Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 529 Camping (Part 2)

After a powerful tug-of-war, a large, silvery-scaled fish, thriving and leaping, was pulled from the water, its water droplets shimmering in the sunlight, before it landed heavily in the fish basket in the cabin.

"Wow! What a big one!" Li Jingyi exclaimed in surprise, putting down her fishing rod and coming closer to take a look. Her face was full of undisguised admiration and excitement. "Amazing!"

She carefully touched the slippery fish body, then quickly withdrew her hand, her smile radiant.

An afternoon slipped away unnoticed while I was quietly and attentively fishing.

Chen Xi had a good harvest; there were already several fish of different sizes in the bucket.

Li Jingyi finally caught two small fish, each about the size of her palm, and was as happy as a little girl.

As we rowed back to shore, the setting sun had already gilded the lake with a layer of molten gold.

Chen Xi began processing the fish he had caught by the lake, his movements practiced and efficient.

Li Jingyi then headed to the campsite to begin preparing dinner.

She took out the ingredients she had brought: washed and chopped vegetables, marinated chicken pieces, fresh corn, and freshly prepared fish.

Chen Xi quickly prepared the fish, piled up stones at the edge of the campsite, set up a campfire stand, and then started a fire.

He skillfully piled up the dry branches and kindling, and struck a match.

However, perhaps due to the high humidity in the mountains, or perhaps because the collected branches were not dry enough, the flames struggled weakly for a few moments after they ignited, before reluctantly turning into a wisp of smoke.

"Tsk, a bit damp." Chen Xi frowned slightly, tried again, and got the same result.

He stared at the stubborn pile of kindling, his gaze focused for a moment, as if communicating silently.

As Li Jingyi was wrapping corn in tin foil, she seemed to catch a glimpse of the pile of withered leaves and twigs moving very slightly out of the corner of her eye. Then, with a "whoosh," a bright flame suddenly and joyfully leaped up, instantly enveloping the pile of firewood and burning steadily, dispelling the evening chill.

"Ah, it caught! Good luck." Chen Xi breathed a sigh of relief, her tone carrying a sense of ease, as if the match had finally worked its magic.

Li Jingyi's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly. Her gaze swept quickly across Chen Xi's profile as he focused on adding firewood, then she continued her work as if nothing had happened, but a knowing yet slightly mischievous smile quietly curved her lips.

"The fire's just in time," she said cheerfully, with a smile. "My ingredients are all ready, chef, get to work!"

She busied herself around the campfire.

The marinated chicken pieces sizzled and dripped with oil on iron skewers, filling the air with their aroma; fresh fish were skewered on branches and slowly grilled over the fire, their skin gradually turning golden and crispy; corn wrapped in tin foil emitted an enticing sweet fragrance; and vegetables were put into a small pot and cooked with some of the clear broth they had brought.

Chen Xi assisted from the side, handing over seasonings and turning the skewers as needed.

The firelight flickered, reflecting on Li Jingyi's focused and lively face. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her expression was extremely serious, as if she were completing an important work of art.

The aroma of food mingled with the fragrance of burning pine resin, permeating the area around the camp.

"I didn't expect you to be such a good cook," Chen Xi exclaimed sincerely, taking the skewer of crispy and tender chicken pieces that she handed him. He took a bite and found the taste incredibly delicious. "You can cook this well even in the wild. Impressive."

“When I lived alone, I couldn’t neglect my stomach,” Li Jingyi said with a smile, carefully poking at the grilled fish by the fire with a twig. “Try this, it should be ready soon.”

In the firelight, her smile appeared warm and genuine.

As night fell, the campfire was stoked again, its orange flames leaping and dispelling the chill of the mountain night, casting warm, dancing light and shadows on the two faces.

Wrapped in thin blankets, they sat side by side on the wood beside the fire, watching the firewood crackle in the flames, sparks rise, and then dissipate into the deep blue night.

The fire gradually died down, turning into a dark red ember.

Without the interference of the flames, the night sky overhead revealed its full magnificence. Far from the light pollution of the city, the starry sky here was breathtakingly deep. The Milky Way stretched across the sky like a dazzling ribbon of light flowing with diamond fragments, and countless stars were densely embedded on the dark blue velvet, shimmering with a cold and mysterious light, as if they could be reached out and touched.

"So beautiful..." Li Jingyi tilted her head back and sighed softly, her voice carrying a hint of shock and intoxication, as starlight fell into her clear eyes.

Chen Xi also looked up at the vast and boundless starry sky, his deep eyes seemingly reflecting the entire Milky Way.

He paused for a moment, his gaze slowly shifting from the distant stars to the figure beside him bathed in starlight. His voice, unusually clear and deep in the quiet night, carried a gentle warmth rarely seen in him: "The moonlight is beautiful."

At this moment, a bright waning moon is quietly rising, its gentle light spilling across the lake and softly enveloping them.

Li Jingyi was slightly taken aback and turned her head to look at him.

The moonlight outlined his sharply defined profile, softening the hidden angles.

Her heart felt as if it had been gently brushed by a feather, bringing a subtle flutter. The corners of her lips involuntarily curved into a gentle smile, and she softly replied, "Yes, the wind is gentle too."

The evening breeze in the mountains did indeed gently caress the treetops and skim across the shimmering lake, carrying a mixture of the scents of damp grass and the embers of a campfire, and playfully ruffled the hair at their temples, bringing a touch of coolness.

The embers of the campfire emitted a final, warm red glow.

As night deepened, a chill crept into the thin blanket.

"It's time to rest." Chen Xi stood up, stretched her stiff shoulders, and walked towards the tent.

The tent was spacious enough, with a thick moisture-proof mat and sleeping bags placed side by side.

The two of them crawled into their sleeping bags, the soft zipper clicks particularly clear in the darkness.

Outside, the sound of the lake water rhythmically kissing the shore, and the tireless chirping of insects create a symphony.

The silence of the mountains and fields seemed to amplify all the senses. The whispers by the campfire and the starlight gaze filled the tent with an indescribable warmth and tranquility.

Li Jingyi gently turned over in her sleeping bag, facing Chen Xi.

In the darkness, she could hear his steady breathing.

After a while, she felt a slight rustling sound coming from the sleeping bag next to her, and he seemed to have adjusted his position as well.

In the darkness, a warm hand, with a hint of hesitation, gently groped and covered the back of her hand, which was resting on the edge of her sleeping bag.

The palm was large, calloused, and warm to the touch.

Li Jingyi's heart skipped a beat. She didn't move or pull her hand away, but simply turned her hand over and gently grasped his, her fingertips unconsciously curling in his palm.

The warmth of palms touching instantly dispelled the chill of the night and conveyed a silent message.

Without saying another word, the two drew closer in unspoken understanding.

Chen Xi's arm, with a reassuring strength, gently wrapped around her waist from above the sleeping bag.

Li Jingyi leaned back slightly, her back pressed against his firm, warm chest. Through the two sleeping bags, she could clearly feel his steady, powerful heartbeat.

Their body heat mingled, and their breathing rhythms gradually became harmonious and synchronized in the small space.

In the distance, a waterbird seemed to be startled by something, letting out a clear, short cry that swept across the lake before quickly returning to deep stillness.

The lakeside campsite was completely embraced by the mountains, leaving only the even breathing of the two people nestled together and the eternally gentle whisper of the lake outside the tent.

(End of this chapter)