Chapter 19 Beef Hot Pot
Zhu Xiaoxiao immediately took the generous weight-loss meal and transferred 200 yuan to Su Yingxue. Su Yingxue accepted it, considering it extra income.
Shen Yu had just memorized a long passage of lines at noon and successfully received the director's approval. She was about to happily eat beef dumplings, having already decided that she would only eat eight today, not one more.
Thinking of the delicious beef dumplings, she felt more motivated to rest in the van. But as soon as she stepped into the van, she saw Zhu Xiaoxiao waiting for her with a lunchbox in hand.
"Oh no. Another diet meal." Shen Yu looked utterly hopeless.
"Xiaoxiao, I've only had a few good meals, and you treat me like this. Fine, I'd rather go hungry." Shen Yu said, slumping back into the leather seat of the van.
"Sister, this is different. This is a weight-loss meal that Sister Su just made for me." Zhu Xiaoxiao opened it to show Shen Yu like a treasure.
Shen Yu picked up her chopsticks, hesitated for a moment, then picked up a piece of golden-brown chicken breast and put it in her mouth. First, a slightly charred aroma bloomed on her tongue, followed by the tender and juicy chicken itself. The aroma of black pepper and lemon filled her mouth. It wasn't dry at all; on the contrary, it was so tender that she couldn't stop eating it.
She picked up another piece of broccoli, crisp, tender, and sweet; took a bite of the cherry tomato, and the sweet and sour juice instantly filled her mouth; the tofu was smooth and tender, the wood ear mushrooms were crisp and refreshing, and the mixed grain rice had the aroma of grains. Every bite was rich in layers, with a refreshing taste that was satisfying.
As Shen Yu ate, she looked up in surprise: "Sister Su's cooking is so delicious! It's nothing like the bland and tasteless weight-loss meals I imagined!"
Zhu Xiaoxiao raised her eyebrows smugly: "Sister Su said that losing weight doesn't mean you have to deprive your taste buds. As long as the food is well-balanced, colorful, and varied in texture, you can control calories and still enjoy your meal. That's the right way to eat a weight-loss meal!"
Shen Yu nodded repeatedly, silently deciding as she ate: in order to wear that beautiful dress, she was determined to eat this weight-loss meal!
As evening fell, the sun finally set, and the film set, which had been busy all day, finally got a moment's respite. Today's filming progressed much ahead of schedule, and the wrap-up time was more than an hour earlier than originally planned, allowing everyone's tense nerves to finally relax.
In the kitchen, a pot of carefully simmered beef bone broth was bubbling away. A few bright red chili oils and emerald green scallions floated on the milky white surface of the broth. The rich aroma of beef tallow mixed with the fragrance of spices slowly spread, like an invisible hand gently enveloping the entire kitchen and even the film set.
"We're having hot pot tonight!" someone shouted, their voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
The sound was like a fuse being lit, instantly causing an uproar. The production crew, lighting technicians, photographers, and even makeup artists all poked their heads out, their eyes all fixed on the kitchen, their nostrils flaring as if they could already smell the mouthwatering aroma.
"Director Ye is here!" Xu Qingqing, with her sharp eyes, spotted Ye Lu walking towards them and immediately called out cheerfully, making room for him.
Ye Lu was still frowning and pondering the storyboard for tomorrow in his room when he heard the aroma of hot pot. For some reason, his feet moved involuntarily toward the kitchen. As soon as he entered, the heat and fragrance wafted over him, and he subconsciously squinted, his glasses immediately fogging up.
"Oh, it smells so good?" He took off his glasses and asked with a smile.
"Director Ye is here!" everyone shouted in unison, instantly enlivening the atmosphere.
Su Yingxue stood by the pot, carrying a steaming bowl of soup, and walked towards the table. She was wearing a simple white knitted sweater today, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing faint burn marks on her wrists—the marks left from her recent work at the stove. Seeing Ye Lu enter, she smiled slightly and handed him the bowl of soup: "Director Ye, this is a soup base I made with beef tendon and a few Chinese herbs. You've worked hard filming these past few days, so I specially prepared it to nourish your body."
The soup was clear yet flavorful, with several translucent pieces of beef tendon floating on top, the meat and tendon distinct, tender yet chewy. A few strands of goji berries and ginseng floated on the surface, making it appear especially warm and comforting under the yellow light. A faint medicinal aroma intertwined with the rich flavor of the beef tendon; one sip and a warm feeling spread from the stomach.
Ye Lu took the bowl, somewhat surprised. He lowered his head and sniffed it, and the aroma instantly awakened his taste buds, which had been dulled by fatigue. To his surprise, his stomach involuntarily rumbled at the aroma.
"Thank you, everyone... please come and eat." He rarely showed a gentle smile, and his tone was more relaxed than usual.
The hot pot feast officially began. The pots were already set up, with the two sides of the yin-yang pot bubbling away. One side was the classic red broth, spicy but not overpowering, with the aroma of beef tallow dominating the entire surface of the pot; the other side was the clear broth, with a few slices of ginger and scallions floating on top, light yet delicious.
Lamb rolls, sliced beef, shrimp paste, fish balls, various seasonal vegetables, as well as vermicelli and bean curd sheets, were all neatly arranged on the table, their colorful presentation making them very appetizing.
"Eat slowly, don't choke." Su Yingxue smiled and handed Ye Feifei a glass of warm water. Seeing Ye Feifei breathing heavily from the heat, her eyes were full of laughter. Turning her head, she saw He Qianyu staring at the pot hesitating, so she picked up a few slices of beef tenderloin as thin as cicada wings and gently put them into the pot. "This meat is especially tender, just cook it for three seconds, you should try it."
He Qianyu picked up the meat slices as instructed. The meat slices cooked quickly in the boiling soup, turning from red to white. He carefully put them in his mouth, chewed gently, and the tender meat and fresh aroma burst in his mouth.
"Yes, the meat is very good, and the cooking time is just right." He nodded in praise, his eyes showing satisfaction.
“Of course,” Xu Guoqing said proudly, waving the slicing knife in his hand. “I sliced these myself, so thin you can see through them! They’ll cook in a flash, the texture is just right!”
The atmosphere around the pot grew increasingly lively. After several rounds of drinks, a slight blush appeared on everyone's face amidst the rising steam. Laughter and conversation filled the air, and even the night breeze outside the window seemed to be infected by the merriment, gently brushing against the treetops and bringing a touch of autumn coolness.
While adding soup and ingredients to everyone's bowls, Su Yingxue observed them discreetly. She noticed that Mei Ruoguo sat on a small stool in the corner with a bowl of clear soup in front of her, but hardly touched her chopsticks, only occasionally sipping the soup. Her expression was somewhat forlorn, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere around her.
She walked over to Mei Ruoguo, who wasn't very familiar with the others yet, and handed her the ginger cola she had just poured. "Have some, warm yourself up."
Mei Ruoguo took the glass of ginger cola from Su Yingxue and suddenly laughed, “Su Yingxue, we’ve actually met before, you’ve forgotten!”
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