Chapter 757 - Eccentric Liu Zhang (2/2)

“Of course. I am a charming and witty man,” Wu Hai said as he rubbed his mustache.

“Hoho,” Yuan Zhou gained a new understanding of Wu Hai’s shamelessness.

While speaking, they reached the section of the market where mutton was being sold.

This market was rather huge. There were three long rows of stalls selling pork alone. There was also a long row of stalls selling beef alone. This was something rarely seen in other markets.

After all, Chengdu was located by the southwest of China. The people here ate more pork than beef. Normally, there would only be one or two stalls selling beef in a market. As for mutton stalls, only one or two would appear during winter. During other seasons, one wouldn’t even be able to find any mutton stalls.

But here, there were three stalls selling muttons. Liu Zhang brought them to the stall at the edge of the market.

“This person is very honest while doing business. His lambs were fed with grass to ensure that the flavor of the meat will be stronger while the odor unique to muttons become weaker. Each day, he would kill two lambs. One in the morning and one in the evening,” Liu Zhang explained as he walked.

This explanation was clearly meant for Yuan Zhou.

“Um,” Yuan Zhou nodded and followed behind Liu Zhang like a student.

Anyone bestowing knowledge would be worthy of being treated like a teacher.

As for Wu Hai, he was more curious about the difference between mutton and beef.

“Old Liu, you’re here. Here, this is the fresh lamb liver,” said the man at the stall before Liu Zhang could even say anything.

“Thank you,” Liu Zhang took out a straw bag and accepted the lamb liver.

“You’re welcome. When are you going to prepare some livers for me again? It goes well with liquor,” the man asked in a forthright manner.

“Sure, keep some for me tomorrow and I’ll prepare a bowl for you,” Liu Zhang agreed directly.

“Deal. I’ll look for you tomorrow,” the man replied.

“Sure, sure,” Liu Zhang said as he walked away with the lamb liver.

“This lamb liver sure is small,” Wu Hai said after comparing it with cow liver.

“But the lamb liver is fresher,” Liu Zhang said.

“Um. But it has the odor to it as well,” Yuan Zhou frowned.

“This is the liver of a freshly slaughtered lamb. It is very fresh and if you place it in other containers, it will be tainted with the smell of the container. Using a straw bag is the most optimal way to disinfect and remove the odor from it. The blood would drip out of it and by the time I reach home, I only need to clean the liver,” Liu Zhang explained.

“Thank you, Master Liu,” Yuan Zhou solemnly thanked.

Liu Zhang had the bearing of a master indeed. He did not know Yuan Zhou, yet he was willing to tell Yuan Zhou the secret of his dish down to the little details of it.

There was a saying that the disciple would overtake the master after being taught everything. Therefore, the masters needed to hold back when teaching. If that was the case for masters and disciples, it would be even worse when teaching strangers. It was clear that this Liu Zhang was a very magnanimous person.

“Don’t worry. I am looking forward to your cooking as well,” Liu Zhang said as he leisurely walked.

It took seven minutes to reach Liu Zhang’s house on foot. They talked as they walked and reached not long later.

Liu Zhang’s house was located in a nearby neighborhood. He lived in a single-storied house with a little courtyard. In the courtyard was a tiny wooden table. Around the table, some raw ingredients were planted, giving the courtyard a verdant and lush look.

While walking in the neighborhood, many old people could be seen lounging around in their rocking chairs, swaying back and forth in a leisure and serene manner.

“The scallions, ginger, and garlic are all planted by me. This way, it will be easy for me to get some when I need it,” Liu Zhang explained when he noticed Yuan Zhou looking at the plants.

“You will be able to control the flavor doing this,” Yuan Zhou nodded.

This house was not remote yet serene. It also had enough space to plant a small number of vegetables to be self-sufficient. This was, in a way, a dream lifestyle.

“Have a seat. I won’t bother serving you drinks. The lamb liver can’t afford to wait,” Liu Zhang said as he entered the kitchen with the liver.

“No problem,” Wu Hai immediately sat down. He did not look around and silently waited for food.

This was a good habit of Wu Hai. Whenever there was food to be had, he would be sitting there obediently. One could say that this behavior resembled a dog greatly.

As for Yuan Zhou, he could not stay calm as his gaze was locked onto the kitchen. He had always been one that was very curious about things he did not know.