Chapter 1468 - 570: Refreshingly Tangy and Spicy Sashimi—So Delicious! A New Side Quest! [Happy New Year]

Chapter 1468: Chapter 570: Refreshingly Tangy and Spicy Sashimi—So Delicious! A New Side Quest! [Happy New Year]

In the early days of the founding of the country, people from the Northeast had many interactions with Russians, and their diet was also influenced by Russia.

For example, all kinds of sausages that Russians like, you can now buy them in the Northeast, and there are even more varieties than in Russia itself.

There are also snacks like big bread, kvass, and GaoTousi, which were introduced to the Northeast by Russians.

And when the Russians left, they also took with them the Northeast people’s habit of eating sunflower seeds. It’s said that now Russians are super enthusiastic about sunflower seeds, and a party without sunflower seeds doesn’t count as a successful party.

Lin Xu said while scooping a mouthful of rice:

"I have to say, I’d really like to learn how to make big bread and GaoTousi."

When Lin Xu was in high school, he often bought a loaf of big bread from an old bakery due to how quickly he got hungry, taking a few bites when he was starving. But after the bakery closed, he barely had any, though he still remembered how delicious it was.

As for GaoTousi, he only had it after entering university, brought by Shen Jiayue.

This round pastry covered in sugar glaze was quite enjoyable to eat at that time. It was only known as GaoTousi, bought by Shen Jiayue from an import-export supermarket, and Lin Xu had no idea how to make it.

Now, since the opportunity is there, he naturally wants to learn.

When it comes to making them, he plans to do it like a magic trick for Shen Jiayue, surely surprising this good baby greatly.

As soon as Lin Xu finished speaking, a notification from the system sounded in his mind:

"Host initiates learning of Russian cuisine techniques, triggering side quest [Endless Learning]: Please master the Superior technique for big bread and GaoTousi within two weeks. Upon completion, you’ll receive one Russian Perfect Level cuisine lottery draw."

Russian cuisine?

In my impression, Russian cuisine includes things like beet soup, pickled cucumbers, dried fish, and caviar, but none of these seem particularly appealing.

Even learning to make them doesn’t bring any tangible benefit.

But a quest is a quest. If I have to learn, then I’ll learn. What I win from the draw doesn’t depend on the system but on Dundun.

With Dundun, this little treasure around, isn’t it up to me to desire whatever Russian cuisine I want?

Yuan Debiao heard Lin Xu’s request and said with a smile:

"No problem, as long as you want to learn, you can come over tomorrow. Our kitchen has a professional oven, and the bread we make is praised even by leaders."

"I’ll come by when I’m less busy. Once I have free time, I’ll arrange an appointment with Chef Yuan, and don’t consider it a bother when I do."

Yuan Debiao, since he planned to take the route of exploring restaurants, couldn’t avoid leveraging Lin Xu’s popularity.

He was eager to ride on it more; how could he find it bothersome?

"Lin, it sounds like you’re being too polite; today, if we’re drinking, you have to drink three cups first as punishment. We’re all brothers here; don’t say things that could hurt our relationship."

Wow, it was just a courtesy, and yet it was elevated to something that affects brotherly emotions.

Lin Xu quickly lifted the kvass in front of him and said:

"I misspoke, my apologies. I’ll drink first as a sign of respect."

This drink tasted quite good, likely due to the honey, and its name was quite interesting; in the Northeast, it’s called kvass, in the Northwest kawas, same thing but slightly different names making it a unique local drink.

After the meal, Lin Xu stood up to say goodbye.

Yuan Debiao packed a few smoked chickens, more smoked treats, two cases of kvass, a box of big bread, a box of Harbin red sausages, and other delicacies for him.

This put Lin Xu at a loss for words.

"Lin, don’t feel burdened, take it home and enjoy. Next time, if there’s something you like, just take it when you come again, don’t be shy."

"Thank you, Chef Yuan."

Lin Xu exchanged a few more polite words with him, then bade farewell to Old Dai and his senior apprentice before driving away from the Fishing Platform.

Not long after he left, Old Dai and Xie Baomin also departed from Building No. 8, returning to their respective kitchens to give instructions, before joining Yuan Debiao for a restaurant exploration.

"Man, the two of us could take ten trips to Building No. 8 and not get as many things as your junior apprentice did in a single visit, all given by Old Yuan, who’d be upset if they weren’t accepted... the differences between people are really striking."

Dai Jianli looked a bit melancholic.

Old Xie said:

"He’s handsome, sweet-talking, and doesn’t cause trouble, who wouldn’t like a young man like that... By the way, which restaurant are you planning to explore today?"

"I don’t know yet, I’ll discuss it with photographer Xiao Li at the Joyful Media and then decide. What about you, Old Xie, where are you and Xiao Jia planning to cause a stir?"

"There’s a newly opened place near Xizhimen that supposedly has a Black Pearl two diamond rating, it’s pricey but very popular. I plan to check it out, if there’s anything fishy, I’ll expose it. If not, I’ll ride the trend and gain some followers."

In a nutshell, it’s all about not suffering any losses.

Regardless if the food is good or not, Old Xie will pocket the traffic.

Hearing this, Old Dai felt even more lost. He planned to discuss with Xiao Li once at Joyful Media before deciding.

The first workday after the New Year, he had to grasp it well.

Half an hour later, outside Lin Ji’s Food.

Lin Xu had just parked his car when he saw Shen Jiayue arriving slowly in her Continental GT.

After parking, Lin Xu asked:

"Just came from home?"

"Yup, Dundun slept for several hours and just woke up. I fed it some steamed fish before it was willing to come to the shop with me... Xu Bao, do you have anything to eat? I haven’t had any food yet."

Seeing her pitiful look, Lin Xu laughed and said:

"Don’t worry, I do. Chef Yuan from Building No. 8 stuffed a bunch of food in my trunk, you can sample them one by one later."

Shen Jiayue beamed with delight at hearing this.

"Then I’ll begrudgingly help you taste test Building No. 8’s delicacies."

She carried Dundun into the shop, while Lin Xu opened the car door and called a few waiters over to help carry the food into the store.

It was peak time in the shop, and there were hardly any seats available.

As soon as Dundun entered, it ran to the counter, greeted Shu Yun, and promptly fell asleep again, apparently needing to catch up on sleep lost from staying up last night.

Upstairs, Shen Jiayue gazed at the food Lin Xu brought and her eyes sparkled with delight:

"Wow, there are so many kinds."

She picked up a smoked and glossy egg and took a bite before snapping a photo and sending it to Shen Guofu:

"Dad, Xu Bao brought smoked eggs from the Fishing Platform, tastes amazing, do you want to try? Feels like it would pair great with alcohol."

If it weren’t for the last sentence, Shen Guofu probably wouldn’t have been interested.

But seeing his daughter mention it pairs well with alcohol, Old Shen’s genes were stirred.

"This afternoon, your mom and I will come over to eat, Dundun stayed up watching TV, time for a little discipline."

What a perfectly legitimate excuse!

Shen Jiayue didn’t expose Old Shen, and instead agreed:

"Thanks, Dad, I haven’t had lunch yet, I’ll eat first. We can talk more when you arrive this afternoon."

After sending the message, she looked at Lin Xu and asked:

"Xu Bao, what did you guys eat today?"

"Sashimi fish!"

Lin Xu changed into his chef’s uniform, getting ready to be busy in the kitchen for a while and to prepare Yue Liyue’s dinner reservations so as not to delay their hosting plans.

"Sashimi fish? Is it delicious?"

Shen Jiayue’s curiosity was piqued.

Lin Xu replied:

"It’s quite tasty, just a cold mixed raw fish with a spicy sour flavor. If you want to try it, I’ll take you to Building No. 8 one time."

They can’t make sashimi fish in the shop, not just because Lin Xu lacks technique, but mainly due to the absence of the Northeast’s unique cold-water carp, which gives it a crisp texture.

After saying that, he strode into the kitchen to get busy.

Shen Jiayue was full of anticipation. Although she wasn’t particularly fond of eating raw fish, she still wanted to try it.

Anything Xu Bao has tried, I should try too!

After finishing the smoked egg, she tried the smoked chicken, finding the flavors really nice, and then pulled out a bottle of kvass, sitting alone at a booth outside the kitchen, eating and drinking heartily.

Just then, a tall figure seated herself opposite her.

Stunned, Shen Jiayue blurted out:

"Auntie Lucy, why are you here? Have you eaten?"

Lucy sighed and said in English:

"Your master left, I had nowhere to go, so I came to hang out with you guys... are you drinking? Give me a bottle, I want to drink too!"

Shen Jiayue didn’t refuse, considering that this stuff just can’t get you drunk.

She grabbed a bottle, opened it, and handed it over.

Lucy took the bottle, clinked it with Shen Jiayue’s, and, not knowing what else to say as a toast, finally said:

"Happy New Year!"

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Happy New Year to everyone! This Chapter is 5700 words, asking for monthly tickets!