Chapter 19: Delicious
Chapter 19: Delicious
Lu Qing blinked and searched his memory for a while.
It was then that he gradually recalled the memory of this grand marketplace.
In simple terms, this marketplace was a trading event spontaneously organized by several large nearby villages.
After all, the towns were far away, and one had to pay an entrance fee to enter, so many villagers and mountain folk were reluctant to spend the money unless necessary.
Thus, no one knew when or who had organized it.
Nevertheless, a marketplace gradually formed, and the villagers from the surrounding villages would come to trade every five days.
The original owner of Lu Qing's body had gone to the marketplace once when he was young, but after Xiao Yan was born, he took on the responsibility of looking after his sister, and he never went back.
His memories of the marketplace gradually faded.
It wasn't until Wang Da'an mentioned it now that Lu Qing recalled some impressions.
"People from different villages come to the marketplace," Wang Da'an said. "Even the mountain folk from deep in the mountains will occasionally come out to buy things. If you take the big fish you caught to the marketplace to sell, as long as the price isn't too high, someone will definitely buy them."
In Wang Da'an's opinion, Lu Qing had more fish than he could eat, and it would be a waste to keep them all.
It would be better to sell them cheaply at the marketplace and at least get some money in return.
Lu Qing thought for a moment and then nodded. "Alright, if I catch more big fish next time, I'll try selling them at the marketplace."
"You'll definitely be able to sell them," Wang Da'an said happily. "I've seen fish being sold at the marketplace before, but they're much smaller than the ones you caught today."
Lu Qing smiled. "I don't catch such big fish every time."
"Whether you catch them or not, Lu Qing, if you want to go to the marketplace, remember to come and tell me. There are some rules to follow when going to the marketplace," Wang Daishan instructed.
"Okay, if I want to go, I'll definitely let you know, Brother Da'an."
"Just remember. I'll be going now."
After Wang Da'an left, Lu Qing fell into deep thought.
He had overlooked the information about the marketplace.
Perhaps he could start here to gather information about the city.
"Brother, when can I eat the fishy? Xiao Yan is hungry."
As Lu Qing was thinking about how to gather information at the marketplace, Xiao Yan called out from the side.
"Oh, it'll be ready soon. Brother will cook it for you after he finishes portioning the fish meat."
Lu Qing snapped back to attention and continued his work efficiently.
He first chopped off a few more pieces of fish meat to deliver to Old Man Zhang later.
Old Man Zhang had taken care of Xiao Yan during his coma, and he couldn't forget that kindness.
After dividing the fish, Lu Qing selected the best piece of fish meat.
He carefully removed the bones and then sliced the fish meat into thin pieces.
Then, he started a fire and boiled water to cook porridge.
As for the remaining fish meat, he skewered it with bamboo strips and hung it on a bamboo pole under the eaves to dry, intending to make fish jerky.
Looking at the long string of fish meat on the bamboo pole, Lu Qing secretly resolved to get an iron pot as soon as possible.
Right, and spices!
Otherwise, his culinary skills would be wasted, and he wouldn't be able to showcase his talents fully.
Seeing the abundance of good ingredients, he felt a pang of regret at the thought of them going to waste.
By the time Lu Qing finished his tasks, the porridge in the clay pot had also finished cooking.
Lu Qing added some salt to the porridge and stirred a few times to ensure it dissolved.
Then, he carefully placed the fish slices into the porridge, watching as they turned white. As soon as they did, he turned off the heat.
Finally, he added a small scoop of lard to the porridge, and it was ready to be served.
Chapter 19: Delicious
Lu Qing blinked and served Xiao Yan a bowl of fish porridge, using a fan to cool it down before placing it in front of her.
"Xiao Yan, wait a little longer. It's still very hot."
"Okay, Xiao Yan will be careful!"
The little one was already drooling in anticipation, but she obediently nodded.
Her eyes, however, remained fixed on the bowl of porridge.
Lu Qing smiled at her eagerness and served himself a bowl as well.
Given his rugged constitution, he scooped up a spoonful of the porridge with a fish slice, blew on it a few times, and popped it into his mouth.
The fish melted on his tongue, and a burst of freshness spread across it. A delighted expression appeared on his face.
This fish was tender, smooth, and fragrant, with a hint of oily aroma. It tasted even better than he had expected.
Indeed, high-quality ingredients often required only the simplest cooking methods to shine.
All he had added to the porridge was a bit of salt and oil, and even without any garnishes like scallions, it tasted amazing.
As expected of a high-end fish that emitted a dense white light!
A mouthful of the porridge left Lu Qing feeling content and satisfied.
"Brother, can Xiao Yan eat now?"
Seeing her brother enjoy the porridge so much, Xiao Yan couldn't help but stare at him longingly.
Lu Qing reached out and touched her bowl, ensuring it wasn't too hot before nodding.
"You can eat now, but be careful not to burn your tongue."
"Okay, Xiao Yan will be careful!"
The little girl was thrilled to finally be able to eat.
She scooped up a spoonful of porridge, carefully blowing on it a few times like her brother had done, before putting it in her mouth.
After finishing the spoonful, her eyes widened in delight.
"Brother, brother, this porridge made with the big fish is so delicious! It's even better than the shrimp porridge we had the other day!"
Xiao Yan danced with joy, unable to contain her excitement.
"Of course, didn't you see how hard your brother worked to catch this big fish? It's bound to taste amazing," Lu Qing boasted with a proud face.
"You're the best, brother!"
Xiao Yan was full of praise and didn't hold back her admiration.
"Since it tastes so good, eat more. Grandpa Chen said that if you want pretty hair, you need to eat more," Lu Qing encouraged.
"Okay, Xiao Yan will try my best to eat more. Xiao Yan wants to grow beautiful hair!"
The little girl nodded vigorously, her face determined.
Lu Qing's heart twinged at the sight.
The day before yesterday, when Xiao Yan had gone out to play, some village kids had teased her about her unattractive hair.
When she returned, she had asked him, looking a little dejected, how she could grow prettier hair.
Lu Qing knew that a large part of the reason for Xiao Yan's hair condition was malnutrition.
So, he told her that if she ate well and took care of her body, her hair would soon become beautiful.
And now, Xiao Yan was making a conscious effort to eat well, not wanting to waste any food.
Though, to be honest, they had never had the luxury of wasting food.
After the siblings had their fill of the delicious fish porridge, they both slumped contentedly in their chairs.
Even Lu Qing hadn't expected the meat of the Green Carapace Fish to be so tender and flavorful. It was a pleasant surprise.
He couldn't help but wonder how the Red Moon Carp, described by his ability as extremely fresh, would taste.
Unfortunately, the Red Moon Carp was intended as a gift for Doctor Chen, so he couldn't eat it.
After resting for a while, Lu Qing got up and walked into the kitchen.
He had one more task to complete—processing the fish gallbladder.
(End of Chapter)
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