Song Zhou saw this and reached out with his chopsticks to pick meat from the fish's jaw for him.
This meat was essentially the finest part of the fish. Since the area got more exercise, the meat was smooth and tender in the mouth, exceptionally rich.
Each fish had two pieces of jaw meat. Lu Ao had eaten one, so he picked up the other and held it to Song Zhou's mouth. "Try it."
Song Zhou pushed it back. "You eat it."
"One each."
Song Zhou's eyes curved as he opened his mouth and gently bit down on the piece of jaw meat. Only after chewing and swallowing did he say, "It really is good."
"When people who know how to eat fish go out for fish, they always fight over these two pieces. People who don't know how to eat fish go for the belly instead."
Song Zhou smiled. "You're that particular?"
"Ahem, it's the fish-eating secret passed down among the people. Not necessarily, though—it depends on personal preference. I just think the jaw meat tastes the best."
Lu Ao shared several pieces of humphead wrasse with him before turning his chopsticks toward the flying fish.
Flying fish were small to begin with. Once the pectoral and tail fins were removed, only a tiny fish remained, even smaller than a Pacific saury.
Among all the dishes, the pan-fried flying fish had the strongest flavor. Afraid its heavy taste would overpower the other dishes, Lu Ao had deliberately saved it for last.
The flying fish had already been fried golden brown on both sides. The tiny fish sat on a snow-white bone china plate and looked exceptionally attractive.
Lu Ao gently picked one up and bit into the meat along its belly.
The meat there was tender and fatty. The