Comforting words can only dispel the heroine's unhappiness.
I'd be truly happy if she actually produced something.
Lu Yibei thought for a moment, then asked:
"Heroine, do you have any specialties in cooking?"
Ji Qingqian looked at her boyfriend with an innocent expression.
I don't know if it's a lack of understanding of "expertise" or "dishes".
So, Lu Yibei changed his tune:
"...When you're at home, are you able to cook any dishes independently?"
Ji Qing thought for a moment and replied casually, "Instant noodles."
Lu Yibei nodded affirmatively: "Yes, your cooking skills are truly superb."
Ji Qingqian said with a stern face, "Are you making fun of me?"
"without."
Lu Yibei quickly waved his hand, suppressing his smile and appearing very serious.
Then he asked the seafood stall next to him:
"Boss? How much are the hairy crabs? I'll buy... um, five of them."
Upon seeing a customer come in, the middle-aged boss immediately smiled:
"Okay, you can choose for yourself."
The crabs kept in the tank were all quite large.
It's now mid-November, the perfect time for plump autumn crabs.
Seeing that someone was coming to take them away, they all raised their two claws, baring their teeth and claws, ready to fight to the death against this large, tangible hand.
Unfortunately, even the most spirited person cannot withstand such a devastating blow.
A crab was quickly caught by its back shell and picked up by Lu Yibei with one hand.
Lu Yibei glanced at his abdomen.
Navel.
It's a female crab.
The female crab has a round abdominal shell, called a round navel.
The male crab's abdominal carapace is pointed, called the pointed navel.
"...You've gained some useless little bits of knowledge, haven't you?" Lu Yibei said to Ji Qingqian with a smile.
Ji Qingqian nodded.
She stared at the crab that the boy was holding.
The crab still held up its large, claw-like pincers, but just as a fit muscular man can't touch his own vest, it was powerless against the hand that was gripping its shell.
"Choose two males and three females."
Lu Yibei said, "...Why don't you give it a try?"
Ji Qingqian immediately rolled up her sleeves.
Crabs at this time of year are indeed quite large, and they move sideways and domineeringly in the tank. Add to that their large claws with small serrations, and they look rather frightening…
It's not just about how it looks; if you actually get caught in it, at best you'll experience a little pain, and at worst you'll end up with a bloody mess.
Not to mention some girls, even some boys are hesitant to make a move.
Who exactly is Lady Keji?
She wasn't an expert at cooking, but to be so hesitant and timid about ingredients was simply too weak.
She mastered Lu Yibei's "crab-catching technique" simply by looking at it, and quickly selected the right crab by distinguishing the different parts of its abdominal shell.
After weighing the food, Lu Yibei paid the money.
Having bought almost all the groceries, the two walked to the parking lot and drove home.
…
The dish Lu Yibei gave to Ji Qingqian was "steamed hairy crab".
This is a traditional famous dish from the Jiangnan region.
"If I had to say, it could be considered one of the few delicacies in Hangzhou."
Lu Yibei introduced his girlfriend to someone.
After returning home, the two squatted in the kitchen and started cooking.
My girlfriend is holding a scrubbing brush and scrubbing the crab's belly clean.
Following Lu Yibei's instructions, she took special care of the hairs on the crab claws, washing them very carefully.
"But, with the Yangcheng Lake gems preceding it, Hangzhou is not as famous."
Lu Yibei said with a smile, "As the saying goes, there's Yangcheng Lake in the south and Qilihai in the north..."
Where is Qilihai?
Ji Qingqian had no memory of this location.
Lu Yibei called out to her, "Jiejie."
Ji Qingqian understood immediately:
"Tianjin?"
"right."
After washing, I started boiling water.
As an instant noodle expert, Ji Qingqian knows this step by heart.
However, unlike instant noodles, which are usually prepared by adding noodles and seasonings after the water boils.
This time, the hairy crabs are placed in the steamer while the water is still cool.
"If you start boiling in cold water, the crabs won't struggle violently, making it less likely for them to lose their legs," Lu Yibei said.
“Mainland teachers have the skills to do this.”
Ji Qingqian kept the phrase "boiling a frog in lukewarm water" in mind.
"Remember this well, Ji."
Lu Yibei prepared the scallions, ginger, and garlic, placed them on the cutting board, and commanded, "Chop it."
The female knight raised her sharp kitchen knife and began to chop rhythmically, the blade striking the cutting board.
But after cutting it, I took a look.
"...Ugly."
Lu Yibei remained expressionless.
"As long as the person is good-looking, that's enough."
Ji Qing pursed her lips slightly.
With her boyfriend's command, "Get in the water!"
Ji Qingqian poured it all in at once.
"Put the lid on the pot."
"Yes, sir."
Ji Qingqian snapped the lid off the pot.
"Wait quietly for fifteen minutes."
Lu Yibei leaned against the wall, a gentle smile on his lips.
He looked at his girlfriend, who kept glancing nervously at the steamer, and asked, "Isn't it simple?"
The key to steamed hairy crabs lies in the crab itself.
The requirements for chefs are not very high.
Of course, this isn't exactly a beginner's dish.
After all, learning this dish won't actually improve your cooking skills.
However, if you want to make your girlfriend happy, this is the best choice.
It satisfied her desire to get her hands dirty without being too complicated.
And it tastes good too.
Lu Yibei only needed to verbally instruct him from the side; he didn't even need any help.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com