The sounds of running water and a cleaver striking a cutting board soon filled the kitchen.
Gwen stood by the sink, carefully washing each type of vegetable, rinsing every leaf clean before placing them in the draining basket beside her.
Peter crouched on the floor, handling the various meats they had bought. He took the fatty beef rolls and lamb slices out of their containers and arranged them neatly on plates.
Harry was in charge of sorting and plating the side dishes and fish balls. He was quite particular about presentation, arranging every plate with perfect order.
Lin Hai stood before the stove, preparing the medicinal herbs.
Angelica root, astragalus, goji berries, red dates, codonopsis root, licorice... Lin Hai took out each herb one by one, weighed, washed, and prepared them, then placed them into a clean gauze pouch and tied it shut.
These herbs were the soul of the medicinal hot pot broth. Each had its own unique purpose, and his master Chen Bing's recipe had been refined over decades into an exquisitely balanced formula.
Once the four of them had mostly finished preparing the ingredients, Lin Hai went to the clinic's backyard to find his master, Chen Bing.
Even after all this time, Chen Bing and Banner still had plenty to talk about. Their discussion had already moved from Tai Chi theory to how controlling the rhythm of one's breathing could regulate one's emotions.
When Chen Bing saw Lin Hai appear, he knew it was time for their customary medicinal hot pot ritual.
He ended his conversation with Banner, rose to his feet, and said with a smile, "Come on, Dr. Banner. Let's eat first. We can continue those topics after dinner."
Banner was clearly still not quite satisfied, but he rose along with Chen Bing.
After they