Chapter 279: MAKING STEAMED FISH FOR GUIYING

Zhang Wei nodded, bowing slightly as he followed Liuxian out of the market.

"First time filleting a fish. How do you feel?"

Liuxian raised his hand, staring at the package in his hand.

"My hands reek of fish. The car’s gonna smell like fish too."

-_-

Was he really complaining??

Zhang Wei shook his head, but at least he had made the effort to learn how to fillet a fish.

"But I don’t mind it. Now I’m one step closer to making something for Guiying."

Liuxian opened the car door for Zhang Wei, since his hands were occupied.

"I don’t think we need to go to the grocery store. Old Li probably has these ingredients at home. I’m very sure of this."

Speaking of Old Li, he should probably inform them that he was coming home so they could keep Guiying busy.

"I’m driving, so you inform them that we’re coming home."

Zhang Wei nodded and fished out his phone as Liuxian zoomed off.

Meanwhile, Guiying was having a predicament of his own.

"Why do I have to skin the sheep?! Fu Pei, what the fuck!"

Fu Pei looked up from his own sheep, covered in wool.

"Why are you cursing? It’s fun, isn’t it?"

-_-

"No, it’s not. I can’t believe this is why you called me here."

Fu Pei’s lips twitched, pushing the wool off his head.

"Don’t be like that. You can turn the wool into yarn and make a cute knitted sweater for your husband."

"But I don’t know how to knit!"

Fu Pei shrugged, standing up and handing the clipper to the farmer.

The wool-less sheep ran to meet its peers.

"It’s called trying new things. Now you got to shave a sheep, even though yours is quite ugly."

Guiying looked at the half-shaven sheep in front of him, hissing lightly.

"That’s because I’m not done shaving it. First day on the job and you’re already pissing me off."

Fu Pei gathered the wool, placing it inside the sack the farmer had brought.

"I did tell you I was an asshole, but you didn’t seem to care about it. Why complain now? You’ll get used to it."

Guiying sighed. He couldn’t argue with that.

It took him an extra twenty minutes to shave the sheep while Fu Pei gathered the wool.

"There. I’m done with this! And I’m not doing it ever again."

The farmer’s lips twitched. Youngsters always complained when trying new things but enjoyed doing it anyway.

"Thank you, young master. Please come again the next time you’re bored."

Guiying nodded and stood up, stretching his body.

"Let’s head to the lounge. We should have some tea."

Fu Pei nodded, following Guiying back to the cart.

There, Butler Wang served some milk tea and pineapple buns.

Fu Pei happily stuffed his face with pineapple buns while Guiying went into his headspace.

Fu Pei had a lot of information to give, but which one did he need?

Which information would benefit him the most?

"Can I ask a question?"

Fu Pei raised a brow, dropping the teacup.

"Sure, hit me up."

Guiying nodded, arranging the words in his head.

"What do your clients want? When they meet you for information, what kind of information do they seek? Now I’m talking about these businessmen. Just how much do you know about the business world?"

Fu Pei leaned back, grabbing another bun.

How much did he know about the business world?

Not much, that’s for sure, but he did know a lot about his clients.

"Depends. There’s this need, this desire for power. The rich want more power and the poor desire that power. When they come to me, they’re seeking information about their competitors. Dirt to bring them down while lifting themselves up. It’s not necessarily about growing their own company. It’s about bringing the competition down, so only they remain the best."

Guiying nodded. So what he knew were his clients.

Their goals, their mission, or motive.

He knew just how dark their minds were.

"Okay, then what do they give you in exchange for this information? Do you just ask for money? And the competition, how many of them are able to bring them down?"

Fu Pei sat up, crossing his legs.

He wondered what Guiying was trying to get from this conversation.

"I only ask for money. It solves my immediate needs, so I don’t need anything else."

Guiying nodded. That made sense.

Going further into their business would only bring him harm.

"I got it. I don’t have any other questions, so enjoy your tea."

Fu Pei sighed. He really didn’t get what Guiying was trying to get when asking those questions.

——————

Liuxian and Zhang Wei had arrived ten minutes ago.

Old Li had led them to the kitchen, telling them along the way that Guiying wasn’t in the house.

Liuxian set the bag on the counter. The sea bass inside gave one last flick.

Old Li looked down at it and nodded. "It’s still alive. That’s good. For steamed sea bass, it has to be fresh."

He cleared a space and pushed the cutting board toward Liuxian. "I’ve got everything out already. I will tell you what to do, and how to do it."

Liuxian picked up the knife Old Li handed him. "Where do I start?"

"Start with one cut. Right behind the gill. Make it quick. Don’t saw it."

Old Li guided Liuxian’s hand. The knife went in and the fish stopped moving.

"That was clean. Now gut it. Be careful not to puncture the gallbladder. After that, rinse it inside and out with cold water."

Liuxian did it, then held the fish up. "Like this?"

"Yes. Now pat it completely dry. Use this towel. If you leave water on it, the fish will steam in its own liquid and the texture will be wrong."

Once it was dry, Old Li pointed to the side of the fish. "Now we score it. Three cuts on this side, three on the other side. Cut down to the bone, but do not cut all the way through. Watch me first."

He made a quick, even cut.

Liuxian copied it, mirroring his movement. "Is this deep enough?"

"That’s perfect. Do the rest just like that."

When all six cuts were done, Old Li passed him a small bowl. "Put ginger in each of the slits. Push it in with your fingers. Then put the scallion inside the cavity. Don’t pack it too tight."

Liuxian followed the steps. "What about seasoning?"

"A pinch of salt over the top. And then a splash of rice wine. Just enough to take away any fishiness."

Zhang Wei called from the stove. "The water is boiling, Uncle Li."

"Good." Old Li lifted the fish onto a shallow plate. "Put the plate in the steamer now. Cover it, and set the timer for twelve minutes. Do not open the lid while it is cooking."

Liuxian closed the steamer. "What do I do while we wait?"

"You heat the oil. Get that small pan very hot. The oil needs to be smoking. And have the soy sauce ready. As soon as the timer goes off, we finish it."

The kitchen was quiet except for the sound of the boiling water.

After a while Liuxian asked, "Why can’t we fillet it?"

"Because then you lose the flavor. The bone and the skin keep it moist. A whole fish steamed right after it is killed, that is the only way this dish works."

The timer beeped.

Old Li lifted the lid and steam poured out.

"Alright. Add the oil now."

Liuxian poured the smoking oil over the scallions on top of the fish, making it sizzle loudly.

"Now the soy sauce. Pour it down the center, slowly."

He stepped back and looked at the plate. "It’s done."

Liuxian let out a breath. "Did I do everything right?"