HCB Chapter 429 Gurgling, so cute~
Chapter 429 Gurgling, so cute~
Xia Ning jolted awake, propping herself up, the broken wooden planks beneath her creaking loudly.
"Honey, what method are you planning to use?"
"He looks sickly, but he's still an SS-rank." Her fingers tightened unconsciously. "If he finds out, things will likely turn bad."
Lin Feng raised his hand, placed his palm on the back of her hand, and gently rubbed his thumb on her knuckles.
"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."
After saying that, Lin Feng reached out and picked up the black robe that was scattered to the side, put it on, tied the belt, and walked to the window.
He opened the window, closed his eyes, and the [Call of the Wild] quietly activated.
A moment of silence.
In the night sky, several dark figures silently swept in from afar.
There were six bats in total. They circled twice outside the window, then landed one after another on the windowsill, hanging upside down in a row, their black bean-like eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
Lin Feng stretched out his hand, and the largest one flapped its wings twice and jumped onto his fingertips.
The slender claws gripped tightly, and a slight stinging sensation came from the fingertips.
Lin Feng turned his head to look at Xia Ning and smiled slightly:
"These are my tape recorders."
Having said that, Lin Feng closed his eyes and transmitted his thoughts to the six bats—
It's not language, but a series of images and perceptions.
The prayer flag forest, and the forbidden stone gate at the end.
Hang upside down in the crevice of the stone wall, do not move, do not make a sound.
Wait for the old man in the dark purple robe to arrive, wait for him to recite the incantation—write down that string of sounds, every syllable, every rise and fall.
Then, come back to me.
He opened his eyes and gently tapped the bat's little head with his fingertip.
The bat flapped its wings twice, loosened its grip on his fingers, and hovered in mid-air.
The other five also became restless, their wings opening and closing, making a soft fluttering sound.
The next moment, the lead bat flew towards the moonlit night sky outside the round building.
The other five followed closely behind, like six withered leaves scattered by the wind, disappearing silently into the depths where moonlight and shadow intertwined.
Lin Feng watched them fly away before closing the window and turning around.
Xia Ning had already put on a light shirt and was leaning against the wall.
Her brows were slightly furrowed, and her gaze was fixed on the direction outside the window, carrying a hint of obvious unease.
"Are they...reliable?"
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, a somewhat uncertain smile playing on his lips:
"It's hard to say, so this is just a trial, whether it works or not is another matter."
Xia Ning nodded slightly, about to say something—
"Gurgle~"
A clear rumbling sound came from her abdomen, which sounded particularly loud in the quiet room.
Xia Ning's expression froze for a moment.
Lin Feng looked down at her stomach, a slow smile spreading across his face, and leaned down to press his lips against hers.
"Don't listen." Xia Ning raised her hand to block him, her face slightly flushed. "What's so good about a rumbling stomach?"
"Other people's voices don't sound good," Lin Feng gently pulled her hand down and held it in his palm, "but yours sounds good."
Xia Ning opened her mouth, wanting to refute something, but seeing his sincere expression, she ultimately gave in.
"...Alright, listen."
Lin Feng bent down and pressed his ear against her lower abdomen.
"Gurgle—"
Another rumbling sound came from my intestines, even clearer than before.
"So cute." Lin Feng smiled and lifted her thin shirt, kissing her on the stomach with a loud "pop".
Xia Ning shuddered slightly, her waist instinctively shrinking back, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud: "It tickles!"
"Why didn't you say it itched just now?" Lin Feng looked up at her with a mischievous grin.
Xia Ning's face flushed red: "Just now... I was really into it."
Looking at her, Lin Feng's heart melted. He reached out and put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
"How about we have hot pot now?"
"It'll probably be a while before the bats reply, so let's grab something to eat first."
Xia Ning's eyes lit up for a moment, then she quickly frowned:
"Where are we going to cook hot pot so late?"
Lin Feng smiled, took a step back, and waved his right hand in front of him.
Two square boxes suddenly appeared on the small table.
The packaging is red, with the words "【Haililao Self-Heating Hot Pot】printed in large letters.
Xia Ning's eyes widened, revealing a hint of girlish surprise: "You even brought this?"
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow smugly: "When you're traveling, you should always bring plenty of dry rations."
Xia Ning swallowed hard: "How do I do this?"
"Watch me."
Lin Feng unpacked the package and laid out the contents one by one: vegetable packet, meat packet, hot pot base, vermicelli, and heating pack.
His movements were practiced, clearly indicating this wasn't his first time doing it.
Xia Ning sat to the side, resting her chin on her hands, watching intently, occasionally handing her something.
"Add water," Lin Feng said.
Xia Ning turned around to get the water bottle and slowly poured it into the lunchbox, just enough to cover the food.
"And then this step—"
He unpacked the heating pack, put the grayish-white bag into the lower food container, and poured in an appropriate amount of water.
Almost the instant the water came into contact with the heating pack, a hissing sound rang out, and white steam gushed out from the gaps in the lunchbox.
Lin Feng quickly placed the upper lunchbox on the shelf, closed the lid, and did so in one smooth motion.
"Wait fifteen minutes." He clapped his hands, looking at the two steaming boxes with satisfaction.
Xia Ning's gaze swept back and forth between the two boxes, her nostrils twitching slightly.
The aroma of butter began to fill the air, mixed with the spiciness of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers, spreading layer by layer.
"It smells so good." Xia Ning swallowed.
Seeing the rare look of longing on her face, Lin Feng laughed and said, "Of course, look who chose it."
Finally, the steam gradually thinned out.
Lin Feng straightened up and lifted the lid—white steam suddenly gushed out, carrying a rich aroma of butter that instantly filled the entire room.
The red oil bubbled and simmered, the broth thickened, the vegetables were cooked until slightly translucent, the beef slices unfurled in the red oil, and the glass noodles soaked up the broth, becoming plump and glistening.
Xia Ning took a deep breath, her eyes shining like two stars.
Lin Feng handed her a pair of chopsticks.
She took the chopsticks, picked up a slice of beef, dipped it in the chili oil, and put it in her mouth.
The beef is tender and smooth, with a spicy and savory flavor that explodes on the tongue before settling warmly into the stomach.
She squinted her eyes and let out a satisfied sigh.
Lin Feng looked at her, then picked up a slice of lotus root and ate it himself.
Xia Ning wasn't particularly good at eating spicy food; after a few bites, her lips turned red and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. But she wouldn't stop, continuing to scoop up the food while inhaling.
Lin Feng picked up a piece of luncheon meat from his box and gave it to her, asking with a smile, "Is it spicy?"
"Spicy." Xia Ning inhaled, her eyes watery.
"Then don't eat it."
"No." She protected her box, glared at him, and said, "This is mine."
Lin Feng chuckled, took out another bottle of plum juice from his spatial storage, unscrewed the cap, and handed it over.
Xia Ning took a big gulp, the sweet and sour, icy liquid sliding down her throat, rinsing off the spiciness in her mouth, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then—
"Knock knock knock".
The knocking, neither too loud nor too soft, sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
"Ahem~" Someone cleared their throat outside the door. "I'm Song Yao."
Xia Ning's body tensed abruptly, and she lowered her voice, her tone visibly tense:
"It's Elder Song Yao!"
"She lives in the room above mine and never visits... Why is she suddenly knocking on my door today?!"