Chapter 74: Secondment (1/2)

Chapter 74: Secondment

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Although Qingcheng City was a coastal city, it was pretty hot in the summer, especially during the daytime. It was the beginning of June, so the daytime temperature was generally in the 30 degree celsius range. After sunset, the sea breeze cooled down the city, and it became most comfortable during this time of the day. Later, closer to midnight, the water rising from the sea brought wet and cold air with it.

In an eatery by the sea, the owner set down plastic tables and chairs. It was during this time that a blowing sea breeze was accompanied by a freshly-caught seafood barbecue, complimented with a bubbling beer. This was the most popular pastime for the people of Qingcheng City.

”Here are your roasted oysters. Enjoy!” A waiter put down a huge iron plate on the table filled with oysters.

”Oyster” was the shellfishs’ scientific name. In different dialects people called it various things. Southerners called it ”hao”; Cantonese called it ”shenghao”; Minnan people called it ”kezai”; and Qingcheng people called it ”Hailizi.” Oysters were a nutritious seafood that contained a large amount of protein, calcium carbonate, taurine, and some other trace elements, including nucleic acid and zinc. Moreover, it facilitated male psychological functions. For this reason it was regarded as a male tonic. In general, whether it was northerners or southerners, people living along the coast were fond of oyster.

Dai Li was staring at the oysters, his mouth watering. The oysters were already open with fresh white meat exposed, sending forth a tantalizing smell. Their juice was still bubbling and sizzling on the overheated shell, and the black edge of the meat was trembling with the bubbling juice as the inner white shell was glistening under the light.

”Shall we?” Coach Xu picked up a shell and popped the meat into his mouth. ”Ah...so hot...but it’s cooked just right!” Coach Xu was satisfied with the oyster.

There were all kinds of ways to cook oysters. Some people liked to add ground garlic, scallions, and Chinese vermicelli onto the shell; some preferred to dip the shellfish into soy sauce; some liked to steam it first and then dip it into a mixed sauce, like vinegar or wasabi. As for Qingcheng locals, they loved the original flavor. They cooked it and ate it plain.

Li was used to eating oysters with vinegar. In his hometown of Yuzhou, people ate freshwater fish quite often. Because freshwater fish had an earthy smell, even after cooking, people added vinegar to get rid of it. Gradually, Li had formed a habit: dip the seafood into vinegar. But because he had moved to a new place, he went with the classic saying: ”When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” He mirrored Coach Xu’s behavior, putting the oyster into his mouth without adding any seasoning.

”This is so good!” Li was savoring an oyster as he spoke ambiguously. ”If I recall correctly, fishing has been banned. How come we have such big oysters?”

”You are right, fishing has already been banned. There is going to be a three month ”no-take” season. But these are bred oysters. Aha, there comes the halfbeak!” As they were chatting, a waiter came with roasted halfbeaks.

Roasted halfbeak was a standard of all barbecue eateries in Qingcheng City. Due to its short growth period and sufficient resources, the fish was cheap and always available. Chefs would slice it up and roast it. Once cooked, the fish would glisten, looking deliciously chewy.

Coach Xu filled his mouth with roasted halfbeak, then drank a glass of beer. He took a break from eating and said, ”Feifei came back from Australia a couple days ago. She is now in a good condition,so it seems that the training is effective. However, she gained weight again, about 1kg. She is now in Donggang National Swimming Center. I want you to go help her lose weight.”

”No problem! When?” Li agreed without hesitation. Coach Xu had found a formal job for him. Li would never refuse his request.

”Cool! But you are a fitness coach for the weightlifting team, the swimming team can’t give you orders.” Coach Xu paused to have another bite of oyster, then continued. ”Even if your team is willing to lend you to us, we are not able to pay for your traveling expenses.”

”It is 300 yuan for a single trip by high-speed rail. If I live in a cheap hotel, it’s going to cost around 100 yuan per day. Your swimming team is big, you can pay for that small expense, can’t you?” Li joked.