After everything that had been said, silence settled between them.
Then—
Grrrrr.
Lin Yue froze.
The sound came again, louder this time, unmistakable.
His stomach.
Feng Lihan stared at him for half a second—then burst out laughing.
"So that's what that noise is," he said, clearly amused. "Your body really doesn't know how to stay quiet, does it? Yesterday it was shaking, today it's protesting."
Lin Yue covered his face with both hands, ears burning red. "…I'm hungry," he muttered weakly.
"That much is obvious."
Feng Lihan stood up, still smiling. "Wait here."
Before Lin Yue could say anything, Feng Lihan stepped out of the cave. Not long after, he returned with a freshly caught fish, still glistening with river water.
Lin Yue blinked. "You caught that… just now?"
Feng Lihan shrugged. "You can't survive on fruit alone. I figured you'd finally realize that."
Lin Yue didn't argue.
Instead, he pushed himself up, limping slightly but determined. He gathered a few dry leaves and carried them outside into the sunlight, laying them out carefully. Then he picked up two flat stones.
Feng Lihan watched, confused. "What are you doing?"
Lin Yue struck the stones together.
Clack.
Nothing.
Again.
Clack.
A spark flashed.
He kept going, patient, focused—until finally, a tiny spark caught in the dry leaves. Smoke curled up, then flame.
Fire bloomed.
Feng Lihan stiffened instantly. "Hey—! Why are you making fire?"
Lin Yue looked up calmly. "Relax. I won't burn the forest down."
He placed the fish carefully over the fire, turning it slowly so it wouldn't scorch.
Feng Lihan stared.
"You… cook it?"
Lin Yue nodded. "Raw fish fills your stomach, but it doesn't comfort it."
As the fish roasted, a warm, rich smell spread through the air. Lin Yue watched it thoughtfully, then sighed.
"…It'd be perfect if there was salt," he murmured. "Maybe a little chili too."
Feng Lihan didn't know what "chili" was, but he liked the way Lin Yue spoke—casual, familiar, like this wasn't a dangerous forest but a shared home.
When the fish was done, Lin Yue broke it in half and handed one piece to Feng Lihan.
"Here," he said. "You should eat too."
Feng Lihan took it, skeptical.
Then he took a bite.
His eyes widened.
"…This is good," he said slowly. Then, more honestly, "Really good."
Lin Yue smiled, small and proud.
"I didn't know fish could taste like this," Feng Lihan admitted. "You're incredible." if our clan people know they can eat meat like this you become famous , good to have you i will share this news with them .
Lin Yue laughed softly, ears twitching. "It's just cooking."
"No," Feng Lihan said, looking at him. "It's more than that."
They ate together by the fire, the forest quiet around them.
For the first time since coming here, Lin Yue felt full.
Not just in his stomach—
but somewhere deeper, too.