Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Boiled Fish is Really Delicious (2)_1 Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Boiled Fish is Really Delicious (2)_1 This girl, always finding something to complain about him!
Lao Fan huffed in annoyance, flipped his mustache, and marched out of the kitchen.
Yet, as soon as his figure vanished, he sneaked back, hiding by the kitchen door, greedily sniffing the air—unable to eat, the smell alone would suffice.
With two more guests at home, just serving boiled fish wouldn’t be enough, so Lin Yuan hurried to grab the basin of clean river snails, planning to stir-fry them.
Today’s dishes were all spicy, tasty, and perfect with rice.
She had been worried that Lin Jiaxin’s leg injury meant he couldn’t eat spicy foods, but Lao Fan had mentioned that the spicy dishes would help dispel his dampness.
Since Lady Liu had already satisfied herself with fish soup soaked rice, and everyone else could handle their spice, Lin Yuan wasn’t concerned.
River snails are delicious, but people had avoided them due to the risk of parasites.
To ensure safety, Lin Yuan not only soaked them in saltwater but also pre-boiled them before stir-frying.
She only used chili for flavor and garlic to counteract the gaminess, foregoing scallions and ginger, and the result was scrumptious snails.
Later, at the dining table, everyone would use slim bamboo picks to pry off the hard skin on the snail heads and extract the tender meat—both fun and flavorful.
No need to worry about the bamboo picks; Liuzi had already gone to the mountain to fetch some bamboo.
Lin Jiaxin, hopeful for his recovery and in high spirits, had eagerly taken on the task of whittling them.
By the time the snails were nearly ready, dad had already shaped a dozen picks—long and tapering to a point, clearly ideal for the purpose.
A large basin of boiled fish and a bowl of stir-fried snails accompanied by fragrant steamed rice—though today’s meal featured few dishes, they were utterly fresh, and all were foods the family had either never tried or even heard of.
As soon as the food was served, Lao Fan couldn’t wait to dig in with his chopsticks towards the basin of boiled fish dotted with red chilies and white flesh.
But before his chopsticks could reach the edge, they were snatched away by a small hand.
Xiao Linshuang puffed her cheeks indignantly, “My eldest sister hasn’t arrived yet, and my dad hasn’t started eating either.
How could you start eating first?”
While battling over the chopsticks, Lao Fan grumbled back, “You cheeky girl, who ate first just now?
Hmph, give me back my chopsticks!”
We can’t start until everyone’s here!”
Lin Yuan shook her head and brought Lin Jiaxin his portion of the meal inside.
When she returned, the two were still quarreling.
She tapped her chopsticks, “If you don’t start eating, I’ll finish everything myself.”
As soon as the big sister spoke, Xiao Linshuang hurriedly threw down Lao Fan’s chopsticks and snatched a spoonful of snails, savoring them slowly.
She wasn’t allowed to eat the fish herself because of the bones; her elder sisters would pick them out before placing pieces in her bowl.
Lao Fan savored a mouthful of fish, eyes closed, nodding and smacking his lips in appreciation.
When he finally opened his eyes, half the heaping basin of fish was gone!
Xiao Linshuang’s bowl was piled as high as a mountain, and even Liuzi had already picked a good amount to squat by the door to eat, not daring to join the table with the Boss present.
Lin Yuan and Xiao Linshuang had plenty in their bowls too.
Everyone but him had more than just rice.
Xiao Linshuang flashed an oil-smeared grin, laughing heartily, “The old man is such a fool, haha!”
“No respect for the elderly or the young!
Lin Yuan glanced at him compassionately and began plucking the bones from the fish for her younger sister while teasing him, “I thought you were still pretty robust despite your age, but it seems you’ve lost all your teeth.
Well then, I’ll pick out the bones for you too.”
Lao Fan’s white mustache bristled as he snatched a large helping of fish, shoveling down his rice furiously, convinced that Lin Yuan’s words were all hot air; his teeth were still sharp enough to gnaw through several roast chickens!