Chapter 183: Unlocking a Valuable and Delicious New Fish Species

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Unlocking a Valuable and Delicious New Fish Species

Time flew by as they chatted and laughed.

Before they knew it, another two hours had passed, and it was time to haul in the nets again.

They brought up the third net just before dinner.

This time, the fish in the net were a drab gray color, shaped like gray tongues. They were called tonguefish, also known as sole.

In some places, they were even called "jade baldies."

The names varied from place to place.

It was a type of tonguefish from the Cynoglossidae family, found in the Western North Pacific. In the Minnan dialect, it was also called the "Emperor fish."

These fish might not be pretty, but they were tender and delicious, and especially good for one’s eyesight.

The flesh was delicate and tender, a healthy source of high protein and low fat. Eating more of this fish was nutritious and excellent for brain development.

Liang Xiaoyu reminded Han Xiaorui, "Xiao Rui, set aside some of the smaller ones for me. I’ll buy a few to take back and cook for Wenjun. Not only is the meat tender, but it’s also thick and doesn’t have any small bones, which makes it easier for kids to eat."

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui said, "Just pick out the small ones. No need to pay. Let’s fill two baskets and set them aside to share with everyone later. It makes no sense for us to be catching our own fish and still have to pay to eat them."

Liang Xiaoyu laughed. "That won’t do. If no one pays, there are no rules. Right, Sister Shui?"

Chen Yishui nodded with a smile. "That’s right. You have to pay, but we can make it cheaper. Alright, there’s no time to chat about this. Hurry up and get sorting."

"We’ll listen to Sister Shui." Han Xiaorui nodded, but then she was the first to pick up six sole from the deck. "We’re eating these for dinner."

Han Xiaorui walked off carrying the basket, and the crewmen all grinned.

’Our boat owner is quite a character.’

When Liu Huamei saw the fish, her eyes lit up. "Oh my, oxtongue fish! Excellent. Xiao Rui, how do you want to eat them?"

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment, then smiled. "Sister Mei, you make them however you think is best. As long as it’s delicious, I’m not picky."

"Haha!" Liu Huamei loved having a foodie for a boat owner who didn’t restrict her creativity. "Steamed Sole with Fermented Black Beans, or Tomato Sole... both are delicious. Just you wait, I’ll get them ready now. We can eat as soon as the fish are all sorted."

Even though they were on a boat with limited space, it didn’t hinder Liu Huamei’s culinary skills.

After getting used to it on the past few trips, Liu Huamei was completely comfortable cooking at sea.

The boat owner was generous and let her provision everything herself. By now, she had grasped everyone’s tastes and was beginning to truly unleash her talents as a great chef.

"Thanks for all your hard work, Sister Mei." To be honest, Han Xiaorui was getting a little hungry and couldn’t wait for dinner.

Just then, Liu Huamei seemed to suppress a smile as she pulled a food container from a box. "Red bean cakes. Have some to tide you over."

Han Xiaorui’s eyes lit up. "Sister Mei, how did you know I was hungry?"

"When people get hungry, they instinctively start looking for food. Your eyes just scanned my galley several times," Liu Huamei said with a laugh, her observation skills sharp.

This was an excellent boat owner, her bread and butter, who paid well enough to be worthy of her comprehensive service.

Han Xiaorui washed her hands. Holding the container in one hand and picking up a red bean cake with chopsticks in the other, she started eating right there by the galley. "Sister Mei, your skills are getting better and better!"

Liu Huamei’s face broke into a wide smile. Being praised for her skills was the highest compliment a chef could receive.

She especially loved cooking delicious food for Han Xiaorui, because the look of pure bliss on Han Xiaorui’s face when she ate, along with her praise, could keep her happy for a long time.

Han Xiaorui was the type of person who readily provided emotional value to others; being around her just felt comfortable.

After two pieces, Han Xiaorui stopped and put the lid back on the container. "I still have to eat dinner later, so I’ll stop here. Sister Mei, I’ve noticed that some sole is very expensive, but sometimes prepared sole fillets are very cheap."

Hearing this, Liu Huamei’s tone became quite vexed. "Those damn unscrupulous merchants! Some of that cheap ’sole’ meat isn’t real sole at all. It’s Basa fish."

"That stuff is a freshwater fish, a type of catfish, and it likes muddy, turbid water, so the meat has a strong, fishy taste. Some vendors soak it in chemicals to get rid of the smell."

"Anyway, if you ever come across those cheap fish fillets, ’sole’ fish pieces, and the like, they’re basically all fake Basa fish. Never buy them. Don’t be tempted by the low price, and don’t buy anything you’re not familiar with."

Han Xiaorui had a moment of realization. "Oh, I see. I’ll remember that."

"Anyway, from now on, if you want to buy something and you’re not sure, just go to someone you know. If they dare to rip you off, I’ll go settle the score with them," Liu Huamei advised. "We locals don’t cheat our own. Anyone who dares to cheat people will get cursed out so badly by a tough customer that their ancestors’ coffin lids will pop off."

About an hour later, the entire catch was sorted and stored in the fish hold.

Everyone washed their hands, took off their outer aprons and smocks, and came over to eat.

"Huamei, did you make these fermented black beans yourself?" Liang Xiaoyu asked as she came over. The smell was familiar, similar to the ones they had at her home.

Liu Huamei smiled. "I did. My master taught me how to make them years ago. Have some more in a bit and tell me what you think."

"My mother-in-law often praises your skill at making fermented black beans. I haven’t even tried it yet today, but I already know it’s going to be great," Liang Xiaoyu complimented as she filled her bowl with rice and ladled two big spoonfuls of the Tomato Sole over it.

Everyone knew how good Liu Huamei’s cooking was, and on top of that, they were starving. They wasted no time with words, letting their actions praise the delicious meal.

Han Xiaorui was an especially enthusiastic eater. She put three big scoops of rice and three big scoops of Tomato Sole in her large food container.

A dish like this wasn’t suited for chopsticks; you had to go straight for the spoon.

A spoonful of rice, coated in tomato sauce, with a piece of tender sole on top—it was absolutely delicious.

It was pure bliss!

Han Xiaorui ate half of the food in her container, then used the serving chopsticks to grab a piece of the Steamed Sole with Fermented Black Beans.

It had a different flavor, saltier and even more appetizing.

Some also liked to add other side dishes, like the braised bamboo shoots and Seven Treasures Chili Sauce that were on the table now.

You could add whatever you liked.

Han Xiaorui loved spicy food, so she occasionally added some of the Seven Treasures Chili Sauce to her bowl, which made the rice go down even better.

The meal left everyone completely satisfied.

Even on the lonely sea, they could find joy for both body and soul.

After eating and letting their food settle, they took turns resting in shifts, with a rotation at midnight.

Every net after that was full, and each was filled with valuable fish.

The credit mostly belonged to Xiao Dai and the other sea turtles. Whatever fish Han Xiaorui deemed good, they herded into the nets.

They used to haul the nets every three to four hours, but now they could do it every two hours on average.

At this rate, they would be able to head home early this time.

Of course, Han Xiaorui hadn’t forgotten the other boat; she made sure they had a bountiful harvest as well.

「The next evening.」

The fish hold was more than ninety percent full, so they started pulling in the nets for the last time.

This way, they would be able to return to the docks early tomorrow morning.

Returning with a full load again, they were ecstatic.

「In the middle of the night.」

The fishing boat moved across the sea, much slower than during the day.

Just then, dozens of dark, raised shapes in the water not far away began swimming rapidly toward the fishing boat, looking rather urgent.

The night was dark, and a sense of crisis seemed to loom.