Chef Hua
Chapter 155: Episode 101: Spicy River Snails and Drunk Shrimp_2

Chapter 155: Episode 101: Spicy River Snails and Drunk Shrimp_2

"Why do you care? This is just Providence letting him strike it rich, and nothing can stop that!" another person said sourly.

That’s just how the people of Fire Knife Village are. A tiny matter, once passed from mouth to mouth, would immediately become more exciting than any storybook tale and worth savoring and discussing over and over. Hua Xiaomai just casually listened in and didn’t take it to heart, quickly heading to the riverbank where her real business awaited.

That day, Meng Yuhuai didn’t show up by the river. Hua Xiaomai was too busy to concern herself with that, merely glancing occasionally toward the path and pouting. Business was, as always, booming. Around the hour of Xu, Qiao Xiong arrived, hailing her from afar with a joyful greeting, "Xiaomai girl, business doing well?"

This man was a real gourmet and didn’t hesitate to spend money on good food. Hua Xiaomai always had a favorable impression of him. Seeing him come unexpectedly filled her with joy, and she squinted with a smile, teasingly responding, "Ah, Uncle Qiao, long time no see! I’ve had my stall here for over three months, and you could count your visits on one hand. What’s the matter, don’t like the noodles I make?"

"Nonsense!" Pan Ping’an laughed and cursed before heaving a long sigh, full of emotion, "I’ve been busy. The paper offerings shop is thriving, and I should be happy about that, but... every time I think that I’m dealing with the business of the dead, it just doesn’t sit right with me. Who doesn’t wish to live a little longer? I work myself to the bone, and still, my heart’s not at ease. Tsk, had I known, I should have chosen another livelihood right from the start!"

As he spoke, his gaze was fixed earnestly on the stall, "Lately, I don’t know if it’s the heat or what, but everything tastes so bland, even with eating anything, seems to lack flavor. On the rare occasion that I get a break, and I immediately thought of you. Come on, whip up something delicious for your uncle, to comfort my soul—hey, do you have shrimp and river snails here?"

Since the start of summer, Hua Xiaomai’s stall had always been stocked with various affordable river delicacies. After all, she was located right on the riverbank, making it convenient to buy fish and shrimp. Today’s shrimp and river snails, specifically reserved for her by Xu Ershun, were large and fresh; one glance was enough to tell they would taste excellent.

"Isn’t that the truth?" Hua Xiaomai said with a smile, "These shrimp and river snails were just bought by my second sister this morning from the riverbank. Uncle Qiao, how would you like to have them?"

"My, oh my!" Qiao Xiong smacked his lips as if he were about to drool, "In this weather, a dish of fragrant Drunk Shrimp and a plate of spicy stir-fried river snails would be the best there is!"

Hua Xiaomai immediately burst into laughter.

Listen to that. His taste isn’t hard to satisfy, but he’s asking for some trouble. The stir-fried river snails are easy enough, but the Drunk Shrimp, although not difficult to make, do require soaking in some good-quality Floral Carving Wine to taste their best. But in tiny Fire Knife Village, especially at night, where was she supposed to find Floral Carving Wine?

"What’s the matter, girl, having trouble? Don’t play tricks on me; I know your cooking skills. For you, such dishes are just a flick of the wrist, right? What’s the issue, you find it troublesome and won’t make it for your uncle?" Qiao Xiong looked at her face, half-seriously and half-jokingly said, with a hint of mischief in his words.

Hua Xiaomai couldn’t stop smiling, shaking her head, "Uncle Qiao, stop joking around. You, a food lover, must know that Drunk Shrimp needs to be soaked in good liquor. Our Fire Knife Village has only one tiny winery, selling nothing but..."

She suddenly lowered her voice, "To speak frankly, the wine sold by the distillery is nothing but village brew, and it’s all watered down. How could you possibly use it for cooking?"

At this, Qiao Xiong slapped his thigh, "Ah, so that’s what you’re worried about! You should have said so earlier! My family has a few jars of fine Floral Carving Wine, given to me by someone before the New Year. I haven’t had the heart to drink it yet. I trust your skills, such fine wine in your hands won’t go to waste. Just wait, I’ll go back and get it right away."

Having said that, he turned and ran off. After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back, and called out with concern, "You must wait for me to return, don’t you dare pack up!"

Eager to try some delicious food, this man really didn’t mind the trouble. Hua Xiaomai grinned helplessly, nodded in agreement, and sure enough, it wasn’t long before Qiao Xiong came running back with two small wine jars.

Seeing his eagerness, Hua Xiaomai no longer hesitated, took the wine jars from him, and instructed Luo Yuejiao to make a trip to the Jing Family’s courtyard to get some perilla leaves, then immediately got busy.

The live shrimp had been purged in a basin of water for a whole day and had already expelled all the sand and mud. Hua Xiaomai picked out twenty or thirty large ones, trimmed off their whiskers and legs, placed them in a deep dish, poured in most of a jar of the fine Floral Carving Wine so that the shrimp were completely submerged, and quickly covered the dish.

Immediately afterward, she took a small bowl, mixed in minced green onion and ginger, vinegar, salt, and sesame oil, and finally added a spoon of fermented bean curd. After waiting for the duration of a cup of tea, she lifted the lid from the dish, placed the shrimp, now drunk and aromatic, along with the small bowl, in front of Qiao Xiong.

In the hot oil of a frying pan, she first sautéed green onions and ginger to release their fragrance, then poured in river snails with their tail tips trimmed off for frying, followed by garlic sprouts and sections of green onions. She sprinkled in some Floral Carving Wine, salt, soy sauce, and perilla leaves, and then ladled in a scoop of ready-made chicken broth. She covered the pan to let it simmer for a moment, and the aroma immediately wafted out.

With the remaining jar of Floral Carving Wine at his side, Qiao Xiong ate the Drunk Shrimp while eagerly looking towards the cooking, and as soon as the Perilla Leaf Exploded River Snails were on the table, his face burst into a smile like a blooming flower. He couldn’t care less about the heat and hastily grabbed a chopstick full, repeatedly exclaiming, "Mmm, mmm, truly delicious, the fragrance is to die for! No way, Xiaomai lass, I am so used to your cooking that I’ve become dissatisfied with everything Old Zhao makes. Sooner or later, I’ll have to drive him out and forbid him from managing my kitchen again!"

"Uncle Qiao, you’re talking nonsense again. Master Zhao does a fine job, so why would you drive him away?" Seeing him enjoy his meal, Hua Xiaomai naturally felt cheerful, pursed her lips and teased him playfully.

As they were talking, the diners seated at the table began to stir.

"Hey, did you see? The people from the shop at the east end of the village, it’s them! Oh my, they’re heading... up to the riverbank!"

(To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile phone users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)