Chapter 119

The smaller shrimp can grow longer, while the larger ones should be kept to reproduce. The smaller, plump shrimp that are neither too big nor too small, and are lively and succulent, can be caught today for an extra meal.

Qing Mengzhu quickly picked through the shrimp, occasionally getting pinched by one.

At this moment, he would hiss and gasp for breath.

Ming Chunxi wanted to give him the flashlight and take over his job, but he was unwilling.

Catching shrimp was so much fun!

They quickly caught enough for dinner, filling a whole basket.

He quickly closed the lid of the bamboo basket to prevent the shrimp inside from jumping out.

"Perfect!" Qing Mengzhu exclaimed happily, "That's a wrap. Time to go home and cook."

Ming Chunxi: "Let's go."

They rode their electric bikes back.

Before they even got home, the four little ones heard them and ran out of the house to greet them.

The two dogs' tails were wagging like propellers, making them look like they were about to take flight.

Qing Mengzhu smiled and held up the bamboo basket, "You've already eaten raw shrimp, so you're not allowed to beg for more. We'll cook them and eat them together later."

The little guys: "Woof woof!" "Aww!"

Zhao Hexi also ran out of the house, shouting, "The aroma of the goose and lotus root soup is wafting out! Come quick!"

Qing Mengzhu: "They're here! The owl didn't come again, did it?"

Zhao Hexi: "It really came again, trying to squeeze in through the window. Seeing that I and the Dharma Protector were there, it quickly flew away. The Dharma Protector rushed after it, but it flew too fast."

Zhao Hexi said longingly, "How delicious must it be to have shrimp that even owls find so delicious?"

Author's Note:

There will be a giveaway of 88 small red envelopes for comments on this chapter!

I'm not going to struggle anymore. From now on, all updates will be at 5 PM and 10 PM! If you don't show up on time, I'll give you a small red envelope!

See you at 10 PM!

Chapter 119

The prawns were just caught from the pond; they're much fresher than the prawns you buy from the market.

For these fresh prawns, Qing Mengzhu decided to use the simplest method—steaming.

The three of them took new toothbrushes and scrubbed the shrimp clean from head to tail, then used tools to remove the shrimp veins.

The Dharma Protector squatted nearby, watching the humans work, their saliva practically dripping from their mouths.

The otter even tugged at Zhao Hexi's clothes with its tiny paws, its round head peeking out from under his arm.

Zhao Hexi couldn't resist any longer and, taking advantage of the situation, slipped a shrimp into the otter's mouth.

The otter had it in its mouth, but before it could hide it properly, the Dharma Protector spotted it and barked loudly, "Woof woof woof!"

An otter is stealing food!!!

Qing Mengzhu was so annoyed by the noise that her scalp tingled. "Stop yelling!"

Two dogs. "Woof! Woof!"

Red Fox: "Waaah--"

Qing Mengzhu had no choice but to give each of the three little ones (excluding the otter) a shrimp. "You're so annoying, go play somewhere else."

The three little ones, each with a shrimp in their mouth, finally quieted down.

Qing Mengzhu looked at Zhao Hexi: "If you soften your heart any further, they'll start fighting each other!"

Zhao Hexi: "My bad. I just couldn't resist when I saw the Little Otter's big eyes. I'll definitely try to control myself next time."

Qing Mengzhu sighed, "We'll have to feed them some more after the shrimp are cooked. If we feed them too many raw shrimp, there won't be enough cooked shrimp to go around."

Zhao Hexi raised her hands in surrender. "I really understand, I promise I won't feed them randomly anymore."

Ming Chunxi laughed beside her.

Their shrimp are large, and removing the vein is relatively simple.

They quickly removed the shrimp veins from the prawns.

Qing Mengzhu carried the shrimp back to the kitchen, washed them twice more in the sink to clean them thoroughly, drained them, and then placed them on the steamer rack in the pot.

To achieve the best texture and flavor, they plan not to boil the food this time, but to steam it directly on a steamer rack.

Qing Mengzhu was very confident in his shrimp. This time, when steaming the shrimp, he didn't add ginger slices or scallion leaves, but simply steamed them with plain water.

However, to cater to everyone's tastes, he did prepare a soy sauce for dipping shrimp.

They didn't eat dinner until after 9 p. m.

The highlight of tonight's dinner is lotus root and goose meat soup with shrimp.

Needless to say, the lotus root and goose meat soup is stewed until it's fragrant and delicious. Take a sip while it's hot, and the aroma is irresistible. One sip and your stomach will feel warm all over.

After finishing the drink, Qing Mengzhu could even feel a kind of comforting warmth, as if she had been thoroughly warmed by a fire, and her whole body felt cozy and relaxed.

He had been eager to eat the shrimp, but after finishing the soup, he was no longer in a hurry and sighed contentedly, "It really is nice to have some soup in winter."

Ming Chunxi: "It tastes good."

Zhao Hexi: "The lotus root is delicious too! This lotus root is amazing. I thought it was a bit hard when I ate it raw, but I didn't expect it to be so soft and tender when cooked into soup. The texture is just too good."

Qing Mengzhu: "After eating, a sip of soup will soothe me and make me feel much better."

Zhao Hexi: "Yes, yes, that's what I was thinking too. I'll try the shrimp."

The prawns were just taken out of the pot and were still piping hot.

Qing Mengzhu picked out four prawns, fed one to each of the little guys, and let them eat on their own. Then she took a prawn and slowly peeled it herself.

Fresh shrimp shells are also easy to peel; with a gentle twist, the whole shell comes off.

He pinched the shrimp by the tail, put it in his mouth, and took a bite. The shrimp meat was sweet, bouncy, and had a moist texture. He could taste the juice inside the shrimp meat, which was very delicious.

Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi exchanged a surprised glance.

Both of them guessed that the prawns would be delicious, but they didn't expect them to be this delicious.

This is so fresh and sweet!

It's a flavor that defies all expectations.

After tasting it, Zhao Hexi exclaimed, "Delicious! There's no fishy smell at all, and it's not dry at all. The shrimp is steamed to perfection!"

Qing Mengzhu: "It's not necessarily because the cooking time was right; it might just be that it's really delicious, and it'll taste good no matter how you cook it."

Zhao Hexi: "That's possible. These shrimp are indeed as delicious as I've been waiting for."

Qing Mengzhu: "Then eat more."

They sat around the table, enjoying lotus root and goose soup and eating shrimp, feeling very satisfied, as if the long wait hadn't been in vain.

Zhao Hexi ate the slowest. Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi had already left the table, but he was still eating slowly at the table.

Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi were waiting for him inside, casually chatting about the planting they had been doing lately.

They ate until almost Zhao Hexi p. m. before finally finishing their dinner.

Qing Mengzhu asked, "How is it?"

Zhao Hexi wiped her hands clean. "I remembered a line of poetry."

Qing Mengzhu, her head full of questions, looked at Ming Chunxi: "Are there any related poems?"

Ming Chunxi shook his head, indicating that he couldn't remember.

Zhao Hexi: "Yes! I can eat lotus root and shrimp balls better than the emperor!"

Qing Mengzhu: "They clearly said, 'Eating pickled vegetables and tofu, even the emperor is no match for me.'"

Zhao Hexi chuckled twice, "It's all the same, I'm completely full anyway. I'll stay at your place tonight, I'm so stuffed, I don't want to leave."

Qing Mengzhu: "Okay, the bedding in your guest room hasn't been taken out yet. You can turn on the air conditioner later and it should be warm enough."

Qing Mengzhu's family harvested lotus roots, many people came to ask if they were selling them.

Qing Mengzhu said she wasn't selling them, but only sending some to relatives and friends.

Zhou Yan was a chef, Qing Mengzhu specially sent him two extra pieces, which earned him high praise.

Zhou Yan called him personally, "Mengzhu, your farming skills are far superior to my cooking skills. The vegetables you grow are truly excellent."

Qing Mengzhu laughed heartily, "That's too much of an exaggeration, but I appreciate your compliment."

Zhou Yan: "It's not an exaggeration at all. I made sweet osmanthus lotus root today, and oh, it tastes just like the one I ate when I was a kid. It's so tempting and so satisfying. To be honest, even if you brought me the sweet osmanthus lotus root I ate as a child, I might not be able to eat it as satisfyingly as I did."