She turned the roast on the rack. The rooster, eight or nine jin after plucking, had shed moisture and rendered fat over the fire, and was much lighter now—maybe six or seven jin.
The meat was fully cooked. She had sprinkled salt several times during the roast. Now, after slicing off a piece to taste, she nodded in satisfaction: fresh, fragrant, crisp, and salty in perfect balance.
Then she cut off the two drumsticks—one for Zhao Qingyan, one for herself.
As for Chen Cheng…
She hesitated, then cut a section of back meat with bone, stuck it on the dagger's tip, and held it out to him.
Those who work get meat. Though not much, when she saw Chen Cheng's look of delighted disbelief, she felt the "sweet date" she'd given was not small.
At least he, the party concerned, was fully satisfied.
She nodded inwardly and revised her evaluation of him.
This big guy was good—willing to work, not asking for much.
With a small price, she could buy a lot of labour. A good deal.
She grinned, then bit into the fragrant drumstick.
Beneath the charry skin, the tender, juicy chicken shouted the quality of the ingredient.
Beside her, Zhao Qingyan again ate fast—big mouthfuls, wolfing it down.
If it were just the two of them, she would have eaten slowly and savoured every bite.
But now was different. Besides the bite given to Chen Cheng, there was Ji Chenfeng watching like a tiger.
From the way he looked at Lan Grace, and at the roasted Five‑coloured Bird, he was very interested. Zhao Qingyan feared that if she ate slowly, it would end up cheap for him—into his mouth.
So whatever happened, she would eat her fill first. The rest later.
The sight of the three—Lan Grace, Zhao Qingyan, and Chen Cheng—eating roasted meat was blatant temptation for those drawn by the aroma.
They swallowed and swallowed, able to smell, but unable to eat.
Chen Cheng didn't help—unfussy, he chewed loudly: smacking and slurping—stoking everyone's craving.
Soon, someone couldn't hold back.
"Will you sell that meat? I'll pay a high price."
At his first words, he met a cold glare from Zhao Qingyan—and she ate even faster.
Lan Grace looked up at the speaker: a big‑eyed chestnut‑haired youth of seventeen or eighteen—looking at her in hopeful expectation.
She had seen him before—he had been among the eleven surrounding Kong Simon and Fei Fei. They had at least met.
She thought a moment—then shook her head. "Not this batch."
The youth's face fell—disappointment and regret.
"But…" Lan Grace went on, "if I have extra later, I can sell you some."
Looking at him, she suddenly had an idea.
"There are a full hundred Five‑coloured Birds in this jungle. You're many—form a team and it shouldn't be hard to catch them," she suggested.
"After you catch a bird, bring it here. One bird for two jin of roasted meat. No upper limit. If you want to eat, go hunt."
She waved to the crowd.
She and Zhao Qingyan only had so much energy. To search everywhere for big roosters, catch them, process them, and roast them—it was time‑consuming.
If she could rouse others' enthusiasm, she could sit here and have ingredients delivered. All she'd need to do was work her hands—and they would never lack for food. Why not?
Hearing her terms, people were already huddling to discuss.
Most of those drawn by the smell did not know one another. To catch a Five‑coloured Bird, one or two people were too weak—it was impossible.
Only together, relying on numbers, might they manage.
In that instant, in some minds, the birds had ceased to be exam targets for extra points—and become pieces of sizzling roast meat.
As for the birds' iron ankle rings—those would be divided later.
By the fire, Ji Chenfeng heard the Waste Star girl—and after a moment's hesitation, sprang to his feet and left.
Though he had never cared much for taste, he suddenly wanted to know if the roast meat smelled as good as it tasted.
So he followed his whim—went to hunt.
With his strength, hunting alone would be difficult—but only a little difficult. He believed he could do it.
As he left, Lan Grace exhaled in relief. The person who had been staring at her eating, exerting pressure without meaning to, was gone.
And Zhao Qingyan ate easier too.
She noted Lan Grace's exchange terms—and thought that since she'd eaten so much, maybe she should bring back a few birds to pay her back.
Just then, Chen Cheng sprang up. "I'll find dry grass and branches nearby." Off he went, eager to work.
Lan Grace watched his bustling back and smiled.
She hadn't noticed earlier—under that bear‑like bulk, he was quite sharp, good at reading people—a quick study.
Now she didn't even need to speak—he knew to take the initiative.
Good, good.
She looked away—and saw Zhao Qingyan's conflicted face.
"Lan Grace—what can I do for you?" Having seen Chen Cheng's zeal, Zhao Qingyan felt increasingly that she was not much use.
She felt like someone who followed Lan Grace just to eat.
In her heart of hearts, she knew hunting a Five‑coloured Bird alone would be hard.
And she was unwilling to team up with others.
After tasting Lan Grace's cooking, she didn't want to be away from her even for a moment.
She feared that the moment she left, someone else would take advantage, slip into her place, and become Lan Grace's friend.
For example, Chen Cheng and his knack for ingratiation gave her an uneasy sense that her position was under threat.
The question genuinely surprised Lan Grace—but she soon understood.
"Aren't you protecting me? That's enough."
"Yes. I'm protecting you." Zhao Qingyan suddenly felt she had found her place by Lan Grace's side.
Compared to her, Chen Cheng's strength was far behind—so her place would not be taken!
Then her brow creased. Ji Chenfeng was a little stronger than her…
He was a threat!
Hunting in the jungle, Ji Chenfeng had no idea he had already been marked by Zhao Qingyan as a potential rival…