The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

Xu Yuehuai, refusing to believe it, brought the fish piece to her mouth, only to be met with a stench straight from hell.

She immediately began to gag.

One after another, everyone picked up their chopsticks, and then spat them out in unison.

“Even if I starve for three days and three nights, I won’t eat this!” Jiang Shichen protested. “This is rotten and spoiled, isn’t it? Mother, have we been tricked? Eating this will kill us.”

Zhou Wan gestured to the little guy not to "speak recklessly."

Just then, the shopkeeper walked over.

"What, is the shop's signature dish not good?" From his surprised look, it was clear that customers were not allowed to complain. Xu Yuehuai stood up and pointed to the plate of fish and the other dishes.

"Why is all the food you make dark and murky?"

"Are you suggesting we make it in all sorts of colors?"

The shopkeeper was now surprised.

Soon the proprietress also came over, looking at everyone with a puzzled expression.

After hesitating for a while, Xu Yuehuai finally spoke slowly, "Is there any more ingredient? I'd like to try it."

"You can cook?"

"A professional cook can do it, of course."

In her previous life, Xu Yuehuai had studied cooking diligently in a training course, and cooking was one of her favorite things. When the shopkeeper heard that Xu Yuehuai was a professional cook, he was half-believing and half-doubting.

The proprietress, however, smiled and said, "I, Chun San Niang, would like to see just how exquisite your culinary skills are, young lady?"

"Then..."

Xu Yuehua smiled gently, "Let's wait and see."

When Xu Yuehuai arrived at the kitchen, she found that there was a lot of food stored up. She used what she had on hand to make a few simple dishes, including stir-fried bok choy, fried eggplant, and garlic-flavored lettuce. She also noticed a lively fish jumping around in the large water tank.

Xu Yuehuai said, "This fish can be made into at least three dishes."

Everyone watched with great interest as Xu Yuehuai turned the impossible into reality, and even the cook came closer.

Xu Yuehuai grabbed the fish, gutted it, and took out the middle section. "This is the best part for fried fish pieces."

"Can someone lend a hand and heat the oil in the wok?" The cook next to her became more and more curious. At first, she looked at him with a mocking gaze, and even occasionally made a sarcastic remark.

But you can tell from Xu Yuehuai's highly professional wok-flipping skills that he is a master.

The vegetable oil was sizzling hot. When it was about 70% hot, Xu Yuehuai carefully placed the fish pieces coated in starch into the pan along the edge. They quickly turned golden brown and crispy, and a faint aroma filled the room.

Everyone was already drooling.

Seeing everyone's mouths watering, Xu Yuehuai said again, "It needs to be deep-fried again. The effect and purpose of the first and second fryings are completely different. The first frying is to heat up the food, while the second frying will make it fully cooked and delicious."

She quickly poured the fish pieces that had been fried the first time into the oil, and the hot oil began to boil. She scooped them out in a moment, sprinkled them with sesame seeds, pepper, chili powder, and cumin, and the aroma immediately filled the air.

The aroma had already wafted out of the kitchen, so much so that Zhou Wan and the others sitting on the first floor of the inn all stood up at the same time.

Zhou Wan turned her head and looked inside, immediately becoming interested.

“At home, my mother never lifts a finger, how could she possibly cook?” Zhou Wan thought Xu Yuehuai was just being stubborn, but little did she know that Xu Yuehuai was truly skilled.

"Can this be used to make a second dish?"

"Of course."

Xu Yuehuai took out the fish head and tail and marinated them with cooking wine, scallions, ginger, garlic and other seasonings.

A short while later, heat the oil in a pot again and start making fish soup.

After the fish soup boiled, Xu Yuehuai added mushrooms and tofu, and let it simmer over low heat.

The rest were naturally boiled fish.

At that moment, the aroma attracted many people.

A group of passersby stopped outside and peered inside.

Immediately afterward, the crowd whispered among themselves, "What is this fragrance? I've never smelled anything like it in all my years."

"It's so refreshing that it makes you want to eat it right away."

"Has someone new moved into this inn? The food they're making smells so delicious."

Everyone unleashed their rich imaginations.

Xu Yuehuai looked at the dishes, pointed to the pond-dwelling fish she had cooked, and smiled smugly, "See, it is indeed multicolored."

The old bowl of fish from that pond contains brownish-red shiitake mushrooms, snow-white and tender fish slices, red dates and goji berries, as well as green vegetables, making it look incredibly appetizing.

Waiting for the food to be served.

Xu Yuehuai then smiled.

Ah Qi was surprised, "Grandma, you can cook?"

"What?" Xu Yuehuai smiled and said, "Just because I don't look like a virtuous wife and loving mother, you think I can't cook?"

In fact, she not only knows how to do it, but she's also very good at it.

Zhou Wan was surprised, "I knew you could roast sweet potatoes, Mother, but now it seems you're a true master chef." Xu Yuehuai replied politely and modestly, "Not at all, it's nothing special."

A group of people surrounded the entrance.

Xu Yuehua seemed to understand something from everyone's surprised looks. She quickly moved closer to Zhou Wan and asked, "Are they here to watch the show? When did they arrive?"

“They came while you were cooking, Mother, and they all craned their necks to watch.”

Xu Yuehua nodded, "It's better to avoid trouble. Eat up."

Everyone was incredulous.

No one expected that Xu Yuehuai could make such a delicious and refreshing dish.

After Ah Qi finished the last bite of fish, Jiang Qianqian drank the last sip of soup, and Jiang Shichen devoured the rest of the food in a whirlwind, Xu Yuehuai smiled.

"That's great! The 'Clean Plate Campaign' is exactly what a chef wants to see. I'm happiest when I see you eat everything clean."

Everyone was delighted.

Xu Yuehuai burped, dropped the silver, and prepared to leave.

The proprietress, Chun San Niang, hurriedly approached and said, "Madam, you are truly amazing. I never imagined your craftsmanship could be so ingenious and masterful."

"I wouldn't call it divine, but it tastes much better than what you all make." Xu Yuehuai patted Chun Sanniang on the shoulder. "You still need to keep working hard. I'll be going now."

Amidst Chun San Niang's envious gaze, Xu Yuehuai and the others strode away.

As she emerged from inside, Zhou Wan timidly approached Xu Yuehuai.

"Mother, we are penniless."

Having just completed the payment, Zhou Wan's purse was now empty.

Xu Yuehuai clicked her tongue in astonishment, "Chang'an is so big, it's not easy to live here. What are we going to do now?"

He quickly answered his own question, "Haha, you can also stay with relatives and friends."

Xu Yuehuai took out the jade pendant. "I owe him a life-saving favor. He made a promise with me that I could seek refuge with him once I arrived in the capital."

Everyone knows that Qi Guze is a reliable person.

Xu Yuehuai immediately prepared to inquire.