Beauty and the Beasts

Although the cubs couldn’t quite understand, they were able to hold themselves back because the food at home was always very delicious. Putting on their best behavior, they sat down on the floor and drooled as they stared at the large fish.

Looking at their greedy little expressions, Bai Qingqing felt that making sashimi tonight was the right decision.

Perhaps in the future, she could even try making raw meat slices. Didn’t the Western steaks have different degrees of doneness—rare, medium-rare, etc.? The males would probably like it very much. If there were suitable ingredients, it might be worth a shot.

After handling the ingredients, Parker shouldered the fish and went home. He first steamed the head, then skillfully picked out the bones. There were bits of flesh on the bones, and they were stewed together with the roe and maw.

Then, he prepared to climb up the tree.

“Why are you going up there?” Bai Qingqing asked casually.

Parker said, “To ask Winston to keep an eye on the fire.”

“Just that? I can do it. Winston must’ve slept poorly over these few days. Let him sleep a little longer,” said Bai Qingqing.

She was prepared to help out, to begin with, but she only didn’t stay next to the fire as it was too hot. In order for Parker to focus on slicing the fish, she immediately walked to the fire and picked up a tree branch to poke at the firewood.

Parker glanced at her and said helplessly, “Alright, I’ll be done real quick. You’re afraid of heat, don’t keep sitting there.”

“Mm.”

As a carnivorous beastman, Parker had an extremely good understanding of the structure of the meat. Using Curtis’s sharp scale, he sliced the fish into thin and even slices, and in a speedy manner to boot. When he was done, the food cooking on the fire happened to just finish cooking.

Bai Qingqing dragged a clean stone basin over and said, “Chill the slices in the waterhole for a little while and ask him to come to eat with us on the way. When Curtis returns, we’ll eat the sashimi slices.”

Though reluctant to invite Bluepool over, Parker agreed nonetheless.

“Oh, right!” Seeing that there was little food, Bai Qingqing added, “Bring the remaining fishballs over.”

“Mm.”

Parker went to look for Bluepool with the sashimi, and Bai Qingqing stood under the tree and shouted out to Winston.

The minute Bluepool arrived, he was subdued by the rich and intense fragrance in the pot. He walked over briskly and asked, “What is that you’re cooking?”

Bai Qingqing had wanted to ask him to eat the fish head initially. Seeing him take an interest in the fish roe steamboat, she instantly felt awkward. “Cough!… Fish soup.”

Parker grinned wickedly as he quickly lifted the pot lid. “Smells nice, huh? I bet it tastes even better.”

A large pot of fish roe was exposed in the air; the yellowish-orange fish roe had turned a reddish-orange shade after it was cooked, and the way it glistened whetted one’s appetite.

Bluepool was speechless.

“Parker…” Unable to look straight at Bluepool’s expression, Bai Qingqing thought to herself: You should at least give him some buffer time!

“Hasn’t Curtis come back?” asked Winston.

Bai Qingqing replied, “Not yet.”

“One fish won’t be enough for our entire family to eat. While he’s still out, I’ll head out to hunt another prey.” As Winston spoke, he prepared to put on his skirt.

Bai Qingqing quickly said, “No need. Curtis said he will bring back food.”

Only then did Winston dismiss the idea.

These hot dishes weren’t to Curtis’s liking. So, under Bai Qingqing’s command, everyone started eating.

Parker placed a fish roe into Bai Qingqing’s bowl and picked up one for himself. As he ate with relish, he commented, “So yummy.”

Bai Qingqing secretly nudged him and said awkwardly, “Bluepool, eat the fish head. It’s very tasty. The fishballs should be done steaming by now. You can eat them as well.”

Bluepool, however, stared at the yellowish-orange fish roe. Upon hearing this, he looked up at Bai Qingqing, who just happened to deliver a fish roe into her mouth. He slurped his saliva.

Suddenly, he reached out and, holding a large wooden spoon, scooped up a large fish roe for himself. He then lowered his head and started chomping on it greedily.