Chapter 286: Chapter 270: The Essence of Authentic Flavor

As time passed, the night deepened, and the stars adorned the night sky.

The enticing aroma wafted wave after wave, as if given life by the sea breeze, growing increasingly potent. It floated above the beach, tantalizing everyone’s sense of smell…

Enchanting!

At this moment.

The beachgoers couldn’t sit still any longer…

“Hey, hey, hey, where are you rushing off to?”

“I have to find the person behind this tantalizing dinner aroma, or else I won’t be able to eat or sleep peacefully…”

“Since the aroma isn’t coming from the food stalls, the culinary expert must be hiding somewhere on this beach. Let’s follow the scent and see if we can find them. Maybe we can even exchange something for a taste.”

“Mommy, mommy, what is that smell? It’s so good… I really want to eat it, really, really want to…”

“Let’s go, let’s join in and have a look. If worst comes to worst, we can buy some for the kids to try.”

“Which culinary expert made such delicious food? I beg you, please have mercy on our greedy mouths, we really don’t want any more barbecue…”

“Huh? Seems like you were also attracted by this aroma? I was too. Why don’t we go together and have a look?”

“…”

Following the guidance of the aromatic waves, the tourists on the beach could no longer resist, and they all took action in unison, following the scent in groups towards Huang Jun’s cooking area.

They wanted to find out!

…

Yang Yuxi and Qingqing sat around the makeshift stove, patiently waiting for the next dish while their thoughts lingered on the scallion oil yellow croaker they had tasted earlier.

Recalling that incredibly fresh flavor…

Xie Jianing couldn’t help but speak up with a hint of regret, “Qingqing’s dad, this scallion oil yellow croaker is so delicious, the only downside is that there wasn’t enough of it, it doesn’t satisfy at all!”

“Exactly, it’s nowhere near filling!”

Yang Yuxi nodded in agreement and then turned her expectant gaze toward Liu Suyu, “Su Yu, can you think of a way to get some more big yellow croakers? If it’s really not possible, how about we go out to sea to fish again tomorrow?”

The plate of scallion oil yellow croaker they had just finished vanished in an instant, and they even used up the last few drops of sauce to dip bread in.

Not willing to waste a single drop!

Even so.

They were still unsatisfied, pleading with Liu Suyu to find a way to get more big yellow croakers.

Facing their request, Liu Suyu’s brows slightly furrowed.

To be honest.

Compared to them, she was the one who ate the least and was the most unsatisfied.

However, these big yellow croakers, each weighing over a pound, are not easy to come by.

Even if you go out to sea to fish again, you might not be as lucky as today; even if you have money, it doesn’t mean you can just buy them.

After all, yellow croakers of this quality are generally seven or eight taels, and such large ones like today are exceptionally rare, only to be encountered by chance.

Liu Suyu was also craving for more, so she smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll do my best, but don’t get your hopes too high, sometimes finding them really requires a bit of luck.”

What a reasonable argument, leaving no room for rebuttal!

Yang Yuxi and Xie Jianing’s moods plummeted like a roller coaster, immediately hitting rock bottom.

Fortunately, at that moment, Huang Jun’s voice instantly lifted their spirits: “The steamed swimming crabs, steamed pomfret, and steamed shrimp are all done, have a try…”

“Wow, all steamed, Qingqing’s dad, this time the dishes are all about purity and essence…”

Their eyes were instantly drawn to the first dish brought out—the steamed swimming crab.

After being bathed in high-temperature steam, the crab shell displayed a bright orange-red color, its sheen appetizing at first glance.

The following steamed shrimp also exhibited a natural orange-red hue, with a sleek and glossy shell.

Through the translucent shrimp shell, one could vaguely see the tender and plump shrimp meat.

Surely bouncy and firm!

And the steamed pomfret was a sight to behold.

The pomfret’s skin took on a natural gloss after steaming, with the white fish flesh and the slightly yellow skin forming a gradient that was enticingly shiny.

Several pieces of green scallion leaves and golden ginger slices adorned the top, adding a touch of refreshing color to the dish.

A clear broth trickled around the plate’s edge, laced with a faint fish aroma and the subtle scent of seasonings, intoxicating those nearby…

“Qingqing’s dad, you’ve worked hard, so let’s dig in~”

Xie Jianing, her mouth watering, thanked him with a smile and immediately picked up her chopsticks to get some steamed pomfret.

As she gently parted the fish flesh…

She beheld the white, tender, delicate flesh, akin to fine alabaster, its fine texture clearly visible, the fish fibers distinct, exuding a fresh, high-quality aroma.

As it entered the mouth.

The tender fish texture and soft fibers could only be described as melting in the mouth.

No need for vigorous chewing; the silky sensation spread throughout her mouth.

The steaming process preserved the moisture in the pomfret’s flesh perfectly, rendering a uniquely smooth texture in the mouth.

Paired with the fresh scallions, ginger, and garlic, the layers of flavors become even more enriched.

In short, this steamed pomfret was fresh, tender, smooth, and fragrant, each word aptly portraying its deliciousness.

It was impossible to stop after just one bite.

After several bites of pomfret, her taste buds were partially satisfied, and she shifted her chopsticks to the steamed shrimp.

Picking up a steamed shrimp, deftly peeling it, the shell fell away easily, revealing the tender, pale shrimp flesh underneath.

Dipped in some sauce.

Into the mouth…

In an instant, the shrimp’s freshness and the sauce’s rich aroma intertwined and merged in the mouth, bringing a layered taste experience.

The texture of the shrimp was delicate yet firm, chewy with distinct fibers.

As I chewed, I could clearly feel the strands of the shrimp meat, and the sauce’s richness did not overshadow the shrimp’s inherent freshness but rather added an enticing flavor to the overall taste.

This wonderful combination made Xie Jianing feel as if she were by the seaside, feeling the gentle sea breeze and the waves crashing…

“The shrimp is extremely fresh and springy… It seems tonight’s steamed seafood feast is indeed the ultimate deliciousness. So, what surprise will the steamed crab bring next?”

She unveiled the crab shell with anticipation, revealing the snow-white, delicate crab meat, full and fibrous.

The crab roe shimmered golden-yellow under the light, sparkling with temptation.

A gentle bite.

The crab meat’s freshness instantly spread in the mouth.

Delicate yet elastic.

And the rich crab roe in the swimming crab was the pinnacle of deliciousness.

It’s as delicate as silk, rich in flavor, and melts in the mouth.

It has the delicate and smooth texture of oil yet blends with the freshness of crab meat, the two harmonizing in the mouth, blossoming into unforgettable tastiness…

“Wow, the steamed crab is perfect too… Indeed, the freshest ingredients often only require the simplest cooking method for their natural deliciousness to flow.”

She held back a phrase of admiration and instead expressed appreciation to Chef Huang: “Mainly because of your superb culinary skills, Chef Huang, your control of the heat is spot on. If it were me cooking, I definitely couldn’t achieve such a delicious result.”

Yang Yuxi teased while picking fish bones for Qingqing and Weiwei and peeling shrimp shells: “Miss Xie, you really know how to flatter yourself! If you were cooking, we’d have to pray for the food to be cooked through.”

“Just don’t overcook it, and we’d be secretly rejoicing!” Liu Suyu said, placing the peeled crab meat into Qingqing and Weiwei’s bowls, making a jesting remark to Xie Jianing.

Xie Jianing felt a chilly arrow randomly piercing her heart.

Such a stab, my friend!

However, they speak frankly, so she couldn’t refute it…

Oh well!

Might as well eat a few more bites of this delicious seafood to soothe her wounded heart.

Seeing this, Liu Suyu and Yang Yuxi exchanged a smile, continuing to carefully take care of Qingqing and Weiwei while savoring the delicious food at hand.

A bite of shrimp meat in the mouth, and their eyes instantly lit up!

So fresh, so tender, so bouncy!

The two were instantly conquered by its deliciousness, then immersed in the flavors of steamed shrimp, steamed swimming crab, and steamed pomfret, eating with relish.

Of course.

While they were enjoying themselves, they didn’t forget Huang Jun.

Placing peeled shrimp and crab, along with deboned pomfret meat, onto a plate and offering it to Huang Jun.

“Chef Huang, you should eat too, don’t just keep busy,” Liu Suyu said softly.

Huang Jun raised his head, his glance falling on them, a tinge of warmth flickering in his eyes as he smiled and shook his head, “You guys eat first, I’ll eat later.”

“Oh no, later it won’t be as fresh!” Yang Yuxi said, instinctively picking up a piece of tender shrimp meat, offering it to Huang Jun’s lips: “Come, taste it, this is your own craftsmanship; you should have a taste!”

This gesture surprised Liu Suyu slightly.

She didn’t expect the usually reserved and restrained Yang Yuxi to feed Huang Jun so directly.

This little girl, could she really have… special feelings for Huang Jun?

This thought quietly sprouted in Liu Suyu’s heart, sparking an inexplicable emotion in her.

It felt like envy, yet also like loss.

She didn’t understand why she felt this way, just that something felt off in her heart.

This unexpected feeding made Huang Jun feel slightly embarrassed.

“Qingqing’s dad, I saw you couldn’t spare a hand, so I helped you pick some…” Yang Yuxi belatedly realized that her action might have been a bit presumptuous, blushing: “You should eat on your own…”

With that, she awkwardly put the shrimp back on the plate, leaving both the plate and chopsticks on the temporary stove, then turned and left.

Liu Suyu watched Yang Yuxi’s back with mixed emotions, but could only muster a slight smile, saying to Huang Jun: “Chef Huang, get busy, I’ll head back first.”

Huang Jun watched their departing figures and smiled.

Picked up the plate and finished the shrimp, crab, and fish meat, returning to his culinary endeavors.

…

“Whew!”

With a soft exhale, blue flames suddenly surged on the iron plate, soaring several feet high, like a fire dragon dancing wildly, the magnificent scene both startling and awe-inspiring.

“Wow, daddy is amazing!”

Qingqing and Weiwei witnessed the scene, exclaiming in amazement, their big dark eyes wide open.

“Daddy, be careful not to get burned by the fire,” Qingqing quietly reminded him with concern.

Huang Jun smiled at her and reassured, “Don’t worry, daddy will be careful.”

With that, the shovel in his hand waved, making the squid, shrimp, and other seafood on the iron plate arc gracefully in the air before flipping over steadily.

This turnover allowed the ingredients to reacquaint themselves with the hot iron plate, emitting a pleasant “sizzling” sound.

The squid’s skin gradually took on an enticing golden color under the iron plate’s grilling, while the shrimp shells crisped up in the plate’s high temperature, other ingredients exuding tempting colors…

Huang Jun skillfully picked up the seasoning bottle, giving it a gentle shake, sprinkling the special seasoning like snowflakes evenly over the ingredients.

These seasonings perfectly melded with the seafood’s freshness, releasing a more enticing fragrance, permeating the air…

…

A short distance away from where Huang Jun was cooking, a group of people were approaching them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep