Chapter 67: Let Me Treat You to Something Delicious

Yeling choked slightly at her retort. Was this chubby woman getting more and sharper-tongued by the day?

He gave a light snort, turned his head away, and refused to look at her anymore, as if casting even one more glance would make his eyes ache.

Su Xiyue could not be bothered to deal with him either and set about processing the remaining saber-toothed tiger meat.

Drawing on her previous experience, she was even more careful this time, keeping a close eye on the heat and the smoking duration.

The beasts and female orcs present curiously gathered around, watching her deft movements and earnest expression as they began to whisper among themselves.

"Will Su Xiyue succeed this time?"

"Who knows, but seeing how serious she is, there should be some hope, right?"

"If she succeeds, will we be able to learn how to make it too?"

Amidst the chatter of the crowd, she finally completed the second batch of smoked meat.

Although the saber-toothed tiger meat was successfully smoked, it still needed to be stir-fried in a pot before it could be eaten.

Smoked meat stir-fried with chili peppers was the most delicious combination, but unfortunately, there were no chili peppers available right now.

She would just have to stir-fry the eight bird eggs she had foraged along the way back.

Smoked meat stir-fried with bird eggs was not a bad alternative.

She sliced the smoked meat into thin, uniform pieces and carefully beat the bird eggs into a bowl, setting them aside.

She also chopped up some scallions, ginger, and garlic for later use.

Next, she built a fire, set up the stone pot, and once the pot was hot, added some animal fat.

She tossed in the scallions, ginger, and garlic to release their aroma.

The beaten bird eggs were poured evenly into the pot to begin frying, and the smoked meat slices were added and tossed. The meat slices quickly changed color, releasing an enticing fragrance.

She added appropriate seasonings and kept tossing the ingredients.

Soon, a piping hot and fragrant dish of smoked meat stir-fried with bird eggs was ready.

Everyone crowded around, curiously inspecting the golden-hued, aromatic delicacy in the stone pot.

Su Xiyue scooped out the stir-fried dish and served it into individual wooden bowls.

The quantity was small, so everyone would only get to taste it.

Yeling, Molin, Baiqi, Qingzhu, and Xuanming looked at the portions of smoked meat stir-fried with bird eggs distributed to their bowls with varying expressions.

Having already tasted Su Xiyue's cooking before, they knew her culinary skills were exceptional.

Presumably, this smoked meat with bird eggs would be equally delicious.

They could tell just by inhaling the aroma.

The beasts and female orcs present quickly picked up their chopsticks and lifted the smoked meat into their mouths.

Those who didn't know how to use chopsticks simply used their hands, paying no heed to hygiene as looks of sheer awe washed over their faces, their heads lowered as they ate voraciously.

"Oh my god, this is too delicious, right?"

"The flavor of this smoked meat is truly unique; it's savory, flavorful, and the meat has such a great chew."

"The bird eggs are also so tender and fresh. Paired with the smoked meat, it's absolute perfection."

"It's just a pity there's so little. It would be even better if there were more."

...

Listening to the praise from everyone, Su Xiyue felt quite pleased, though she was not surprised.

She looked over at the five men and noticed that they were also eating with great relish, which made her feel even more satisfied.

Especially Yeling—although he still maintained a blank expression, Su Xiyue noticed that he was eating more than anyone else and had even licked the bottom of his bowl clean.

Hmph, what a hypocritical dog of a man, saying one thing while doing another.

The female orcs present eagerly came forward to ask her for the recipe for this dish.

She only told everyone the detailed steps; since the bird eggs were all gone, it was impossible to demonstrate it on the spot.

Everyone listened very attentively, and having witnessed Su Xiyue's earlier actions, they had already caught on to much of it.

With such a meticulous explanation, everyone understood.

They made up their minds to go look for bird eggs right away to try making it themselves.

Afterward, the female orcs also consulted her on how to stew venison and stir-fry pig intestines.

Su Xiyue was not stingy and explained the details to everyone one by one.

In truth, the cooking steps were quite similar; once you grasped the core techniques, it was very easy to pick up.

The female orcs beamed with excitement upon hearing this, itching to rush back and try it immediately.

They imagined making it for their respective males to let them know how great their culinary skills were.

After chatting for a little while longer, the crowd dispersed.

Yeling, Molin, Baiqi, Qingzhu, and Xuanming also prepared to leave.

"Wait."

Su Xiyue suddenly spoke up to stop them.

The five men paused in their steps, turning back to look at her with puzzled expressions.

As she looked at the five of them, an awkward expression crossed her face, but thinking of the fifty packs of toilet tissue, she had to bite the bullet and speak up. "Are you... free tonight? I'd like to invite you all over for something good to eat."

As soon as her voice fell, Yeling, Molin, Baiqi, Qingzhu, and Xuanming all turned to look at her in utter astonishment.

What was this chubby woman playing at? Inviting them to eat something good?

Had the sun risen from the west today?

This chubby woman was not one to scatter grain without seeing the birds; if you wanted her to cook something delicious, you always had to do manual labor for her first.

The five exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with playful amusement.

Yeling raised an eyebrow at her, half-smiling as he said, "You're treating us to something good? Are you sure?"

Seeing his half-smile, Su Xiyue felt even more awkward.

If not for the system mission, I would never invite you lot to dinner.

Casting a wide net to catch fish, inviting all five at once to see who would be easier to cozy up to later.

She gave a light cough and feigned composure. "What? Is that not allowed? Or are you all busy tonight?"

Molin glanced at her and calmly replied, "We are all free tonight."

No matter what scheme she was hatching, she was taking the initiative to cook for them, an opportunity he naturally wouldn't pass up.

"That's right, we're all free."

Baiqi chimed in with a smile, a flash of craftiness gleaming in his pretty fox-like eyes.

Thinking of the venison and stir-fry pig intestines she had made previously, the taste was so wonderful that even now it made his mouth water just thinking about it.

Although Qingzhu and Xuanming remained silent, they both nodded to indicate they were free that evening.

Nonsense, only a fool would refuse a free meal.

Seeing that all five had agreed, Su Xiyue let out a sigh of relief.

She looked at them and smiled, "Alright then, come over when the sun sets tonight. I'll spend the afternoon preparing."

Yeling, Molin, Baiqi, Qingzhu, and Xuanming all nodded before turning to leave.

Watching their departing backs, Su Xiyue curled the corners of her lips into a crafty smile.

She was planning to make a grand feast tonight.

First, she went to the tribe plaza to fetch a set of pig intestines and selected two large bones.

Returning to the cave, she processed the remaining venison and pig intestines separately.

She planned to make braised venison with the deer meat and stir-fry the pig intestines as before.

For a vegetable dish, she decided on smoked meat stir-fried with mushrooms.

Since there were no bird eggs, mushrooms would work just as well.

She then went to the back mountain and caught a *gugu* chicken—what would be known as a pheasant in later generations—planning to make mushroom stewed *gugu* chicken.

Finally, she threw the two large bones into the stone pot to simmer a broth.

The five dog-men had huge appetites, so she prepared very generous portions.

Since the bowls couldn't hold it all, she used wooden basins instead.

With still some time left, she went down to the river to catch a few fish to roast.

She also pressed the wild berries she had foraged into juice to serve as a beverage.

As the sun gradually set, Yeling, Molin, Baiqi, Qingzhu, and Xuanming arrived at Su Xiyue's cave right on schedule.

The moment the five stepped inside, they were dumbfounded by the lavish spread of food before them.

Braised venison, stir-fried pig intestines, smoked meat stir-fried with mushrooms, mushroom stewed *gugu* chicken, a massive basin of bone broth, alongside a pile of golden roasted fish and wild berry juice.

This chubby woman had really gone all out today!

Yeling and the others exchanged glances, seeing astonishment mirrored in each other's eyes.

"What are you standing around for? Sit down and eat."

Su Xiyue suppressed her inner awkwardness, warmly greeting them to take their seats, and poured each of them a cup of wild berry juice.

The five men took their seats, their eyes glowing as they gazed at the table full of delicacies.

Yeling looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you being so generous today? Treating us to such a good meal?"

He refused to believe for a single second that this chubby woman had no ulterior motives.

He just couldn't figure out what her grand scheme was all about.