Chapter 51

Telingewei: "Okay."

==========Author's Note:=========

There's another chapter coming around 11:50! I'll be giving away 88 little red envelopes!

Thanks to Nanzhi for the grenade; thanks to Ancient Spirit (*2), Jiugeyoudiankun, and Mangodawang for the landmines.

Chapter 51 [VIP]

On the ridge of the field.

Harper was running in the lead.

The other Companion Beast followed behind it, and the little Demon Wolf followed behind the Companion Beast.

The remaining Tata Fish, not to be outdone, swam up the river.

Xie Juanhan was a little worried. "This is no longer a place where fresh and salt water meet. Are you sure you'll be okay soaking in fresh water?"

The Tata Fish were full of energy. "Click-clack!"

Telingewei: "These kinds of Demonic Beast are generally fine as long as they don't stay away from the sea for too long."

Xie Juanhan looked at the Tata Fish: "If you feel unwell, remember to tell us. It's okay to wait for us at home."

Ahead, the furry creatures had already run into the field.

The vegetables in the field are mostly autumn and winter vegetables.

The vegetables haven't grown very big yet, but you can pick the tender seedlings and dig up the tender roots and stems underneath.

Xie Juanhan glanced at it.

Harper and his friends have excellent eyesight; they always pick the best-tasting parts of the vegetables.

He and Telingewei then ignored them.

They were busy on land, while the Tata Fish were swimming around in the river.

After swimming around for a while, a Tata Fish suddenly sank underwater, trying to chase after the fish and shrimp.

"Click-clack!"

Soon, the Tata Fish brought out the fish and shrimp.

Xie Juanhan, who was in the field, turned his head and exclaimed, "Shrimp?! How are you all so amazing?"

The Tata Fish finally helped and were overjoyed. "Click-clack!"

Xie Juanhan walked over.

The Tata Fish swam over one by one and put the fish and shrimp they were carrying into his basket.

There's not much to say about the small fish; they're just ordinary freshwater fish.

Xie Juanhan was mainly interested in those small shrimp.

It's autumn, and these little shrimp are getting fatter and fatter, their translucent bodies bulging as if they're about to burst through their shells.

These wild river shrimp are also quite large, almost half the size of a hand.

Xie Juanhan held it in his hand, feeling its bouncy force. "What a lively shrimp! Can you catch some more? I want to eat this."

The Tata Fish immediately cried out, "Click, click!"

There weren't many wild river shrimp in the river, but they couldn't escape the pursuit of the Tata Fish.

They can not only sink into the water, but also hunt cooperatively.

While Xie Juanhan and his group were picking vegetables, the Tata Fish caught at least two pounds of river shrimp.

The basket was getting fuller and fuller. Xie Juanhan waved his hand and said, "Let's go check on the mushrooms."

The little ones. "Aww!"

The Alf Mushroom that Xie Juanhan planted were growing on a pile of silt near the rice paddy.

These long-legged mushrooms grow much slower than regular mushrooms.

Xie Juanhan sometimes felt that they didn't look like mushrooms, but rather like chicks or something, even when they were kept in captivity in the wild.

The cap of the Alf Mushroom only grew to two or three centimeters in diameter, and it looked tender.

They will become more flavorful over time, but they are very tender and delicious to eat now.

Xie Juanhan carefully grabbed half a basket of Alf Mushroom, intending to try them first.

Perfect timing! Let's make a simplified version of mala tang (spicy hot pot) by adding some mushrooms; the broth will be even more flavorful.

Soon, Xie Juanhan and his group returned home laden with their spoils.

Xie Juanhan put down the basket full of ingredients and went to look at the fish fillets that had been marinated before the vegetables were picked.

Telingewei sliced a large quantity of Greystone Fish.

Xie Juanhan marinated the fish at a low temperature using starch, egg white, crushed spices, and fish soy sauce.

The fish fillets haven't been marinated long enough yet; they need to marinate for a while longer.

It just so happens that they need time to wash and cut the ingredients.

Xie Juanhan looked up at Telingewei: "How about we buy some more fish balls, sausages, and sauces?"

Telingewei immediately understood what he meant. "Buy it from the Water Demon?"

Xie Juanhan: "Hmm, their sausages are pretty good."

The Water Demon are skilled at fermenting various sauces and have also made many kinds of sausages, meat jelly, smoked meat, and other foods, which may be convenient for opening a restaurant.

If you buy some sausages to cook in mala tang (a spicy hot pot dish), it should taste pretty good.

"Chirp!" Harper heard the sound and suddenly rushed over, placing her front paws on the kitchen doorway. "Chirp!"

Telingewei looked at it. "You want to go?"

Harper: "Chirp!"

Xie Juanhan: "Then I'll trouble you. I'll go write a note specifying what we want to order."

The Companion Beast's eyes lit up. "Chirp!"

Xie Juanhan washed his hands and went to his study to write a note.

As soon as he left, all the Companion Beast rushed into the kitchen, crowding around Telingewei, chirping.

Haxi then stood up on his hind legs and placed his front paws on Telingewei's knees. "Chirp!"

All the little guys chirping have only one purpose in mind: to get gold coins.

Telingewei took out two gold coins and handed them to Harper and Haxi to hold in their mouths.

Harper mumbled, "Chirp."

Telingewei: "Want more?"

Harper firmly. "Chirp!"

Telingewei met its gaze, then finally pulled out another gold coin. "Three in total, any more?"

The other Companion Beast, Habi, snatched the gold coin away in a flash.

The remaining Companion Beast were satisfied and scattered.

When Xie Juanhan finished writing the note and came out, his Companion Beast had already obediently carried their usual little baskets.

The little Demon Wolf joined in the fun and also picked up a basket.

Harper chirped indistinctly from ahead, "Chirp."

Hearing the commotion, the Tata Fish in the river flicked their tails and immediately followed the furry creatures upstream.

The Companion Beast frequently visited the Water Demon's lakeside restaurant.

They quickly rushed into the lakeside restaurant.

The Water Demon guarding the restaurant brightened up and waved to the little ones. They became even happier when they saw the Tata Fish coming down the river.

The Companion Beast generally don't like being touched by anyone other than Xie Juanhan.

They were exceptionally well-behaved today.

The Water Demon touched them for a while, and they did not resist.

The Water Demon had touched enough.

They picked up the basket and also carried the note Xie Juanhan had written.

The Companion Beast, chirping softly, carried two gold coins to the Water Demon.

The Water Demon took the gold coins and quickly carried their baskets to fill them with food.

A moment later, several Water Demon brought out nine baskets and handed them to the little creatures, letting them carry them.

The Companion Beast, however, didn't take the basket. Instead, they tilted their heads back, ears tucked back, and looked pitifully at the Water Demon with their large eyes, chirping.

The little Demon Wolf tilted its head, mimicking its Companion Beast, and looked at the Water Demon, whimpering softly, "Awoo."

Even the Tata Fish in the water made "whimpering" sounds.

The Water Demon looked at the little ones and laughed silently.

They turned back with their baskets and quickly filled them with even more food, until they were completely full.

The little creatures cried out in thanks to the Water Demon, then quickly grabbed their baskets and ran off.

Just as Xie Juanhan and Telingewei finished washing the vegetables, the little ones returned.

Xie Juanhan came out to greet them, taking the baskets they were carrying in their mouths. "Thank you for your hard work."

Telingewei followed Xie Juanhan and took the basket from their mouths as well.

As he took the basket, Telingewei glanced at the food inside, paused, and then looked at the little ones.

The little ones looked back at each other with a sense of entitlement.

With all the ingredients prepared, Xie Juanhan used the leftover oil from frying the fish liver that morning to add extra oil, stir-fry the sauce until fragrant, and then added a few Spicy Clam.

After stir-frying all the ingredients until they were fragrant and flavorful, he poured a glass of white wine to enhance the aroma of the sauce.

"Sizzle--"

When white wine is poured over the piping hot ingredients, the aroma rises instantly.

Instantly, the entire kitchen was enveloped in a rich aroma.

The little ones were sniffing loudly outside the door.

After smelling the spiciness, their expressions became even more expectant.

After the alcohol evaporated, Xie Juanhan poured in the Tata Fish milk he had prepared earlier, and then added the same amount of water.

Inside the pot, the milky white broth gradually became richer and more flavorful, smelling both fragrant and spicy, fresh and mellow.

The little ones are drooling again.

Xie Juanhan turned his head and asked, "What dishes would everyone like to eat? Or should I cook everything and serve it later?"

The little ones all cried out in unison, "Aww!"

This means I want all the dishes.

Xie Juanhan first put in vegetables, mushrooms, sausages, and fish balls that are more resistant to cooking.

The milky white broth simmered and bubbled endlessly.

Once the vegetables are cooked, he adds the marinated fish fillets and shrimp.

Once the fish fillets and shrimp meat change color, they're ready to eat.

Xie Juanhan ladled out the spicy hot pot into a large basin.

At this point, all the ingredients are soaking in the milky white broth.

The white fish fillets, orange-red shrimp, brown mushrooms, pink sausages, and vibrant green vegetables look incredibly tempting.

The little ones were so anxious that they couldn't help but make "whimpering" sounds through their noses.

Seeing them trying to squeeze in, Xie Juanhan shoved a spoon into Telingewei's hand. "You serve the food."

Telingewei glanced at the little ones.

The little ones sat still, not moving an inch, their main trait being a docile "chirp."

Soon, the little ones' "spicy hot pot" was separated.

Each little one got one portion.

As soon as they received their share, they immediately tried to pick up the vegetables from the food bowl and eat them.

The sauce I bought from the Water Demon was exceptionally rich, and after being stir-fried, it became incredibly fragrant.