[Emotional Stability], who was in charge of cooking, stood to the side, dipped his index finger into the pot to check the oil temperature, and then smiled at the two kids who were swallowing their saliva repeatedly.
"You can eat now."
Andy and Maggie appeared uncertain and uneasy, wanting to start but unsure how to proceed, especially not knowing how to use the stick-like utensils.
Seeing the kids' awkwardness, Shark East and West imdiately picked up chopsticks to show them, expertly grabbing a slice of beef, dipping it into the boiling pot, and then placing it on a bed of crystal-clear stead rice. She took a big bite with a delighted "om nom nom."
"Just like this!" She said with a mouth full of food, her words muffled.
Watching the Little Demon's movents, Andy clumsily tried to grab a piece of at with two chopsticks. However, as soon as he stretched it into the pot, the bubbling broth rolled it away and made it disappear.
"I'll help you!" A city dweller eagerly rubbed his hands, finally finding an opportunity to assist, and reached toward the bubbling hotpot.
Before his hand could make it, he was smacked away by [Potato Always In Office].
"Don't use your damn hand! If you do, we'll have bone soup!"
"What does it matter? I washed my hands!"
"This isn't about whether your hands are clean!"
Amid their bickering, Jingluo Nanbei smiled gently, used chopsticks to fish out the slice of beef, and placed it in the boy's bowl.
"No need to rush, take your ti."
Blushing fiercely, Andy muttered an "Mm," embarrassed, lowering his head almost entirely into the bowl.
He scooped food toward his mouth with the chopsticks, curiously tasted a bite, then widened his eyes in shock in the very next second, nearly biting his tongue.
So fragrant!
This was a flavor he'd never tasted before, so delicious that he hadn't even swallowed one bite before urgently stuffing another mouthful.
"Eat slower, don't choke," Jingluo Nanbei said with a warm smile, adding another freshly dipped beef slice into Maggie's bowl.
Seeing her brother eat so heartily, the little girl nad Maggie couldn't resist the craving in her belly either and eagerly tried a bite.
Predictably, she couldn't stop, just like her brother... Even though the spice had her sweating all over, her lips turned red as if she were wearing lipstick.
Under the players' careful guidance, the two kids learned quickly. After so fumbling, they finally mastered the use of chopsticks.
Watching the children devour the food ravenously, the players squeezed inside the room felt an imnse sense of healing and satisfaction in their hearts!
Although their bodies were cold corpses, their hearts were warm, their faces lit up with motherly smiles.
This feeling of being needed was hard to put into words.
It felt as if they weren't saving two cold pieces of data, but rather two living souls. Because of their simple gestures, a flickering ember was reignited amidst the snowy landscape, bringing a new warmth and aning to icy stones and wooden remains.
This profound spiritual fulfillnt was sothing pure nurical values could never provide, sothing they had never experienced in other gas.
Floating nearby, Robert smacked his lips repeatedly, curious about the delicious dish but unable to take a bite.
Andy, his mouth full, excitedly raised his head, restraining the urge to wave his arms and legs.
"What is this?! It's so delicious!"
He wanted his parents to taste this mortal delicacy!
They must be starving too!
"This dish is called hotpot, and where we co from, it's quite a common food." The city dweller snickered, eager to brag.
Deliciousness was inevitable.
This stuff was cooked with fragrant spices—forget dipping at; even dipping a wooden shoehorn would be tasty.
Not to ntion, on the Aus Continent, spices were considered a luxury only enjoyed by nobles and wealthy city folks. For Andy, who ca from the inland regions, the most gourt food he'd had before was rely roasted deer leg seasoned with salt.
Seeing the two youngsters gobbling fervently, even the skeleton soldiers around them were getting hungry. [Want to Be a Corpse] touched his ribcage, muttering.
"Damn... Just watching is making hungry."
Emotional Stability: "Order takeout then!"
Want to Be a Corpse: "It's not the sa!"
Emotional Stability: "How could it be any different...?"
[Want to Be a Corpse] sighed and drawled.
"You don't understand. On snowy days, having a platter of mutton hotpot and a chilled beer—now that's the ultimate life enjoynt!"
[Potato Always In Office] scratched his bald head.
"You could just find a roadside stall outside."
Want to Be a Corpse: "But where I co from, it doesn't snow!"
Emotional Stability: "..."
[Potato Always In Office] couldn't help rolling his eyes.
"You're such high-maintenance."
Listening to his skeleton pals' banter, Shark East and West couldn't help feeling tempted and cast a longing look at Xiao Wan.
"Xiao Wan! How about Jing and I co hang out with you?"
Xiao Wan tilted her head, puzzled.
"Hang out with ? Aren't I already here?"
Shark East and West eagerly replied: "Offline, I an offline! I've never ridden a sled pulled by polar bears in my life!"
As soon as "eting offline" was ntioned, Xiao Wan's shoulders tensed up. She gave a subtle look to the side, clearly uncomfortable, and even forgot to joke.
"Uh... There's no need for offline. I… I have social anxiety."
Jingluo Nanbei gently knocked Shark East and West on the head, reprimanding him.
"You don't et IRL just after barely getting to know soone. You'll scare others with that attitude, you know."
"Oof..."
Covering his head, Shark East and West's previously eager face now looked utterly defeated.
Feeling a little sympathetic, Xiao Wan hesitated and softly said.
"Maybe soday? This year isn't convenient, but maybe next year."
"Really?! Can I et penguins next winter?!" Shark East and West instantly regained his energy, clutching her hand excitedly.
Overwheld by his over-enthusiastic advances, Xiao Wan leaned back, her face flushed, muttering.
"Um, just maybe... I didn't an for sure."
Shark East and West nodded rapidly, visibly moved.
"Doesn't matter! As long as Xiao Wan agrees to et, I'll wait however long!"
Jingluo Nanbei gave him a sideways glance.
"Why are you talking like such a creep?"
Shark East and West grinned wickedly, pretending to claw at the air.
"Mwahaha... Does this make look creepier?"
The small wooden cabin brimming with a cozy atmosphere, Maggie blinked curiously at the lively crowd. Though unable to understand their conversation, she let out a soft giggle.
The howling snowstorm seed to freeze ti itself, making the entire world feel slower.
[Want to Be a Corpse] lanted, wishing undead could drink beer, grumbling about how absurdly realistic the ga was in the wrong places.
Amid [Emotional Stability] quietly enjoying the serenity amidst the lively commotion, a sudden "dong dong dong" rang from the snowy winds outside the cabin.
It was the sound of warning bells.
Upon hearing it, the group's laughter faded, and as if responding to a signal, each person rose from the warm, crackling fire.
Noticing the sudden shift in mood, Andy set down his bowl and chopsticks, nervously gripping his sister's hand to protect her by his side.
Robert, floating nearby, seed to forget he was already dead, acting as if alive and frantically scanning his surroundings in fear.
"What's that sound? What's happening?"
"No idea, could be visitors or could be demon beasts."
[Emotional Stability] replied casually, his skull's Soul Fire blazing, and the sound of cracking bones filled the air as he clenched his skeletal fist.
"Let's go take a look and find out!"
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