Episode 47 Crab Stuffed with Orange
After get off work on Friday, Lin Ying brought a bottle of champagne as a souvenir, and also bought some processed cut fruits. She showed up at Jiang Shu's apartment door on time with Ruxing.
When the door opened, Jiang Shu appeared in a simple apron. Ru Xing went up to him and tried to get close to him, but was rejected for the first time.
"My uncle is peeling crabs, so he can't hold Ruxing right now."
To celebrate the housewarming, Jiang Shu personally cooked today and ordered the first batch of swimming crabs for early autumn.
He took the wine and fruit from Lin Ying's hand, placed them on the island, and instructed:
"Why don't you go play with Ruxing in the living room? I've prepared a lot of puzzles and picture books for her. I'll share the Wi-Fi password with you."
As he spoke, a password sharing prompt popped up on the Wi-Fi interface. Lin Ying clicked on "Agree" and then caught a glimpse of the mess on the open kitchen stove and island.
"Don't you need my help?"
"No, you've been busy lately, take a break with the kids."
His attitude was firm, but his tone was soft.
This business apartment is about 70 to 80 square meters. The entrance hall is connected to the open kitchen. A special-shaped glass partition separates the living room and the kitchen. The partition goes all the way to the south-facing floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, and the space extends horizontally to the bedroom door. The layout is reasonable and does not appear cramped.
Ruxing had just arrived in a new environment, and everything she saw was new. She would stare at the French window and exclaim, "How tall are the buildings and how beautiful the scenery is!" Then she would exclaim, "What fun things are there at my uncle's house?" She even wanted to sneak into his bedroom to take a look... Lin Ying quickly stopped her:
"Okay Ruxing, this isn't your home. You can't just go into someone else's bedroom. Let's just play in the living room?"
She dragged Ruxing back to the living room and, following Jiang Shu's instructions, turned on the TV, tuning it to Ruxing's favorite cartoon show and setting it to teen mode. The picture books and puzzles he'd mentioned were already laid out on the sofa and coffee table. Crayons, oil paints, and even an easel were set up in the corner.
Ruxing was sharp-eyed and noticed that there were some hard-to-find hidden patterns in the puzzle. She cheered with joy and stopped watching the cartoon. She solved the puzzle and started working...
It seems that in order to make Ruxing sit still, he has obviously done a lot of homework and put in some effort. He knows what Ruxing likes and knows how to cater to her preferences. Lin Ying subconsciously feels that he has changed a lot in this regard, but then he thinks that he has always been very careful. If he hadn't introduced her to Chen Can back then, there would be no Lin Ying in Tengchun today.
Lin Ying was patiently playing a puzzle with her child when she suddenly heard the sound of "ping pong pong" coming from the kitchen. It sounded like Jiang Shu had encountered a difficult situation, so she told Ruxing:
"Just try to figure it out on your own for a while. If you have any questions, call mom. Don't run around."
After saying this, she slipped on her disposable slippers, crossed the partition steps, and took in the frantic people and the crabs scurrying around...
It turns out that Jiang Shu is going to make a classic dish today - crab stuffed with orange.
The last time he was in a Cantonese restaurant, he noticed that Ruxing not only liked to eat sweets and desserts, but also loved to eat crabs. The combination of the two naturally made him think of this famous ancient dish that was popular among the people.
In order to restore the delicious taste as much as possible, he has been working at home these days and constantly studying the taste, and has tried a lot of crabs.
Unfortunately, the first two times, because the oranges were not selected well, the crab meat had a strong fishy smell. He checked a lot of guides and even asked for help from his childhood friend who ran a restaurant, only to find out that he had chosen the wrong variety of orange. The orange should be a fragrant orange, not a honey orange. The closest to the taste is the Japanese yuzu, but this yuzu is difficult to buy in ordinary supermarkets, and it is not yet in season. He asked several high-end Japanese restaurant kitchens and it took a lot of effort to get a relatively suitable fragrant orange.
But it was not until this moment that he realized that the real problem with Crab Stuffed Orange was not the orange at all, but the crab!
It's not even summer yet, so plump, roe-filled crabs aren't common. He finally managed to get six swimming crabs, and he didn't pay much attention to the loose rope. As a result, when he was removing the orange flesh, two crabs unexpectedly jumped out of the pot. He didn't react immediately, and reflexively raised his hand, only to knock over the oranges he'd just prepared...
The people next door heard a lot of clattering noises, like dominoes being pushed all the way...
Just steaming the crabs, peeling them, and taking out the crab meat and crab roe took up quite a bit of time. This incident also delayed the crab roe noodles he was going to make later.
Seeing Jiang Shu so flustered and at a loss for the first time, Lin Ying couldn't help but laugh inwardly - he was actually fooled by two little crabs.
Until one of the little crabs panicked and recklessly bumped into her feet. Before Jiang Shu could warn her, Lin Ying calmly bent down and attacked from behind the crab, easily grasping its entire body with her thumb, index finger, and middle finger...
The other escaping contestant was chased back into the ice water by Jiang Shu.
She held up the crab and asked, "Are you sure you don't need my help?"
Thirty minutes later, the two of them presented the delicious dishes, with crab stuffed with orange as the most popular dish, to the table one by one.
Ruxing smelled the aroma, dropped the puzzle in her hand, and rushed to the table. Seeing the exquisitely presented crab stuffed with orange, she couldn't help but wonder -
"Why is this orange wearing a hat?"
Lin Ying took off the "hat" as she said. The fresh aroma of crab and orange hit her face. "Because I'm afraid the little crabs will run out!"
Ruxing quickly retracted her hand, almost thinking that a live crab would actually escape from the orange...
Lin Ying took the opportunity to pick up the child and took her to the island to wash her hands.
While applying hand sanitizer, Jiang Shu had taken off her apron and brought three servings of tableware to the table - she even prepared a baby bowl specifically for Ruxing.
Lin Ying saw this and reminded Ruxing in her arms:
"I'll praise my uncle later. He almost got his hand pinched by a crab today while trying to make delicious food for Ruxing."
The three of them happily sat down, and Jiang Shu was the first to say:
"Today is my first time making crab stuffed oranges. I'll try again in autumn when I have time. There will be more crab roe and oranges will be in season then."
Lin Ying smiled and said, "That's why I said it then. Why do we have to do it now? There's no need to rush."
"There's nothing wrong with trying. Just treat it as practice."
Jiang Shuwei scooped two spoonfuls of crab meat for each of the mother and daughter.
The orange and crab are paired together, the taste is fresh, tender and soft, and the fragrance lingers in the mouth. It is hard to imagine that this is for beginners.
Ruxing was pleasantly surprised and delighted after tasting the food. Her little mouth was smeared with honey, and she kept praising, "Uncle's cooking is so delicious! Mom, can we come to Uncle's house for dinner more often in the future?"
Lin Ying feigned helplessness: "I think your mouth has been completely bought by your uncle."
"But mom also likes uncle's cooking, right?"
Children are always innocent. Lin Ying was already immune to what she heard. She neither denied nor admitted it. She put some vegetables into Ruxing's bowl so that she could have a more balanced diet.
Jiang Shu didn't respond at the side, and was busy serving soup, peeling shrimps and crabs for the mother and daughter... More than ten minutes after the meal started, they hadn't taken many bites of the food, but the bone plate in front of them was overflowing with debris.
Looking at these crab shells and shrimp heads, it was hard for Lin Ying not to be moved. She couldn't help but praise and tease -
"Are you quite service-minded?"
Hearing this, Jiang Shu paused for a moment while peeling the shells, his eyes fixed on her face, and he asked jokingly:
"You knew this on the first day?"
Click——
Lin Ying bit into a small piece of crab shell and spat it out after a slight pain. Before Jiang Shu handed her a tissue, she was the first to remind her daughter: "Chew slowly, don't hurt yourself."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Shu took Ruxing's bowl back to him, picked it over again, and confirmed that there were no "hidden weapons" mixed in, then he pushed it back with peace of mind...
Lin Ying couldn't help but think to herself: He really has a strong sense of service, whether at the dining table or in bed.
Such thoughts had not entered her mind for a long time - the memories that should have been blocked were suddenly pried open in such a situation and came in effortlessly. What was even more subtle was that when she was touched by such thoughts, she did not escape at the first time, and even felt secretly happy.
Her eyebrows raised with joy, and her eyes curved, but it was fleeting. Perhaps Jiang Shu saw it, but she did not feel embarrassed.
Children always eat at an unusual pace. Perhaps because she was too excited, Ruxing was full in no time and began to play with crab shells and crab legs...
Lin Ying was worried that she would get cut by the crab legs, so she wiped her fingers with a wet towel and sent her to the living room to continue playing the puzzle, while turning on a cartoon as background music.
After arranging the children, she finally returned to the dining table. The crab stuffed orange had been mostly consumed by this point. She scooped a full spoonful directly into Jiang Shu's bowl and said, "You were just helping us peel the shells and didn't eat much yourself. They said we were celebrating your new home, and yet they kept you busy like this."
"Speaking of celebrating, you reminded me, the champagne hasn't been opened yet..."
Just as he was about to get up to take it, Lin Ying immediately stopped him:
"Don't prescribe it. Have you forgotten what the doctor reminded me last time? Quit drinking. Aren't you taking sleeping pills yourself?"
"That's right. Then let's go together next time?"
He suggested casually - this time it's not over yet, let's think about making an appointment for next time. He was as firm and confident as ever.
Lin Ying didn't comment and asked him, "By the way, have you slept better these days?"
"The case at the villa is still under investigation, and we haven't found the suspect yet. And then there's the relocation... It's been a lot, and I'm a little exhausted."
Behind his calm tone, there was a hint of fatigue, but he still did not forget to emphasize,
"But this is all temporary, nothing serious. I'm still running and swimming every day. I even had a physical checkup a few days ago, and all my physical fitness is still up to standard. Don't worry."
Lin Ying laughed, and the chopsticks holding the crab legs couldn't help but tremble. "Of course I have nothing to worry about. If there is something, the person who should be worried should be your bedmate."
She blurted out what was in her heart, as if she was mocking me, but also as if she was testing me.
Jiang Shu's face was dazed, but he didn't act coy. Instead, he stated seriously, "Aying, I don't have a bed partner now, and I haven't had one in the past six years."
Hearing this, Lin Ying took the initiative to mention someone——
"Then what's your relationship with the writer Wang Duo mentioned last time who spoke well of you?"
Her tone was calm and her expression was inquiring, but Jiang Shu's behavior at this moment was exactly the opposite of hers.
At that time, the news of Jianglin Group's listing in Hong Kong was overwhelming. At that time, not only various financial news, but also entertainment media also took advantage of the traffic. She clicked on and read the articles about Jianglin Greater Bay Area and Jiang Shu personally, and also learned the identity of the writer, who should be Song Qihui's only daughter, Song Qi.
“…You know her?”
"I don't know her, but I've read some of the columns about her. Hong Kong media is known for its sharp angles and harsh language, and many small online media outlets like to hype entertainment gossip. Miss Song and you have a similar background, both of you are wealthy and powerful. You two are mutually beneficial, and you work together so well. If there's nothing going on between you privately, it wouldn't fit with your image as a 'romantic gentleman,' wouldn't it?"
She mercilessly teased him openly, leaving Jiang Shu with no way to deny it.
"Song Qi and I can't be considered bedmates, because we were officially dating for three years, but broke up at the beginning of the year. Besides her, I haven't had any physical relationships with anyone else in these years. Is that acceptable to you?"
Lin Ying knew what he meant, but was not moved by it.
She recalled the exaggerated headlines of the year - "Mr. Jiang flew to the Greater Bay Area, experienced the Hong Kong style for five years, transformed from a canary into a true peacock, reshaped the landscape, and established his reputation."
"Peacock is always eye-catching, so it's normal for the Song family to favor you. And the two of us...we're no longer on the same page as we were back then, so it's not up to me to accept or not. You don't have to ask me that."
It was the same as before. Who he had been in a relationship with, and what kind of relationship it had, seemed to have nothing to do with her. And what had their relationship been then? Bedmates? Siblings? Lovers? It seemed like all of them, but now, it seemed like none of them.
Jiang Shu thought that the other party would nod and pass over the topic for the sake of harmony, just like in the past. However, he didn't expect that Lin Ying had already abandoned those polite and respectful words. She was no longer the obedient girl who could only speak passively and cooperate politely six years ago.
Although I care about the words and actions of people around me, I will not easily waste my emotions on any words or actions.
As sensitive as she is, if he has to face her like this, he can only face his past self.
Now that it was mentioned, Jiang Shu also confessed everything, including his cooperation with the Song family over the years, his mother's old friendship with Mrs. Song, and even his current agreement with Song Qi.
"Mrs. Song is optimistic about me, but it's nothing more than caring about my mother's reputation. The so-called marriage is just a decoration. A proud girl like Song Qi would not bother to get entangled with me. But given the current situation of Mrs. Song and her daughter, it will be difficult for them to gain a foothold in the mainland. Ah Ying, this is what I want to remind you..."
"Remind me of what?"
"Wang Duo is most likely Song Qihui's illegitimate son. I've checked the capital flows of his businesses and found that he's been secretly interacting with Song Qihui, which is why he was able to develop his business in both places.
Faced with a father of such wealth, it's impossible for him not to consider himself and the next generation. And as the daughter of the Jianglin Group's vice president, whose ex-husband previously worked with Tengchun, and now living alone with her daughter, he values and admires you, not just out of romantic interest, but also because your identity holds a special value for him.
You've received so much from him over the years. If he truly wants something in return, you can't just brush it off with "keeping public and private affairs separate" or "sticking to the facts." When dealing with a male boss like this who has ulterior motives for you, remember to maintain a proper balance. Just work with him, and don't rely too heavily on him for social skills.
Sure enough, only men understand men best.
Jiang Shu's exhortation at this moment was no less than Wang Duo's previous comments on Cen Shuo in front of her.
A man will always remain pure in front of the woman he wants to please, and present an untainted love, not for profit, not for sensuality, and not for whether it conforms to the secular perspective - it is just because I met you, so my love will be integrated into the secular world along with you.
In fact, love is everywhere.
Whether it is profit or eroticism, they are the starting price for generating love.
In this relationship, whether it is between a man and a woman or between colleagues, Wang Duo is an absolute superior. If he wants to gain benefits from a subordinate like Lin Ying, he only needs to make a few concessions to achieve the effect of providing timely assistance - just like when she had no chance to find a job, it was he who made the decision to bring her into the company and provided her with opportunities for growth.
But this contribution is almost insignificant to him. Even if the other person is not Lin Ying, he still needs such a character to help him run the gallery.
How could Lin Ying not understand? If one day Wang Duo really wanted her to "repay" him, she would have no reason to stay out of it.
So Lin Ying had nothing to say in defense of Wang Duo.
"What Song Qihui is most satisfied with in the mainland is that he has driven Wang Duo into the rut, so I can only start with him. If I can replace him, or at least make him equal, that would also help stabilize Song Sheng's attitude.
I understand Song Qi's personality. Once she knows Wang Duo's true intentions, she won't compromise easily to achieve her goals. Whether you're Wang Duo's partner or subordinate... you'll be affected."
After saying this, Lin Ying finished his last bite of food.
She pursed her lips with a tissue, folded her arms, stared at the worried eyes of the person opposite her, and asked back -
"So, do you want me and Wang Duo to draw a line? Or do you want to take advantage of my proximity and play 'Mission Impossible' with you guys?"
Such a statement made Jiang Shu laugh.
"Song Qi's idea is of course the latter, but I don't want to. I respect your choice and your work, but secretly I hope you can cut ties with him as soon as possible."
His eyes were deep, yet like a clear ocean.
If it were in the past, Lin Ying might have taken it to heart, but this time, she remained silent for a long time, as if considering something... After a long while, she raised her eyes seriously, leaned forward and told him -
"But Wang Duo and I have been dating privately for a long time. I came to your house for dinner today just to sound you out. Do you regret telling me so much?"
Click.
The crab meat on Jiang Shu's chopsticks suddenly slammed into the bone dish, and the words he hadn't spoken were also stuck on the crab shell residue stuck in his throat...
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