This is a warm and penetrating aroma! It is the complex fragrance produced when fats lt at high temperatures and proteins undergo the Maillard reaction over a charcoal fire.
This olfactory signal tells its genes that this is the most efficient energy source available right now! This signal fiercely strikes its most primordial instincts!
December’s actions froze instantly, and the small wooden block in its mouth fell to the ground with a "clack."
Those pure obsidian-like round eyes first blinked blankly, while its small nostrils flared at a frequency higher than ever, trying to decipher this new, more aggressive scent than raw fish.
It completely abandoned the now flavorless piece of wood, and its furry little head whipped toward the direction of the fireplace.
It saw, in the dark red firelight, that golden, sizzling, oil-dripping fish which was exuding a deadly attraction.
An overwhelming primal desire suddenly washed away its recently achieved sense of satisfaction. It crawled off the soft spruce bed, its four still sowhat clumsy little legs impatiently stepping forward with urgency unbefitting its age.
Its tender paw pads made "thud, thud" sounds that were clearly audible on the packed earth of the shelter.
It ca straight to Lin Yu’an’s feet, all attention focused on the delicacy in the human’s hand above the fire.
It lifted its furry little head, black shiny eyes staring unblinkingly at the sizzling roasted fish, a soft whimper of yearning escaping from its throat.
Its small nose continued to work tirelessly, greedily absorbing every aromatic molecule in the air, and even a glistening drop of saliva pooled at the corner of its mouth, hanging precariously on its black lips.
Lin Yu’an naturally noticed the little "greedy bear" at his feet and looked down at December’s eager expression, unable to help but smile.
"Oh? Can you sll it?"
He deliberately slowed his actions, using a stick to turn the fish over so that the other side’s skin would cook evenly, making the fragrance even more intense.
He tore off a small, crispy piece of fish skin, its aroma like that of potato chips, and put it into his mouth.
"Crunch—"
The crisp chewing sound was particularly clear in the quiet shelter, as if this sound was a switch, instantly igniting December’s last bit of patience.
"You can’t eat this." Lin Yu’an said while savoring the salty, crispy fish skin, looking down at it with a teasing smile in his voice.
"This is my dinner, with a lot of salt. You’re too small, and you’d get sick if you ate it."
Of course, December didn’t understand these complex human words, but it could clearly feel a sense of "rejection" and "exclusivity."
It got anxious!
All along, this large, warm creature had provided food when it was hungry, but this ti, he was eating right in front of it! A mixture of grievance and urgency surged through its heart!
December propped up its body on its hind legs, trying hard to stand up, using its two furry, black-clawed forepaws to paw at Lin Yu’an’s pant leg.
From deep in its throat ca a louder, more assertive sound than usual: "Awoo...awoo..."
This sound was no longer the weak, pitiful whimper of yesterday, but a protest full of confidence and spoiled tone.
Lin Yu’an was thoroughly amused by its little appearance, putting down the stick in his hand and reaching out with his fingers to gently scratch December’s furry chin.
Amusing as it was, Lin Yu’an would never compromise on a matter of principle.
He was well aware that the grilled fish he made contained quite a bit of laboriously refined coarse salt. Such high-salt food would be absolute poison for the undeveloped kidneys and digestive system of a young cub. He couldn’t risk this little life.
However, seeing December’s longing eyes, he felt a bit reluctant.
He recalled so knowledge he had seen in wildlife docuntaries: carnivore cubs begin to show interest in solid food at a certain stage during the nursing period. Perhaps it was ti to offer a safe, new experience?
His gaze shifted to the other corner of the shelter. There lay the fresh piece of lake trout fillet he had specifically saved when processing his catch this afternoon.
Lin Yu’an soothingly touched December, who was still pawing at his pant leg, then turned and walked over to the fish fillet.
He drew the Hunting Knife from his waist and carefully cut off a small piece from the tender belly of the fillet. This piece of fish was small, almost transparent with no muscles, a piece of pure fish at without any seasoning or curing.
Holding this little piece of fish, he returned to the fire and gently waved it in front of December’s nose.
"Want this?"
A aty aroma, entirely different from the rich roast fish scent, instantly tunneled into December’s nose.
Its attention was imdiately diverted by this new scent, even forgetting to continue pawing at Lin Yu’an’s pant leg, and it nodded its little head so vigorously it was almost funny, as if using all its strength to say: "Yes! I want to eat it!"
Seeing its reaction, Lin Yu’an knew he had made the right choice. He squatted down and slowly offered the piece of fish to December.
December cautiously approached, extending its small pink tongue to tentatively lick the piece of fish at with its tip.
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