The meat of island pheasants was far richer and more tender than supermarket chicken.
Clearly, free-range wild chicken was superior to feed-raised poultry.
Marinating in mulberry wine was also more effective than expected. It removed the gamey taste while infusing the meat with mellow alcohol and sweet berry notes.
Though the meat color turned weird—like Momo's stained feet—the taste made appearance irrelevant.
Stewed carefully by Yitong, the chicken was tender and flavorful, the vegetables soaked up the essence, and the soup was umami-rich. Everyone devoured the meal with familiar utensils.
A perfect meal.
Unfortunately, it would have been even better with Chuck's freshly brewed mulberry wine.
But afternoon work remained. Stability required maintenance. Drinking during the day delayed business, and Chuck didn't want to drink alone.
However, the blonde mare gave Chuck a great suggestion.
"Let's have a party!"
After lunch and cleanup, Julia learned about the mulberry wine from Chuck.
Sitting side by side on the outdoor bench, hearing there were three full jars, she clapped excitedly.
"Party?"
Unfamiliar with this culture, Chuck raised an eyebrow, imagining lewd scenes.
"Don't we have a party every night?"
"Hey!"
Julia punched his shoulder lightly.
"Not that kind of party. I mean everyone sitting together, chatting, drinking, playing games... like before..."
She trailed off, her exquisite face flushing slightly.
Before?
Chuck paused, memories surfacing.
Indeed, sitting with companions in the island night, chatting and playing games happened once.
In the southern bay cave, during Truth or Dare.
Chuck chuckled.
"But in a way, that was 'that kind of party', wasn't it?"
He pulled Julia into his arms, caressing her soft waist.
She leaned on his shoulder, blushing, and poked his stomach shyly.
"Doesn't count. I just used my feet to help you because I was afraid you'd explode..."
Past images surfaced. The initial thrill and ambiguity quickened their hearts.
Chuck's hand moved from her waist to her thighs, lifting her legs onto his left leg, stroking them wantonly.
"Honestly, you have a talent for this."
Leaning on his shoulder, Julia bit her lip, eyes trembling.
"For what?"
"Feet."
"Oh... I don't know. Just went by feeling, trying to make you comfortable."
"So, you did very well."
"Really?"
While being stroked, Julia's loving blue eyes rolled mischievously. She looked up at Chuck's profile, tone turning odd.
"Speaking of which, Darling, last night with Jiang Qi... I saw you use that pose..."
"Uh, which pose? Weren't you asleep?"
Chuck was stumped.
Last night, Julia passed out first. Since Jiang Qi was still shy about sharing a bed, he went to the storage room afterward.
This little mare woke up to spectate?
Chuck's perception was strong, but night wanderings for toilets or water were normal, so he ignored the noise.
Now that she pointed it out, Chuck knew exactly what she meant, despite feigning ignorance.
"The one where you hold the feet, interlacing fingers, then push the legs..."
"OK, OK, I know what you mean."
Chuck's favorite classic foot-holding mating press. Julia described it so vividly he couldn't handle it.
"When we first did it, I was shy but excited because you liked my feet. But now... seems you loved this pose long ago, didn't you?"
Julia whispered, warm breath on his neck. Her legs on his knee leaned suggestively higher up his thigh...
"Uh."
Feeling her softness and the tingle on his neck, Chuck felt uneasy about her teasing for the first time.
Julia's words carried a sour hint of jealousy.
Usually, Julia was open-minded about his intimacy with others, confident in his love.
But seeing him use their "signature" pose passionately with his ex sparked a little jealousy.
No issue with Jiang Qi, just a little jealous.
And jealousy breeds competition...
"So Darling, whose feet do you like more? Mine or your ex-girlfriend's?"
Her airy question sounded like a devil's whisper, chilling Chuck's spine.
Multiple choice question?!
"...Can't I like both?"
Chuck looked troubled for the first time with Julia. Her petty temper was new to him.
And the question implied he was a hopeless foot fetishist.
I'm not.
But Julia didn't relent. She sat up, straddling him, pressing her soft breasts against his chest, staring into his eyes sourly.
"No. You must choose a favorite."
"This..."
"I want to hear this too."
Misfortunes never come singly.
While dealing with Julia, another voice sounded behind him, making him sweat more.
Jiang Qi appeared, fully recovered and vibrant.
She exchanged a look with Julia—sparks flew. She sat unceremoniously on Chuck's right, hugging him, her soft legs naturally draping over his right leg.
"So Brother, whose feet feel better to hold? Mine or Julia's?"
"Oh my God..."
Chuck almost fainted.
Seeing his reaction, Julia and Jiang Qi exchanged glances again, competitive spirits burning.
Good relationship or not, women always want to rank their charm, especially through their man's verdict.
Like best bros peeking at urinals to compare sizes.
"Gu, what are you looking at?"
Inside, Janet, drowsy from carb coma, stretched her voluptuous arms, yawning. She walked to the window where Yitong stood with a bowl of tea, watching outside with interest.
"...Look, a good show."
"Hmm?"
Janet looked and saw the three sandwiched tightly on the bench.
Her interest turned to excitement.
"Oh my God, tension feels high?"
"Shh... quiet. Don't let them hear."
Yitong put down her tea, pulling Janet back. Exchanging glances, they hid behind the window frame, ears pricked.
Chuck sighed deeply, looking left and right. Faced with two women and a forbidden neutral answer, he was stuck.
"Let's do this!"
Fortunately, silence brought a result.
Seeing Chuck hesitate, Julia's jealousy faded into self-blame. But seeing Jiang Qi's unyielding expression, she couldn't back down. An idea formed.
She sat up, asking seriously.
"Darling, about tonight's party?"
Chuck scratched his chin. Easy question. He nodded.
"Okay. Since Jiang Qi recovered, we haven't celebrated properly. Everyone worked hard. Let's finish early and relax together."
"Yay!"
Before Julia and Jiang Qi could react, a cheer erupted from inside—Janet's voice.
They turned. Open window, no person.
They turned back.
Chuck sighed helplessly. "Are you two done? We have quite an audience."
Jiang Qi looked at Julia, arms crossed, smiling mischievously.
"Lia, I think I get it. You want to beat me in drinking at the party? Hmph, bring it on."
"Wrong!"
Julia wagged her finger.
"We're competing to see whose feet Darling likes more. Nothing to do with drinking."
Jiang Qi frowned.
"How? Take off our shoes and let him rate them? That's too weird..."
She scratched her face, expression odd. Imagining it was awkward.
"Of course not."
Julia gave her a meaningful look, then glanced at Chuck, blushing again. Her voice turned seductive.
"We take turns using our feet to help Darling... Whoever makes him cum first proves whose feet feel better, right?"
"Holy shit, genius."
Another gasp of surprise from behind—Valentina this time.
Chuck turned again. Still no one, but he was sure at least three or four people were eavesdropping.
Hearing the plan, Jiang Qi blushed furiously.
Party meant everyone attending.
Competing meant using her feet on Chuck in front of everyone...
Fine for Julia, veteran of group sex, but awkward for Jiang Qi, who hadn't taken that step.
But hesitating for only a second, facing Julia's provocative look, she nodded firmly.
"Fine! Let's compete!"
If we must rank, let's rank!
We're both women; who's afraid of who?
...
"Did you hear that?"
Under the window, Janet looked at the women sitting beside her.
"Tsk tsk, youth is great. Aren't you considering joining?"
"I... I'll pass."
Kaede blushed to her ears, shaking her head shyly. Kaoru did the same.
Momo shook her head in confusion. She didn't understand the point of the contest.
Instead of using feet, she preferred being held by Chuck.
Kaede, Kaoru, Valentina, and Momo had joined the eavesdropping line, achieving instant info synchronization.
"Looks like tonight will be interesting~"
Yitong smiled seductively, sipping tea.
Heart shapes appeared in her mature eyes.
Using feet, huh...