The Double

Sitting by the pile of firewood, Jiang Li said, "Let me do it."

Deer meat needed to be cut and roasted. Kong Liu asked, "Miss Jiang the Second, do you need help cutting it? Whatever you say, I’ll cut it."

"No need." Before she finished speaking, everyone saw Jiang Li pick up the silver dagger set aside and cut a large chunk of deer meat. Her movements were skilled, not seeming like it was her first time doing this. Seeing the surprised gazes of others around her, Jiang Li paused, then smiled, "When I was on Green City Mountain in the past, Tonger and I would often do this, so it’s not my first time. I appreciate your kindness, Lord Kong."

While she threaded the cut piece of meat onto a bamboo skewer, she proceeded to do the same thing again, explaining to everyone, "Actually, the most important part about roasting deer meat is doing it yourself, the joy of being carefree. The shape in which the meat is cut, how it’s skewered, or how it turns out doesn’t matter. As long as you roast it yourself, it won’t taste bad in the end. After all, it’s not a difficult task."

Old General Jih, who was already eager to try, upon hearing Jiang Li say this, immediately rolled up his sleeves and took a dagger, deftly cutting a large piece of meat. After all, he was an experienced military leader, and even his first attempt looked quite decent.

Wen Renyao and Kong Liu joined in the fun and also found daggers to roast their own meat. Jih Heng leaned to one side, looking at Jiang Li, and suddenly said, "You’re just trying to be lazy by saying that, aren’t you?"

Jiang Li replied in surprise, "Is my act that obvious?"

"Not obvious, but anyone who isn’t a fool can see it."

But even if one were a fool, most people would probably enjoy being that fool. The joy of roasting deer meat lies in doing it yourself. Moreover, with everyone grilling, those left would also feel an urge to join in. Before long, everyone had a bamboo skewer in hand, sitting and turning them over the fire.

Jih Heng was no different; even sitting on the ground, he did not seem crude. This group of people, with Lu Jiu’s scholarly demeanor, Kong Liu’s martial world’s roughness, Old General Jih’s vigorous energy, Situ Jiuyue’s beautiful mystery, and even the reticent Wen Renyao, was a graceful young gentleman. And there was Jih Heng in his red attire, spreading his presence over the bamboo mat, sitting lazily, casual yet effortlessly charming.