On Friday morning, Wang Yitong called Chen Dong. "Brother, I've already received my salary. This month's salary is a bit higher than when I first started. Last time, I said I'd treat you guys to a meal after I got the pay. Although we can't go to a big restaurant, I can still buy some cooked dishes. Please tell the other brothers about this."
It was time to leave, and colleagues filed out. Wang Yitong and the others continued to toil, hustling to finish their tasks. Time ticked by, and finally, at 7:00, Wang Yitong packed up her things and left the newspaper office. Entering the alley, Wang Yitong first bought sweet-skinned duck, cold-mixed chicken, and a generous portion of blood sausage. Considering everyone's tastes, she also bought a 4-jin (10-pound) fish, a seasoning packet, and bean sprouts. Passing by a fruit shop, she picked up some apples and oranges, hoping to add a touch of fruity sweetness to the meal.
Wang Yitong, her arms full of food, walked slowly up to the sixth floor. Chen Dong heard footsteps coming from the stairwell and eagerly opened the door. When he saw Wang Yitong carrying so much food, he hurried over to help her place the food on the dining table.
"Thank you, senior brother. I asked a lot, but luckily you came to help." Wang Yitong said with a smile.
"It's okay. You bought so many delicious foods. Everyone will definitely be very happy." Chen Dong said, his eyes falling on the rich food on the table.
Wang Yitong looked around and saw that the other brothers had also arrived. Wang Yitong put the fish in the kitchen. Chen Dong looked at the fish she bought (it was already filleted), poured it into the dinner bowl to wash it, opened the seasoning packet, and first coated the fish with starch. The drained fish was placed in a large bowl, and salt and pepper were added and mixed repeatedly. Then an egg white was added and mixed, and then an appropriate amount of starch was added and mixed. Seeing that each piece of fish was covered with starch, a large spoonful of cooking oil was poured in and mixed evenly, and then marinated.
Elsewhere, Wang Yitong cleaned the bean sprouts and cut the garnishes. In a casserole, bring water to a boil and add the bean sprouts. Cook until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. In another pan, sauté the scallions, ginger, and dried chilies. Then, add the bean sprouts and stir-fry briefly. Season with salt and chicken bouillon. Stir-fry thoroughly until combined, then place on the bottom of a bowl.
Heat the wok, add a little cooking oil, put the fish bones and fish head into the wok, and fry on low heat for 5-6 minutes; when the fish bones are slightly colored, add more hot water and cook on high heat for 5 minutes.
Start preparing the soup base! Heat cooking oil in a wok. Add the peppercorns, dried chilies, green onions, ginger, and garlic, and sauté over low heat until fragrant. Add the hot pot base and Pixian bean paste, and sauté over low heat until the oil turns red. Add the previously cooked fish bone broth and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Strain out any remaining residue and season with salt, chicken bouillon, and sugar.
Keep the heat low and add the marinated fish fillets one by one. Once all the fish are added, do not stir immediately. Turn up the heat and bring to a simmer. Use a spoon to gently push the fish along the edge of the pot. Once the water is completely boiling, remove the fish from the pot. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fish and place it in a large bowl with bean sprouts.
At this time, do not pour the soup into the bowl immediately. Bring it to a boil and pour it on the fish fillets. Sprinkle a handful of dried chili peppers, green peppercorns, minced garlic on top, pour in hot oil, and sprinkle with a handful of chopped green onions.
After careful preparation, a delicious boiled fish was finally ready. Chen Dong carefully brought the cooked fish to the living room and said with a smile, "The fish is ready. Let's eat."
Wang Yitong and Ah Huang quickly stood up to help serve the food. Li Cheng then expertly poured beer and Sprite into paper cups. Zhang Ping placed the other prepared dishes on plates and laid them out on the table. Besides the boiled fish, Chen Dong's deliciously fried eggplant with fish sauce and a cold salad of green peppers and preserved eggs were also on the table, making them mouth-watering.
Everyone gathered around the table, looking at the sumptuous feast with anticipation. Chen Dong smiled and called for everyone to start eating. Everyone responded, and a delicious feast began.
"This boiled fish is so delicious, Chen Dong, your cooking skills are getting better and better!" Wang Yitong praised.
"Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you like it." Chen Dong had a satisfied smile on his face.
Zhang Ping smiled and said, "This is Yitong's first time here since moving out, and she's brought so many delicious dishes. Come, let's raise a toast together and wish Yitong good luck in her work!"
"Cheers!" Everyone responded in unison, and laughter echoed in the air.
Wang Yitong's face flushed with shyness, and she said softly, "I'm so sorry, brothers. I just started working here, and the pressure is overwhelming. I really can't spare much time to come here. Fortunately, the performance last month was good, otherwise I really want to find another job. I always feel that I am incompatible with this job, and sometimes I feel very irritable."
Zhang Ping quickly consoled him, "Everything is difficult at the beginning, even when you first start working in sales. Look at Chen Dong. He was quite shy and uncommunicative in college, but later he started selling cards and is now thriving."
Chen Dong quickly took over the conversation: "People grow through practice; there's nothing they can't learn. The person I admire most is Zhang Ping. He could have returned home to inherit his father's business and run an internet cafe, but he chose to venture out into the world. He's worked much harder in the real estate industry than we have."
Zhang Ping smiled faintly, leisurely sipping his beer, and said confidently, "How can a small county town be as attractive as a big city? Once I've figured out the ropes of this business, I plan to go it alone. I'm quite optimistic about the prospects of this market."
Li Cheng smiled. "You're all successful in your careers, but I'm still struggling. Luckily, the company enrolled me in a bachelor's degree program. I've already paid the tuition, and I'll be attending classes on weekends and taking the final exams. I'll get my diploma in two years. I'm also keeping an eye on the recruitment of village officials. I guess I'll have to start in my hometown, after all, I know everyone there. For the sake of love, I also wish myself good luck in both my relationship and my career."
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