Stockpiling for an Exiled General Through My Store's Back Door

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Little Crab Meets a Cruel Fate

”Should we open it and take a look?” Ling Yunge and Xu Panqing said in unison.

Both of them were extremely curious about what was inside the bag. Earlier, Ling Qianjun had mentioned that the Demon had given it to them, meaning they didn’t need to ask for his permission to open it. Unable to hold back their anticipation any longer, the three of them leaned their heads close to the bag. As it was pulled open, the distinct, salty scent of the ocean rushed into their noses, revealing the small gifts Hua Buwan had brought for them.

”Wow, what is... what is this? A little crab?” Ling Yunge exclaimed softly, picking up the small box containing the crabs to inspect it.

Xu Panqing picked up a conch shell, cradling it as carefully as if it were a rare treasure. ”This thing looks so strange, but I think I’ve read about something like this before. It’s called a conch, native to the Lingnan area.” She then held the conch to her ear, closed her eyes, and listened to the sound echoing inside. ”It really sounds like ocean waves!”

Hearing this, Ling Qianfan and Ling Yunge hastily grabbed conch shells and pressed them against their own ears. When the rhythmic sound of the waves hit them, they both shook their clothes excitedly.

”It’s true, I really hear it!”

”I can hear the waves too!”

Xu Panqing looked in the direction of Lingnan, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth. ”I’m not so resistant and afraid of going to Lingnan anymore. There’s the sea over there. When the time comes, our whole family can go beachcombing and collect seafood together...”

Her words left both Ling Yunge and Ling Qianfan filled with longing for the future.

”There are seashells here too! This one is so pretty. Once we reach Lingnan, I’m going to make it into a necklace to wear around my neck,” Ling Yunge said, gently stroking the shell. She was already picturing the final design in her mind.

Xu Panqing also picked up a shell and placed it in her palm, chiming in, ”Then I’ll use this shell to make a bracelet.”

Ling Qianfan scratched the back of his head. ”Then I’ll... I’ll... A necklace or bracelet wouldn’t suit me at all! I’ll attach this shell to a hairpin or a hairband!” He thought to himself, ”Yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I am truly a genius.”

The three of them exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

”So what do we do with these little crabs? Do we just roast and eat them? They’re barely a mouthful each.” Ling Yunge stared at the tiny crabs in the box, swallowing hard.

Staring up at the magnified human faces, the little crabs scrambled sideways in a frantic panic.

Ling Qianfan said casually, ”What else would we do? If we boil them, they’ll taste too fishy. It’s better to roast them and sprinkle a little salt on top. I don’t know when Qianjun will be back, so I’ll just roast his little crab for him. That way, it’ll be ready to eat as soon as he returns.”

”Mhm,” Xu Panqing agreed.

The shells and conches were completely empty and inedible, but these little crabs still had a bit of meat on them. The trio was absolutely thrilled with the Demon’s gifts—there were toys to play with and treats to eat. Chatting happily, they skewered the four small crabs and began to roast them.

SIZZLE!

The aroma of roasting crabs drifted through the air, carried away by the wind. Not far away, the exiled prisoners and government officers muttered among themselves.

”Why do I smell crab?”

”That’s just the smell of fish. How could there be crabs out here?”

”Flip it over quickly, your fish is going to burn.”

”...”

Ling Qianjun had no idea that the little crabs had already met a gruesome end, and naturally, Hua Buwan was completely oblivious as well. At this moment, she was busy sharing a roasted fish with Ling Qianjun.

Hua Buwan couldn’t help but marvel once again at how excellent their fish-roasting skills were. The fish itself was delicious too—incredibly fresh and full of rich flavor!

By the time they finished eating, it was getting late. Hua Buwan told Ling Qianjun to head back, sending him off with a large bag of longans.