22: Conquered by stir-fried pork with chili peppers

Bai Yao carefully placed the categories she had sorted during the day, then meticulously extracted the chili pepper and tomatoes seeds, wrapping them in soft leaves for later use.

"These seeds are the hope for the future. When we plant them, we'll have an endless supply of chili peppers and tomatoes."

She explained to the curious Lin beside her, pointing to the remaining pulp, "And these will be tonight's delicious meal."

Bai Yao planned to make chili pepper fried meat, accompanied by a pot of sweet and sour tomato soup.

In modern society, she used to love spicy food, and now that she was finally going to eat it, the thought of the long-lost piquant taste made her mouth water uncontrollably.

She quickly assigned tasks: Lin would prepare the ingredients, and she would start the fire and set up the pot.

When she handed the ingredients to Lin, she specifically cautioned, "Be very careful when cutting the chili peppers. Don't touch the seeds inside, and especially don't rub your eyes with your hands."

Lin nodded seriously and went to prepare them diligently.

When Bai Yao had started the fire and set up the stone pot, she saw Lin approaching with a slight frown, his grey-blue wolf eyes showing a physiological sheen of moisture and redness.

"Pfft, you..."

Bai Yao was both amused and pained. She took his hand and looked at it, then quickly told him to rinse it repeatedly with clear water. "Have you learned your lesson? The power of chili peppers isn't so easy to bear."

Lin nodded, a little embarrassed, "Okay, I remember!"

With that, Lin handed her the plate of gulu meat slices, cut to an even thickness, and bright red chili pepper segments.

Bai Yao heated the stone pot, then slid the tender meat slices directly into the pot.

"Sizzle..."

As Bai Yao continuously stir-fried, the fat slowly rendered out, and a rich, savory aroma instantly rose.

Bai Yao stir-fried skillfully, and once the edges of the meat slices curled slightly, she added the chili pepper segments.

"Sizzle..."

Instantly, an even stronger spicy aroma violently burst forth, mixing roughly with the scent of meat, dominantly stimulating the nostrils, and the spicy fragrance instantly spread throughout the grass house.

It made Lin, who was beside her, sneeze, but his eyes were filled with wonder; it was a smell he had never encountered before.

Finally, a simple sprinkle of salt seemed to press the acceleration button for this dish's deliciousness.

Seeing that the color and aroma in the pot were just right, Bai Yao served the steaming chili pepper fried meat into a Wooden Bowl.

Immediately after, she used the residual oil at the bottom of the pot to stir-fry the diced tomatoes until a thick, bright red sauce formed, then added spring water to simmer.

In a short while, the two delicious dishes were ready.

When they were placed on the rough table, Bai Yao eagerly took a bite.

"So delicious!"

Bai Yao couldn't help but exclaim, how wonderful it was to be able to eat her favorite food in this unfamiliar place!

Lin also imitated Bai Yao, and when he put a slice of meat coated in chili oil into his mouth, the burning sensation instantly made him freeze, his cheeks turning red at a visible speed.

"Hiss—ha—"

He instinctively opened his mouth to inhale, choked by the chili pepper, looking both disheveled and adorable.

Bai Yao couldn't help but laugh, and quickly handed him the cooled tomato soup. The sweet soup instantly soothed the flame on his tongue, and the collision of two extreme flavors brought an unprecedented experience.

"Is it good?" Bai Yao asked with a smile.

Lin's eyes were watering from the spice, but he nodded heavily without hesitation.

Immediately after, he tentatively reached out with his chopsticks again.

At this moment, he was completely conquered by this mysterious fruit called "chili pepper."

Dinner ended in a warm and satisfying atmosphere. Lin tidied up the dishes to wash them by the river, while Bai Yao, feeling lazy after her meal, lay on the bed and entered the space.

She needed to confirm something.

"Indeed!"

After today's events, the spring eye had visibly expanded, and the gurgling water flow was more abundant. The surrounding black earth had also expanded outwards, though not by much, it was unequivocally certain.

Bai Yao understood—saving people, using abilities, expanding influence, and even discovering new foods, these were all nutrients for the space's growth.

Exiting the space, she felt that most of the energy she had expended today had recovered. It seemed that using the spirit spring would consume energy, but the spirit spring space upgrading could replenish her energy.

She felt very satisfied internally and gradually fell into a deep sleep.

Therefore, she didn't notice that after Lin returned, he gazed at her for a moment, then quietly got up and silently merged into the night outside.

——

The next day, Bai Yao woke up naturally.

Lin had already returned with fresh prey and was processing it.

"What do you want to eat today?"

He looked up and asked, his tone as natural as the most ordinary greeting.

Bai Yao looked at this wolf cub, who had transformed from being wary and distant to actively caring for people, and her heart melted.

Who would have thought that just a while ago, this wolf cub's eyes, once filled with wariness and hatred, would now be full of tender affection.

"Let's just have some roasted meat."

Bai Yao replied, but in her heart, she pondered that without a staple food, something always felt missing.

For a modern person, a balanced diet was essential, and most importantly, she really couldn't stand eating only meat every day.

The plan to find staple foods had to be put on the agenda.

After the meal, Bai Yao took out the consultation fee given by the chief. The crystal stone shimmered with a pure luster in the sunlight.

"Lin, look, we have savings!"

Bai Yao said excitedly, "From now on, we can exchange for more things we need, and our lives will get better and better."

Lin smiled and nodded. For him, wealth was far less important than the smile of the person before him.

"However..."

Bai Yao remembered something and asked somewhat awkwardly, "I've been here for so long, and I don't seem to have ever seen crystal stones at home? What about the ones you traded from hunting..."

Lin's expression dimmed for a moment, and he whispered, "There used to be... all of them... were used by you."

Bai Yao recalled the original owner's conduct and felt that she really could have done such a thing.

She immediately cleared her throat twice, wisely ending the topic: "Ahem, let's not talk about the past. We'll just earn more crystal stones."

Just as she was speaking, Tana's familiar voice came from outside: "Yaoyao, I'm back."

Before Bai Yao could even go out, Tana rushed in impetuously, pulling out a bracelet made of colorful shells and tiny beast teeth as if presenting a treasure:

"Yaoyao, look, this is a gift I brought you from the Fox Tribe Market. Isn't it pretty? It cost me quite a few crystal stones!"

She hadn't seen Tana these past few days; it turned out she had gone on a long trip.

Bai Yao took the bracelet, filled with primitive charm, and her heart stirred. The craftsmanship wasn't complex; if she could use modern thinking to design more exquisite ornaments or tools... a plan to acquire wealth instantly formed in her mind.

"Fox Tribe Market?"

She caught the key information and pressed on, "Is it far? Are there many things there?"

"It's very far, takes several days to walk, but it's totally worth it."

Tana enthusiastically gestured, "They have everything there. Specialties from various tribes, beautiful stones, powerful weapons... Next time, let's go together."