So then, the Lion’s Head Meatball is purely a display of skill, seemingly calm on the surface, yet with an undercurrent of knife work.
Originally called "Sunflower Chopped Meat," the name alone indicates that the meat is hand-chopped into cubes, not minced into a paste.
First, take a selected piece of pork belly with a ratio of 30% fat and 70% lean, and use a flat knife technique to slice it into evenly thick slices. Then, use a straight knife technique to cut the slices into tiny pieces.
The so-called "finely cut and roughly chopped" means cutting the meat finely into small cubes and then chopping it a bit coarsely about ten times to achieve stickiness from the cubes.
Avoid chopping the meat into a paste like ground meat; doing so would ruin the texture.
The advantage of processing the ingredient in this way is that it preserves the granularity of the pork, maximally ensuring the tenderness of the meat’s texture.
It’s precisely because of this meticulous knife work that Huaiyang Lion’s Head appears so aesthetically pleasing, also allowing the delicious taste to permeate each meat piece, achieving the perfect blend of flavor and form.
Remembering the method to make Huaiyang Lion’s Head by heart, Jiang Yu didn’t have time to marvel at the profoundness of Huaxia cuisine. He took the carefully washed selected pork belly placed on the cutting board and began to get busy with it using Huaiyang cuisine techniques.
...
At the entrance of Jiang University.
Liu Xining and Pan Jingchen wore hats and masks, thoroughly covering their faces, and walked slowly through Jiang University’s campus.
As the weather gradually warmed, the days grew longer. Just like now, it was almost six o’clock, yet the sun lingered with the earthly scenery, unwilling to set.
The gentle and golden sunlight shone from the sky, tinting the buildings, trees, rivers, and pedestrians with vibrant colors, making it all look like an oil painting breathing the passage of time.
"The campus is truly beautiful!"
Looking at the picturesque scenery in front of her, Liu Xining couldn’t help but sigh.
During her busy days in the entertainment industry, she mostly spent her time either on the road or preparing to be on the road, hardly having any spare time to stop and appreciate the scenery along the way.
This period has been the most free and comfortable time since her debut, allowing her to entirely relax and finally have the time to pause and sensitively feel the ordinariness around her.
She stretched out one hand to hook onto Pan Jingchen’s arm, full of emotions as she spoke,
"I remember seeing a poem once: the world has endless scenery, and I have an evergreen heart.
Chenchen, I hope that in this tumultuous world, the two of us can always have an evergreen heart, always harboring a heart that seeks beauty."
Though Pan Jingchen’s depression had improved, it hadn’t completely healed. Liu Xining’s words aimed to tell her that there are many beautiful things in this world, and many things worth cherishing.
The world is so beautiful, so why seek worries unnecessarily?
Being a wise woman, Pan Jingchen naturally understood Liu Xining’s words. She slightly smiled and softly said:
"Indeed, there are many beautiful things worth cherishing in this world, like the rare delicacies cooked by Junior Brother Xiaojiang."
"..."
Hearing this, Liu Xining was momentarily speechless.
Here I am being all poetic, while your mind is filled with thoughts of food, is this really okay?!
However, thinking of the minced meat mushroom chicken soup ramen they ate earlier that noon, Liu Xining couldn’t help but swallow, feeling her stomach begin to "growl."
Her face filled with anticipation, she impatiently said,
"Then let’s hurry up, Xiaojiang has probably already prepared the meal by now.
I’m really eager to find out what delicious dishes we’ll be having tonight!"
Pan Jingchen glanced at her and casually reminded, "The doctor said you can only eat light and easily digestible food."
"..."
Liu Xining’s face immediately fell, frowning as she muttered,
"Chenchen, you’re really hitting where it hurts! Besides, my stomach hasn’t been in pain for a while now..."
Chattering all the way, the two quickly arrived at the Seventh Dining Hall.
The first floor of the Seventh Dining Hall had already started operating, and the dining hall was bustling with people, just like before with the lunch line stretching out of the entrance.
With so many students in the dining hall, Liu Xining and Pan Jingchen naturally dared not enter, fearing they might get recognized and subsequently trapped inside,
there was no alternative, so Liu Xining had to resort to calling Jiang Yu for "help."
Not long after the call, Yan Tongtong walked out from the side door of the kitchen, immediately spotting Liu Xining and Pan Jingchen standing not far from the dining hall’s entrance.
With both wearing hats and masks, they were quite conspicuous, hard not to notice.
"Senior Sister! Senior Brother Jiang sent me to fetch you; come on, let’s go this way!"
Yan Tongtong smiled at them after approaching, then turned around and returned the same way.
Leading Liu Xining and Pan Jingchen upstairs to the second floor and settling them into the "Spring" private room, serving them tea, Yan Tongtong then headed to the kitchen to inform Jiang Yu:
"Senior Brother, I’ve brought Senior Sister and the others upstairs and seated them in the ’Spring’ room."
"Hmm, thank you, Xiaoyan."
Jiang Yu had already made the Huaiyang Lion’s Head patties and put them in the steamer. Now busy with other dishes, he turned to smile at Yan Tongtong, saying,