Chapter 4

Seeing that the meat had started to turn slightly golden brown and oil was dripping from it, he used a thin branch to poke some holes in the meat and sprinkled salt, pepper, and wild pepper evenly on it.

Originally just faintly fragrant meat suddenly emitted a rich, slightly pungent aroma.

The surrounding Matai people couldn’t help but salivate involuntarily.

“What did the witch sprinkle? The smell of the meat changed after it was sprinkled…” 

“So fragrant…” 

Lu Yu continued patiently grilling the meat.

Grilling meat might seem simple, just placing the meat on the grill and brushing it with seasoning a few times, but it was not. Grilling such large, uneven-textured meat required careful timing on each side and opening in the right places to make it flavorful and cooked but not charred.

As the seasonings gradually seeped in, the meat on the fire became even more fragrant.

The sound of Matai people swallowing saliva grew louder.

“Witch,” Shan Pu cleared his mouth, “Is it cooked? Shall I help you taste it?” 

As soon as he said this, he received scornful glances and stern rebukes from all directions.

“Shan Pu, didn’t you just say that grilled meat is bitter and dry, and not tasty at all?” 

“Don’t try to deceive the witch!” 

“Get lost!” 

Shan Pu.

Didn’t you say that?!

Several little kids took the opportunity while Shan Pu was being chastised to slip in. Compared to the Matai adults who acted like a flock of ducks, the little ones were well-behaved, not speaking, just biting their fingers and eagerly watching.

Lu Yu saw that the meat was almost done, cut off a piece with a thin stone and handed it to a girl who looked about seven or eight years old, smiling, “Open your mouth.” 

The girl’s eyes brightened, tilting her head back and trying to open her mouth wide, “Ah–” 

Lu Yu blew on the meat twice and put it in her mouth.

“Ow!” 

The girl covered her bulging mouth with both hands, her eyes moist.

Lu Yu frowned, “Is it too hot?” 

The girl vigorously shook her head, afraid the meat would fall out. She supported her chin and loudly exclaimed, “So delicious!!” 

So delicious that she was dazzled.

Lu Yu rubbed her fluffy head and smiled.

The young man smiled gently, the firelight dancing in his eyes and around his mouth, casting a soft orange glow on his fair skin.

The girl looked at him through her tears, blurred.

It felt as joyful as having a little sparrow in her heart.

Our witch is really good.

“Witch, witch, I want to eat too.” 

“I want it too…” 

“I also…” 

The little oness, who had been quiet, couldn’t resist anymore, watching the girl enjoy the delicious meat.

Shan Pu, who had been lurking on the side, suddenly stuck his head out, “I want to eat too!” 

Lu Yu looked around at the eager Matai people and felt somewhat helpless, “I didn’t bring enough seasoning. It’s okay for everyone to have a taste, but let the children eat first, okay?” 

Matai people would always leave food for the little ones no matter how hungry they were. So no one objected, and besides, everyone would still get a bite.

Matai people were optimistic and easily satisfied.

Lu Yu called Xia Cao and another female Matai over, and the three of them gave each adult Matai a small piece of meat.

The grilled elephant meat was fat and tender. When you bit into it, the golden crispy skin and the pink meat inside melted gently. The salty and fragrant meat juice slowly flowed from the tip of the tongue to the throat…

Shan Pu grabbed the meat, swallowed it in one gulp, and then looked around pitifully at the other people.

The other Matai ignored him. They were all excited about the delicious food, eager to lick the sticks with grilled meat.

“So delicious!” 

“I want to eat more.” 

“Let’s go help the witch find seasoning tomorrow.” 

“Okay, let’s do that. I feel more motivated to hunt and collect treasures with the witch!” 

Lu Yu sat on the grass, eating his portion of meat with added seasoning. He had initially wanted to give it to the little ones, as he wasn’t that hungry, but the Matai people strongly disagreed. The little ones said that this was the witch’s labor, and if the witch didn’t eat, they wouldn’t either.

Lu Yu had to accept it and pondered in his heart.

He alone couldn’t cook for so many Matai people, and he also had to go hunting and collect treasures with Tai Li and the others, so he didn’t have time. He should teach some Matai people to grill meat and make seasoning as soon as possible.

With so much on his mind, he unknowingly finished the meat and almost bit into the leaf.

“Ptui, ptui, ptui.” Lu Yu spat out the bitter leaf.

A large hand holding a leaf with a piece of meat reached out, “Take it.” 

Lu Yu looked up. At this angle, he could see perfect eight-pack abs, a deep scar on the abs, and the mermaid line hidden behind the animal skin skirt. The strong male hormones were almost suffocating him.

Tai Li stood majestically, leaning against the stone wall, sitting on the ground with one leg bent, holding a wooden stick in his right hand, maintaining a vigilant posture ready toi fight at any time.

—

Can he sleep well like this? Isn’t it too cautious? There are still people guarding the cave entrance…

Lu Yu was thinking randomly when suddenly he heard a thunderous roar.

“Wolf pack attack–“