There were already several bonfires, and the flames were growing stronger. The bonfires further back wouldn't require so much trouble. Lu Wanqing had taken a burning piece of wood from an earlier fire and placed it in a new one. She then adjusted the position of the dry firewood in the new fire, creating suitable gaps for airflow, and the new fire quickly ignited.
Other fans were also carefully observing Lu Wanqing's actions. Some seemed to have discovered something and followed suit, and soon their fires were lit.
One by one, the bonfires lit up, and in a short while, all the fires were burning, making everyone happy!
Lu Wanqing looked up at the crowd and then realized that after the commotion, many fans had turned into little soot-covered faces. Even Little Shushu had somehow gotten hold of some ash, leaving several dark finger marks on her fair little face, and her clothes were also quite dusty.
"Pfft!"
"Hahahaha, your face is so funny!"
From within the crowd, many people noticed this and suddenly burst into laughter, nudging those around them.
Those with ash on their faces were startled and quickly opened their light-screens, activating the mirror mode to check their faces. The moment they saw themselves, they couldn't help but laugh.
Some, who hadn't realized their own faces were dirty, were laughing heartily at others. Then, mid-laugh, they would be met with laughter from others. They would be shocked, disbelieving, and then open their light-screens, activate mirror mode, and burst into laughter all over again!
The river was not far away. Lu Wanqing called a few people to help her fetch water from the riverbank, and then everyone took turns washing their faces.
As they interacted, they gradually became more familiar with each other, and the previous awkwardness disappeared.
As time passed, the meat on the racks began to exude a savory aroma. Many people stared at the roasting meat, curious about what it would taste like.
Some even secretly tore off a small piece and put it in their mouths.
To their surprise, it was delicious!
The person's eyes immediately lit up, and they exclaimed excitedly, "It's delicious!"
Lu Wanqing happened to overhear this and twitched her lips. She looked at the person and said, "It's not ready yet, don't be in such a hurry to eat."
The seasoning was on the outside. After a short roasting, the outer layer was indeed cooked to a degree that it was edible, but the inside was still raw. If everyone ate like this and consumed all the outer seasoning, what would happen to the meat inside? Would they still want seasoning? The flavor of the seasoning hadn't even permeated the meat yet!
The person who had sneak-eaten chuckled, but their eyes shone brightly. "But it's really good!"
"Keep turning the meat occasionally so it doesn't get burnt. Don't eat it before it's cooked," Lu Wanqing reminded them.
"Will it be even tastier after it's cooked?" the person quickly asked.
Lu Wanqing smiled and nodded, "Of course."
"Wow~" everyone exclaimed, their anticipation for the upcoming roasted meat growing.
On the other side, Lu Wanqing also began preparing the roast for her own family. She had been busy preparing for everyone else and hadn't gotten to their own yet. Now it was time.
Taking out the marinated fresh meat, she applied the seasoning just as before, then set up a bonfire and hung the meat to roast.
Little Yu Shu stayed close to her mother, her eyes fixed on the meat.
After starting the fire, Lu Wanqing turned to Little Yu Shu and said, "Wait a little longer, it's not ready yet."
Thinking that dinner would be later than usual today, she took a small bread from her spatial button and offered it to Shu Shu. "Are you hungry? Would you like to have a bread to tide you over?"
Little Yu Shu quickly shook her head. "No."
Little Yu Shu looked at the roasting meat in front of her, her eyes full of anticipation. "I want to save my tummy for the roast meat later. The roast meat smells so good!"
Lu Wanqing chuckled and couldn't help but gently pull Little Yu Shu's hand, nodding. "Okay."
Lu Wanqing remembered when she was in the ancient Earth era, how her classmates would skip meals before going to an all-you-can-eat buffet, just to save their stomachs for all the delicious food.
The roast meat needed to be turned; it couldn't be roasted on one side constantly, or it would burn.
After watching her own roast meat for a while, Lu Wanqing got up to check on everyone else's. If she saw any meat that needed turning and the owners hadn't done it, she would do it herself or remind them to turn it.
Every circle was filled with joy when Lu Wanqing occasionally visited. Everyone liked Lu Wanqing very much!
In the live stream, many viewers were incredibly envious of Lu Wanqing's close interactions with the fans. Many even impulsively ordered roast meat online, deciding to have roast meat with their goddess tonight!
Although they couldn't be there in person, sharing the same food through the screen was also a form of happiness!
*
The Empire.
After a long period of seclusion, His Majesty the Emperor slowly opened his eyes in the forbidden area. As his eyes fluttered open, they were vacant and confused.
In the corner, a robot detected his awakening and its program immediately activated. It walked towards him.
The robot approached the man, lowered its head, and said in a respectful voice, "Your Majesty, congratulations on your successful reawakening. This body transfer was very successful."
The man looked at the robot, his gaze indifferent. "You call me Your Majesty?"
The robot nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. It is now the year 2865 of the interstellar era. You are the Emperor of the Empire. You have reigned for three hundred years. From the 21st century of the ancient Earth era to now, you have undergone fifty body replacements. This is your fiftieth successful reawakening!"
"Who am I?" the man asked.
The robot replied, "Your Majesty, your name is Lu Yang. You were a resident of Haiqing City in the 21st century of the ancient Earth era. You were 29 years old when you first replaced your body."
"Who are you?" the man, or rather, the Emperor of the Empire, Lu Yang, asked the robot with his indifferent gaze.
The robot respectfully replied, "I am your mecha's intelligent assistant, Qingqing. I was designed and manufactured by you personally three hundred years ago and have always stayed by your side, protecting your safety."
Lu Yang fell silent.
Robot Qingqing also remained silent for a few seconds. After a moment, it spoke again, "Your Majesty, the crayfish you were raising on Dragon Star have been eaten."
Lu Yang stared at Robot Qingqing.
Robot Qingqing remained silent, not speaking.
After a long while, Robot Qingqing spoke again, "Your Majesty, do you need to view Lu Wanqing's information?"
Lu Yang frowned. "Lu Wanqing?"
Robot Qingqing nodded. "Yes, she is the one who... to be precise, she and her son stole and ate the crayfish you were raising on Dragon Star. The entire Federation, and even many citizens of our Empire, know about this incident now."
"However, no one knows yet that those crayfish belong to you, not even the Imperial ministers," the robot added.