Haruto settled down next to the Jewel Meat.
At the same time, his daily food naturally changed to Jewel Meat as well.
However, what made Haruto feel quite uncomfortable was that, likely due to obtaining Gourmet Cells, his sense of taste had been greatly enhanced.
He used to think his cooking skills were decent, but now, when using simple roasting methods to handle the Jewel Meat, he could clearly taste the flaws within it.
The heat being slightly over caused the meat to lose a hint of tenderness, cutting it too thick affected the mouthfeel, and the burning flames produced a faint charred smell… all of these diminished the original deliciousness of the Jewel Meat.
It was like using a blunt knife to cut a rare piece of fine jade, making Haruto feel both pained and disappointed.
Looking at the Jewel Meat shining with golden light, a strong desire to learn culinary arts arose in Haruto’s heart.
He wanted to know what kind of cooking method could truly bring out the deliciousness of the Jewel Meat; he wanted to experience that ultimate enjoyment of perfectly interpreting the flavor of the ingredients.
This was perhaps also an instinctive craving bestowed upon him by the Gourmet Cells.
Aside from that, Haruto did not eat one-third of the Jewel Meat in one go like he did the first time.
After eating only a pound or two of Jewel Meat, he would feel a strong sense of satiety.
Clearly, the Gourmet Cells in his body did not crave this kind of cooking that failed to bring out the deliciousness of the Jewel Meat.
After another three days, while Haruto was carefully savoring a small piece of Jewel Meat roasted just right, a clear sensation suddenly transmitted through his mind.
It was a wonderful connection that made Haruto instantly understand that he could go back…
Without hesitation, Haruto decided to leave immediately.
There was nothing left to explore inside the Regal Mammoth’s body.
The outside world was even less of a place he could set foot in right now.
Continuing to stay here would just be a waste of time.
Furthermore, the water he had brought earlier was basically exhausted.
He carefully carved off the remaining Jewel Meat.
Then, he also took the large amount of Regal Mammoth meat he had cut off previously.
Although this meat was not as precious as the Jewel Meat, it was still an excellent ingredient.
Haruto took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and concentrated on responding to that sensation in his mind.
With a thought, the surrounding space began to ripple faintly, like a stone being thrown into the water’s surface.
In the next moment, Haruto’s figure vanished instantly.
When Haruto opened his eyes again, the familiar ceiling came into view; he had returned to his own house.
The Jewel Meat emitted a faint glow, proving that none of this was a dream.
Haruto set down the Jewel Meat and the Regal Mammoth meat he brought back, then stretched his limbs.
Feeling the power still surging within his body, a smile of anticipation curved at the corners of his mouth.
His life was going to be completely changed because of the Gourmet Cells.
But soon, the smile on Haruto’s face disappeared.
Looking at the mountain of Regal Mammoth meat, Haruto was completely stumped.
Although he had a household refrigerator, it could only barely store the Jewel Meat.
As for the Regal Mammoth meat, it could only be left outside.
While the weather wasn’t exactly hot, it clearly couldn’t be stored for long…
Searching through the house, he only found two hundred-yuan bills.
Most of his savings were in his bank card.
Being in a foreign land, whether this money could be successfully withdrawn was an unknown.
Sighing, Haruto didn’t completely give up; he had to try after all, as he couldn’t just watch this Regal Mammoth meat rot in his hands.
However, before heading out, he had to clean himself up first.
Having stayed inside the Regal Mammoth for so long, he felt quite uncomfortable.
Stepping into the bathroom, Haruto habitually looked up at the mirror; the next second, he froze in place, the towel in his hand falling to the floor with a ‘thud’.
The youth reflected in the mirror still had the familiar contours of his features, but that face had shed the weariness and fatigue of the past, exuding the vitality and innocence of a young man.
The bridge of his nose was straight, his jawline was still soft, and the youthful air between his brows was almost overflowing.
This was nowhere near his twenty-something appearance; it was clearly a youth of fourteen or fifteen.
Haruto raised his hand to touch his cheek.
Was he aging in reverse?
Gourmet Cells even had this kind of effect!
Haruto stared at the youth in the mirror with a complex expression, for a moment not knowing whether to be happy or worried.
After a quick wash, he changed into a set of old clothes that still fit reasonably well and headed out with his only two hundred yuan.
After running to several banks, he was unable to withdraw any money.
This forced Haruto to think of other ways…
Working?
The thought was snuffed out by Haruto as soon as it popped up.
Working a job was out of the question.
Setting aside whether he could find a place willing to hire him with his current fourteen or fifteen-year-old appearance, even if he did find a job, by the time he earned enough to buy a freezer, that Regal Mammoth meat would have likely rotted and spoiled long ago.
He had to make some quick cash.
Walking slowly along the street, his mind raced to figure out a countermeasure.
An idea suddenly flashed into Haruto’s mind—barbecue.
Haruto’s eyes lit up.
The Regal Mammoth meat he brought back was definitely not something ordinary beef or mutton could compare to.
If he set the price a bit higher then, wouldn’t the money just come rolling in?
As for tools, he had specifically bought a portable grill, some bamboo skewers, and a box of smokeless charcoal for a camping hobby he once pursued on a whim.
No sooner said than done.
Haruto turned back home and dug out the grill and charcoal.
He casually cut off a piece of Regal Mammoth meat, sliced it into uniform small pieces, and briskly threaded them onto skewers.
As for seasoning, having the orange salt ground from salt oranges was more than enough.
Carrying the heavy ingredients and tools, Haruto arrived at the entrance of a nearby shopping street just as the evening foot traffic was at its peak.
This was the liveliest shopping street nearby, an excellent location for a barbecue stall.
Finding an out-of-the-way open corner, he set up the grill and lit the smokeless charcoal.
Orange-red flames licked the grill grate, and a warm aura gradually rose.
Haruto placed the skewers of mammoth meat on the grate; as soon as the fat touched the scorching metal, it immediately made an enticing’sizzling’ sound.
Golden beads of oil dripped down the grain of the meat, landing on the charcoal and splashing up clusters of tiny sparks.
In just a few moments, a meaty aroma so rich it was extreme began to spread out.
This scent was different from any ordinary roasted meat; there was no heavy seasoning smell, only the purest meat aroma, carrying a wild richness and freshness that seemed to grow wings, drifting into the nostrils of everyone passing by.
Pedestrians who were originally in a hurry stopped in their tracks one after another, following the scent to look over.
Soon, Haruto’s small stall was surrounded several layers deep.