Chapter 278 - The Novelty of Cooking One’s Meal

The entire afternoon was filled with fishing-related activities.

After catching fishes, the students could cook their prized harvest into meals of their choice. They could enjoy the sweet results of their hard labor.

Dinner was approaching. As the wealthiest school in the whole country, TIHS had naturally prepared everything for their students. They brought out a large repertoire of spices, vegetables, and other ingredients. They also have stationed chefs from the school cafeteria in case the students would need assistance and advice about cooking.

Considering that the students were all young misses and young masters with golden spoon since birth, they took into consideration that not all students would be able to cook decent meals out of their own harvest. Not to mention, there were also those students who did not catch anything and others who merely spectated. The school made sure to prepare sumptuous meals that would go along well with the 'camping' trip.

Giving the students a chance to cook their own meals was simply the school staff's way of letting the students gain new experience, which, hopefully, they would remember as part of their memories during their youth.

Thus, on the wide open field of the garden between the two rest houses, extending until the lakeside, there were many tables scattered around. 

Every table has its own fishing grill and stove. There was also a small station filled with ingredients, and tools for cooking and grilling fishes.

On the center of the wide garden was a big bonfire that illuminated the surroundings. Naturally, it was carefully prepared so as to avoid harming the grassy field around it. The light from the bonfire was enough to lighten up the whole garden. 

Just in case, each table also had its own yellow LCD lamp.

The table was quite big with eight chairs around it.

Xiong Zhi and Linfeng arrived late. Their expression was full of contentment as they kept glancing at their basket full of fishes. 

They were not only satisfied with their harvest, they were also fully satiated by simply seating beside each other, enjoying the other's company as they talked of random sweet nothings.

The lakeside and the garden was lit up brightly and the students were already busying about, bustling with activity. There were mostly a hundred students present, not yet including the school staff, coaches, chefs, and other personnel.

Thankfully, the area covered by the garden and the lakeside was extremely wide, thus it was not at all cramped. Everyone was given a lot of space, some students were even playing small games, running after each other.

The atmosphere was joyful as a lot of students wanted to try out grilling. It was such a novel experience for this pampered and spoiled wealthy children. Most of the students sported a thrilled and eager look on their faces as they grilled the fishes they personally caught.

Xiong Zhi took in all this with a rather nostalgic feeling.

'Ah, youth. It was truly the most memorable period of a person's life.'

Meanwhile, Linfeng looked around to find a spot for him and his Young Miss. 

Then, an especially shout came towards them.

"Zhi'er! Senior Linfeng! Here!"

Song Xuantin was waving for them to come to their team.

There were already four people on the table. Tang Xinyang nodded at Xiong Zhi in greeting, her face vibrant and contented with her winnings. She was now back to wearing her skirt and was busy putting up her 'feminine' act. 

Xiong Zhi thought that it was actually useless putting up such an act after the heroic and manly feat from earlier.

Jang Shin's face lit up as soon as he saw his best friend. He immediately stood up to offer his seat to Linfeng, which happened to be beside Tang Xinyang. Unfortunately for him, Tang Xinyang speedily grabbed him by his arm and smiled softly at him. 

Jang Shin saw the 'threatening' smile and his whole body shook. He obediently sat back down like a wilted grass.

'Ah, my poor life.' 

His life saving straw, Linfeng, just nodded at him. This heartless guy!

Gu Zhen gestured at the two empty seats beside him. 

Linfeng first helped his Young Miss to sit first. He then put their basket down.

Seeing the basket full of fishes, Song Xuantin could not help but gasp in awe.

"Wow! You managed to get a basket full of fishes in such a short period of time! Amazing!"

Linfeng nodded with a smile. "My Young Miss caught all of these fishes. It is her first attempt at fishing, but she is already very skilled," he said, raining praises again over Xiong Zhi.

The latter proudly raised her chin, feeling happy. 

Linfeng, no, her hubby was praising her again. Xiong Zhi's little heart danced in glee.

"Eh? Zhi, I never knew you have such a hidden a talent," Song Xuantin exclaimed in surprise as she looked at Xiong Zhi. The other three, Tang Xinyang, Jang Shin, and even Gu Zhen, gave a look of admiration and praise towards Xiong Zhi.

This usual cold young miss with full of etiquette and manners could actually fish, it was quite refreshing.

However, none of these people realized that they were actually fishing with a person who had the same status of Xiong Zhi. They failed to see, Tang Xinyang, a young miss as well from a legendary family catching fishes with brute strength, was more surprising to see.

Xiong Zhi enjoyed their look. 

Somehow, it was as if she could see words floating on top of their heads.

'Ding! You have received Song Xuantin's respect. Prestige +1'

'Ding! You have received Jang Shin's respect. Prestige +1'

'Ding! You have received Gu Zhen's respect. Prestige +1'

'Ding! You have received Wulin Alliance Leader Tang Xinyang's respect. Prestige +10'

Xiong Zhi, who was trying to hold down the corner of her lips, finally could not resist smiling wider.

'That's right. I caught all of them.' She inadvertently looked at Tang Xinyang. Even the handsome and reliable Tang Xinyang was amazed by her.

Her hidden stat, 'Competitive Spirit', was activated.

She could not help but ask Tang Xinyang.

"How many fishes have you caught?"

"Oh. We caught—"

"Cough!" Linfeng coughed loudly to cut off Tang Xinyang's words. His expression did not seem to be right.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!" He coughed more as he skillfully kicked the five big baskets without toppling them, which were twice the size of their basket, under the table. These were probably Tang Xinyang's harvest.

Xiong Zhi, hearing his cough, immediately turned to him, forgetting her question at Tang Xinyang. She immediately handed him a bottle of water.

"Are you feeling alright?" She asked worriedly. She stood up and patted his back.

As Xiong Zhi patted his back, Linfeng shot a warning glare at everyone and discreetly shook his head. 

His meaning was clear. 'Don't you dare tell her.'

Everyone: "..." 

"Ah!" Song Xuantin unnaturally cried. "We only got three small baskets. Gu Zhen and I filled up one basket. It was Tang Xinyang who caught a lot of fishes with her long experience, filling up two baskets."

The ignorant girl said, "That's quite a lot."

Song Xuantin peeked sneakily at Linfeng. "Well, given that we have started earlier than you, and there are many of us, your harvest is really very impressive. It's quite a feat, Zhi!" Song Xuantin said fawningly. 

Linfeng sighed in relief after hearing Song Xuantin's answer.

Xiong Zhi nodded happily, then went on asking Linfeng how he was feeling. The number of fishes caught was not as important as her beloved's health. She found a jacket and dr.a.p.ed it over his shoulders. 

The handsome young man smiled up at her gently, his eyes shining with a gentle glow from the warm light.

The rest of the people secretly wiped their sweat.

On the other hand, Tang Xinyang stared at Song Xuantin, then at Linfeng, and then at Xiong Zhi. Her transparent eyes held a thoughtful look. She seemed to understand something. 

Then, remembering something, a worried light flashed in her eyes, and she lowered her lashes to hide it.

No one noticed her momentary gaffe.

Linfeng finally persuaded Xiong Zhi that he was alright. "I am alright. I'm going to get water and cook your fish soup." 

He left the table and went to the temporary pantry. He came back after a few minutes with pots and utensils. There was also a bag filled with lots of fresh ingredients and spices provided by the school.

Linfeng cleaned the fishes and prepared some of them for grilling. He then brushed some c.u.min powder on it, and some other spices. He prepared the grill, put the fishes with spices on top, and began grilling. 

Jang Shin and Tang Xinyang assisted him with practiced movements. It was apparent that they were not new to such activities. 

Meanwhile, Gu Zhen and Song Xuantin got a whole pot of steaming hot rice for them, as well as some side dishes provided by the school chefs.

Xiong Zhi, knowing she could not help, obediently sat down to avoid causing trouble.

Leaving the task of grilling fishes to Jang Shin and Tang Xinyang, Linfeng next cooked Xiong Zhi's favorite milky fish soup. 

He skillfully prepared the ingredients. He then put an earthenware pot on top of the stove and began cooking.

Soon after, the delicious fragrance of the milky fish soup spread everywhere. The rest of the students mostly grilled their prized catch. As he was the only one cooking this kind of food, the others could not help but glance at their table. Some Young Misses who came with their butlers who were in another class or level urged their aides to also cook fish soup. 

Due to that, the tantalizing fragrance of fish soup cooked everywhere overwhelmed the whole camp.

Xiong Zhi quietly watched Linfeng cook, admiring him. He wore an apron to avoid any stain from charcoal and from cooking. His serious figure as he cooked was very attractive. She smiled faintly, with affection becoming more apparent in her eyes. 

Her dear Linfeng was so handsome in front of the stove. His handsome features was emphasized by the reflection of the fire.

Instead of cooking, he looked like he was a model posing as a handsome house husband. 

He looked at her from time to time, giving her a gentle smile. Sometimes, it would turn playful as he began to notice how smitten she looked. Those eyes reflected the flames in front of him, making him appear more enigmatic.

Xiong Zhi felt as if she was in a dream. 

Simply watching him cook for her was so satisfying that her heart felt full. The meal was not served yet but she was already satiated with the handsome scenery before her. 

Oh. What a satisfying meal.