Chapter 135: Chapter 135 Best Companion

A phrase easily dissolved the slight awkwardness at the scene.

"No, no, of course not that," she said hastily, waving her hands, fearing her question might cause unnecessary misunderstandings for Su Yu.

Her heart was filled more with curiosity and delight for this novel way of cooking, as on the usually simple dining table, such elaborate dishes and rich pairings were truly rare.

There wasn’t a trace of discontent, only full appreciation for Su Yu’s culinary skills and creativity.

Su Yu understood Xie Qifen’s sentiments. Her remarks were just an attempt to amuse this simple and kind woman.

And those fish scales, under the baptism of boiling water, curled up tightly in an instant, as if heralding a wonderful transformation about to unfold on the taste buds.

Su Yu carefully lifted that strange object from the scalding hot water, gently placing it into clear, cool water, her movements delicate and skilled, as if handling a rare piece of art.

She meticulously rinsed off the small bubbles that formed on the surface, ensuring that every inch was crystal clear, without a single flaw.

Afterward, she gently placed the washed ingredients in a bamboo strainer, allowing the water to slowly filter through, leaving behind purity and anticipation.

Xie Qifen stood by, watching unblinkingly, reluctant to even blink, her heart filled with curiosity and anticipation, eager to see firsthand how this young woman would magically transform those seemingly weird ingredients into a table of mouthwatering dishes.

She thought to herself that this was not just learning, it was a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Soon, Su Yu efficiently cleaned the cookware, poured in a suitable amount of oil again, and patiently waited for the temperature of the oil to rise gradually. The wisps of light smoke slowly rising were preluding the cooking that was about to begin.

She skillfully chopped the fresh lotus leaf into fine pieces, gently mixing it into a large porcelain bowl, then cracked six smooth eggs, rapidly whisking them with chopsticks until the egg mixture and lotus leaf bits were completely integrated, evenly colored like jade and emitting a faint, natural fragrance.

The oil in the pan was at the verge of boiling. Su Yu seized the moment, slowly poured the lotus leaf egg mixture into it, causing the oil to splatter, accompanied by the pleasing sizzle. Holding the spatula, her wrist deftly flipping, in no time, the mixed substance dried out, leaving only an enticing golden hue.

After a few simple seasonings, a plate of flavorful scrambled eggs with lotus leaf was complete, the aroma was so enticing that it made one’s mouth water.

Xie Qifen silently calculated that the generous use of oil and eggs would sustain her household’s meals for many days at home, yet Su Yu used them freely in just one meal.

She couldn’t help but worry, feeling that this young girl’s approach to household management seemed too casual.

While her medical skills had brought her wealth, if she didn’t control her spending, the livelihood of her family might eventually become difficult.

Xie Qifen resolved to find an appropriate time to have a serious talk with Su Yu about the importance of managing household finances.

Before the thought had a chance to settle, Su Yu was already adding more oil to the still-steaming pot. This sudden action surprised Xie Qifen so much that she couldn’t speak for a long while. Her mouth slightly agape, she wanted to protest but ended up just looking at Su Yu with a complex expression, remaining silent.

Su Yu was completely unaware of the turmoil inside Xie Qifen’s heart, still immersed in her own cooking world.

She skillfully took advantage of the hot oil to quickly marinate the collected fish scales, sprinkled them with fine flour, and gently stirred to ensure each scale was evenly coated with a thin layer of flour.

When the oil heated to about eighty percent hot, she precisely seized the moment to gently scatter the fish scales into the pot. The crisp popping sound that followed instantly reverberated through the kitchen.

As the fish scales turned an enticing golden color, Su Yu quickly scooped them out. Once the oil had reheated, she performed a second deep-fry, crisping the fish scales to perfection; beneath the golden exterior lay an irresistible temptation.

After carefully draining the excess oil, Su Yu tossed in dried chili and Sichuan peppercorns, and with a series of "pops," a spicy aroma filled the kitchen.

She quickly returned the fragrant fish scales to the pot, stir-frying them evenly with the dried chili and peppercorns and topping them off with a sprinkle of green onions as a finishing touch.

A dish of fish scales, crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, spicy and delicious, was thus created. Its unique creativity and stunning flavor left Xie Qifen speechless, almost forgetting how to close her agape mouth.

Seeing this, a mischievous smile flashed in Su Yu’s eyes. She picked up a golden, crispy fish scale and gently placed it in Xie Qifen’s slightly open mouth, laughing and saying, "Big sister, try this flavor and see if it suits your taste?"

Xie Qifen hesitated slightly before taking a bite. The salty and crispy flavor immediately exploded at the tip of her tongue. Her eyes lit up, and she uttered with genuine admiration, "Your culinary skills are simply indescribable!"

With a smile, Su Yu placed the ingeniously made fish scales in the center of the dining table and instructed Meng Yuanyou and Jiang Ziling, who were already eagerly raising their glasses, "You two try this first, it’s a great dish to accompany drinks."

Meng Yuanyou’s gaze was firmly locked on the unique dish, his Adam’s apple involuntarily moving up and down. He noticed Jiang Ziling had yet to start, so he suppressed his urge and secretly admired Jiang Ziling’s good fortune in having such a capable and virtuous partner.

Little did he know, Su Yu’s seemingly casual actions not only conquered the taste buds of everyone present but also added a touch of dignity and glory to Jiang Ziling in front of others.

And Jiang Ziling wasn’t slow in reaching for the dishes not out of indifference to the food but because his heart was filled with tenderness for Su Yu’s hard work. He was willing to wait, ready to share this delicious feast that came from the heart with her.

Next, Su Yu carefully selected several vividly red tomatoes, meticulously dropped them into boiling water, gently turned them until their skins slightly cracked, immediately scooped them out into cold water, where their skins easily peeled off, revealing soft, fresh flesh underneath.

She skillfully diced the tomatoes, lightly sprinkling them with a layer of fine sugar, like the first snow covering, and set them aside, letting time work its magic to turn them into a delicately sweet and tangy treat, the perfect companion to the greasy dishes on the table.

However, to Meng Yuanyou and Xie Qifen, such considerations seemed superfluous; they cherished the rare, rich fats wholeheartedly, with the word "greasy" long erased from their taste vocabulary.

As Su Yu slowly submerged the last batch of noodles into the pot, the boiling water was tenderly enfolded, and the eyes of everyone heated up with anticipation, their excitement spreading through the room like steam from the pot.

Noticing everyone’s eyes were focused on her, Su Yu appeared somewhat surprised, her voice carrying a hint of confusion, "Huh? Why isn’t everyone starting to eat?"

Jiang Ziling’s gentle voice timely emerged, soft like a spring drizzle, quietly nourishing the heart. He smiled and said, "Of course, we are waiting for you to join us."

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