Chapter 55: The Urge to Visit the Cabin for a Meal

Back Mountain, inside the wooden cabin.

Lin Xiaodou had just finished arranging her luggage and food supplies and was sitting down to rest for a moment. At the entrance, a shadow slipped in—it was the little golden monkey from the morning! The tiny creature was carrying something in its arms, bouncing and swaying as it approached. When it reached her, it set its bundle down.

Only then did Lin Xiaodou see clearly: they were a handful of wild fruits, still green-skinned. She raised her brows. “Little one, did you come specially to bring me wild fruit?”

The little golden monkey grinned, revealing eight bright, gleaming white teeth.

Seeing its ingratiating expression, Lin Xiaodou couldn't help but laugh. “I was wondering why you’re so eager—it’s because you’re eyeing my supplies.”

The golden monkey bared its teeth in delight, clasping its hands together repeatedly in a gesture of supplication.

Lin Xiaodou’s heart melted. Oh, heavens, it really is adorable!

Unable to resist, she decided to tease it. “These wild fruits look so sour—nothing compared to my bananas and peaches. They won’t make a fair trade.”

The monkey’s large, dark eyes spun in thought; suddenly, it turned and hurried to the doorway. In no time, it returned, clutching something in its hand—a bracelet made of green gemstones!

Lin Xiaodou was surprised. “Little one, where did you get this?”

Such items weren’t common in the village, unless a wealthy family had hidden them away and the monkey had discovered them. Nearby, there was only this two-story wooden house, formerly the residence of the village’s biggest landlord.

Lin Xiaodou guessed that the gemstone bracelet was likely hidden by the landlord to escape disaster. There must be many treasures like this in the landlord’s house—not just a single bracelet, perhaps even a trove!

Her eyes brightened at the thought.

She pulled a dewy peach from her pocket (actually from her spatial storage), tempting, “Little one, tell me where you found the bracelet, and I’ll give you this peach. You can eat as many as you want!”

The monkey tilted its head, its dark eyes fixated on the peach, saliva nearly dripping. Though it wanted desperately to eat, it restrained itself.

“Wo-wo!!”

The little golden monkey anxiously scratched its fur, then pointed outside.

Lin Xiaodou understood. The monkey was saying its master had found the bracelet, and it couldn’t reveal the secret.

So, it really was a loyal little thing.

She rubbed its furry head, handing over the peach. “Here, eat. I’ll take those wild fruits.”

Since the treasure already had an owner, she wouldn’t covet it; after all, her spatial storage was plentiful.

Lin Xiaodou’s thoughts suddenly turned to the monkey’s master—the handsome, blind young man. So, he truly was a city official, here to hunt for treasure?

(Zhou Qinglang: Yes, yes, you guessed right!)

The adorable monkey held the peach, munching happily.

Lin Xiaodou smiled and picked up a wild fruit from the ground, taking a bite. The taste was ordinary—sour and astringent. It couldn’t compare at all to the fresh fruit from her spatial storage.

“Wo-wo!!”

The monkey, seeing her stop eating the wild fruit, suddenly cried out twice.

Lin Xiaodou, a little incredulous, asked, “Are you saying that you and your master eat these wild fruits every day?”

The monkey nodded, reluctantly glancing at the half-eaten peach. It had eaten half and wanted to save the rest for its master.

Lin Xiaodou saw its intention and spoke gently, “Just finish the peach yourself. I’m about to prepare lunch—later, you can take some food back for your master.”

Lin Xiaodou wasn’t stingy. Since they brought gifts to her, she’d reciprocate.

A gemstone bracelet for a peach and a meal was certainly a good deal on her part.

Behind the cabin, a clear stream flowed, perfect for fetching water.

Lin Xiaodou took out an iron pot, earthenware jar, and bowls from her woven sack and went to the stream to wash them. After cleaning, she headed to the kitchen, where the clay stove was still intact and ready for cooking.

She hurried to make lunch, opting for something simple: a pot of potatoes, scallion-egg soup, and minced meat with eggplant.

In less than half an hour, the meal was ready. She filled a bowl with soup, plated some minced meat eggplant, and added five large potatoes, arranging everything in a basket for the little monkey to carry home.

The monkey gazed at the brimming basket, its round eyes full of gratitude.

Lin Xiaodou reminded it, “Walk slowly, be careful not to spill the soup.”

The monkey nodded obediently, about to leave, then suddenly turned back.

Lin Xiaodou was puzzled, just about to speak.

The next moment, the little creature nuzzled her arm affectionately with its head.

Her heart softened. “This is a fair exchange, no need to thank me.”

The golden monkey blinked, seeming to half-understand.

After it left, Lin Xiaodou began her own lunch.

Today’s meal was plain, but especially fragrant. She wondered if it was because her cooking skills had improved, or because she’d done a good deed.

……

Meanwhile.

In the cellar, Zhou Qinglang lay on the stone bed, resting.

His blindness had stripped away all pleasure; with nothing else to do, he might as well heal his wounds.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, movement sounded on the stairs leading to the cave.

The little golden monkey had returned!

Zhou Qinglang, smiling, slowly sat up. “Little rascal, you’re back.”

“Wo-wo!!”

The monkey cried out excitedly, tugging him to sit at the stone bench.

As soon as he sat, Zhou Qinglang sensed something was amiss—he seemed to smell scallion-egg soup.

Then the monkey guided his hand to the soup bowl.

He realized he wasn’t hallucinating: it was soup! A bowl of steaming hot soup!

Normally cautious and composed, Zhou Qinglang lost all restraint.

He seized the bowl, ignoring the heat, and began gulping it down.

The aroma of scallions and the tender egg entwined, bursting in his mouth, stimulating his taste buds and washing over his soul.

Zhou Qinglang drank in a daze, savoring every drop.

In mere seconds, he drained the half-bowl.

The monkey eagerly handed him a potato.

The warm, soft potato melted in his mouth, and Zhou Qinglang felt a surge of energy, devouring it in large bites.

His long-starved stomach at last received nourishment, and his whole body relaxed.

Concerned for his blindness, the monkey thoughtfully placed the plate of minced meat eggplant in his hands.

The rich sauce exuded a mouthwatering fragrance.

Just one bite, and Zhou Qinglang was astounded.

The minced meat was juicy and savory, the eggplant crisp outside and tender inside.

Combined, they were so delicious he could hardly believe it.

In less than five minutes, the basket was emptied.

Zhou Qinglang patted his full stomach, feeling deeply satisfied.

For a moment, he was overcome with the urge to go to the cabin and beg for another meal…