Chapter 291: Our Own Home
"Is it delicious?" Ding Ning eagerly looked at the other two.
The two nodded vigorously, wanting to speak but feeling their throats dry, as if glued together by salt.
A few bites down, they could no longer speak.
Xiong Jie gulped down mouthfuls of soup, and the salt clumped in his throat was washed away by the broth.
He tilted his head slightly and saw the kitchen trash can filled with empty salt bags, the brand of which was exactly the same as the one in his warehouse.
He fixed his gaze on Jiang Che, who was eating with an unchanged expression.
He stared blankly, utterly shocked, as Jiang Che seemed completely unable to taste anything, and with every dish he picked up, he praised Ding Ning.
In that instant, it was as if he was struck by a lightning bolt, a sudden enlightenment, finally understanding the rigid, puppet-like stiffness and deep helplessness Jiang Che had shown upon seeing the mountain of salt in the warehouse.
He also realized why Ding Ning had asked him to fetch more salt.
He had naively thought that the Lord had some obscure reason for seeking salt, surely for cultivation, surely to strengthen the territory.
Never had he imagined that such a staggering tonnage of salt was actually meant to be used on the dining table.
Recalling his earlier declaration of frequently visiting as a guest, he involuntarily shuddered as if electrocuted.
He had just been optimistically pondering whether Ding Ning had accidentally over-salted the food.
But now it was clear this was no coincidence; it was evidently like this every meal!
"Is the soup good?" Fei Hu asked Xiong Jie, noticing a trace of shock on his face.
Fei Hu was filled with curiosity because she could tell that Xiong Jie’s weird expression wasn’t just because of the salty taste.
After all, he hadn’t shown such changes with the first bowl.
Xiong Jie seemed to have thought of something.
"It’s good!" Xiong Jie gave a thumbs up, genuinely appreciating it despite the overwhelming saltiness.
The food was indeed delicious in spite of all the salt, maintaining a crispy texture.
The rice Jiang Che served them remained untouched, while the dishes on the table dwindled rapidly.
The dishes that once filled the table were now visibly reduced.
Ding Ning watched contentedly as the food on the table gradually disappeared, wearing a face full of comfort and satisfaction.
She didn’t have much of an appetite herself but felt immensely happy just watching them eat with gusto.
Jiang Che’s eyes were smiling, now perceiving the shift in the group’s emotions.
Previously, he couldn’t notice these subtle emotional changes, but ever since the Dark Forest took root in his territory, he became very sensitive to such emotional shifts.
At this moment, he could tell that the three of them did not dislike the saltiness in the meal at all.
On the contrary, their emotions while tasting the flavors were full of envy and happiness.
However, there was a trace of complex emotional fluctuation.
Yet those subtle fluctuations were like barely noticeable ripples on a calm lake.
These minor changes didn’t mar the overall perfection, merely being trivial blemishes.
Jiang Che knew that the slight change was still due to the excessive saltiness of the dishes.
Xiong Jie’s stiffness was a realization that this meal was just the beginning.
Hearing Xiong Jie say it was good, Fei Hu curiously served herself a bowl of soup.
As soon as the soup touched her lips, she felt an invisible force seal her throat, like a giant hand choking her, making it hard to breathe.
The meal soon ended, and the three were so full they were like inflated balloons, unable to utter a word.
Satisfied, they sat in their chairs, breathing heavily.
After the feast, Xiong Jie knew it was time to leave, allowing Jiang Che and Ding Ning some alone time.
After hinting at their departure, Jiang Che and Ding Ning readily agreed.
The three of them walked toward the door, supporting themselves against the walls, looking a bit awkward yet comically amusing.
Ding Ning smiled gently, lips pursed.
She had read about humans and knew they’d only eat leaning against the walls when the food was exceptionally tasty.
As for whether they were faking it, she could sense any problem from their emotions.
The sincere and satisfied emotional fluctuations were impossible to fake.
As Jiang Che was clearing the table, Ding Ning called out to him.
"See them off."
Jiang Che obediently took the dishes to the kitchen, and after setting them down, he followed them out.
"Sorry for the inadequate hospitality. Thank you for your understanding," Jiang Che thanked earnestly, his face full of sincerity.
Xiong Jie waved his hand, wanting to say it was nothing, but found he couldn’t speak, his throat clogged with some viscous substance.
The other two were the same, smiling and waving with a carefree demeanor.
Their tongues were numb, but while eating, it seemed the taste was unnoticeable.
At that time, saltiness didn’t matter, as the sincerity surpassed everything.
Jiang Che chuckled knowingly and waved at them, "Take care, everyone."
At that moment, the moonlight poured down like mercury, illuminating the earth like daytime.
The bright moonlight spread over the path like a silver ribbon winding into the distance.
After sending them off a distance, Jiang Che returned to the kitchen to continue washing the dishes.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Ding Ning had a new recipe in her hands.
"It’s a pity; we’re out of many ingredients." She sighed, her voice tinged with a hint of disappointment, her gaze showing regret.
As this territory was primarily for living, apart from the warehouse supplies, they had opened a plot of land for planting and breeding.
Yet, they still lacked many things, as they weren’t suitable for storage and couldn’t be bred for now.
"It’s okay; we’ll have them eventually," Jiang Che reassured while washing the dishes, water flowing in his ears.
The house was brightly lit, even though he usually disliked such bright, intense white lights as they reminded him of the glaring lights on the operating table at Red Pearl Mental Hospital.
That cold, unfeeling light had been a nightmare deep in his heart.
But he now felt warm because this was his own home.
Ha ha, my own home.
Jiang Che washed the dishes, smiling broadly.