When Shennong the Great was in his prime, he must have been an omnipotent being. Otherwise, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't fathom how he could possess such a heaven-defying ability.
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
...
As soon as he returned to the back mountain, nine fiery red Earth-boring Mice scurried out from some hidden corner. They frantically wagged their tails in front of Cheng Xiaofan, looking adorably blank and begging for food.
Unlike ordinary mice, these Earth-boring Mice had a diet similar to rabbits, favoring tender green grass or vegetable leaves. They also had a particular liking for fruits.
There was an abundance of grass and various fresh wild fruits all around, so they were never lacking in food. It was clear that these Earth-boring Mice had developed a taste for the energy pills and were hoping Cheng Xiaofan would bestow a couple more upon them.
Cheng Xiaofan was never stingy with his divine pets. He immediately took out a handful of energy pills from his spatial storage and gave two to each Earth-boring Mouse.
"Woof woof!"
"Screeeech—"
Taotibao and Potian Eagle, who were nearby, rushed over upon seeing Cheng Xiaofan rewarding the Earth-boring Mice with energy pills. While they might overlook other food items, energy pills were something they absolutely couldn't miss.
This eagle and dog pair knew very well that consuming energy pills could enhance their strength. Besides, becoming stronger ultimately served their master. Therefore, they felt no need to be polite when asking for energy pills.
Cheng Xiaofan generously gave both the eagle and the dog two energy pills each, striving for fairness to avoid any suspicion of favoritism among his animal companions.
Similarly, Taotibao also requested ten energy pills on behalf of the ten geese. Currently, Taotibao and the ten white geese were getting along famously, having formed an alliance to keep Potian Eagle in check, preventing the latter from becoming overly dominant in Cheng Xiaofan's eyes.
Although the nine Earth-boring Mice had only recently joined Cheng Xiaofan's animal entourage, they had already discerned the subtle relationship between the eagle and the dog. However, the Earth-boring Mice adhered to a policy of non-alignment and neutrality. They adopted a spectator's attitude, watching the eagle and dog squabble from the sidelines.
Potian Eagle, being a bird that soared among the clouds, was inherently proud and disdained the petty mindset of the dog.
Cheng Xiaofan, observing from outside these dynamics, clearly understood the little schemes of these birds and beasts. He found it rather amusing. At least their antics added a touch of entertainment to his life! As long as they didn't resort to life-and-death struggles, he was content to let them have their fun. After all, what was life without a little excitement?
"Potian Eagle!"
After Potian Eagle had consumed its two energy pills, Cheng Xiaofan instructed it, "Go to the forest and catch some pheasants. I plan to marinate them and make wine-stewed chicken!"
"Screeeech—"
Potian Eagle responded with a chirp, spread its wings, and soared into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Pheasant meat was fragrant and had a satisfying chew. Wine-stewed chicken made with marinated pheasant was incredibly delicious and considered a delicacy. Given the difficulty in catching wild pheasants and the need to conserve resources, indiscriminate hunting was not permitted, making this dish a rare treat for most people.
The free-range chickens raised by Hu Yougen were bred to resemble wild pheasants, and their taste was said to be no less inferior to that of actual wild pheasants. Cheng Xiaofan intended to use marinated wild pheasants to prepare some high-end wine-stewed chicken for his family and the technical staff. These were highly skilled individuals who had traveled from major cities to Bamboo Creek Village, which was no easy feat. Regardless of anything else, they should not be shortchanged in terms of compensation or provisions.
Not long after, Potian Eagle returned! True to its status as the aerial overlord, it had captured thirty wild pheasants this time. Astonishingly, the divine eagle, mimicking Cheng Xiaofan, had used tiger vines to tie the pheasants together and carried them back with its talons.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately boiled a large pot of water and began scalding the pheasants to pluck their feathers. Having enjoyed catching wild pheasants in the mountains since he was a child, Cheng Xiaofan had honed his skills in this area. With quick movements of his hands, he could completely de-feather a pheasant in a matter of moments.
After all thirty pheasants were cleaned, Cheng Xiaofan selected a plump one, chopped it into small pieces, and began to stew it over a low flame for lunch to entertain his guests. He also set aside three pheasants to take back for his family to savor. The remaining twenty-six pheasants were all marinated in a large ceramic jar. The internal organs of the pheasants were stewed separately to be fed to Potian Eagle and Taotibao.
By the time he finished these tasks, it was nearly noon. Cheng Xiaofan received a call from Dao Dahai.
"Xiaofan, Xianyu He has arrived at the police station. We'll be heading over soon. Are you at the back mountain?" Dao Dahai asked.
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled and replied, "Director Dao, I'm in the pavilion at the back mountain. Bring Xianyu He over. I'm stewing a pheasant right now, so you're in for a treat!"
"Thank you, Xiaofan. If it could be paired with your Happy Wine, that would be even better!" Dao Dahai's request was becoming a bit audacious.
Cheng Xiaofan burst into laughter and said, "Don't worry, there'll be some Happy Wine for you too!" With that, he hung up the phone. He found Dao Dahai increasingly effeminate.
By the time they arrived, it was lunchtime. Cheng Xiaofan washed rice and began cooking. He steamed a dish of Celestial Fish and prepared a fruit and ginseng platter. Coupled with a pot of wild pheasant stew with fresh mushrooms, it was more than enough. He boiled a kettle of water and brewed a pot of Golden Tea.
Just as the tea was ready, Dao Dahai arrived. He was dressed in plain clothes and led the way, followed by a black Ferrari, which was clearly Xianyu He's vehicle. The car stopped at the foot of the mountain. An elder, over fifty, emerged from the car, flanked by several bodyguards. Dao Dahai led Xianyu He slowly up the slope. The bodyguards remained by the car and did not follow.
When the two reached the mountain slope, Cheng Xiaofan descended from the pavilion and came to the courtyard entrance to welcome them. He believed in treating all guests with respect and wouldn't put on airs.
"Xiaofan, this is Mr. Xianyu!" Dao Dahai introduced Xianyu He to Cheng Xiaofan, then turned to Xianyu He and said, "Mr. Xianyu, this is the Cheng Xiaofan I told you about."
Upon hearing this, Xianyu He immediately bowed deeply, his voice choked with emotion, "Mr. Cheng, Xianyu He bows to you!" He then attempted to kneel on the ground. Cheng Xiaofan rushed forward, firmly grasping his arm and repeatedly saying, "Mr. Xianyu, please, this is not necessary, not necessary at all!"
Xianyu He replied, "Mr. Cheng, if not for you, I would still be unaware of my daughter's whereabouts and unable to seek vengeance for her murder! What does it matter if I bow a few times?"
Cheng Xiaofan said, "Mr. Xianyu, please, don't do this. I understand how you feel. What has happened is in the past, please try not to be too heartbroken!"
"Director Dao, please bring Mr. Xianyu upstairs to sit down!" Dao Dahai then said to Xianyu He, "Mr. Xianyu, let's go up to Cheng Xiaofan's pavilion and have a taste of his homemade Happy Wine!"