Others were also very curious, and Ruan Meng explained:
"It's called lazy because it doesn't want to swim at all. It has strong suckers on its body and often attaches itself to whales, sharks, and other fish, and even eats their leftovers."
"When they find a place with plenty of food, they will come down on their own. Because they swim fast, it is difficult for whales and sharks that have attached to them to catch them."
"Once they've eaten their fill, they'll 'hitch a ride' again. So, by using their attachment to bait, you might just catch a big fish!"
Upon hearing this, the men's eyes widened in surprise.
Even Manager Yu was quite surprised upon hearing this. Pointing at the fish, he readily said to Ruan Meng:
"In that case, young lady, take them all with you when you go back! I'll have the merchant send some over next time he comes!"
Ruan Meng clasped her hands in a fist and palm salute, showing no politeness.
The head chef and assistant chef humbly asked Ruan Meng how to handle seafood. They had their own habits, but they were worried that they wouldn't meet Ruan Meng's requirements.
Following Ruan Meng's instructions, they scaled and gutted the pomfret, mackerel, and Spanish mackerel. They made incisions on the surface of the pomfret and mackerel, and cut the Spanish mackerel into chunks.
The kitchen helpers diligently peeled chestnuts, and waited for the live chickens to be bought, slaughtered, and cleaned.
When Ruan Meng was in charge of cooking, the kitchen staff stood in a row. Apart from those who were cooking for the guests, the rest of them humbly learned from her.
As Ruan Meng prepared the dish, she explained, "The flesh of the pomfret is delicious and rich in oil. The simplest cooking method best preserves its freshness."
"Stuff the fish belly with scallion segments, cover with ginger slices, steam until cooked through (but not overcooked), drizzle with soy sauce, and pour hot oil over it..."
The hot oil released a pungent aroma and sizzled, making the people in the kitchen swallow hard.
Ruan Meng poured another spoonful of oil on top.
"Sizzle..."
......
Two pomfret, one braised with scallions and the other braised in soy sauce, and the mackerel pan-fried.
Compared to the He family restaurant, which is used to stewing, Ruan Meng's method is not complicated, but the aroma brought out by the sea fish is so amazing that everyone present has to exclaim in admiration.
Ruan Meng steamed one plate of shrimp, and made the rest into spicy shrimp.
The aroma of braised chicken with chestnuts was incredibly enticing, making everyone present's mouths water. (Image of braised chicken with chestnuts from the internet) Manager Yu asked Ruan Meng, "Miss Ruan, could these dishes be added to the menu?"
Ruan Meng waved her hand, "Why are you being so formal? Didn't Manager Yu give me a fish? Consider these dishes a free gift, please help yourselves."
The chefs were thrilled. Even though Ruan Meng only made a few dishes, she was a master at cooking seafood.
Many tender sea fish can be steamed. Ruan Meng's method preserves the fish's freshness to the greatest extent, with a light sauce that contains no salt or oil.
Considering it was all meat dishes, Ruan Meng grabbed a handful of cabbage, washed it, and made a stir-fried cabbage and egg dish with vinegar. (Image of stir-fried cabbage and egg dish with vinegar from the internet.) Wasn't He Cong lacking appetite? The sour taste should stimulate his appetite.
Once all the dishes were ready, the second son and the Du family were invited upstairs to a private room.
Hearing that the young master of Xinglintang was still in Nanxian, after consulting with Manager Du, Manager Yu sent a carriage to have Xiaokai and Jiqing go and invite him.
Lin Qingyu's unexpected attendance surprised Ruan Meng once again.
The atmosphere inside the private room was subtly awkward.
Even the slow-witted second brother noticed something, and observed Lin Qingyu discreetly before glancing at his younger sister.
Thank goodness, my sister didn't react; she probably wasn't aroused.
If nothing had happened in the manor, the second son would have stood up for his sister no matter who she liked or who her family background was.
But for now, they are still exiles. They have heard that Xinglintang has a background, excellent medical skills, and is the only son of the Lin family. Their status is far different. Moreover, Lin Qingyu's personality is cold and aloof, not like a good man.
In a few breaths, the second sister thought about many things. In an instant, her interest in eating delicious food plummeted. She only cared about her younger sister and didn't want her to get hurt.
Her younger sister is the most wonderful woman in the world besides her sister-in-law, and deserves the best of everything!
He must work even harder so that his sister won't have any regrets because of her status in the future.
Even if things don't go as planned and her identity can't be changed, at least with him around, no one can hurt her.
He Cong smiled and met Lin Qingyu's gaze.
I vaguely sensed a hidden sharpness in his eyes. I used to think he was just obsessed with medicine, but it turns out that wasn't the case at all...
He Cong smiled faintly and stood up to personally welcome Lin Qingyu to sit down.
Manager Yu greeted them warmly and handled the situation with ease. Ji Qing provided meticulous hospitality, and the atmosphere was quite lively. No one noticed anything unusual.
He Cong ate with refined manners, Lin Qingyu ate at a leisurely pace, and the others, who were initially patient, were praising the freshness of the seafood and the deliciousness of the braised chicken with chestnuts, completely forgetting the presence of their two masters and eating faster.
The observant Ruan Meng didn't notice anything amiss?
If you don't even have this much observational ability, you would have died hundreds of times over in your past lives.
But because she was "heartless," she was able to remain calm.
Before she died in her previous life, she was old enough to be the older sister of two people. Just now, the two of them were exchanging blows in silence...
There are only four words in my mind: noob, naive.
Upon learning that the stir-fried cabbage with vinegar was specially made to whet his appetite, He Cong exclaimed "Oh!" loudly and ate a few more mouthfuls of rice.
Ruan Meng turned her head. How come she never noticed before that this guy was so cunning and wicked?
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