pjbooks Chapter 111 Hunan-Style Spicy Stew [2-in-1] [Please continue reading]
Chapter 111 Hunan-Style Spicy Stew [2-in-1] [Please continue reading]
Chapter 111 Hunan-Style Spicy Stew [Two-in-One] [Please Read On]
"Sizzling eel in hot oil! This flavor is just right! The aroma of garlic is irresistible! So satisfying!"
"Lion's head meatballs—oh my god, they melt in your mouth! Rich but not greasy, perfectly sweet and savory, and the crab roe inside is the finishing touch! Absolutely amazing!"
"This soup looks so plain, how come it tastes so rich? It's incredibly delicious!"
"This is a million times better than that lunchbox! I should have eaten less for lunch!"
"Master Wang, will we have another chance to eat here next time?"
Everyone, some standing and some squatting, ate their bowls while sweating profusely, praising the food highly.
The studio was filled with the aroma of food and satisfied sighs. Lin Zheng quietly ate his braised pork head with soup rice, his face expressionless, but he ate quite quickly.
Su Yun ate in small bites while excitedly exchanging her tasting notes with a familiar actress next to her, her eyes crinkling with delight.
Chen Dehai stood in the shadows a little further away, not immediately going forward.
He crossed his arms, watching Wang Sheng surrounded by the crowd. He watched as this young canteen owner effortlessly prepared the famous Huaiyang dishes—dishes he knew intimately, dishes renowned for their "exquisite knife skills, masterful control of heat, and preservation of original flavor"—achieving perfection in color, aroma, taste, and presentation. The braised crab meat lion's head meatballs, in particular, demonstrated a masterful control of heat (slow simmering to achieve tender yet firm meat) and seasoning (highlighting the natural flavor with a balanced saltiness). Even this seasoned chef, with decades of experience and a high opinion of himself, secretly nodded in approval, a complex mix of emotions welling up within him.
This kid knows more than just grilled fish and Sichuan cuisine; he's incredibly versatile and has a solid foundation!
The main shooting task on the second day was to follow up on that perfect hot oil shot—
Close-up shot of the male protagonist (Lin Zheng) picking up a piece of grilled fish with chopsticks and tasting it, his face showing a warm smile of satisfaction, appreciation, and pride in his family's culinary skills.
Wang Sheng has completed this part of the practical task, and the camera is now fully focused on Lin Zheng's facial expressions.
Perhaps it was the comforting food that soothed their bodies and minds for two consecutive nights, or perhaps it was Wang Sheng's superb culinary skills that earned the respect of the entire crew, but the whole filming atmosphere was exceptionally relaxed and harmonious.
"Action!"
Lin Zheng stood in front of the retro stove, his posture focused yet relaxed.
He used his chopsticks to pick up a piece of fish belly that Wang Sheng had just grilled, poured hot oil over, and looked tempting with its golden-brown color, and put it into his mouth with a natural and smooth motion.
The camera focused intently on a close-up of his face.
He first closed his eyes slightly, seemingly intently savoring the taste of the steaming fish on his tongue—
Spicy, savory, and hot, with distinct yet perfectly blended flavors.
Immediately, the corners of his mouth turned up uncontrollably and naturally, the smile spreading from the corners of his mouth and affecting the corners of his eyes, forming an extremely vivid, warm smile, filled with heartfelt satisfaction and a hint of barely perceptible pride (for the character's family's traditional craftsmanship).
This smile formed a striking and touching contrast to the cool and aloof image he usually maintained in front of the camera.
And his acting skills are absolutely amazing!
It looks so real!
Because this is really delicious!
Genuine emotion surpasses countless acting skills!
"Cut! Great! Excellent! Lin Zheng, your expression was spot-on! The emotion was natural and full! That's a wrap! Thank you everyone for your hard work!"
Director Zhao stared intently at the monitor, his face beaming with undisguised satisfaction. With a wave of his hand, he announced the successful completion of all of Wang Sheng's hand stunt work.
A burst of relaxed applause and the hustle and bustle of equipment being packed up filled the room.
Wang Sheng also breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to change his clothes and say goodbye to the main cast members.
Just then, Chen Dehai walked towards him with his hands behind his back.
He was holding a thick white envelope with the film crew's logo printed on it.
"Master Wang." Chen Dehai called out to Wang Sheng, his tone more solemn than ever before, even carrying a rare hint of gentleness.
"Master Chen." Wang Sheng stopped and turned to face him.
Chen Dehai didn't say much, but simply shoved the envelope into Wang Sheng's hand without further ado: "Take it. You've had a hard time these past few days."
He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, his sharp eyes revealing sincerity, "You did a great job, your skills are impeccable, and you came in handy at a crucial moment, providing invaluable assistance."
He seemed a little uncomfortable, as if he had praised him too much, and then quickly added succinctly, "Working diligently is good. Next time—if there's a suitable need, I'll look for you to cooperate again."
After speaking, as if he had completed some important ritual, without waiting for Wang Sheng's response, he turned around, hands behind his back, and strode away with steady steps. His back was still straight, but it lacked some of the aloofness of the past.
"Wow, it's rare to see Teacher Chen so generous! She even personally delivered the bonus!"
Su Yun's clear voice rang out, filled with laughter. She had appeared beside him at some point and had just caught the scene. "Master Wang, please accept this! This is the highest recognition of your skills from Teacher Chen! He's usually very sparing with words, praising someone is harder for him than climbing to heaven!"
Chen Dehai paused noticeably after being teased by her, his old face seemingly embarrassed. He turned around and glared at Su Yun, letting out a low snort as if annoyed by her talkativeness. Then he quickened his pace and left without looking back, almost as if he were "fleeing in disgrace."
Wang Sheng looked at the heavy envelope in his hand, then at Chen Dehai's slightly awkward back, and then at Su Yun, who was smiling brightly with a sly look in her eyes. He couldn't help but laugh. This old man may have a strange temper, but he's a pretty honest person.
Not long after, the director also came over with an envelope.
We also look forward to the next collaboration.
"Thank you for the introduction, Professor Su." Wang Sheng sincerely thanked Su Yun. Without her initial invitation and trust, this experience would not have happened.
"No need to thank me," Su Yun waved her hand, her smile bright and cheerful. "It's because you're so capable. It's a pleasure working with you! Come visit the set sometime, or—when I'm feeling peckish, I can come to your cafeteria for a treat, just save me a seat!"
"You're welcome anytime," Wang Sheng nodded.
Wang Sheng's assistant, Xiao Li, had already booked his return high-speed rail ticket for the afternoon. He quickly packed his bag, said goodbye to the main members of the crew, politely declined Su Yun's offer to have the driver take him, and took a taxi to the high-speed rail station himself.
Sitting in the smoothly moving car, Wang Sheng took out the thick envelope and opened it.
Unsurprisingly, it was money.
The high-speed train sped along, the scenery outside the window gradually transitioning from the hustle and bustle of the film and television base to the tranquility of the Jiangnan water towns, and then to the outlines of city buildings. Wang Sheng leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, but his mind was already planning the next steps for the cafeteria.
I haven't been here for a few days. I wonder if Chen Mo and the others can handle the situation?
"Click." The high-speed train came to a smooth stop at Jinling South Station. Wang Sheng, carrying a simple backpack, disembarked with the flow of people.
As soon as he exited the station, a familiar smell, a mixture of fishy and dampness, mingled with the sounds of people, hit him. Just as he was about to hail a taxi, a gruff voice rang out with delight: "Boss Wang?! Oh, it really is you! Boss Wang!"
Wang Sheng looked in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged man with dark, shiny skin, wearing waterproof pants and rubber boots, standing next to a small truck covered in mud, waving vigorously at him with a broad smile. It was Li Jianguo, the fishpond owner who had supplied him with wild fish several times before.
"Boss Li? What a coincidence?" Wang Sheng was also a little surprised and walked over with a smile.
"What a coincidence! What a coincidence!" Li Jianguo rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with excitement. "I was just worried about that! I had just taken on an urgent job, to take a food vlogger to another pond of mine to film a video of catching turtles! The vlogger had something come up and was delayed, and I was worried about not being able to find a suitable person to keep an eye on things for a while, and also to give me some professional advice. And then, I looked up and saw you! Boss Wang, you're the expert!"
He pointed to the back of the small truck behind him, which contained several large buckets and professional landing nets: "My pond has great turtles, lots of green-shelled soft-shelled turtles! How about it, Boss Wang, got some time? Come with me? Just for a bit of relaxation, and check on the goods while you're at it? Afterwards, I'll drive you and the goods straight back to school! Saves you the trouble of taking a taxi!"
Soft-shelled turtle?
Wang Sheng's heart stirred.
Li Jianguo is an honest man, and the quality of the produce from his pond has always been good.
and--
Having just received a generous reward, I'm feeling quite motivated and want to try something new.
"Sure, Mr. Li," Wang Sheng readily agreed. "I was just thinking of trying something new when I got back. Let's go see your precious turtle!"
'
"Great!" Li Jianguo slapped his thigh, opened the car door, and said, "Get in! Let's go!"
The car bumped along the way until it reached a fishpond far from the city and in a wilder environment.
The water surface is wide and the banks are lush with vegetation.
Before the food blogger arrived, Li Jianguo, familiar with the area, led Wang Sheng to a designated area by the pond for demonstrating the fishing process.
"Boss Wang, look!"
Li Jianguo pointed to a shallow area that had been specially marked out in the water, where several dark green turtles with their shells swimming around, and they all looked to be quite large.
"My pond uses spring water from the mountains, so the water quality is good. The turtles grow slowly and have very firm meat! They are also quite wild, so it takes a bit of effort to catch them."
He handed over a large, long-handled net: "Here you go, Boss Wang, pick a few that look good? These things are good for stewing or braising, but they have a strong fishy smell, so it depends on your cooking skills!"
Wang Sheng took the net and his sharp eyes swept across the water.
The system-granted [Eye of Ingredients] has quietly been activated:
【Chinese soft-shelled turtle (wild and free-range)】
[Quality Rating: Good+]
[Status: Active, full of vitality]
【Characteristics: Longer growth cycle (≥5 years), thick skirt, rich in collagen, and firm flesh. Raised in spring water, resulting in a relatively mild earthy taste, but proper treatment of the lateral line (black membrane, fat) is still crucial.】
[Recommendation: Suitable for stewing or braising. Thorough removal of any fishy odors (black coating, yellow fat, and glandular tissue) is essential. Pairing with strong-flavored spices (perilla, pepper, chili, and garlic) will enhance the flavor. A Hunan-style spicy braising option is recommended to highlight the flavor.]
Hunan-style spicy braised dishes
This highly impactful option flashed through Wang Sheng's mind instantly.
The spiciness and bold flavor of Hunan cuisine perfectly suppresses any potential fishy smell of the turtle, while the unique fragrance of perilla is the finishing touch. The rich, gelatinous soup made from it is perfect for mixing with rice or noodles, and just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
Okay, that's it!
"Boss Li, get me that!"
Wang Sheng reacted swiftly and steadily, dipping the net into the water. With a flick of his wrist, he scooped up a medium-sized turtle with a glossy bluish-black carapace and thick, fleshy edges. The turtle struggled in the net, its claws flailing about in frustration. "And that one, the one with the golden edge on its shell—yes, that's it! And that one, the one with the thick tail—"
Wang Sheng was very selective, choosing only those with a lively appearance and full, thick skirts.
He picked out seven or eight excellent-looking turtles in one go. Li Jianguo gave him a thumbs up: "Boss Wang has a good eye! He picked the best ones from the pond! Impressive!"
When the food blogger who arrived late finally got there, Wang Sheng had already selected the turtle he wanted, put it in a sturdy plastic aquatic tank, and added some aquatic plants to keep it moist.
The blogger filmed his footage, while Wang Sheng watched with great interest as the professional turtle-catching process was carried out, and casually chatted with Li Jianguo about their breeding experiences.
Filming is over.
True to his word, Li Jianguo instructed his workers to load the box of live turtles Wang Sheng had chosen onto the back of the small truck and secure it. He then warmly invited Wang Sheng to sit in the passenger seat: "Let's go! Boss Wang, I'll take you back to school! I'll take good care of these turtles on the way!"
As the car headed toward Jinling University, it was nearly evening.
The car came to a smooth stop at the back door of the first canteen of Jinling University.
The golden glow of the setting sun cast a warm glow on the white walls of the cafeteria.
"Thanks, Mr. Li. I'll definitely try your fish from Xintang another day!" Wang Sheng got out of the car and said goodbye to Li Jianguo.
"Alright! Goodbye, Boss Wang!" Li Jianguo waved and the small truck drove away.
Wang Sheng took a deep breath of the familiar air, filled with the aroma of the cafeteria, and his fatigue vanished, replaced by a sense of peace and belonging, as if he were home.
Just as he was about to move the heavy box of turtles, the back door creaked open.
A tall boy, covered in sweat, poked his head out.
"Holy crap! Master Wang?!" The boy's voice trembled as if he'd seen a ghost. "Is it really you?! You're back?!"
The boy had an incredibly loud voice; his exclamation was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.
"What? Master Wang is back?"
"Which Mr. Wang? The owner of window number 07?"
"Really?"
"Where? Where?"
Immediately afterward, several more heads peeked out from the back door; they were all students who had just finished exercising or eating. Seeing Wang Sheng standing there, they all showed expressions of incredulous surprise.
"It really is Boss Wang!"
"Ahhh! The delicious food is back!"
"My God! Chef Wang, you're finally back! Eating in the cafeteria has been soulless these past few days!"
Instantly, Wang Sheng was surrounded by several enthusiastic students, who greeted him all at once. The news spread like wildfire.
"Holy crap! Wang Sheng is back! Right at the back door!" someone shouted into the dorm group chat on their phone.
"Forum! Hurry up and go to the forum! Hurry up and share some amazing news! Boss Wang from window number 07 is back!" Another student posted on the campus app with his fingers flying across the keyboard.
The headline instantly went viral: 【Breaking News! Breaking News! My God! My Deliciousness! Boss Wang from Window 07 is back! The era of the cafeteria's culinary disasters is over!】
Content: [OP: Saw it with my own eyes! Right at the back door of the cafeteria! Carrying a huge water tank (probably new ingredients?), looking travel-worn but with an aura of immense power! Brothers and sisters! Charge! Tomorrow's breakfast is in sight! Attached image: [Wang Sheng's blurry but incredibly realistic profile.jpg]]
The post was instantly flooded with upvotes.
"Tears in my eyes! We've been waiting for this for ages!"
"Boss Wang! Do you know how I've been surviving these past few days?! I've been living on instant noodles and your legendary fare!"
"Water tank? New ingredient? Let's guess: crayfish? Or river fish?"
"The upstairs space is too small! When Boss Wang makes a purchase, it's always a masterpiece! It might even be a specialty of Hengdian (just kidding)!"
"Who cares! I'll stake out the place tomorrow! Nobody can take the first bowl from me!"
Looking at the excited students before him, and listening to the faint buzzing of forum notifications coming from his phone, Wang Sheng felt a mix of amusement and warmth. He cleared his throat and raised his voice: "Dear students, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting these past few days."
He pointed to the seafood crates on the ground, "I helped out a bit on this trip and learned a few things. I just got back today. To express my apologies and to thank everyone for your continued support, window 07 has prepared some new items for dinner tomorrow. Quantities are limited, first come, first served."
"A new gadget? Boss Wang, what is it?" someone asked impatiently, their eyes fixed on the water tank.
Wang Sheng smiled slightly, keeping everyone in suspense: "You'll find out tomorrow, it'll definitely be delicious with rice." He bent down and picked up the water tank, "Everyone, make way, I need to hurry up and deal with it, this stuff needs to be kept fresh."
Although the students were incredibly curious, upon hearing the words "appetizing" and "fresh," and thinking about Wang Sheng's culinary skills, their mouths started watering uncontrollably. They made way for him, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Wang!"
"Looking forward to your main course tomorrow!"
"Master Wang is so awesome!"
Under the adoring (and drooling) gazes of the students, Wang Sheng carried the box of lively turtles into the familiar kitchen of the cafeteria.