Chapter 207: Off to Pet the Big Cat!

Everyone chatted happily at the dinner table.

They all shared interesting stories about themselves. With Huang Sanshi and He Rihuo, two masters at warming up a room, the conversation wasn't awkward at all.

Ning Fei spoke little and listened much. On occasions like this dinner party, he never liked being the main character.

"Wow, these fishballs are too delicious!"

Zhang Xiaofeng picked up a fishball with her chopsticks and popped it into her mouth. She found it exceptionally bouncy and bursting with juice. A single bite filled her mouth with lingering flavor, offering an absolutely fantastic texture.

The others also helped themselves to the dishes and were equally full of praise.

"This fish in tomato sauce is also delicious."

"Goodness, it really is delicious."

"The soup is so savory, and the tofu is incredibly tender."

Everyone praised Ning Fei and Huang Sanshi's cooking skills. Only Peng Xiaochang didn't say a word. He transformed into a ruthless eating machine, gorging himself until his mouth was stuffed full.

Teacher He looked at him and chuckled helplessly, "Peng Peng, eat a little less. If you keep eating like this, you'll get fat again."

"Mhm, mhm," Peng Xiaochang answered with a nod, his mouth too full of rice to speak clearly.

Everyone ate with great relish. The production crew members watching behind the cameras couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

"Watching them is making me hungry."

"Let's upgrade today's work meals by a tier so everyone can have a good meal too."

"Otherwise, this job is going to be too hard to get through."

Seeing the situation, General Director Chen Zhou spoke a few words over the staff walkie-talkies, instantly earning everyone's cheers.

The netizens were incredibly envious as they watched everyone eat together.

To be able to eat dishes cooked by both Temple Master Ning and Teacher Huang at the same time—the guests at the Mushroom House were too lucky this time!

They ate like this for a long time before Peng Xiaochang set down his bowl and chopsticks. He waved his hand and said, "I can't anymore. I'm too full."

"Peng Peng, this appetite of yours isn't going to cut it. We still have a lot of work to do this afternoon. If you don't eat enough, where will you get the energy?" Huang Sanshi teased with a smile when he saw his round, bulging stomach.

"Then I'll eat a little more." Peng Xiaochang was quite honest; the moment he heard they had work to do in the afternoon, he immediately picked his bowl and chopsticks back up, making everyone laugh.

At this time, Huang Sanshi looked toward Ning Fei and asked, "Temple Master Ning, have you ever considered joining the entertainment industry as an actor? With your skills and temperament, playing in period dramas, acting as a wandering martial artist or something similar, would be absolutely no problem."

Hearing Huang Sanshi's words, everyone turned their gazes toward Ning Fei.

Because what Huang Sanshi said was completely accurate.

That scene on the wooden boat out on South Lake earlier today was exactly like a movie's main character. It even looked a bit like Mei Changsu's introductory scene in the very first episode of Nirvana in Fire.

Coupled with Ning Fei's excellent physical skills, the entertainment industry was sorely lacking in people with such genuine abilities.

Hearing this, Ning Fei shook his head. "I really like my current environment and lifestyle. I have no interest in the entertainment industry."

Huang Sanshi said nothing more after hearing his answer, merely feeling it was a pity.

Sitting off to the side, Li Xiaoqin actually hoped Ning Fei would join the entertainment industry so they might have a chance to work together.

"Teacher Huang is just cherishing talent. He couldn't help but act as a talent scout," He Rihuo chuckled from the side.

Hearing the term 'talent scout,' Peng Xiaochang chuckled. "Teacher He, you're exposing your age. No one says talent scout anymore."

Teacher He seemed to remember something. He nodded, then fell silent.

A little over a decade ago, there were many talent scouts whose job was to scour the streets for young boys and girls with outstanding looks and temperaments to pull into the entertainment industry.

This was exactly why artists from the early days were so recognizable. The handsome ones each had their own unique traits, and the beautiful ones had their own memorable features, because they were all completely natural.

Now, becoming a celebrity had turned into a rich person's game. In other words, you could only become a huge star if you had money and resources.

Not good-looking? Just get plastic surgery.

Some people felt that the celebrities in the current entertainment industry couldn't hold a candle to the sheer beauty of those from over a decade ago.

The reason was simple: in the past, they selected from the entire country. Out of so many places and so many ordinary people, there were always plenty who were naturally beautiful. Now, they mostly selected from the children of wealthy families. With their background backing them and a little bit of plastic surgery, they could get right in.

It was the same for singing.

Back during the Super Girl and Super Boy eras, many of the massively popular contestants came from ordinary families and made it in entirely on their vocal skills. But in modern idol survival shows, once their backgrounds were exposed, they were all second-generation wealthy kids, or the children of deadbeat debtors.

The entertainment industry was already a game of capital.

Everyone stopped discussing this topic and moved on to chatting about other things.

After lunch ended, the few female guests volunteered to wash the plates and clear the tableware, leaving Ning Fei and Huang Sanshi with free time.

"I'll be heading back. Today's meal was great, thank you for your hospitality."

Ning Fei said to Huang Sanshi.

"Stay and sit for a while longer. This afternoon we're all just going to chat and relax," Huang Sanshi urged him to stay.

"No thanks, I still have some things to do this afternoon."

Ning Fei did indeed have matters to attend to. He waved his hand and left the Mushroom House.

The four little ones followed right behind Ning Fei and left as well.

"Temple Master Ning left," Li Xiaoqin sighed as she watched his retreating back.

"If you miss him, go look for him tonight," Tang Yixing teased, and the two of them started messing around together again.

Upon returning to Qingfeng Temple, Ning Fei first took down the wooden boat and carefully inspected it for any leaks.

After all, today was Chengfeng's first time in the water, so there might still be some issues.

"Good, there aren't any problems."

After his inspection, he found no water stains inside the cabin and muttered to himself.

Ning Fei planned to use timber to build a small cabin on top of the wooden boat.

With a small cabin on the boat, he could go inside to take shelter when it snowed. If the weather turned cold, he could place a stove inside and brew a pot of hot tea.

Fishing amid the winter snow would feel much better that way.

Not long after, people from the production crew came over, saying they were there to settle the bill for the bass.

If it weren't for the production crew and it was just the villagers, it would be entirely normal to gift some to each other when they cooked too much.

However, the production crew was more particular about these things. They had already stated they would pay Ning Fei; if they didn't, it could easily draw criticism from a small portion of the netizens.

Hearing their reasoning, Ning Fei accepted the money—a total of 8,000 yuan. Calculated by the market price of bass, this already far exceeded the value of the fish itself.

However, that was a fish king, so it was normal for the price to be a bit steeper.

Ning Fei didn't mind these details much. He just measured out the wood and set about preparing to add a small cabin to the boat.

Crisp knocking sounds once again echoed through Qingfeng Temple.

He remained immersed in his work.

Occasionally, when he took a break, Ning Fei would wander around Qingfeng Temple to check on the few little ones.

He would play fetch with Little Dog or pet Little Fox.

Then he went into his room to check the condition of the Red Phoenix Canary egg in the incubator.

The egg didn't seem to have undergone any changes. He had no idea when it would hatch.

Ning Fei's heart was filled with anticipation for this soon-to-arrive little creature.

The Hibiscus Bird, also known as the canary, was an extremely cute little bird to begin with. Coupled with its entirely red body, it would appear even more soft and adorable.

"System, roughly when will the Hibiscus Bird hatch?"

Ning Fei planned to take a trip into the mountains tomorrow, so he silently asked in his heart.

"3 days."

Having received the System's answer, Ning Fei silently noted down the date in his mind.

After all, he didn't want to miss the scene of the Hibiscus Bird's birth.

In the afternoon, Ning Fei continued to perfect his wooden boat.

Halfway through, the guests from the Mushroom House came over a few more times. Li Xiaoqin also came over and chatted with Ning Fei for a while. Everyone got along very happily.

...

Early the next morning, Ning Fei put on his windbreaker and Mountaineering Boots, preparing to head into the mountains.

"Woof, woof!"

Seeing that he was leaving, Little Dog wagged its tail and barked twice. It looked like it wanted to go into the mountains with him.

Ning Fei squatted down, patted Little Dog's head, and said, "Little Dog, it's not that I don't want to bring you. I'm going to visit some big guys."

"I'm afraid that if I'm not careful, you'll end up stuck between their teeth as a snack."

"Woof!"

Hearing Ning Fei say this, Little Dog was very indignant. It barked again, expressing that it was very formidable and not afraid at all.

Ning Fei scratched its neck. "Be good at the temple, I'll be back tonight."

Saying this, Ning Fei stood up and walked out of Qingfeng Temple.

This time, he was traveling light. If he moved quickly, he should be able to make it back before nightfall.

He planned to go see Little Qun, and on the way, look for some suitable bamboo to plant in the back mountain.

At this time, the sky was just barely getting bright, and the people in the mountain village were still deep in their dreams.

Ning Fei was already walking along the pitch-black mountain path.

"I wonder how Little Qun is doing now, and its parents."

"Today, I'm going to pet the big cats!"