Chef Hua
Chapter 208: Episode 128: Da Zhen and Two Treasures Sashimi

Chapter 208: Episode 128: Da Zhen and Two Treasures Sashimi

"Miss, your eyes are really sharp!"

Qing He didn’t know what Hua Xiaomai was looking at. Seeing her staring intently at the stall on her right, she clapped her hands joyfully and said, "That Uncle Liang over there, don’t just look at his small stall. Our Lady says that his fish are not only fresh, but he has the most diverse types available. Sometimes, he even has rare and precious items that are hard to find locally. We at Taoyuan House do regular business with him; we’re old customers!"

Hua Xiaomai smiled at her and crouched down in front of the stall.

Perhaps hearing his own name from Qing He, the middle-aged man in his forties sitting behind the stall opened his eyes and slightly lifted the conical bamboo hat on his head.

"Miss wants to buy fish?" he sized up Hua Xiaomai’s face, his voice carrying a hint of sleepiness, "Feel free to look around. The fish here were just caught early this morning; you can’t imagine how fresh they are. I guarantee you won’t find better quality anywhere else in Tong’an City! Whichever one you fancy, just give me a shout, and I’ll get it for you."

Hua Xiaomai just kept staring at the two orange-red fish, pointed at them, and asked, "These, were they also caught this morning?"

"Oh?" Uncle Liang’s eyebrows shot up, "Miss has good taste! These fish can’t be found in ordinary rivers; they’re from the great river. In the entirety of Tong’an City, other than my place, you absolutely won’t be able to buy them elsewhere. Such fish, even if the city dwellers are wealthy, they may not get to taste it even once a year. It’s called..."

"Called rouge fish, right?" Hua Xiaomai interrupted him before he could finish.

This so-called rouge fish, named for its dazzlingly vivid color, was in the era she had lived previously a protected species that one rarely had the chance to eat. She had only heard from a teacher that this fish’s flesh was thick and tasty, slightly crispy to the bite and chewy, and just by steaming it, one could bring out its full sweet and fresh flavor.

But who would have thought, such a rare find could actually be on sale in Tong’an City?

Uncle Liang was even more surprised when he heard this, applauding and saying, "Miss looks young but seems quite knowledgeable indeed. You’re right, this is the rouge fish. Since you know its origins, you must also understand that it’s not cheap and not easy to buy. Miss this chance and there won’t be another one. What do you think, want to pick one? I’ll give you a good price, won’t make any profit off you!"

When a businessman says "won’t make any profit off you," it’s essentially a joke. If you take it seriously, then you’re beyond help. Hua Xiaomai smiled faintly, touched the slippery body of the fish, and looking up, said, "I don’t need it for now, but in a few days, will you still have this kind of fish? If you do, I’ll take one then."

Uncle Liang found himself in a dilemma, smacked his lips and furrowed his brow, "Ah, that’s hard to say, you know how it is with rouge fish..."

"Uncle Liang, we are from Taoyuan House, and we are regular clients of yours. Is such a small favor too much to ask?" Qing He, though unaware of what Hua Xiaomai was plotting, saw that she seemed quite interested in the beautiful orange-red fish, and promptly chimed in to help, "We at Taoyuan House always buy fish from you without haggling over the price. Now, this lady just made a small request, why can’t you be more forthcoming?"

"Oh, is it Taoyuan House’s Qing He? Uncle Liang only now recognized her face, first taken aback, then he laughed and said, "Heh, why didn’t you say so earlier? If you need this fish, I’d have to go to great lengths, but I’ll make sure to get it for you. But may I know when you’ll need it? I’ll have it delivered right to your doorstep!"

"The seventh day of the seventh month," Hua Xiaomai nodded to him, "If it’s convenient, it would be best if you could deliver it to Taoyuan House the evening before, so we can keep it in clean water for a night."

"That’s doable, that’s doable. On the sixth day of the seventh month, I’ll make sure to deliver the fish on time," Uncle Liang nodded repeatedly, then tentatively asked, "Miss just wants one?"

Hua Xiaomai opened her mouth to speak, but Qing He at her side beat her to it, "We’ll buy both of these fish today. No matter how many you have left, on the sixth day, deliver them all to Taoyuan House. We won’t shortchange you on the price; we only ask that you, Uncle Liang, don’t sell this kind of fish to anyone else before the seventh day, can you do that?"

Seeing the chance to sell all his fish and still make a profit, Uncle Liang readily agreed, nodding vigorously and laughing, "These rouge fish aren’t easy to come by. By the sixth day, I might be able to get only three or five at most, and I’ll send them all to Taoyuan House. Don’t worry, Miss Qing He, Taoyuan House is my regular customer. You know I’m a man of my word..."