Chapter 46: Grilling Fish in Front of the Shop
After leaving the shop, the customers went straight into the orchard.
They took a stroll around the orchard. The customers could identify every type of fruit tree.
This was perfectly normal.
All the fruit trees currently in the orchard were common local varieties.
After wandering through the orchard for a while, the customers also went to explore the canyon.
Li You went into the kitchen and made himself a bowl of beef noodles.
Just as he finished eating, Ye Shengge called.
The two had already exchanged phone numbers.
"Boss, I found a fish trap on a shoal. Did you put it there?"
"I did!"
"There are quite a few fish and crabs inside. Do you want me to bring them back for you?"
"Sure! Thanks for the trouble."
"No trouble at all. This is really interesting. I’ll be back in a bit."
"Alright."
It wasn’t surprising that Ye Shengge was interested in the fish trap.
In fact, almost everyone would be interested in a fish trap.
...
A short while later, Ye Shengge returned, carrying a bag in her hand.
"Boss, here are your fish and crabs. There’s quite a lot."
As she spoke, Ye Shengge showed Li You the fish and crabs in the bag.
Li You took a look and saw that there were indeed a lot.
There were eight crucian carp, each about four fingers wide.
There were also about twenty stream stone fish.
Additionally, there were more than ten mountain crabs.
Li You went into the kitchen, brought out a basin, and poured the fish and crabs into it.
Ye Shengge said, "Stream stone fish are a fine ingredient, and they’re hard to find on the market. And these crucian carp would be perfect for grilling."
Li You asked, "Do you like grilled fish?"
Ye Shengge said, "I do! I love it."
Li You said, "Then let me treat you to some grilled fish. We’ll grill these carp. Right now."
Ye Shengge’s eyes lit up. "Really? Do you have a grill and charcoal?"
Li You shook his head. "No. But we can use the most primitive method. We’ll build a fire and grill them directly over it. That’s how I usually do it."
Ye Shengge nodded. "Okay, okay, that works too. The flavor might not be as good that way, but it’s more interesting. Well then, Boss, let’s get started."
Li You said, "Alright. I’ll clean the fish first."
Ye Shengge said, "Then I’ll get the fire started. Where’s the firewood?"
Li You replied, "Behind the shop. I put some there on purpose."
Ye Shengge nodded. "I’ll go get it then."
Li You went back to the kitchen, took out the Exquisite Kitchen Knife, and began to clean the fish.
After he had cleaned one fish, Ye Shengge returned with an armful of firewood.
After a bit of work, the campfire was lit.
The roaring flames always filled people with a strange sense of excitement.
After Li You finished cleaning all the fish, he washed them, scored each one a few times, and rubbed them with a little salt.
Then he went and got a few fresh tree branches.
He skewered a fish on one of the branches and handed it to Ye Shengge.
"Thank you, Boss."
Ye Shengge took it and immediately placed the fish over the fire to grill.
She didn’t put it directly into the open flames, but rather roasted it over the bed of coals where the flames were smaller.
Li You also skewered a fish on a branch and started grilling.
"It’s been so long since I’ve grilled food like this. It feels so interesting," Ye Shengge said, looking a little excited.
Li You smiled. "Grilling like this is definitely interesting. That’s why I always do it this way. Besides fish, there are potatoes too. You can grill them if you want."
"Oh, yes!" Ye Shengge’s eyes lit up again. "Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever really had roasted potatoes. I can’t even remember what they taste like."
Li You said, "Grill one in a bit and you’ll find out what they taste like."
"Okay. Thank you, Boss!"
"You’re welcome."
The two of them chatted as they grilled.
Slowly, a fragrant aroma began to drift from the fire.
"I think mine is ready to eat," Ye Shengge said as she tore off a piece of fish with her fingers and put it in her mouth.
A moment later, she said delightedly, "It tastes amazing! It’s delicious."
Then she tore off another piece of fish and popped it into her mouth.
Li You smiled and said, "Be careful of the bones."
Ye Shengge nodded, indicating she would be careful.
Just then, another car pulled into the parking lot.
Li You was already very familiar with this car.
It was Xia Xiaoyue’s car, from the Xingshui Academy of Fine Arts.
Sure enough.
The car door opened. Two people got out—it was none other than Xia Xiaoyue and Yu Wei.
After getting out of the car, the two of them walked straight over.
As they got closer, they saw Li You and Ye Shengge grilling fish.
They were a little surprised, yet also felt a strange sense of excitement.
’The boss is in a great mood today!’
’The boss’s life really is so carefree and relaxed.’
When they saw Ye Shengge, a look of stunned admiration flashed in their eyes.
’What a beautiful woman!’
They themselves were definitely beauties, but there was a clear gap when compared to Ye Shengge.
Even Xia Xiaoyue was a notch below her.
"Boss, that smells amazing!" both of them said.
Li You smiled. "Xia, Yu, you’ve come at the perfect time. I’ll treat you to some grilled fish."
"Really? Boss, we get some too?" Xia Xiaoyue asked.
"Of course. There’s enough for everyone. Do you want to grill your own, or should I grill them for you?" Li You added.
"Then we won’t be polite! We’ll grill our own." Xia Xiaoyue and Yu Wei were both overjoyed.
Li You nodded. "The fish are over there. They’re already skewered. Just grab them and start grilling."
"Okay. Thank you, Boss!"
The two of them each took a fish, sat down by the fire, and began to grill.
At the same time, they both nodded to Ye Shengge in greeting.
Li You said, "Let me make some introductions."
He then introduced them to each other.
They exchanged a few pleasantries.
Li You’s fish was also ready. He took a bite; the flavor was indeed excellent.
Meanwhile, Ye Shengge had already finished the fish in her hand.
’This beauty sure eats fast!’
Seeing this, Li You picked up another fish and handed it to Ye Shengge.
Ye Shengge took it. "Thank you, Boss!"
"You’re welcome."
Then, while eating his fish, Li You walked into the kitchen.
He took out a few medium-quality potatoes from the Storage Pavilion.
The reason he went into the kitchen to get them was to make Ye Shengge, Xia Xiaoyue, and Yu Wei think he had gotten the potatoes from there.
He returned to the fire with the potatoes and said, "There are potatoes here too. You can grill them if you want."
Xia Xiaoyue and Yu Wei were once again pleasantly surprised.
Roasted potatoes were also delicious.
Come to think of it, it had been several years, maybe even ten, since they had last eaten roasted potatoes.
They never expected to have the chance to eat them today.
They were filled with anticipation.
Li You picked up a potato and tossed it directly into the fire.
There was no need to wash or peel the potatoes; you just tossed them straight into the fire to roast.
Once cooked, the outside would be charred black and inedible, but the inside would be perfectly done and taste great.
Seeing Li You toss a potato into the fire, Ye Shengge, Xia Xiaoyue, and Yu Wei followed his example, each picking up a potato and tossing it in as well.
Slowly, Xia Xiaoyue and Yu Wei’s fish were also cooked.
They took a bite.
The taste was excellent.
Both of them were ecstatic.
...