The students scattered around in the clearing and under Salem's instructions they began to set up tents in a circular formation. Hao Ren took a corner position because it would be easy for him to vanish from there. The girls were placed to the inside of the formation.
Hao Ren was quick in setting up his tent and he helped the other people as well. After everyone was set up, Salem said, "Alright, everyone, gather up."
The students surrounded him, and Salem said, "The forest is maintained by human rangers, but still it is a place where animals roam free. After dark, do not roam out in the trees, also, do not leave any left over food outside as the scent can attract bears and wolves. Another thing that you all need to be mindful of is to maintain cleanliness."
The students nodded and Salem said, "Now, I need the boys to head out, collect firewood, and the girls will set up vessels and handle the ingredients to cook food. Okay?"
Everyone replied in enthusiasm, "Yes, sir."
Xia Yulei and Ye Yue began to guide the girls, while the boys scattered around to collect firewood. Hao Ren was also doing his part with his tactical knife, he was directly chopping of some thin branches and piling them up in the corner. The other boys had wanted to buy a knife but they weren't allowed to because of their caring parents, so while Hao Ren earned the macho points, they only gazed at him in envy.
The young man finished gathering a pile of wood and then moved it to the center of the camp. He looked at Salem who was about to praise him and said, "Teacher, I think we can set up some torches at the edge of the camp to prevent the animals from coming close. These branches are long and I just spotted a few eucalyptus trees. I can make groves in them to collect the oil to serve as fuel."
Salem was surprised but he nodded and said, "Good, I will help you."
The teacher took out his machete and then two went over, many girls were gushing over Hao Ren's actions. After a couple of hours, Hao Ren and Salem had finished preparing to collect the oil, and then they returned, only to be assaulted by a slight burning smell in the void.
Hao Ren frowned as he approached Han Lingshi who was standing near a stove, frowning and asked, "What happened?"
Xia Yulei sighed and said, "The girls, just do not know how to cook."
Hao Ren turned to look at the girls, who were in charge of cooking and said, "Well, I will cook, you all can rest now."
As he said that, everyone looked at him with eyes wide open. Only Han Lingshi smiled. One of the boys said, "Tch, you just want to pretend that you are better than us."
Han Lingshi frowned, but Hao Ren directly looked at the guy and said, "Watch me, and then you will realize that I am not pretending, I am actually better than you."
He took the chef knife from the girl on the side, and sat down to chop the ingredients. They had no experience of cooking and so the teachers only allowed them to cook little food that would be enough to feed two people. This little food took them a couple of hours. For original chapters go to NoveIＦire.net
Hao Ren took a deep breath and he chopped down the onions, his speed was so fast that it shocked the people. The young man did not care, in half an hour he finished cutting and picked up the big vessel with burned food and went straight to the stream flowing at the side of the camp. The student who spoke up earlier was blushing, and the girls saw Hao Ren with stars in their eyes. Han Lingshi felt uneasy in her heart when she saw this, and decided to have a conversation with Hao Ren after.
The young man cleaned the vessel and came back to the center of the camp, he poured in oil and easily lit up flames under the vessel. Then he began to pour in the ingredients, what surprised the elders that his movements did not have even slightest bit of hesitation as if he has done this for a long time.
After an hour, he said, "Teacher, can you serve it for them? I am a bit tired?"
Xia Yulei nodded and then she served him a bowl of soup and noodles before she led him to sit on the side. Hao Ren was eating his food in peace when Han Lingshi came to sit beside him, and whispered, "Ren, you better be careful."
Hao Ren was surprised and asked, "What happened?"
Han Lingshi sneakily looked around her and said, "Those girls are about to tear you to pieces, do not act so handsome before them."
Hao Ren was stunned and then he chuckled as he said, "Okay, I will act handsome before you only."
Han Lingshi subconsciously nodded, before she realized what he said, and used her hand to gently slap his shoulder and retort, "How dare you tease me when I am the one saving you from trouble?"
Hao Ren quickly put up a submissive front and said, "I heed your advice and am grateful. Don't be angry, I made this for you."
Han Lingshi rolled her eyes and said, "Bah, you made it for everyone."
The young man shook his head and said, "I made this for you, everyone else is just eating for free."
Han Lingshi looked at him from the corner of her eye, and said, "I did not know you were such a glib tongue."
The young man smiled and did not reply, after a few minutes, Yan and a few other students also joined them and the atmosphere became very light. The groups began to play games among them, while some students sat by the stream with makeshift fishing rods to catch some fish to eat at night.
Hao Ren and Salem made a trip to the forest and harvested the oil before they smeared it on the edges of some jute bag cuttings that were taken from the empty bags used to carry the vegetables, and made torches with the rest of the people, before they erected them on the edge of the camp and lit them up.
They all began to sit around each the bone fire while students took turn to maintain watch and everyone began to share stories, jokes, or someone would sing.