meat, removing any gaminess and enhancing its flavor without masking its rich, natural aroma.
Glowing charcoal and gentle flames were perfect for slow-roasting meat until its skin was crisp and its interior juicy.
Once the main dishes were roasting, she turned to ask Kinro and Chrome to stay by the grills, watch the heat carefully, and turn the meat and replenish the charcoal when needed so nothing burned or remained raw inside.
Both agreed solemnly and stayed planted beside the grills, watching the meat sizzle and drip fat.
A little figure came running up beside the bustling cooking area.
With a bamboo basket on his back, Little Watermelon hurried excitedly up to Li Xiang, his forehead covered in sweat and his eyes shining.
It turned out he had gone alone into the dense woods on Back Mountain and found an entire patch of wild mushrooms.
His basket was filled with fresh, plump mushrooms, clean and beautiful-a rare delicacy from the winter mountains.
"Watermelon, you're amazing!" Li Xiang ruffled his hair, her eyes filled with a gentle smile. "I'll make you something delicious today."
With these fresh mushrooms, she could make grilled mushrooms! They would be delicious fried, too.