Chapter 499 (1/2)

“Dammit. If anybody praises me like that again in future, I will be pissed off.” Liu Tong drank another mouthful of fish soup angrily.

“It’s extremely fresh and delicious. The purple perilla is really used perfectly.” Zhou Shijie squinted his eyes and said while enjoying the delicacy blissfully.

“Indeed. The purple perilla removes the earthy smell of the freshwater fish and the intrinsic offensive smell of the fishes while the rice crust absorbs it and turns it into the scorched aroma. The delicate fragrance comes from the lingering taste of the stewed purple perilla. They are really a perfect match.” Chu Xiao drank up the fish soup in the bowl and said quite seriously.

“Exactly. I thought that purple perilla couldn’t be eaten anymore after they were stewed, but who knows it could be so tasty. And it’s surprisingly so soft. Along with the crisp rice crust and the fresh fish meat, I get three different tastes from a single fish soup.” Zhou Shijie smiled earnestly, too.

“Rice Crust Fish Head Soup. Interesting.” There appeared a smile on Chu Xiao’s arrogant face.

“It’s indeed very good. The last course is really prepared perfectly. It feels that the dessert is the only thing that we lack.” Zhou Shijie stroked his beard and said complacently.

“This rice crust tastes even better than the rice provided by you last time, Chairman.” Chu Xiao suddenly said to Zhou Shijie.

“Well, yes. Those few old guys seem to have a habit of cheating others.” Upon thinking of the several people from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Zhou Shijie gnashed his teeth and said.

“Teacher, if this person is so awesome, why is he willing to start such a small restaurant over here?” Liu Tong drank off the fish soup and asked that first.

“Do you think everyone wants to make a name for himself nationwide like you do? This Boss Yuan doesn’t like doing things that way.” Zhou Shijie glared at Liu Tong angrily first and then sighed with emotion.

“You ought to learn something from him. Don’t always think of making a name for yourself. You really should stop to study the culinary skills intensively. Look! Even if this Boss Yuan is so skilled in cooking, he doesn’t like pursuing fame and is just immersed in his culinary skills. He is absolutely a genuine grand gourmet.” Zhou Shijie continued to educate Li Minghui after he did the same to Liu Tong.

However, Yuan Zhou indicated that he consented to that statement. Well, he was cooking neither for fame nor for interest and never thought about himself but others. Therefore, he was the successor of socialism.

“Yes, teacher.” Li Minghui listened to him seriously and nodded his head.

Nonetheless, Liu Tong just appeared to be serious on the surface, but wasn’t convinced at all inwardly. With his eyes rolling around, no one really knew what evil thoughts he was thinking of.

“This is the last course of the All-Fish banquet, the Dace Meat Stuffed Green Dumplings. Please take your time and enjoy.” Yuan Zhou revealed a natural complexion as if he hadn’t heard the complimentary words to himself. He carried the last course, the snacks, to them.

As for the after-meal fruits, Yuan Zhou indicated that there indeed wasn’t any. After all, fruits couldn’t be cooked with the fish meat.

The plate carried by Yuan Zhou was separated into two sides like the Taichi Pattern. On one side, there were golden yellow dumplings similar to the gold ingots, wrapped in the fragrantly fried egg yolk while on the other side, the dumplings were snow white. Through the very thin dumpling skin, one could see the white and tender fish meat and the colorful ingredients inside.

The black drop of vinegar and the fiery-red pepper oil were at the two sides of the eyes of the Taichi fish respectively. The color assortment appeared bright and conspicuous, which could whet the appetite by merely taking a look.

“The fragrance along with the hint of sourness and peppery taste really makes me want to eat a lot.” Zhou Shijie stroked his beard and said with great satisfaction.

“It’s so thin. Did you make it as per the thickness of wonton wrappers? How fragrant.” Looking at the cute gold ingots, Li Minghui also couldn’t help complementing.

“He’s indeed skillful with his hands.” Apparently, Liu Tong had thought of Yuan Zhou’s skill in peeling off the fish skin with one single cut.

“That is not the main point.” Chu Xiao had been knitting his brows tight ever since this dish was served.

“Oh? What do you mean?” It was the first time that Chu Xiao had expressed a different opinion. Therefore, Zhou Shijie asked curiously.

“Boss Yuan, please give me that board and let me have a look.” Chu Xiao didn’t answer Zhou Shijie, but contrarily said to Yuan Zhou who was turning around.

“Um?” Yuan Zhou didn’t know why he said so.

“That board.” Chu Xiao pointed at a piece of white board erected in front of the chopping board on the azure stone countertop and said earnestly.

“Okay, no problem. But you can’t take it out.” After Yuan Zhou said that, he handed the board to Chu Xiao.