Chapter Four – A New Residence

Back in the courtyard, Wen Lan suddenly noticed the big yellow dog poking its head out from a side room in the hunter’s home.

When it saw her, the dog tilted its head curiously, sizing her up.

“Is this your room?” Wen Lan pointed at the side room and asked the dog.

The big yellow dog barked once, as if in response.

“Then, let’s make a deal. Could I stay in your room for one night?” Wen Lan crouched down and tried to negotiate with the dog.

Whether it understood or not, the dog turned around and went back inside.

Wen Lan took that as consent. She stood up and slipped inside, using the doorframe for support.

The room was quite dark, but with the faint outdoor light, Wen Lan could just barely make out the furnishings inside.

In one corner was a pile of firewood and dried grass. Opposite that, there was a large pit dug into the ground with some cooking tools set up above it.

This appeared to be a combination firewood shed and kitchen.

Well, since I’m here, I may as well make do. Wen Lan decided to spend the night here and think about what to do next in the morning.

She followed the dog’s lead and moved over to the firewood pile, gathered some dry grass, and fashioned a temporary bed for herself.

The day’s sudden upheaval had left her physically and mentally drained. Nestled in the dried grass, she quickly began to feel sleepy.

Just then, the door of the main house creaked open—someone had entered the courtyard.

“Iron General.” It was the hunter’s voice.

The big yellow dog, hearing its master’s call, immediately jumped up and bounded out of the kitchen shed.

Wen Lan also sat up from the grass pile, straining to hear what was happening outside.

“Iron General,” the hunter called again, his voice softer this time, as if he were giving the dog some instructions.

“…Watch the house properly. I’ll feed you when I get back.”

Wen Lan tiptoed to the door and peeked through a wide crack in the wooden panels. She saw the hunter had changed into plain clothes, his waist belted and his sword in hand. After giving final instructions to the dog, he strode out of the courtyard.

The big yellow dog, as if it had been given an official command, lay down and stared vigilantly at the gate.

It really did look like it was guarding the house.

Seeing the hunter had left, Wen Lan quietly stepped out of the side room.

“Hey, Ah Huang. Where did your master go?” she stretched her neck toward the big yellow dog and asked.

The dog ignored her.

Not that it could answer anyway—it was just a dog.

Wen Lan didn’t mind. She walked a few steps closer, crouched down, and continued trying to get friendly.

“Hey, I heard him call you Iron General earlier. Is that your name?”

This time, the dog responded. It glanced back at her and whimpered softly.

Wen Lan continued, “Iron General, what does your master usually feed you? If you’re hungry, I can help you make something.”

At that, she touched her own stomach.

Lin Furong had left home early that morning and hadn’t eaten anything all day. Now, Wen Lan was absolutely starving.

Humans are iron, food is steel—without food, you’re done for. Since she had already landed in this world, Wen Lan figured her top priority was filling her stomach.

Whether she would escape alone later or argue her way out with the Lin family—that was a matter for the future.

“Do you mind if I make something to eat for you?” she asked Iron General.

The dog looked at her again, neither barking nor whimpering this time.

Wen Lan reached out to gently pat its head. The dog didn’t pull away.

That counted as approval in her book.

She stood up, gave Iron General a cheerful OK sign, and turned back into the side room.

First, she lit the lantern in the firewood shed. Holding it up, she searched for anything edible.

She had to admit, the hunter’s kitchen was as bare as could be. Aside from various dried meats hanging from the ceiling, there wasn’t a single fruit or vegetable in sight.

The rice jar was completely empty.

But this didn’t stop Wen Lan.

Before transmigrating, she’d been a culinary expert—not only did she love collecting regional delicacies, she also liked inventing her own recipes.

What’s more, as a wellness and nutrition specialist, she understood the health and medicinal value of all kinds of ingredients.

Even with these wind-dried meats hanging above her, she could still turn them into a delicious meal.

Time to get to work.

Wen Lan fetched water and started a fire. Then she placed the dried meat into the pot to boil out the salt content. After about ten minutes, she took out the pre-treated meat and sliced it into long strips, each a few centimeters wide.

Next, she began grilling the meat using hot stones.