Chapter 361 - 191: Linjiang Shanshi?

Chapter 361: Chapter 191: Linjiang Shanshi?

There’s only one word for it: satisfying!

Forget Jiazhou—even in the entire Upper River Gang, there was no more famous way to prepare shredded eel.

"Linjiang Shanshi?" Qian Siyuan also stood up. He looked at Zhou Yan, whose expression was tinged with excitement, and asked, "Is Linjiang a place? Is it in Jiazhou?"

"Linjiang Shanshi! I’ve had that before!" Lin Zhiqiang was also getting excited. He had all but lost hope, so he was stunned that Zhou Yan, by changing his approach, had actually pointed him in the right direction.

"That’s right. I believe the fish your mother spoke of was eel. The practice of slicing eel into shreds and cooking it is a specialty of Lijiang Town in Jiazhou. Linjiang Shanshi is quite famous and highly regional, but back in those days, it probably wasn’t widely known yet." Zhou Yan nodded. "So, I think there’s a good chance she was from Linjiang."

"Linjiang... Linjiang..." Qian Siyuan paced back and forth.

’After all these years, this was the first clue that pinpointed a location down to the town level, and it sounded so credible.’

’Lijiang Town... What a unique name.’

The thought that his mother might have been born there made his heart pound with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

Speaking of Linjiang, what came to Zhou Yan’s mind wasn’t just Linjiang Shanshi, but also the Kong Sect.

The Kong Sect originated in Linjiang. The founder, Kong Rui, was from Linjiang. His Master, Kong Huafeng, and grand-uncle, Kong Qingfeng, both came from Linjiang and were experts at making Linjiang Shanshi.

Even his own master was an exceptional cook of Linjiang Shanshi.

Zhou Yan remembered spending one New Year’s at his master’s house where they ate Linjiang Shanshi. The flavor had been absolutely stunning.

’The wild eels of this era were nothing like the farmed ones of the future.’

"Can you be sure?" Qian Siyuan couldn’t help but grab Zhou Yan’s hand. His voice trembled, and his eyes were already red-rimmed.

"I can’t guarantee or confirm something like this." Zhou Yan shook his head. "However, my master makes an excellent Linjiang Shanshi. Why don’t I go ask him to prepare some for you, Mr. Qian? You can see if it matches your memory of what your mother described. Once you have a better idea, it won’t be too late to go to Linjiang and search for your family.

My Master is a Linjiang native, and my own master knows some locals there too. He could help you look for people, which would make things easier."

"That would be wonderful!" Qian Siyuan’s eyes lit up, and he tightened his grip on Zhou Yan’s hand. "But I’d hate to trouble you, Boss Zhou, and your master."

"It’s no trouble at all. Mr. Qian, you’ve come from so far away to search for your roots. It’s the least we can do to help," Zhou Yan said with a smile. "Please, wait here in the restaurant. I’ll go get my master. The dish is rather complicated to prepare, and we’ll need to find some wild eel. It’s not always easy to find this time of year, but we’ll do our best."

"Alright. Thank you." Qian Siyuan nodded, finally letting go of Zhou Yan’s hand.

Zhou Yan glanced at his hand, which was red from the tight grip, feeling a bit resigned. He turned, grabbed his bicycle, and called out to Mrs. Zhao, "Mom, bring a pot of hot water for Lin and the others, then you all can go take your lunch break."

"That’s right. You’ve been busy all morning, go get some rest. Don’t mind us," Lin Zhiqiang chimed in with a smile. He decided he wouldn’t go to work that afternoon; he’d just stay and keep them company. And who knows, he might even get to freeload a taste of Linjiang Shanshi.

’Gotta hand it to Zhou Yan!’

’He knew he could count on Zhou!’

Zhou Yan rode his bike into town, turning down an alley and stopping outside a small courtyard.

He leaned his bike against the wall, stepped forward to knock, and called out, "Master! Master!"

After a moment, the door opened. Xiao Lei was putting on a jacket and rubbing his sleepy eyes as he looked at Zhou Yan. "What’s all the damn commotion? Aren’t you supposed to be napping?"

Zhou Yan grabbed him and started to pull him along. "No time for sleep, Master! It’s a big one! A culinary emergency!"