Completely relaxing his mind, he lay on a simple but comfortable bed and took a nap.

When Chen Wen woke up, it was already afternoon.

"That nap was really comfortable~"

With a satisfied sigh, Chen Wen rarely showed a hint of laziness.

The survival goals were mostly completed, and now he indeed had the right to take it easy.

However, the daily tasks still needed to be done.

Chen Wen stepped out of the shelter and took a look outside.

The eagle was squinting while standing on the main beam of the shelter, basking in the sun, as motionless as a mythical beast.

Meanwhile, the wolf mink and old wolf on duty were also lazily lying on the ground, enjoying the rare sunlight.

It was described as sunlight, but it was actually just slightly brighter light.

In this place near the Arctic Circle, winter sunlight was harder to find than a three-legged toad.

"Old Wolf, come over here."

Chen Wen called out Old Wolf’s name to wake him up.

When Old Wolf came closer, he carefully began, "Didn’t I ask you before how to deal with your former pack members..."

Upon hearing the topic, Old Wolf nonchalantly said, "Don’t worry, I’m not the same as before."

"Moreover, the two you killed, one replaced me and bit me, and the other was the most enthusiastic about driving me out of the group. I have no feelings for either of them."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen comfortingly patted Old Wolf on the shoulder.

This time, while taming the special animals, his purpose was quite utilitarian, and he hadn’t really understood their pasts.

But the future is long, and now that he’s free, he plans to truly bond with the animals.

Old Wolf felt comforted by Chen Wen’s intention, feeling a wave of comfort.

The feeling of being cared for was indeed nice.

After confirming that Old Wolf had no lingering concerns, Chen Wen brought out the two North American gray wolves, frozen harder than stones, from the storage room.

His shelter was divided into two parts.

One part for living, and the other for storing food.

The two parts were separated by wood, clay, and moss so that the temperature of the living area didn’t escape into the storage.

The storage was like a natural big refrigerator, and Chen Wen had opened two vents to allow ventilation and cooling.

He placed the North American gray wolves to the side.

Feeling a bit of hunger, Chen Wen thought it would be best to eat something before getting busy.

He took out the grizzly bear’s heart he got in the morning.

"Alas, this grizzly bear and I have a ’heartfelt’ relationship."

Chen Wen said with a cold joke only he understood, feeling a burst of joy inside.

Since the heart was frozen, Chen Wen placed it by the fireplace to melt it with the warmth.

In the meantime, Chen Wen pondered over a new recipe.

Previously, to save time and effort, he either boiled or roasted the food.

Eating this simple fare for a short time was okay, but after a month of such bland food, he grew a bit tired of it.

Hence, Chen Wen decided to add some variety this time.

As his eyes roamed the storage room, Chen Wen soon spotted a candy box.

That candy box contained some good stuff!

He forcefully opened the candy box beside him.

Inside was a heap of white fat, though all frozen.

"It’s the black bear fat I collected before, along with some porcupine fat."

Chen Wen said, as he took them out.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Wen had an idea: "Let’s have a late lunch, and the dish will be sautéed bear heart!"

Patting his head, Chen Wen started his busy work.

The well-seasoned large pot was put to use.

Chen Wen placed some lake water in the pot and added the fat.

As the temperature rose, the blood and gamey material on the fat were slowly turned into scum.

Chen Wen used a small piece of pine bark to skim the scum away.

Then he let the fat continue to simmer in the pot, letting the water evaporate while allowing the fat to slowly render out.

During this time, Chen Wen chopped the melted heart and sliced some parasol mushrooms he had previously gathered.

He soaked the mushrooms in hot water, washed them clean, and cut them in half.

As enough oil was rendered out from the fat, Chen Wen scooped out the oil residue.

He then chiseled a small chunk from his three-pound block of solid salt, ground it into powder, and sprinkled half on the oil residue.

This was the appetizer — salt-and-pepper black bear and porcupine cracklings!

Chen Wen picked up a small piece of crackling with chopsticks and chewed it.

Moments later, a look of enjoyment crossed his eyes.

"Delicious! So tasty!"

Just as Chen Wen was lost in the extreme delight brought by the salt and fat, something bumped into the shelter’s door.

Chen Wen hurriedly opened the door, and the wolf mink, drooling, darted inside.

Old Wolf behind it poked its head in, showing a rare look of gluttony.

"Everyone, come on in!"

Chen Wen chuckled and also invited the eagle inside.

Since Chen Wen had planned for a large shelter, it didn’t feel crowded now.

Like a well-behaved house dog, Old Wolf settled beside Chen Wen’s bed.

The eagle stood on Chen Wen’s bed.

Looking at the eagle, Chen Wen planned to make a perch for it. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

As for the wolf mink, it was the least dignified.

It was drooling over Chen Wen’s salt-and-pepper black bear porcupine cracklings.

"I say, Chen Wen."

The wolf mink dripping with saliva couldn’t take its eyes off the cracklings: "You’ve changed!"

Chen Wen was a bit annoyed: "How have I changed?"

"Now you’re eating good stuff behind our backs!"

The wolf mink said worriedly, struggling to tear its gaze from the cracklings and looking at Chen Wen: "Such delicious things, you used to call us to eat together! Like boiled fish or something."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen helplessly smiled: "I’m not done yet. In our human place, this is called an appetizer. When the main course is ready, I’ll call you all."

Appetizer? Main course?

The wolf mink gasped, warming up Chen Wen’s shelter slightly: "Yikes! You humans are so particular about eating! I’d like to visit human living places someday!"

You just want to visit human places for the food!

Chen Wen couldn’t help but think to himself.

But since the topic had come up.

Chen Wen divided the cracklings into six portions, keeping one for himself, and giving one each to the wolf mink, eagle, old wolf, and the weasel that had just been woken by the aroma from the corner of the storage room.

The last portion Chen Wen saved for when the red fox returned.

After dividing the appetizer, Chen Wen said, "I still need to tell you all something. I won’t be staying here for long. In about two to three of our encounter times, I’ll be leaving here to return to my own place, you..."

Before Chen Wen could finish.

The wolf mink immediately said, "I’ll go with you; don’t leave me behind!"

Goodness!

You really don’t disappoint me!

Chen Wen looked at the wolf mink, his mouth twitching slightly.

After this was said, Old Wolf seemed to understand something, his eyes flickering, clearly hesitating.

The eagle was also a bit hesitant.

And the weasel was not mentioned; the little guy was still confused, not fully awake yet.

Only the wolf mink immediately agreed.

Glutton, oh yes!

Chen Wen smiled and looked at the other animals: "Don’t be influenced by it. If you want to go, follow me, and I will arrange it. But if you choose to stay, I won’t stop you and will even leave you some help. The choice is yours."

"As for the benefits of going with me, hmm... let’s wait until you have a preliminary decision, we still have time."