Chapter 63: Once is Strange, Twice is Familiar
After figuring out that Qi Huan was the chef whose amazing cooking skills had caused them to fight over meals every day, several sentries immediately sat down and did not move. What a waste of time! They were so anxious just now because they were planning to have a big meal. If they had known it was this chef, why would they be so anxious?
Qi Huan went to check the kitchen utensils that the robot bear had rescued. Some were flat, some were dented, and the most important energy stove was also smashed. The only usable pot was the one that he had made at Vino's place. He had to go to the owner with a bitter face.
"Senior, can you repair it?"
The shop owner glanced at the scraps and nodded, "Yes."
Before Qi Huan could be happy, he turned his eyes away in disdain, slowly waving his fan as he continued the second half of the sentence, "But this third-rate stuff is not worth my effort."
Others are like a skilled cook who can't cook without rice, but he is like a skilled chef who can't cook without a pot. Qi Huan couldn't do anything about the shop owner, so he sighed and explained to everyone, "I'm sorry, the stove and kitchen utensils are broken now, so I can only light a fire today and treat everyone to a barbecue. I'll treat everyone to a good meal another day."
"Okay, okay, okay." Everyone was watching him while he was rummaging through things. They understood the current situation and nodded when they heard what he said.
The shop owner also said, "It just so happens that I want to eat roasted food today."
"What about tomorrow?" Wouldn't it be easier to fix the kitchenware? No. 2 looked at him and gritted his teeth, "You don't want to eat this every day, do you?"
"We'll talk about tomorrow tomorrow." The shop owner moved the fan to the side of his face to block the wind and sand. There was nothing to be afraid of. The kitchen utensils in Tianfeng Pavilion were not broken. He could just move them over and use them tomorrow.
"Then everyone, please give us a hand and see if we can find some firewood." Qi Huan was afraid that they would start quarreling, so he quickly used the matter of finding firewood to divert everyone's attention.
After all the siblings had moved most of their belongings out of the house, they joined the crowd to watch the fun. Now, seeing Qi Huan preparing to cook, they hurried over to help.
Quan Hai was about to go find some firewood, but No. 4 said, "What kind of firewood? Just get some fire claw blood, it's very durable."
In the past, when they went out to beat the stone beasts, when it was too cold outside, they would use the blood of the fire claws to keep warm.
Qi Huan took a piece of half-coagulated blood and tried to light it. It burned up immediately like gasoline, and the fire was quite strong. It was no problem to use it for barbecue or something.
After the firewood was solved, Qi Huan thought about it again. There were Jiufang Yu, Kong Hu, the shop owner, Senior A Luan, six sentinel bosses, plus the whole family of siblings, Old Five, Old De and himself, fifteen people in total, but most of them were sentinels. They also spent half a day hunting stone beasts today, so their consumption must be great. These things might not be enough for them to eat.
Qi Huan's eyes moved and he looked at the pile of stone beasts on the street next to him that had not yet been dealt with.
Since the spotted beast oil can be eaten, there must be ways to eat other beast meats. There are so many kinds of stone beasts here, it would be a waste to leave them uneaten, maybe one of them is suitable for roasting.
Number 2 looked in the direction of his gaze and had a bad feeling in his heart, "You are not planning on the stone beast meat, are you?"
Qi Huan nodded, as if it was a matter of course, "Stone beasts are also beasts. Since we have so much meat now, why not give it a try?"
No. 2: …
The sentinels were all shocked when they heard this and looked at Qi Huan in astonishment. They just wanted to kill the stone beast, but this guy actually wanted to eat it?
"The meat of the stone beast cannot be cooked and cannot be eaten." Lao Wu also tried to dissuade Qi Huan. Didn't this kid try it? Why didn't he give up?
"It's not that it's inedible, it's just that I haven't found a suitable cooking method. Remember the spotted beast meat I brought home before? It's delicious when boiled into oil and used in cooking or crab sauce."
Really ate it? Lao Wu was stunned.
No. 2 frowned. What is crab sauce? Why isn't it on the takeout menu?
The blue-haired No. 4 was also puzzled. "Although the word 'stone beast' has the word 'beast' in it, it is different from ordinary meat beasts after all. So, the word 'star beast' also has the word 'beast' in it, so can it be eaten?"
"You reminded me," Qi Huan stroked his chin and said shockingly, "Next time I encounter a star beast, maybe I can try to get some meat."
No. 4: …
No. 7 quietly moved behind No. 2. It was a bit scary how come this little star chef wanted to eat everything.
After scaring off all the sentries, Qi Huan turned around and directed the people around him to help and start processing the food together.
He had gained some experience in the kitchen these days, and soon arranged everything and built a temporary kitchen. Lao Wu and Lao De didn't know how to do anything else, but they were good at washing and cutting animal meat. The two were responsible for cutting into pieces, Quan Yu and the robot bear washed the vegetables and seafood, Qi Huan cut the vegetables and prepared the seasonings himself, and Quan Hai was responsible for stringing the vegetables together. The meat and vegetable lines were parallel, and the preparations were very fast.
When the meat originally stored in the cabinet was almost cut up, Qi Huan, Lao Wu and A Dezhen went for a walk and cut up a lot of stone beast meat.
Seeing that everyone was really hungry, the owner took out the box of yogurt chocolate that had hardly been touched before and gave it to everyone to fill their stomachs. Within a few seconds, it was snatched away by several sentries.
"Anything else?" No. 2 asked with an unsatisfied look.
The shop owner shook his head and said that he had saved this box because he didn't like chocolate.
At this time, another box of yogurt chocolate was handed over. No. 2 saw Jiufang Yu and immediately frowned, "Why is it you?"
"Isn't it normal to see me at Base No. 3?" Jiufang Yu shook the box in his hand at him, then took out a second box and opened it. Inside was neatly arranged egg yolk chicken wings. "This is my Taotie's snack. When it wakes up, you won't be able to grab it even if you want."
No. 2 hesitated for two seconds, but finally couldn't resist the temptation and quickly took the two boxes from Jiufang Yu's hands.
About twenty pieces of chocolate and a dozen chicken wings were gone after two or three rounds among the people in the nursing home.
No. 2 had just put the last piece of chicken wing he had grabbed into his mouth when Jiufang Yu patted his shoulder and smiled politely, "Would you like to chat sometime?"
"I'm busy." No. 2 raised his eyebrows warily and refused flatly. Talking to this guy would definitely be bad news.
"What if I can guarantee that you can eat food from the Human Restaurant every day for the next six months or even a year?"
No. 2: !!!
No. 2's brows were twisted together in a tangled frown, but Jiufang Yu did not urge him. He just casually took out a half-arm-long menu from the ruins at his feet and gently placed it next to the sign of the Renjian Restaurant.
That was a new version that Qi Huan had customized after the restaurant's dinner business picked up a while ago. It used a half-finger thick silver metal plate, etched with the name of each signature dish.
No. 2 was chewing chicken wings and couldn't help but take a look. The sign read "Steamed Plum Fish".
[Spring Breeze Biluo], [Buddha Jumps Over the Wall], [Crescent Shrimp], [Noodles with Crab Roe], [Crystal Shrimp Dumplings]... Jiufang Yu picked through the menu, wiped it clean slowly, and put the pieces aside one by one.
Looking at the menus, the last bite of chicken wings in No. 2's mouth suddenly didn't smell so good anymore. He scratched his scalp anxiously and said to Jiufang Yu, "Alright, alright, tell me what's going on."
"The base is preparing to be relocated and rebuilt. When the initial protective shield is not ready, I would like to ask you to take turns to arrange two people every day to be stationed at the base to protect everyone for a period of time." Jiufang Yu tapped the [Squirrel Black Fish] sign on his palm lightly, "You can set any conditions."
"Aren't you here?" Number 2 half-leaned against the half-broken stone pillar next to him, swinging his legs leisurely. "Why, are you scared today? Are you afraid that you can't deal with the stone beast?"
"Not only the stone beasts, but there were two loopholes in the defense area of the Sixth Legion in the border area a while ago. Several groups of star beasts sneaked into the First Star Area. So far, only a few have been found sporadically. I am worried that they will come back to Wasted Star No. 7."
"Those trash!" No. 2 raised his thick eyebrows and punched the half-broken pillar beside him angrily.
The stone pillar broke into several pieces and collapsed with a loud bang. Qi Huanquanhai and others who were busy cutting stone beasts and strings were startled by the noise and looked over here.
Jiufang Yu waved his hand, signaling them not to be nervous, and everyone calmed down and continued with the work at hand.
"You should know our situation very well." No. 2 was silent for a while, then forced a bitter smile. "When they really go crazy, they may be as dangerous as those star beasts."
Otherwise, there would be no need for them to imprison themselves in such a place.
"That's still different. You still have humanity most of the time, but they don't."
No. 2 frowned, "You little brat, are you looking for a beating?"
Jiufang Yu raised his eyebrows slightly and ignored his threat, "With Senior Aluan's net, even if you go crazy unexpectedly, we can suppress it."
Number 2 rolled his eyes at him, "I've already said what you want to say, what else do you want to discuss with me?"
"Have you had any special feelings recently?" Jiufang Yu tapped the menu lightly with his slender index finger and changed the subject lightly.
"Special feeling? What do you mean?"
“For example, are the mental images less upsetting than before, are the intervals between attacks longer, or are the attacks less severe?”
Aren't these all signs of improvement? No. 2 scratched his head and thought carefully, "To be honest, it seems that the severity of the recent attack has been reduced, but the severity of an attack is uncertain."
"After arriving at Waste Planet No. 7, my injuries seem to be getting better." Jiufang Yu glanced calmly at Qi Huan who was cutting vegetables. According to the degree of mental power loss from the battle this morning, he would have been lying in the medical cabin long ago, but now he can still talk about things here with No. 2.
No. 2 touched his chin and suddenly looked serious. "Are you saying that the energy field of the waste planet really has some kind of healing effect on mental power as the legend says?"
"It's not completely certain yet," the communication signal just happened to light up at this time, and Jiufang Yu handed the menu in his hand to No. 2, "but I have arranged for people from the Si family medical laboratory to come over and do further observation and research on me. If you are willing, you are welcome to join."
No. 2 looked at the menu of [Squirrel Black Fish] speechlessly, then looked at the back of Jiufang Yu who had walked to the side to answer the call. What does it mean? Am I the fish and they are the butchers?
Qi Huan has already started a fire to grill. In addition to fresh meat and vegetable skewers, there are also thinly sliced pork belly wrapped in vegetables for a combination of meat and vegetables, salt-roasted seafood on an oven tray, beggar's meat chunks that are marinated and wrapped in mud and put into the fire like beggar's chicken, stone beast legs that are marinated and then roasted like a whole roasted lamb, and crispy beast tails that are brushed with honey syrup and seasoning sauce like a roasted suckling pig. There are all kinds of flavors.
The only pot was used by Qi Huan to make seaweed egg drop soup. At the end of the meal, a bowl of warm and light soup was the most comfortable.
There was no way that Quan Yu and he could grill enough meat for so many people, so Qi Huan captured a few idle sentries who were chatting to serve as soldiers, stuffed two skewers of meat into each of them, and forced them to the fire to grill meat.
"Stay this far away from the flames, and turn them over every fifteen seconds." Qi Huan taught them one by one, then grabbed No. 2 and stuffed him with a can of oil and a can of prepared spices. "Apply some oil every time they turn them over, and apply some spices every four times."
"We've never grilled it before." No. 4's hands froze as he held the skewers. He didn't dare move them on the fire and protested weakly, "What if they're not cooked through and taste bad?"
"It's okay. Practice makes perfect. It won't be bad if it's paired with my secret seasoning. Besides, the flavor of the skewers you grill yourself will be more unique." After experiencing Ah Tu and the servants who did odd jobs in the kitchen of Tianfeng Pavilion, Qi Huan's level of encouraging education has reached a new level.
No. 2 was speechless. Is this how you use the saying “once is new, twice is familiar”?
"Why don't you roast those?" Qi Huan pointed to the stone beast legs and tail that he was about to start with.
The sentries shook their heads in a hurry. Meat skewers are better. Meat skewers are better.
As the meat was roasted in the blazing flames, it gradually changed color and sizzled. Fat dripped into the fire, making crackling sounds. The aroma of meat gradually spread, and everyone smelled the fragrance and suddenly felt even hungrier.
No. 4 couldn't help but pick up the skewers in his hand and tasted them. Seeing him start eating, No. 9 and others couldn't help but eat the skewers in their hands. Although some parts were burnt, some parts were not fully cooked, and they burned their tongues, the steaming hot barbecued meat wrapped in spices had a unique flavor. They finished the skewers in no time, and by the time No. 2 reacted, there was not a single skewer left.
It was Quan Yu who took pity on him and stuffed a string of bananas into his hands, and then No. 2 finally got to taste it.
The owner and A Luan ate what Qi Huan had grilled. The heat, taste, and temperature were all perfect when eaten. The little yellow-feathered bird perched on top of his head was so happy while eating that it curled its claws.
Quanhai immediately brought over another batch of newly skewered meat. When there were not enough sticks, he started using chopsticks. This time, No. 2 refused to brush oil or spices on everyone. He placed two jars between the people and grabbed a handful of skewers to grill.
When Kong Hu rushed back, he saw people grilling skewers around a fire.
Jiufang Yu was still on the phone with someone else, and the skewers of meat and vegetables that Qi Huan had passed to him were barely touched. Kong Hu was about to go over and grab two skewers, but Qi Huan held his wrist.
"This is yours." Qi Huan handed a large piece of 'stone' to his feet.
"Huanhuan, I'm not from the Tangbu tribe and I don't like eating stones." Kong Hu pushed his glasses and looked over sadly.
"It's not stone." Qi Huan handed him a dagger, and he knocked off the outer layer of mud by himself, then peeled off the sealing paper. Suddenly, a fragrance emerged.
Kong Hu was already hungry, and his appetite was immediately aroused when he smelled the fragrance. Just as he was about to start cutting the meat, he found that almost all the people around the fire were staring at him.
"What's wrong?" Kong Hu pushed the meat beside him to the side in confusion, "How about we share some?"
"No, you eat first, eat first." A blue-haired sentry shook his head, and everyone agreed.
"Don't worry about them, just enjoy yours." Qi Huan said with a smile.
Kong Hu cut a piece and put it in his mouth, and everyone's eyes immediately turned to him again.
"How is it?" No. 2 couldn't help but speak.
Kong Hu frowned and looked at Qi Huan with a bitter face, "Huan Huan, this meat seems to be uncooked and can't be chewed."
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, with a look of relief on their faces; No. 9 even couldn't help but chuckle.
"Maybe it's not cooked enough. Try this." Qi Huan seemed not to hear No. 9's laughter. He seriously wrapped the piece of meat in sealing paper and took it back. He also cut a piece of the animal tail and handed it to him.
The golden and shiny hide had a faint texture, and after being roasted, it was surprisingly crispy. It made a crackling sound as it was cut by the blade, and bursts of fat fragrance emanated from it. Everyone couldn't help but sniff, and it smelled really good.
Kong Hu took a bite and frowned again.
Everyone who was closely watching his expression suddenly felt disappointed. Well, it looked like this wasn't going to work. I knew it, the stone beast meat couldn't even be cooked, so how could it be delicious?
The next second, Kong Hu's eyebrows relaxed and he exclaimed, "Huanhuan, this is delicious. It's super delicious!"
What? Delicious? Everyone's eyes widened immediately.
Jiufang Yu happened to hang up the phone at this moment, and seeing that everyone was looking at Kong Hu with burning eyes, he couldn't help feeling a little confused.
Qi Huan immediately cut another piece of half skin and half meat that was suitable for a bite, pierced it with a bamboo skewer and handed it over mischievously, "Try it."
Everyone immediately looked at Jiufang Yu again.
Jiufang Yu's frosty eyebrows slightly raised, even though he felt it was strange, he still ate the piece of meat obediently.
"How is it?" the shop owner asked impatiently.
Jiufang Yu put down the bamboo stick in his hand. "The skin is crispy and fragrant, and the meat is tender and tasty. It seems to taste better than braised ones."
Before he finished speaking, everyone had already pounced on Qi Huan, or to be more precise, on the crispy animal tail on the shelf in front of him.
"What's going on?" Jiufang Yu calmly pulled Qi Huan out of the crowd and protected him to sit next to him.
"Apart from the spotted beast oil, this is the first time I've made delicious stone beast meat." Qi Huan excitedly raised his eyebrows at him, and handed the other piece of crispy beast tail that he had 'smuggled' out to Jiufang Yu like offering a treasure.
Stone beast meat? Kong Hu opened his mouth wide, holding the dagger, and stood still.
Jiufang Yu accepted it calmly, took the short knife from Kong Hu, and slowly cut the meat into several pieces. He stuffed one piece into Kong Hu's mouth and handed one piece to Qi Huan, "I have something to discuss with you."
"What's the matter?" Qi Huan chewed the meat and hurriedly opened his personal terminal, preparing to write down the seasoning recipe and cooking method, and then study carefully what made it work.
"It's okay to add a few more people to the small kitchen in the cafeteria, right?" Jiufang Yu rubbed his forehead, feeling vaguely dizzy.
"What's the problem? Just pay." Qi Huan typed quickly, "As for customers, the more the better. If you can help rate Renjian Restaurant, you can get a 50% discount."
"I have a small suggestion, do you want it?"
"What?" Qi Huan paused and looked at Jiufang Yu.
"In fact, most of the people who come to eat at Renjian Restaurant are here for your cooking skills. They don't mind the few silver coins from the discount, so the discount is not attractive to them. Why don't you design a unique snack that you can only give away and not sell."
Qi Huan's eyes lit up, and he understood what he meant, "It's only free if you give a score!"
Jiufang Yu's jaw moved slightly, "That's what I mean."
A unique and delicious dim sum is far more attractive to diners than a discount. Not only will the cost be much lower than a 50% discount, but the effect will also be greatly improved.
"Thank you, Star Master, for your guidance." Qi Huan took a piece of toasted steamed bread from Quan Yu, cut a piece of roasted leg meat and put it in between, and handed it to Jiu Fangyu as a 'thank you gift'. He specially soaked the steamed bread in egg liquid and brushed it with oil, and then roasted it. It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The golden egg liquid seeped into the pores of the steamed bread, which was fragrant, smooth and soft, with a strong wheat aroma, and was a perfect match with the roasted meat.
"Thank you, chef, for the meal." Jiufang Yu smiled and took the gift.
By this time, everyone had quickly divided up the beast's tail and began to eat it with gusto.
“It’s actually really delicious!”
“It smells so good!”
"I threw away so much stone beast meat before. It's a big loss!"
The sentries sighed as they ate and slapped their thighs in anger.
"You eat, I'll go grill some crispy animal meat for everyone." Qi Huan greeted Jiufang Yu, picked up the black gold dagger, and ran excitedly towards the pile of stone beasts again.
Seeing this, Lao Wu and Ade also picked up their knives and followed.
After cutting a few pieces of good meat from the stone beast, Qi Huan looked around and set his sights on the stone beast's ears. The ears were rich in gelatin and brittle bones. After being roasted, they were soft, chewy, and delicious. They were top-quality ingredients with unique flavors. How could he let them go? He took a few steps to the side of the beast's head, and the dagger slid into the bone gap beside the ear. The blade turned a small circle along the beast's ear and suddenly hit something.
Qi Huan frowned. The ear was full of cartilage, so it shouldn't have such a hard texture. He moved the knife tip away from that part, cut off the whole ear, and peeled it open to take a look. He found a strange pin-like object embedded deep in the ear of the stone beast.
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