Chapter 10: Shar... Sharing the Same Tent and Pillow
Throughout the entire process, the two didn't exchange a single word.
Such practiced movements, such professional equipment, such well-organized seasonings.
If they didn't do this frequently, the old butler wouldn't believe it even if beaten to death.
Half amused, half exasperated, the old butler asked, "You two little ones, it looks like you've done this quite a bit, huh? Xiao Guang, you used to take Xiao Tong to the back mountain every morning, saying you were going for a run. Were you actually using the opportunity to sneak off for barbecues? That little stove you asked me for before, was it for this?"
Huo Yutong lowered her head, pretending to be intently focused on grilling the fish, but the blush spreading across her face completely gave her away.
Qian Zhaoguang chuckled a few times and said, "How could that be? We really went training! Otherwise, how would Xiao Tong have such good stamina now? Grilling fish was just incidental. You don't know, Grandpa, Xiao Tong's grilled fish is incredibly delicious."
To be fair, Qian Zhaoguang wasn't actually lying.
Ever since he started delivering food to the Huo mother and daughter, a little tail had started following him during his morning runs to the back mountain.
Based on the principle that good physical exercise would also help in awakening more innate soul power, Qian Zhaoguang hadn't refused.
Just like that, the two formed a running team, and they ran together for three whole years.
Well...
Improving their meals during the run was merely a side benefit.
Before Huo Yutong officially awakened her soul power and Martial Soul, she was truly just a little girl, and her physical strength naturally couldn't compare to the monstrous physique Qian Zhaoguang possessed from cultivating the Golden Body Art.
Thus, the "running" process often involved the two reaching a small river, where Qian Zhaoguang would catch some fish, prepare them, and let Huo Yutong start grilling while he continued his own training.
By the time he finished his run and returned, the fish would be almost perfectly cooked.
The two would then feast heartily, and after finishing, they would each go their separate ways home.
Huo Yutong would go help Huo Yun'er with chores, while Qian Zhaoguang continued his cultivation.
This habit of team morning runs continued until just over two months ago, broken only after their Martial Soul Awakening.
The old butler squatted down beside them, smiling.
"Then Grandpa will just wait for the ready-made meal today. Let me also have a taste of Xiao Tong's culinary skills."
Huo Yutong flashed a sweet smile and continued to grill the fish with concentration.
Before long, a special aroma began to waft above the campfire.
Under Huo Yutong's slow and steady turning, the fish gradually turned a golden-brown color.
Paired with the rich fragrance, it looked incredibly tempting.
The grill rack was just large enough to accommodate three large fish at once, so there was no need to cook in batches.
"Grandpa Zhu, you try first."
Huo Yutong, very sensibly, picked the largest and best-looking grilled fish and handed it to the old butler beside her.
"Aiya, good, good. Thank you, Xiao Tong."
The old butler accepted the fish with a broad smile, blew on it gently, and took a careful bite.
Crunch.
A slight sound occurred as his teeth met the fish skin.
The fragrant, crispy golden skin, combined with the rich aroma of the fish meat and the unique scent of charcoal fire, exploded in his mouth, leaving a delightful lingering taste.
The chili powder, ground by Qian Zhaoguang and Huo Yutong themselves, provided a slight spicy stimulation to the palate, accompanied by the faint taste of Perilla, pushing the savory freshness of the grilled fish to its peak.
With every bite, the delicate, flaky meat, reminiscent of garlic cloves in texture, offered a slight springiness to the teeth. The wonderful mouthfeel was subtly addictive to the chewer.
Without realizing it, the old butler had already devoured the entire fish, even chewing up and swallowing some of the smaller bones that hadn't been removed.
To describe it as having an "endless aftertaste" would be no exaggeration.
Huo Yutong was already grilling the second batch. Qian Zhaoguang squatted nearby, waiting eagerly, his eyes practically glued to the fish.
He recalled feeling similarly dazed when he first tasted the legendary "Little Huo Grilled Fish".
It was truly heavenly, defying belief.
It was genuinely absurd how a little girl, who had never touched barbecue before, could grill fish that could be considered a delicacy using only simple salt and Perilla leaves for seasoning.
It could even conquer the picky taste buds of someone like Qian Zhaoguang, who had been conditioned by modern culinary arts.
It had to be said, this was an incredibly outrageous cooking talent.
And don't forget, Qian Zhaoguang hailed from the Great Foodie Empire!
Such a wonderful taste – saying one could never tire of it was absolutely not an empty phrase.
Even after eating it continuously for three years, he still deeply loved this particular flavor.
Huo Yutong's fish grilling skills had also rapidly improved over these three years, reaching an unbelievable level by now.
Even someone suffering from anorexia would likely have their interest in food reignited on the spot after eating this grilled fish!
Night descended.
Protected by a powerful expert, listening to the rustling white noise of the forest from within the tent, this should have been an ideal place for sleeping.
But Qian Zhaoguang found himself unable to sleep.
He helplessly pushed away Huo Yutong's arm, which kept finding its way onto him, and scooted himself over to the side.
However, after a short while, the clingy little girl would unconsciously snuggle closer again, wrapping around him like an octopus, making Qian Zhaoguang feel extremely agitated.
Her faint, natural body fragrance kept drifting into his nostrils, ironically making him more alert as he tried hard to fall asleep.
Looking at the little loli sleeping with a faint smile on her lips, Qian Zhaoguang sighed deeply, feeling quite helpless.
She's sleeping comfortably, while I'm lying here stiff as a board, afraid to move an inch. This is really quite uncomfortable.
After dinner, the old butler's thoughts had been quite direct: They're just two six-year-old kids, what's there to worry about? Let them sleep together.
He also saw this as an opportunity. Noticing the budding affection between them, he decided to give things a little nudge, hoping to solidify their status as childhood sweethearts.
Huo Yutong herself didn't think there was anything wrong with it either. The Douluo Continent was relatively open-minded, and didn't have the strict taboo about physical contact between unrelated males and females.
Being able to sleep together with the older brother she liked made her quite happy.
But Qian Zhaoguang... he felt rather awkward.
After all, the soul residing within his shell was that of an adult male.
He wasn't a lolicon like Tang San, who verbally expressed reluctance but physically remained quite honest, sharing a bed with Xiao Wu for six years.
In this state of anxious discomfort, Qian Zhaoguang, trying to prevent his mind from wandering, began to constantly ponder his recent cultivation path to distract and divert his attention.
Gradually, after an unknown amount of time had passed...
Listening to Huo Yutong's steady and gentle breathing, he finally couldn't resist the encroaching sleepiness any longer and drifted off unknowingly.
In the early morning, when Huo Yutong woke up inside the tent, the sleeping bag to her right was already empty.
Qian Zhaoguang had woken up very early. After doing a simple set of fist forms to loosen up, he had already prepared a simple breakfast for three.
Having grown up alone in his previous life, although his cooking talent wasn't exactly top-tier, he could still cook a decent meal. Making a simple breakfast was an easy task for him.
Huo Yutong, lured out of the tent by the tempting aroma, rubbed her sleepy eyes and said softly, "Morning, Brother Zhaoguang. Morning, Grandpa Zhu."
"Morning, Xiao Tong."
Qian Zhaoguang had already finished eating and casually handed her a portion of breakfast.
"You woke up just in time. I was just about to call you."
"Mmm, thank you, brother."
Taking the breakfast, Huo Yutong instantly transformed into a little glutton and began wolfing down her food.
The old butler watched Huo Yutong gobbling her food hungrily, then glanced at the dark circles under Qian Zhaoguang's eyes and chuckled secretly.
(End of Chapter)