Chapter 1493 - 578: A Divine Artifact for Both Looks and Flavor—Douban Fish! Cousin-in-law’s Request!

Chapter 1493: Chapter 578: A Divine Artifact for Both Looks and Flavor—Douban Fish! Cousin-in-law’s Request!

If you want to learn, these are all very simple.

After chatting a bit, Shi Wenqing was so enticed by the aroma of the Douban Fish that she couldn’t help but swallow her saliva. She picked up the plate and said:

"I’m taking this to the living room, so everyone can see my brother-in-law’s skills."

You’re just eager to taste it, right?

Lin Xu didn’t point this out, he continued to cook.

Soon, a large table of dishes was completed. The menu was abundant, including smoked chicken, smoked eggs, smoked elbow, smoked fatty intestines, smoked pork head meat, Tiger Skin Chicken Feet, and sweet-skinned duck, alongside cold dishes like White Jade Lotus Root Strips, Frosted Peanuts, Matsutake Cucumbers, and scallion tofu. There were also various styles of stir-fries, steamed dishes, and soups.

Hot, cold, sour, sweet, everything was covered.

Han Jitong was happy at this moment. He took the initiative to pour a glass of liquor for Lin Xu:

"Thanks for your hard work, Xiaoxu. Coming to our home as a guest yet having to cook, it’s my failing as a grandpa."

Lin Xu took the wine glass with both hands:

"Grandpa, please don’t stand on ceremony. For us juniors, being able to help you is a blessing. If you like the food, I’ll come again next weekend."

Han Jitong waved his hand with a smile:

"That’s not necessary; you’ve got your own things to be busy with. It’s nice to have your dishes occasionally. If I ate them every day, your grandma would be nagging me to check my blood pressure and sugar levels."

Everyone laughed.

Grandma Han glanced at her husband:

"If I’d known, I would’ve gone to Xiehe when I was rehired. I can’t stand the way you slip around with words all day."

"Alright, alright, in front of the kids... eat up before the dishes get cold."

At the time of retirement, several major hospitals in Beijing offered the two seniors rehiring invitations with quite generous terms.

Han Jitong cunningly didn’t choose early. After the old lady signed with Xiehe, he quickly went to Jishuitan, finally free from the nagging, how delightful!

The couple quarreled quite a bit over this.

Of course, the old lady was just saying it.

Since their son Han Shuyu was working as the head of the cardiac surgery department at Jishuitan and their daughter-in-law Li Xiaomin was in the ICU, the old man dared not act rashly even if he had thoughts, not to mention being too busy dealing with major diseases, with barely enough time to eat or use the restroom.

The pressure on the healthcare system was huge, with every hospital filled to capacity.

Choosing to be rehired was to continue shining in the role of saving lives and healing.

This is a doctor’s duty and a sense of mission.

Grandma Han took a piece of Douban Fish with chopsticks, tasting it with a bit of surprise in her eyes:

"This fish is good... delicious. It looks so red and bright, but it’s not actually spicy. In fact, there’s a bit of sweet and sour in the aftertaste... perfect for pairing with rice..."

Upon hearing this, everyone reached out with their chopsticks to grab this dish that looked quite similar to Dry Burning Fish.

Old Shen initially thought it was a new take on Dry Burning Fish, but upon tasting it, he realized it was quite different.

"This is Douban Fish, quite different from Dry Burning Fish. When eating, dip it in the sauce for better taste, and the sauce can soak into rice."

Lin Xu mentioned as he tasted Shen Jiayue’s honey-glazed wings.

The chicken wings were marinated well. It seems this girl truly grasped the essence; the taste was perfectly seasoned. The sweet honey glaze on the outside perfectly complemented the meat’s aroma.

The taste was satisfying and appetizing, making one want to crack open a beer and gulp it down.

After everyone had tasted Lin Xu’s Douban Fish and praised it, Shen Jiayue couldn’t wait any longer and said to the relatives present:

"All of you should try what I made! These chicken wings, chicken popcorn, ribs, and squabs are my creations. Hurry and try them."

Aunt Han Shufen tasted a chicken wing and gave her niece a suspicious look:

"Yueyue, did you really make this? Or did Xiaoxu make it beforehand for you to take credit?"

Upon hearing this, Han Shuzhen became excited:

"Actually, Yueyue really did make these. Back in Yinzhou, she kept pestering Xiaoxu to learn to cook. I watched too; from start to finish, Xiaoxu just gave verbal guidance while she did all the work, and it got better each time."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this.

The whole family’s culinary skill was only at a beginner’s level.

Yet Shen Jiayue managed to make seemingly complicated dishes like roasted wings, which showed some skill.

Soon, praises started pouring in, even Grandma Han thought her granddaughter was impressive, noting that with such skills, she could even open her own restaurant.

Hearing this made Lin Xu laugh.

If she opened a restaurant, wouldn’t the kitchen be filled with a row of air fryers?

Shi Wenqing was very fond of the frosted peanuts Lin Xu made. She started with chopsticks, but soon, feeling it wasn’t satisfying enough, she resorted to using a spoon to scoop from the plate.

Aunt Han Shulan said:

"Eat fewer peanuts; eating too many causes heat... You haven’t been this fond of sweets before, what’s changed?"

Shi Wenqing replied:

"I don’t know either. Maybe it’s because I’m on maternity leave and idle at home; I want to eat whatever sweet I see. I was worried it might be diabetes, so I secretly tested my blood sugar, and it’s fine... Xiaoxu, are there many sweet dishes at your place?"

"Yes, there’s plenty. What would you like, Wenqing jie?"

Shen Jiayue was curious. Didn’t they just deliver Snowy Bean Paste to your place? Craving for sweets again, is this also a change from having a baby?

Besides the drop in IQ, she’s turned into a sweet tooth.

Having a baby is too terrifying...

Shi Wenqing asked again:

"Do you have something that’s more filling? Something that doesn’t leave you hungrier despite eating it?"

This request is quite contrary to modern dietary habits.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Xu smiled and said:

"How about I steam some Chinese Zeng rice cake for next time? It’s made with glutinous rice, very filling, quite sweet, and doesn’t cause heat, which should meet Wenqing jie’s requirements."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s appetite was stirred:

"Wow, it’s been so long since I had Zeng cake."

"Xiaoxu, make a lot of it. We’ll enjoy it with Wenqing when the time comes."

"Although the Zeng cake looks dark on the surface, the taste is indeed nice."

"When will you start making? Let me know so I can try it at the store."

"..."

Lin Xu said:

"Zeng cake can’t be ready until tomorrow, and it needs to be steamed overnight. The earliest you can eat it is the day after. I’ll make a lot tomorrow, and let Yueyue drive to deliver it to everyone. Wenqing jie, you can have a lot; we’ll steam a whole pot, and you can just reheat and eat it at home, very convenient."

Breastfeeding consumes a lot of energy, which is why cousin Wenqing is always hungry.

But for the sake of the child, it’s a necessary sacrifice.

Everyone was looking forward to eating Zeng cake the day after tomorrow.

After finishing the conversation, just as Lin Xu was about to resume eating, Shi Wenqing’s husband, Luo Jiayao, asked Lin Xu softly:

"Xiaoxu, have you signed an exclusive contract with Joyful Media?"

Lin Xu curiously asked:

"Why, brother-in-law?"

"Well, I recently got transferred to the documentary channel and plan to create a food program. I wanted to invite you to participate but was concerned you might have an agreement preventing it."

Documentary channel?

Lin Xu asked:

"Brother-in-law, do you work at CCTV?"

Previously, the interactions were limited, and all he knew was that his brother-in-law was in the media industry. But from his words, it sounded like his workplace was not an ordinary media company.

Luo Jiayao said:

"Yes, it’s CCTV. Xiaoxu, do you have any thoughts? Interested in collaborating with CCTV?"

Since it’s CCTV, that’s easier to handle.

Lin Xu smiled, silently thinking:

"Finally, a chance to shine against Yanjing TV Station!"

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Today is too busy; I can’t manage three updates, maybe tomorrow. Aiming for three updates tomorrow. This Chapter is 5400 words; please support with a monthly ticket!