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

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Jealous

The government officers only distributed one coarse bun and a bowl of water each day. Many people couldn’t get enough to eat or drink, so after the government officers relaxed their control, they spontaneously went up the mountains and down the rivers to forage for food and water. Sure enough, a few families ahead were roasting wild pheasants and fish, and the government officers were doing the same. Thus, the aroma of their roasting rabbits right now wasn’t overly conspicuous.

Many people didn’t deliberately mask the scent of blood. The bloody remains and pelts from the processed pheasants and rabbits were left scattered in the woods, with some people dressing their catches right on the periphery. They didn’t think much of it, but these scents were highly attractive to the wild beasts roaming the forest.

Ling Qianfan’s barbecuing skills were truly top-notch. The rabbit in his hands was roasted to a crisp, golden brown, exuding a mouthwatering fragrance. Hua Buwan couldn’t help but drool at the sight. Ling Qianfan smiled as he handed the roasted rabbit to her. She took it and couldn’t wait to take a bite. It was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and absolutely delicious.

”Wow, this is so good! Qianfan, your cooking skills are amazing!” Hua Buwan praised as she ate.

Watching Hua Buwan eat with such relish, Ling Qianfan felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He knew she liked barbecue, so he had specially roasted this rabbit for her.

”As long as you like it, I’ll roast it for you often,” he said with a goofy smile. He thought to himself, ”If I appease the Demon, Qianjun won’t have to worry about being eaten by her, right? And we can keep trading with her for good food and drinks!”

Hua Buwan looked up at Ling Qianfan, her eyes filled with gratitude. ”Oh, this boy is so sweet,” she thought. ”Giving me the best food first. Don’t worry, when I get good food in the future, I’ll keep you in mind.” Out loud, she said, ”Thank you, Qianfan.”

Ling Qianfan gently scratched the back of his head and said sheepishly, ”You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do.” Hua Buwan nodded and continued eating the rabbit in her hands.

Ling Qianfan turned his head with a grin, only to find Qianjun staring at him with a Leng Cheche expression. Ling Qianfan suddenly felt a chill shoot from the top of his skull straight down to the soles of his feet, freezing him to the core.

Watching Ling Qianfan hand the roasted rabbit to Hua Buwan, Ling Qianjun felt an indescribable surge of jealousy. He silently took a bite of his own roasted rabbit, but found that the taste had grown bitter. Hua Buwan had taken Ling Qianfan’s roasted rabbit and smiled in thanks. That smile was particularly piercing in Ling Qianjun’s eyes. He silently resolved that next time, he would definitely do a better job than Qianfan to make Hua Buwan notice him.

Meanwhile, when Ling Qianfan saw Qianjun gnawing on the rabbit, looking as if he were gnawing on Qianfan himself, he couldn’t help but tremble. ”Did I do something to offend Qianjun just now?” he wondered. ”No, I only roasted the rabbit for the Demon for Qianjun’s sake. Could it be that he’s jealous because I didn’t give him the very first rabbit I roasted?”

Ling Qianfan sneaked another glance at Ling Qianjun. Seeing Qianjun’s resentful eyes occasionally darting toward the roasted rabbit in Hua Buwan’s hands, everything clicked into place for Ling Qianfan. He felt he had hit upon the truth! Qianjun actually wanted to eat the rabbit he had roasted! Sigh! Qianjun was being ridiculous; if he wanted to eat it, he should have just said so.

Having ”figured out” the situation, Ling Qianfan stopped worrying and went back to roasting rabbits. He decided to roast the next one for Qianjun, lest Qianjun get jealous again.

Nearby, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge were also eating their freshly roasted rabbits. They ate and laughed, exchanging knowing glances several times.