Xingtie: My silly online friend is actually a raccoon!

As evening approached, the sky began to darken.

The lake was tinged with an orange-red sunset glow, the distant mountain outlines became blurred and gentle, and the pine forest made a low, rippling sound in the evening breeze.

Luze neatly arranged the skewered meat, vegetables, and corn on the cob on a tray, covered them with plastic wrap, put them in the refrigerator, and then went to the open space in front of the cabin to start building a campfire.

He first used stones to create a circular area, clearing away the surrounding withered grass and fallen leaves to ensure safety.

Then, a layer of dry pine needles and twigs is laid in the center of the stone circle as kindling, and thicker firewood is stacked on top of it in a crisscross pattern to form a cone-shaped structure to ensure air circulation.

An Linyue stood aside, helping to pass firewood, and couldn't help but admire.

"You're really all-rounder! Starting a fire, fishing, skewering food, building a campfire—is there anything you can't do?"

Lu Ze clapped the sawdust off his hands and laughed.

"There are many things I can't do. For example, I can't sing; I'm tone-deaf."

After saying that, he even sang a short a cappella version of the theme song for the Destruction Commander character that he had heard in Pigeon River District yesterday.

An Linyue was amused by him and kept laughing.

"Then you can't escape the bonfire party later, you have to sing one."

"No, no, no, please let me go!" Lu Ze quickly waved his hands, turned around and shouted into the house, "Cirin! Bella! Stop playing around! We need to light the campfire!"

A series of hurried footsteps came from upstairs, and then Xilin rushed out of the door.

Bella followed behind her, her steps steady, like a little adult, but her eyes also reflected an expectant light.

"I'll order! I'll order!"

Celine ran to the campfire, her golden eyes sparkling in the twilight.

"Then be careful not to burn yourself."

Lu Ze squatted down beside her, took out a box of matches from his pocket, and began to teach her how to use them.

"First, strike the first match, then light the pine needles from below. Once it's lit, immediately step back, understand?"

Celine nodded, took a deep breath, and clumsily struck a match.

The flame danced on her fingertips as she carefully brought the match close to the dry pine needles.

With a hiss, the pine needles were ignited, and the flames quickly licked the surrounding twigs, making a crackling sound.

The flames leaped higher and higher, engulfing the bottom of the firewood, and the orange-red light instantly illuminated everything around them.

The heatwave forced Celine to take a step back, but her eyes remained fixed on the blazing flames, a pure smile playing on her lips.

"It worked," she said softly.

"Your Majesty is truly amazing." Bella stood to the side and clapped her hands expressionlessly.

Lu Ze looked at her with a surprised expression—how could she possibly praise something like that?

It was just lighting a campfire; anyone who didn't know better would think that Sirin had just started a nuclear reactor with her bare hands.

Bella felt his gaze and glared back at him.

What, you're not convinced? Go ahead and praise it yourself if you dare.

Lu Ze withdrew his gaze, walked to Xilin's side, looked at her small face reddened by the firelight, and reached out to rub her hair.

Then he turned his head and gave Bella a smug look.

Bella was so angry she wanted to lash out, but then she saw Celine raise her hand and slap away Lu Ze's reckless hand.

"Touching someone's head will stunt their growth."

Celine's tone was serious, but the smile on her lips hadn't faded, making her seem utterly intimidating.

An Linyue, who was standing to the side, took in the entire interaction between the three of them.

The gentle touch of Lu Ze's palm as he ruffled Xilin's hair, Bella's puffed-up cheeks when she was jealous, Xilin's words of disgust but her body secretly taking half a step closer to Lu Ze.

These subtle understandings, like sparks crackling from a campfire, were all captured by her eyes.

This brought a genuine smile to her face.