In the large iron pot, the milky-white broth slowly began to bubble, filling the kitchen with a steamy mist. The fragrance of bamboo shoots and mushrooms wafted up, hitting one’s face directly. Though it was stifling, it nonetheless made people unwilling to step away.
Tang Dongyan stared intently at Hua Xiaomai’s hands, watching as she used bamboo chopsticks to flake off the fish at and pound it to a mush, then pour it into the iron pot along with its juice. Before long, another rich and umami scent filled the air, prompting her to exclaim in amazent, "I thought... you were not well-versed with kitchen affairs, but now I see... Sister-in-law, your cooking skills are fit for a head chef!"
Hua Xiaomai smiled at her without taking up the thread of her words.
"I won’t lie to you, I was quite reluctant to leave my hotown," Tang Dongyan chattered away, treating Hua Xiaomai as if she was a confidante, "Although it was unavoidable due to the locust plague in the village, who would willingly leave their ho? After leaving, I wondered what it would be like and if I would cause trouble for my aunt... Just thinking about it was enough to worry . But since my father and mother were determined, I could only follow—I am indeed so happy now! Sister-in-law, with your excellent cooking, please teach more in the future, okay?"
Since entering the household, this girl had seldom spoken. Hua Xiaomai had initially thought she was shy, but now, seeing her so talkative, she laughed and said, "Why not? I’m quite competent with cooking, and if you’re interested, we can talk more about it when we’re free."
"That’s wonderful!" Tang Dongyan said jubilantly, nodding again and again, "This trip with my father and mother was really the right decision!"
Hua Xiaomai didn’t pick up on that last line either. She seasoned the dishes in the pot a little more, then thickened the sauce with a layer of slurry and cracked an egg yolk into the pot. When it boiled, she added a couple of drops of vinegar and, finally, poured six parts heated lard on top.
Song Sister Crab Soup, known for its freshness, tenderness, and smoothness, resembled crab soup in both shape and taste, even earning the moniker "Crab Soup Contender." It typically uses Guilin fish or Sea Bass, but today, Hua Xiaomai chose the even finer and softer immortal fetus fish. The natural cucumber fragrance of the fish at lded fully with the thick broth. Even with the addition of a bit more lard, it didn’t feel greasy; instead, the soup was rich and delicious, leaving one feeling refreshed and light-hearted, even in the heat of sumr.
While the fried immortal fetus fish with garlic in the afternoon was fragrant, Hua Xiaomai believed this fish was more suitably prepared as Song Sister Fish Soup, which surely ng Yuhuai would love. Being accustod to the hustle of the kitchen, her movents were very fast. Despite the sudden addition of three people to the household, it took her only the ti of burning a stick of incense to prepare a full al and set it out in the courtyard.
The air was filled with the distinct spicy scent of chili. As people took their seats at the table, Tang Maolin and Mrs. Ding looked at the spread and exclaid in surprise.
"Yuhuai’s wife, did you make all these dishes yourself?" Mrs. Ding scrutinized the chestnut chicken and Lychee pork on the table, then turned to look at Hua Xiaomai with disbelief, "How old could you possibly be? If you really have these skills, why would your mother-in-law need to cook all day?"
Hua Xiaomai opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Old Lady ng.
"She can cook a couple of dishes, that’s true, but I usually don’t bother with the kitchen matters. The reason is she’s carrying a child, and I’m worried about any mishaps. You don’t know, this girl might look proper, but she is actually impetuous and hasty. If I don’t keep a close eye on her, she might stir up real trouble!"
Mrs. Ding nodded in understanding, unconsciously swallowing, and said with a sheepish laugh, "Big sister, please don’t make fun of us. In the recent chaos due to the locust plague in the village, we were so flustered upon leaving, we haven’t had a proper al. We’ve almost forgotten what ho cooking tastes like..."
Hua Xiaomai clearly understood why Old Lady ng had interjected and sighed inwardly at her lack of trust. anwhile, she handed the soup ladle to Mrs. Ding, encouraging her, "Please don’t be polite, Auntie, try the fish soup while it’s hot," and pushed the soup basin toward her.
Old Lady ng also dismissed the previous conversation and urged everyone to start eating.
Joyfully, Mrs. Ding complied, glanced into the soup basin, and first ladled out a big bowl for Tang Maolin, then filled her own and Tang Dongyan’s bowls to the brim.
"Goodness, Yuhuai’s wife is no slouch in the kitchen, this fish soup is both fresh and smooth. The bamboo shoots and mushrooms are delicious too, with a subtle hint of cucumber aroma. Remarkable!" Tang Maolin praised while he slurped down the fish soup loudly.
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