Black picked up the saw and turned to walk back.
"Also, clean off that tree bark so it doesn't prick the guests' bottoms."
As Su Wei's arm muscles bulged as he carried the last heavy wooden stump into the living room, the warmth of the room made him relax.
Emily had already moved the table to the center of the living room.
The originally cramped dining area instantly felt spacious.
Five tree stumps, still exuding a primal, wild charm and with snow still clinging to them, surrounded the table, surprisingly blending in with the old, all-wooden house.
This doesn't feel like an awkward, hastily put-together piece; instead, it has a meticulously designed Nordic minimalist style.
The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, its orange-red light reflecting off the rough rings of the trees.
Su Wei put down the wooden block, straightened up, and let out a long breath.
[Successfully crafted five rough, simple wooden blocks. Basic Woodworking experience +18.]
[Successfully activated the Nimble Hands" effect. Simple wooden stump quality improved to: Normal.]
A notification popped up on the panel in front of him; he wasn't sure if it was Su Wei imagination.
He felt that the tops of these wooden blocks, which should have been rough and burred, had suddenly become smooth, as if they had been deliberately polished.
They've become more like five finished wooden stools.
(refer to)
Su Wei stared at the wooden stump, a strange sense of accomplishment rising within him.
These are not exquisite pieces of furniture that were bought; they were made by his own hands.
Black walked over and saw that the wooden stump looked like it had been deliberately polished, making it smooth.
He let out a soft "hmm" and rubbed his hand against the wooden block.
Smooth and comfortable.
It even looked like it had been specially coated with protective oil.
"Well done, very attentive to detail."
He turned his head and, unusually, offered a word of praise.
Su Wei then came to his senses and wanted to say something.
Just then...
The roar of an engine could be heard in the distance.
The voice was low and intermittent.
Immediately afterwards, two blinding beams of headlights pierced the darkness outside the window, bouncing and leaping along the winding dirt road through the woods, casting long shadows of the trees.
Before the car was even in sight, a distinctive loud voice pierced through the wind and snow, faintly reaching in through the thick wooden wall.
"Hey, Su Wei. Open the door, I brought blueberry tarts. My mom almost blew up the oven trying to bake them. I think Emily will love them."
Su Wei and Black exchanged a glance.
The old hunter rolled his eyes in exasperation, while Su Wei wiped the sawdust off his face and grinned.
Looks like it's time for dinner.
Chapter 112 Hot Pot in the Snowstorm: A Touch of Human Touch (5800-word long chapter - bonus chapter!)
The headlights went out, and the roar of the engine gradually faded away in the wind and snow.
The Ford, covered in fluorescent stickers and belching black smoke from its exhaust pipe, finally quieted down, like an exhausted old ox.
Before anyone could be seen, his loud voice had already pierced through the wind and snow, and penetrated the wooden wall.
"God, it's so cold! This awful weather makes me feel like my butt is freezing to the leather chair!"
The car door was shoved open roughly, and Aruk, wrapped in an old cotton-padded coat that looked like a bearskin, jumped out.
But the snow beneath his feet wasn't snow; it was the tracks left by Black when he drove by earlier.
The snow had been compacted and the ice had melted.
He stumbled, his foot slipped, and he almost lost his balance.
Aruk clearly had similar experience; he quickly reached out to hold the car door and chuckled.
He shouted for Su Wei to open the door and rushed up the stairs.
As soon as Su Wei opened the door, the burly man grabbed him and hugged him tightly.
The hug was strong and powerful, and exceptionally warm.
"Bro! I knew it would be warm and delicious here!"
Aruk slapped Su Wei's large, fan-like hands hard on his back, making a "thump, thump" sound, as if he wanted to knock out all the dinner Suvi had eaten the day before.
Su Wei felt a tightness in his chest from the pats and couldn't help but cough. He pushed the humanoid brown bear away with disdain and laughed, "Go easy, my ribs aren't as thick as your fat."
Aruk chuckled, his entire body wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat, and with his large physique, he really did resemble a human-shaped brown bear.
He let go of her hand and called to the people in the car.
The back door opened, and a middle-aged couple, bundled up tightly, got out.
The man was short and stocky, with the characteristic bronze skin of the Alutiiq people, and his face was covered with the marks of wind and sun.
That was Old Kash, a renowned hunter in the area, and Aruk's father.
The woman behind him was holding a huge, steaming aluminum foil plate covered with a thick insulating cloth.
" Su Wei!"
Aruk's mother, a kind-faced, plump woman, smiled sincerely, her eyes radiating warmth.
"It's been a long time, child. We heard you've settled down here and are doing well, so we had to come and see you."
Su Wei quickly went to meet him and took the heavy plate with both hands.
Even through the thick gloves and insulation, the fresh-out-of-the-baked heat still wafted through the air.
It's a blueberry venison pie, a very authentic and hardcore traditional dish from Kodiak Island.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kash. This is exactly the taste I've been craving."
Su Wei felt a warmth in her heart, and her tone softened.
Since his parents passed away, this kind of selfless concern from his elders softened his heart, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Then, Aruk's younger siblings jumped out of the car, clutching their homemade smoked salmon and several bottles of homemade wild berry honey, and timidly called out, " Su Wei."
The last one to come down was a tall, thin man, Aruk's cousin, carrying a styrofoam box.
There were actually seven or eight red-eyed snow crabs inside.
(Reference - Red-eyed Snow Crab)
These are the best crabs to catch on Kodiak Island during October and November!
The meat is sweet and firm, and the crab legs are plump.
It's perfectly fine for hot pot.
"Hello, Su Wei. I am Cartier, Aruk's cousin."
Cartier looked like a typical fisherman; his originally bronze skin, typical of the Alutiiq people, appeared even darker on him.
Clearly, he has weathered many storms.
Su Wei also hugged him, welcoming his arrival.
The family stood in the wind and snow, carrying large and small bags, their faces flushed from the cold and beaming with smiles.
This scene is filled with a simple sense of ritual.
At this moment, Old Kash didn't rush into the house.
The old hunter's gaze passed over Su Wei and landed sharply on the tall figure leaning against the shadow of the door frame, smoking.
Black Anderson.
Old Kash paused for a moment, immediately dropping the relaxed demeanor he had shown when facing the younger generation.
He quickly took off his thick gloves, straightened his collar, strode up the steps, and extended his hand, which was covered with calluses and frostbite scars.
Good evening, Mr. Anderson.
Old Kash's voice was deep and resonant, filled with utmost respect.
That's the instinctive awe that peers feel for the strong.
Black exhaled a puff of smoke, the bluish-gray smoke swirling under the light.
His sharp eyes lingered on Old Kash's face for two seconds, as if he recognized him.
He reached out and gave it a firm squeeze.
Good evening, Kash. I heard you got a good one in North Bay last month? An 800-pound stag, that's not easy.
Old Kash was somewhat flattered; his weathered face flushed slightly, and he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Luck, it's all luck. Compared to your record back then, it's nothing."