CHAPTER 83: MUSHROOM VILLAGE 33

"Yes, it’s not ready yet. It’s still stewing in the pot," Third Aunt said with a smile.

Wan Qian raised her chopsticks. She was so hungry facing the table full of dishes that she didn’t care much and said, "That’s fine. The meat needs to stew a while longer to be more tender and flavorful. Let it stew for now, we’ll start eating."

With that, Wan Qian took the first bite, picking up a piece of braised pork from the dish on the table.

Looking at the oily braised pork, the others instinctively recalled yesterday’s meal.

That old man who had been crazily eating meat with his face on the table, stuffing meat into his mouth but uncontrollably spitting it out, his whole body twisted and terrifying.

Instinctively, all four felt a trace of fear.

Wan Qian, too hungry to think much, put the meat into her mouth.

The meat was stewed very tender, with the right balance of fat and lean. When she bit it, the thin layer of fat on the lean meat melted in her mouth. Chewing further, the lean meat was sweet and fragrant, making her mouth water.

It was surprisingly delicious. Wan Qian’s desire to have Third Aunt work on the farm grew stronger.

Just as she reached for a second piece, she noticed that except for herself, no one else had touched their chopsticks. Everyone’s eyes were fixed tightly on her.

Wan Qian felt a bit embarrassed and quickly urged, "You all should eat too. You haven’t had much since yesterday—aren’t you hungry?"

Only then did everyone come to their senses. Seeing Wan Qian was fine, they all raised their chopsticks and started picking from the dishes.

But if one observed carefully, one would notice that each dish was only eaten after Wan Qian took from it first.

For a moment, no one spoke; only the sound of chopsticks hitting bowls and plates filled the air.

Finally, after Wan Qian had eaten until she was half full, she slowed her pace of picking up food. Once again, she looked toward her third uncle and aunt.

"Have the rabbit and mushrooms finished stewing? Can you bring them out?"

Since catching the rabbit, Wan Qian had been looking forward to this rabbit meat. Such a big rabbit, wild and not farmed—it looked delicious.

Seeing Wan Qian’s expectant look, sweat appeared on Third Uncle’s forehead. "Uh..."

Third Aunt suddenly stood up, grabbed Third Uncle, and smiled apologetically at Wan Qian: "Let’s go check and see if it’s finished stewing."

With that, Third Aunt pulled Third Uncle out the door.

Pushing and pulling him into the kitchen, inside, a rabbit covered in blood lay on the table.

It looked already dead, with its furry chest not moving at all. But when Third Aunt walked over, the rabbit suddenly kicked its hind legs hard.

Third Aunt frowned and looked down at the rabbit, troubled.

"Please don’t blame us. It was Ms. Wan who said she wanted to eat rabbit meat. Why would you want to provoke her? The village chief said we must treat Ms. Wan well and try to meet all her requests."

Third Aunt lifted the shiny kitchen knife resting on the cutting board, slowly bringing the blade close to the rabbit’s neck.

"Sigh, we have no choice. I’ll be quick, please bear with me."

The knife neared the rabbit’s neck. Third Aunt sighed again, then put the knife down and looked at Third Uncle standing aside.

"How about you do it?"

"Me?"

Third Aunt nudged him with her arm, "Of course you! When Ms. Wan came, she asked if you knew how to prepare rabbit. Didn’t you say yes?"

Third Uncle clenched his teeth and took the knife, but looking at the rabbit on the table, he still hesitated to act.

The two stared at each other, each trying to avoid responsibility. The knife passed through several hands, but no one cut it.

Finally, both sighed, "How about we go back and tell Ms. Wan it was overcooked and can’t be eaten?"

Just as Third Uncle and Third Aunt made up their minds and turned around, the kitchen door creaked open.

Wan Qian appeared at the kitchen entrance, looking inside eagerly.

"Is it done? Seeing you haven’t come out for so long, I thought I’d come help."

Caught off guard, Third Uncle and Third Aunt failed to block the not-yet-skinned rabbit behind them, letting Wan Qian see it clearly.

"Huh?" Wan Qian stepped forward and peered in, her face showing some confusion. "Hmm? Why hasn’t it been started yet? Didn’t you say it was already stewing?"

"Ah, well..." Third Uncle and Third Aunt scrambled for a reasonable explanation.

Finally, Third Aunt slapped her thigh and said, "To marinate it thoroughly, I used my special secret technique! It just doesn’t look like it on the outside. I said it was stewing to keep you from getting impatient."

Third Uncle quickly added, "Yes, yes, please step out. It’s ready to go into the pot now. In about ten minutes, we’ll serve it."

Persuaded by the two, Wan Qian stepped outside and the kitchen door closed.

Third Uncle and Third Aunt exchanged a look, both seeing a trace of helplessness in the other’s eyes.

What else could they do? They’d stew it.

With a swift motion, the knife sliced, and the rabbit’s skin was carefully removed intact.

Beneath the fur, there wasn’t the expected sight of blood and flesh, but rather another layer of pure, flawless skin.

The skin was incredibly tight and smooth, resembling that of a well-cared-for young woman, without a single wrinkle or blemish.

After being peeled off, the rabbit’s skin was placed aside—and to everyone’s surprise, it trembled slightly, slowly expanding and contracting.

Leaning in closer, one could even hear a faint, barely audible breath.

The air was slowly drawn in, then gently expelled through each tiny pore.

Watching the trembling rabbit skin, a hint of greed flashed in Third Aunt’s eyes.

She murmured to the thing beneath her knife, I’ll be quick and won’t let you suffer long."

Before she finished speaking, she pressed one hand firmly against the flawless skin.

The skin seemed incredibly delicate—her palm left red-purple marks with the pressure.

Then, with the other hand, Third Aunt raised the knife again; a slash of blood splattered out.