chsdbacks Chapter 20 Delicious Food, What I Desire
Chapter 20 Delicious Food, What I Desire
As the setting sun sinks into the forest, the dew-covered trees glow with a soft, firefly-like light.
The wood spirits, who follow the way of nature, use a type of mushroom that glows at night as their nighttime lighting device.
Lynn borrowed a corner of the settlement's communal kitchen.
Lydia, standing next to Lynn, couldn't hide the joy on her face.
【Lia's Growth Plan】—【Lia's Cooking Tutorial】.
"Clang clang clang!"
"Lynn's cooking class is now open for enrollment."
Lynn handed a bunch of washed wild onions to Leah, "Let's start with the simplest thing—chopping onions."
Leah nodded vigorously: "Yes!"
"I will never let my elder brother down!"
She mimicked Lynn's grip on the cleaver, holding down the scallion with her other hand, and carefully made the first cut—the scallion rolled away.
"Um..."
"whee!"
"Bend your fingers and use your knuckles to support the blade." Lynn approached from behind, gently grasping Leah's right hand holding the knife with his left hand, while his right hand covered her left hand holding the scallions, adjusting her posture. "Like this, relax your wrist and keep the blade vertical."
His breath brushed past Lydia's ear.
Leah's cheeks flushed red at a visible speed, her body stiffened slightly, and even the kitchen knife in her hand trembled a little.
No, not at all.
"Brother, brother...we're too close..."
"How can I teach if I don't get close to the subject?" Lynn asked seriously, but her hand movements became even more meticulous.
"Focus your attention, watch the incision—yes, like that, gently push it down."
Under his guidance, Leah finally managed to cut out her first piece of scallion that was barely even.
Although they varied in thickness, at least I didn't cut my hand.
"It's a success!"
Leah turned her head, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and almost bumped into Lynn's chin.
The two leaned back simultaneously, looked at each other, and burst into laughter.
This scene was witnessed by Vera, who was leaning against the door frame not far away.
The elven girl crossed her arms, her silver hair shimmering softly in the warm kitchen light.
Her gaze was calm, but there was a faint smile on her lips—a gentle tenderness that naturally arises when one sees something beautiful.
But her ear twitched slightly.
"Next is seasoning." Lynn stepped back half a step, giving Leah space, and took out a few small ceramic jars.
"This dish is called braised mushrooms with scallions. The key is in the cooking time and the ratio of the sauce."
"One spoonful of wild honey, half a spoonful of fruit vinegar, a pinch of salt..."
Leah listened attentively while frantically pouring seasonings into the wooden bowl.
Her hand trembled as she poured the wild honey, and she poured in half a spoonful too much. She was so flustered she almost cried, "I'm so sorry, brother..."
"fine."
Lynn picked up another wooden bowl. "Remember this amount? Make it the correct way next time."
He naturally took the overly sweet condiment bowl, turned around and took some more mushrooms from the ingredient basket: "I'll use this bowl to make another flavor—honey-glazed roasted mushrooms."
"Mistakes can be turned into new dishes; that's the joy of cooking."
Leah stared at him blankly, then her eyes lit up again: "Yes!"
As expected of my older brother.
Vera watched this scene, her emerald green eyes curving slightly.
If a true connoisseur of kowtows were here, they would easily notice—this is an expression of someone who has just kowtowed.
For the next while, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of cooking and cheerful sounds.
Under Lynn's guidance, Leah made her first complete dish—although the scallions in the braised mushrooms were a bit burnt and the sauce was slightly salty, the mushrooms themselves were tender and juicy, and the presentation was surprisingly thoughtful, with tender leaves at the bottom and two small wildflowers on top.
Lynn took a bite seriously and gave a thumbs up: "Great job for the first time."
"Next time, you can turn the heat down a bit, turn off the heat before the sauce reduces, and let it simmer with the residual heat."
Leah's eyes narrowed into crescent moons with joy.
Vera, standing nearby, couldn't help but swallow hard. She asked timidly, "Is it time to eat?"
Dinner was served at a shared long table in the center of the settlement.
Besides Leah's braised mushrooms with scallions.
Lynn also made honey-glazed roasted mushrooms, cold beef salad, and a poached chicken dish.
Vera sat opposite Lynn, while Leah sat right next to Lynn.
The elven girl's gaze shifted between the two, and the smile on her lips never faded.
"This dipping sauce..." Vera scooped up a little of Lynn's specially made ginger and garlic sauce with a wooden spoon, carefully dipped it on the chicken, and put it in her mouth.
next second.
Vera's eyes lit up: "The salty and savory flavor, with the spiciness of ginger and a hint of fruit vinegar... perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the chicken!"
"Moreover, the chicken skin is crispy, the meat is firm, and it's tender and not dry."
Lynn explained with a smile, "This is a free-range chicken that is exactly 180 days old, not a 30-day or 60-day-old broiler. It usually eats fruits and vegetables, so it is naturally sweet and chewy."
And Lynn is skilled enough not to waste such ingredients.
She then took a bite of the cold beef salad—thinly sliced smoked beef mixed with wild onions, herbs, and a special sauce, offering a chewy yet tender texture and a rich array of spices.
"Well……"
Vera's cheeks bulged slightly from eating, and her emerald eyes narrowed happily. "My Lord Prophet, are you really not considering opening a restaurant in the settlement? I promise I'll come every day!"
Leah ate the food her brother had made in small bites, while secretly observing Vera's expression.
Seeing how much the elven girl enjoyed her brother's cooking, she felt both proud and a little bittersweet.
But more than anything, it's a sense of pride, like "See, my brother is that amazing."
"Sister Vera," Leah placed a piece of her own braised mushroom with scallions into Vera's bowl, "Try what I made."
Vera was a little surprised, then smiled even more gently: "Thank you, little sister Leah."
She tasted it carefully, chewed for a moment, and nodded: "The mushrooms are cooked perfectly, retaining their original flavor."
"The sauce would be perfect if it were a little less salty—but it's already quite remarkable that it turned out this well for the first time."
Leah blushed and whispered, "It's because my brother taught me so well."
Lynn smiled and placed a piece of honey-glazed roasted mushroom on each of their plates: "Let's learn from each other and make progress together."
A cozy dinner time flowed by under the moonlight.
The elves around occasionally cast curious glances—the trio of Lynn and his companions, along with the alluring aroma wafting through the air, seemed rather special on this peaceful night in the settlement.
After the meal, Vera offered to help clear the table.
Leah wanted to join them, but Vera gently held her back: "Little Leah, you must have worked hard learning to cook today. Go and rest. The Prophet and I will take care of the cleanup."
Leah glanced at Lynn, and seeing him nod, she said somewhat reluctantly, "Then... I'll take the packed food to Father, and brother, come back early when you're done with your work."
The girl took the packed food and left.
Only Lynn and Vera remained in the kitchen.
The glowing mushrooms by the sink emitted a soft light, casting the shadows of the two people onto the wooden wall.
"The Prophet is so kind to my sister Leah," Vera said softly as she washed the wooden bowl.
"That kind of patience and gentleness is rare even among us elves."
Lynn wiped the stove and smiled, "She's my sister, who else should I be good to if not her?"
"Is she just my younger sister?"
Vera turned her head, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly with a smile: "I can see it now, the way Sister Leah looks at you isn't just the way a sister looks at her brother."
Lynn paused, somewhat embarrassed, "Miss Vera is very observant."
"Because it's beautiful."
Vera continued washing the dishes, her voice soft: "That kind of feeling—wholeheartedly relying on and trusting someone—is like the purest spring water; you can see right to the bottom."
"In our long lives, we rarely see such pure emotions."
She paused, then added, "That's why I think...it's wonderful."
"Like—"
"It's like seeing the first flower of early spring bloom."
"The first shooting star of the summer night streaks across the sky."
"It makes you want to protect this beautiful thing."
Lynn was silent for a moment before saying, "Miss Vera is a gentle person."
"I'm just an observer," Vera smiled.
"But sometimes, bystanders see things more clearly—Mr. Lynn, the way you look at Leah has long since transcended the sibling relationship, hasn't it?"
This question left Lynn speechless for a moment.
But then, an accident happened.
Vera tiptoed to put the washed wooden bowls on the high shelf, but stepped on a puddle of water that had splashed out while she was washing the dishes.
"ah--"
She slipped and fell backward!
Almost instinctively, Lynn stepped forward, put his right arm around her waist, and supported her hand holding the bowl with his left hand, catching her steadily.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment.
Vera's long silver hair drew an arc in the air, with a few strands brushing against Lynn's cheek.
Her emerald green eyes widened slightly, reflecting Lynn's face so close to hers.
Their bodies were pressed close together. Lynn could feel her body curves stiffen for a moment and then relax, and he could smell her faint, fresh scent, like a forest after the rain.
When Lynn's warm hand rested on Vera's waist, their breaths almost mingled, and Vera saw Lynn's deep brown eyes at such close range...
When two people's eyes meet.
The brain releases two emotional signals—approach or escape.
Some people say that when two people look at each other for more than ten seconds, they are very likely to develop feelings for each other.
When Vera's eyes met Lynn's.
Lynn's eyes seemed to have a certain attraction for her, making her unconsciously become absorbed in them.
A strange, throbbing sensation suddenly struck her heart.
Lynn gave her a sense of familiarity.
just like--
It seems like I said "I love you" at some point.
Vera's heart skipped a beat without warning, then started racing.
"I'm so sorry..."
Vera hurriedly pulled away from Lynn's embrace.
Her ears, hidden beneath her silver hair, were already bright red: "I was so careless..."
Lynn released her grip and took a half-step back: "It's alright. As long as the bowl isn't broken."
The atmosphere suddenly became subtle.
Vera lowered her head and continued washing the dishes, but her movements were clearly somewhat flustered.
It’s weird.
Why do I feel so familiar with someone even though we've only just met?
but.
I, Vera, am not the kind of person who interferes in other people's relationships, much less become a third party in someone else's love life.
Vera shook her head vigorously.
He shook out the random thoughts that were swirling in his mind.
"Miss Vera," Lynn's voice broke the silence.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Prophet?" Vera looked up, trying to make her expression look natural.
"I'd like to visit the Giantwood Forest east of the settlement tomorrow. Could you please accompany us again?" Lynn continued. "I plan to become a druid, so I might need to contract a hawk. Leah might also need to contract one."
"Without your help, if we go alone, we might arouse the hostility of the eagles."
"Of course, I will continue to cook and make more delicious food for Miss Vera."
Leah?
The Prophet is truly concerned about Miss Leah.
I really envy their relationship.
"Of course, no trouble at all," Vera smiled.
"I'm really looking forward to eating the delicious food made by the Prophet."
Become friends.
I wish I could eat the delicious food made by the Prophet.
As for romance and such.
Let them talk it out.
Seemingly having figured something out, Vera happily finished washing the last few bowls.
"I'm leaving now."
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Lynn."
She left the kitchen with light steps.
Bright moon and stars.
The wind was also cool.
A summer breeze ruffled Vera's long silver hair. She gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and turned to look at Lynn in the cabin.
A smile as beautiful as a flower.