421 Pinnacle of Delicacies
Ye Lingchen carefully poured the fish soup into a porcelain bowl.
The milky white fish soup was devoid of any impurities and the fish meat within it was plump and tender. The rich aroma hovered around the area above the soup as it let off a captivating glow.
The steamed fish came out right after. Just like the fish soup, it retained the original appearance of a fish and gave off the natural aroma of the fish. With a single glance, one could tell how tender and fresh the fish was.
Everyone in the Mushroom Hut s.h.i.+fted their attention over. It might have been their imagination, but the surface of the fish seemed to be glowing.
“I-i-it smells so good!”
He Jia came closer and inhaled deeply, breathing in the refres.h.i.+ng aroma of the fish. He felt as though the smell had taken a physical form, going down his throat and spreading all over his body.
Although fish soup and steamed fish had seemingly simple preparations, they were rather difficult dishes to prepare. It tested one’s ability to control the heat. However, with Ye Lingchen’s culinary skills, it proved to be a breeze.
Zhao Liangying and Hu Yue’er came running in as well, making an astonished gasp as they saw the fish soup.
“Wow, this soup looks just like milk. Look at that tofu, why does it look like crystals reflecting light.”
“Lingchen, this fish soup must be very tasty right?”
Faced with their stupefied gaze, Ye Lingchen’s lips curled into a faint smile. He picked up two more bowls. “There are still some left in the pot. I’ll get you one bowl each. Don’t touch those that are plated. We’ll eat together with everyone later.”
He filled the bowls halfway, then placed a piece of succulent and tender fish into each, followed by one piece of gem-like tofu before pa.s.sing it to both the girls.
“Thank you.”
Zhao Liangying and Hu Yue’er bobbed their head, happily receiving the bowls. They took a whiff with their pet.i.te noses. The warm fragrance caused them to blush slightly, as though they were tipsy.
As they just had the braised fish, both girls started to pay more attention to keep up their image of a lady after going through the initial shock. They did not lose their minds over the taste of the fish soup.
They did not start with the meat, but instead carefully spooned a spoonful of fish soup into their mouths.
The delicious fish soup flowed by their succulent lips into their mouths. Their eyes brightened at the slight jelliness of the soup. That silky feeling of it brus.h.i.+ng through the insides of their mouth as the aroma bloomed within, enveloping their taste buds. The delicious taste circled inside them, then went down their throat, irrigating their cells and left their body in a calm state.
“A-a-amazing!”
Both girls were fully captivated. They forgot about everything and solely focused on using the spoon to savor the taste of the soup bit by bit.
Zhao Liangying’s eyes narrowed and curved, as though showing two new moons on her face. She had a blissful look on her face, as though she could enjoy that fish soup for the rest of her life.
Hu Yue’er, on the other hand, stole a glance at Ye Lingchen. The corner of her lips curled into a sweet smile. As she drank the soup, she felt her exhausted body being energized. The effects of diet therapy were significant.
“Don’t just drink the soup. Eat the meat. You’ll be surprised,” Ye Lingchen said with a faint smile on his face.
“Wow, it’s so tender!”
Zhao Liangying and Hu Yue’er’s eyes popped wide open at the same time. Their eyes were filled with disbelief and enjoyment.
As the meat entered their mouth, it seemed to have melted, dissolving into their mouths. With a simple flick of their tongue, the meat was crushed, followed by an explosion of an even richer aroma.
On the other hand, the tofu was unbelievably soft and was just dissolving in their mouths. The gentle aroma of the tofu mixed with the lingering taste of the fish brought them incomparably bliss.
“Lingchen, thank you. This is the best fish soup I’ve had in my life! Also…my body feels a lot better now.” Hu Yue’er thanked him sincerely after finis.h.i.+ng the last drop of soup. Not only did the soup taste amazing, it also filled her body with warmth as it entered her stomach, making her feel a lot more comfortable.
Ye Lingchen nodded, then announced to everyone who seemed to be trying their utmost to hold back from eating, “The rice is almost done. Why don’t we get started before everything gets cold?”
“Yes! I agree!” Wei Daxun had long run out of patience and quickly took a seat on the table.
Although Huang Lei and He Jia said nothing, they were by no means slower than Wei Daxun. One after another, they took their seats and looked at the three fish dishes pa.s.sionately.
They could not wait any longer. Looking at Hu Yue’er and Zhao Liangying eating away earlier was a huge temptation to them.
“Cough cough, I’m getting started.”
All three of them said in unison, then immediately picked up their chopsticks and started eating.
Instantly, they understood why Zhao Liangying and Hu Yue’er’s expressions were so animated earlier. It was too amazing!
“G.o.d Ye, can you tell me where you’re staying? I’m planning to move over. You must remember me when you’re eating at home in the future!” Even He Jia, the most reserved among them, could not help but make that statement. It was testament to the deliciousness of the dishes.
“G.o.d Ye, me too! It’s a blessing to be able to enjoy your food!” Wei Daxun immediately chimed in.
“Dream on, both of you. Do you know what level G.o.d Ye is at?” Huang Lei spoke up after taking a mouthful of fish soup. “G.o.d Ye’s culinary skill is beyond the pinnacle. I’ve interacted with Michelin chefs before. Even their dishes are nothing compared to G.o.d Ye!”
“Do you know how much those Michelin chefs charge for a personalized dish?”
The group shook their heads, looking at Huang Lei.
“Minimum of 50 thousand!” Huang Lei said somberly, “And that is the most basic of dishes. If you want some fancy dishes, it’ll cost you at least 100 thousand!”
“Gasp!”
Everyone took in a deep breath. 50 thousand for one dish. Even they felt that it was wasteful.
“Does that mean that we’ve profited greatly with this meal?” Wei Daxun asked.
Huang Lei nodded. “G.o.d Ye’s dishes really are the best I’ve eaten. Moreover, his dishes have something other dishes don’t have—Emotion!”
“That chef once told me that he had always been chasing after that realm. Just like how music can convey emotions, food should be able to do the same!”
“It’s true. My mood is now exceptionally good. It’s like I had forgotten all my worries. This is definitely the most expensive meal I’ve ever had!” Wei Daxun stated. Going by that logic, these three dishes by Ye Lingchen would cost them at least 200 thousand.
“That’s why you guys are considered lucky to be able to enjoy it once, yet you’re thinking of smooching off his meals every day.” Huang Lei pursed his lips. “As for your shameless actions, I I have only one thing to say…please bring me along!”
“Pfft! Hahaha…”
Huang Lei’s sudden change in character caught them all off guard, sending them into fits of laughter. The stream was similarly lively.
[Huang Lei Sensei, you’ve changed. Even you are breaking character now.]
[Just how good are those fishes? It managed to turn the serious Huang Lei Sensei into a jokester that willingly embraced shamelessness.]
[Sob sob sob. It’s not funny at all. I’m yearning for fish now…]