Steve took a few coconuts, split them open with a knife, and poured the coconut water into a pot. He then chopped up the coconut meat and added it in as well—nothing was going to waste. Placing the pot over the fire, he let it cook while preparing the rest of the meal.
While waiting for the coconut milk to boil, Steve made a few bowls from the leftover coconut shells and crafted a few pairs of chopsticks using bamboo poles that had washed ashore.
By the time the tableware was ready, the coconut milk had begun to boil. Steve added the sliced coconut snail meat directly into the pot, stirring quickly to ensure even cooking. Within ten seconds, he removed the mixture and served it into the makeshift coconut-shell bowls.
Right on cue, the small conches had also finished roasting, leaving only the fish to be prepared.
"Alright, dinner's ready! Come and eat!" Steve called out.
At his words, the group quickly gathered around.
After an exhausting day, they were all starving, their hunger far outweighing any sense of decorum. Their eyes burned with intensity as they stared at Steve serving the soup, practically drooling.
Feeling their intense gazes, Steve shivered. "You don't have to be so polite. Just dig in!"
Kevin took the lead, picking up a bowl. "That's right, let's eat first!"
Seeing Kevin take initiative, the rest followed suit, grabbing their bowls eagerly.
"Wow, this is amazing! It's fresh, sweet, and not fishy at all," Bai Xiaolu said, her face lighting up with surprise.
Peng Peng nodded in agreement. "Mmm! This is the best conch I've ever had."
Chris gave Steve a thumbs-up. "Seriously, this is even better than some high-end restaurant dishes!"
"Delicious… so good," Chen Chichi mumbled in between mouthfuls, eating at an alarming speed.
Jarvis, watching Steve with amusement, smirked. "I didn't expect you to have this kind of skill."
One after another, everyone voiced their praises.
Steve couldn't help but enjoy the moment. There was something deeply satisfying about seeing people relish the food he prepared.
"Haha, you guys are exaggerating. You're making me blush," he said modestly.
Kevin shook his head. "No exaggeration—this is seriously good."
Sister Bird chimed in, "The sweet coconut milk pairs perfectly with the tender conch meat. No seasoning, yet it brings out the purest taste of the ingredients. It's honestly delicious."
Gu Limina simply looked at Steve with wide eyes. "It's really amazing."
Steve felt momentarily flustered under her gaze and quickly refocused. "I feel like you guys just want to make sure I keep cooking for you in the future."
Everyone burst into laughter.
But truthfully, their reactions weren't an act. The 'Coconut Milk Conch Soup' was indeed delicious—though perhaps not as exaggerated as they made it seem. Still, the way they devoured their food spoke volumes. Even the girls, who usually maintained an elegant image, ate heartily, leaving no trace of their usual restraint.
Meanwhile, the audience in the live stream was losing their minds.
"They're feasting in the wilderness while I'm crying over my instant noodles."
"Is it really that good? I won't believe it until I get a taste myself."
"I see what you're doing… you just want a free meal."
"Mina looks so pretty even while eating."
"Nah, Xiaoai is the queen. Beautiful and cool at the same time."
"Tsk, tsk. You kids don't get it. The little fox is the best choice."
"What about Bai Xiaolu? Am I the only one who appreciates her?"
"A true adult chooses all of them."
"Wrong. Only children try to take everything. Adults know their limits… and their kidneys can't handle it."
"At first, I thought Steve was useless. But he can dive, cook, and he's handsome? I'm in love."
"Get lost, you traitor! Steve is MY future husband!"
"Uh… I'm a guy."
"Oh… sorry to bother you."
---
After finishing his meal, Chen Chichi leaned back and let out a loud burp. "Burp~~~ Ahh… that was amazing. I'm stuffed."
This guy truly loved his food. He was the last one to put down his chopsticks, and given his body size, he could probably last a few extra days in survival mode compared to the rest.
The others also sat back, fully satisfied. They had polished off every last drop of the 'Coconut Milk Conch Soup,' and even the roasted conches were gone. The only thing left untouched was the giant grouper—they simply couldn't eat another bite.
It was perfect, though. The fish would be fine overnight and could serve as breakfast the next morning.
Steve glanced around at everyone and smiled. "All done? Alright, I'll go wash the pot."
Jarvis reached for the pot before he could. "You should rest. You've been diving and cooking all day. Let me handle this."
"Sister Jarvis, I'll help too!"
"Me too!"
"And me!"
Several of the girls rushed forward to assist.
As women, they weren't able to contribute as much to the more physically demanding tasks, so they felt a little guilty. Now that they had the chance to contribute, they wanted to take it.
Jarvis chuckled. "It's just one pot and a few chopsticks. No need for all of you to help. Rest up while you can. We still have fishing to do tonight."
Tonight's low tide was around 12:30 AM. That meant they would need to wake up in the middle of the night to head to the beach.
Without fishing nets, catching seafood was one of their only reliable ways of collecting food, so they couldn't afford to miss the opportunity.
Steve watched the girls bicker over who would do the dishes and nodded approvingly.
The worst thing would be dealing with someone who acted like a princess and expected everything to be done for them. Fortunately, everyone here was pulling their weight. Even though it was only the first day, their teamwork and camaraderie were solid. Things would only get better from here.
Feeling satisfied, Steve turned to Peng Peng. "Come on, let's take a walk and help digest our food."
Peng Peng stretched and stood up. "Alright, I'm in."
Bai Xiaolu, ever curious, immediately followed them. "Where are you guys going?"
"Crab hunting," Steve replied casually.
Peng Peng frowned. "Isn't it easier to catch crabs when the tide goes out?"
Steve grinned. "Normally, yes. But there's another way. Today, I'll teach you both my secret technique. Watch and learn."
Bai Xiaolu burst into laughter. "Hahaha, alright! I'm looking forward to this so-called 'secret technique'!"
"You'll see. Peng Peng, go dig a hole in the sand—about 30 to 40 centimeters deep."
"Lulu, go find some floating debris we can use. We'll divide the work."
"Okay!" both of them responded enthusiastically, quickly setting off to complete their tasks.
However, after taking only a few steps, Peng Peng suddenly hesitated and walked back to Steve. Scratching his head, he asked awkwardly, "Uh… how deep is 30 to 40 centimeters exactly?"
Steve stared at him for a moment before facepalming. "Just dig as deep as your calf."
"Hahahahahaha!" Bai Xiaolu collapsed onto the sand, clutching her stomach in laughter.
Meanwhile, Sister Bird, watching the trio from a distance, turned to Kevin. "What are those three up to?"
Kevin shrugged. "Who knows? More importantly, is there anything we can do?"
---
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