71: Amazing scent

Since the fish itself was already seasoned and roasted, under the slow charcoal fire, the three-flavored sauces coated the fish with an even more distinct and delicious taste.

Below, the flames gently licked the baking pan, and the fish's skin gradually turned an amber-colored crust, with the fish's spine cracking and curling up like scales, revealing the tender, white flesh within.

Dark red oil permeated the fish, its surface dotted with a “three-pepper mix” of green and red peppercorns, dried chili segments, and minced ginger and garlic.

Additionally, scallion segments and chopped cilantro were interspersed, creating a red and green tapestry.

Beneath the fish, the side dishes were layered distinctly: translucent potato slices soaked in broth, lotus root slices maintaining their crisp, jade-white color, and bean sprouts curled into golden spirals.

Just then, a breeze swept through the courtyard, causing the smoke rising from the grill to swirl back.

Lu Chuan couldn't help but squint, then sniffed lightly, distinguishing the aroma of the grilled fish mixed with the charcoal smoke.

Initially, there was the smoky, charred scent from the charcoal grilling, blended with the rich aroma of rapeseed oil.

Upon closer sniff, one could detect the fermented sauce aroma of doubanjiang, the sourness of pickled chilies, the unique pungency of spices, and the rich umami produced by fish protein roasted at high temperatures.

As the grilling continued, the aroma of the grilled fish became increasingly rich and intense, eventually completely filling every corner of the courtyard.

Even the fresh flowers and green plants that had been basking in the sunlight quietly shrunk their forms under the pervasive scent.

Lu Chuan, being so close, also had every inch of his nasal cells completely invaded by this unreservedly dominant aroma.

Lu Chuan's brain trembled, and he almost thought his Gourmet Cells had quietly awakened.

He leaned back in a tactical move, then continued to endure this incredibly mouth-watering aroma, constantly adjusting the heat and angle of the charcoal grilling.

Ten minutes later, Lu Chuan, wearing thick insulated gloves, carried the three baking pans from the grill to the dining table.

He first packed the garlic-flavored and satay-sauce-flavored grilled fish and set them aside.

Then, he rubbed his hands, picked up a piece of tender, white, garlic-clove-like fish meat with the skin on, dipped it into the scorching hot broth below.

Then, he eagerly blew on it, and threw it into his mouth.

The moment it entered his mouth, he felt the astonishing crispness of the skin; a light grind between his teeth shattered it into fine powder, and a charred aroma instantly burst forth on his tongue.

Then, the fish meat inside was revealed, feeling as tender and smooth as congealed fat.

With a gentle sip, the spicy and numbing flavor first dominated his taste buds; the numbing sensation of peppercorns spread from the root of his tongue to the tip, and the burning sensation of chili deepened gradually.

When the numbing spice receded slightly, the savory umami of doubanjiang combined with the slight sweet and sour of sugar and vinegar to form a complex flavor, highlighting the fish's natural taste.

The contrast between the soft and firm textures of the fish skin and flesh, the viscosity of the broth lingering on his lips and teeth, and the subtle presence of chili flakes all contributed to the experience.

The hot temperature transferred from his mouth to his throat, creating a sustained warmth.

Lu Chuan dashed to the refrigerator, took out a bottle of iced Sprite, opened it, poured it into a glass, and then crushed and stirred in the already washed Emerald Cool Fruit.

On such a hot day, fine beads of water immediately condensed on the glass.

Cold white mist continuously billowed from the rim of the glass, providing a rare moment of coolness for Lu Chuan, who had been sweating profusely.

He raised the glass, looked at the homemade fruit juice drink, clear with specks of purplish-red seeds, and gulped down a large mouthful.

“Hoo-ha!”

With one gulp, he immediately felt as if the top of his head had been lifted by the coolness, and he felt as refreshed and pleasant as playing in a babbling forest stream during the dog days of summer.

“Refreshing!”

Lu Chuan contentedly alternated between a bite of fish and a sip of the icy drink, occasionally picking up side dishes to chew slowly.

The side dishes, soaked in the broth, were distinct in their layers: the potatoes were soft and starchy, the lotus root slices crisp and sweet, and the bean sprouts released a refreshing, sweet juice, adding a different kind of refreshing flavor to the grilled fish.

Twenty minutes later, a grilled fish weighing nearly 2.8 catties, along with its side dishes, had all entered Lu Chuan's stomach.

“Burp~”

Burping contentedly, Lu Chuan quickly tidied the table, then checked the time, and hurried towards the tricycle outside the courtyard, carrying two takeout boxes.

Get in, fingerprint unlock, turn the key, twist the handle, go!

The tricycle sped off with the momentum of a small car, leaving the neighbors, who had been peeking at the goings-on in Lu Chuan's courtyard, utterly dumbfounded.

Households closed their doors and began discussing the rare new topic in the village.

“Have you noticed, Lu Chuan, that little kid, seems to have changed?”

“How is he different?”

“He's more confident than before, and he has more spirit!”

“Come to think of it, it feels like he's just grown up all of a sudden. Alas, if his parents were still here, it would be wonderful if they could see this scene. What a poor child.”

“But who did he learn his cooking skills from? How can the grilled fish he makes be so fragrant? Even Big Yellow almost broke his leash when he smelled it.”

“Husband, why don't we ask him to buy a portion when he comes back later? The kids can taste it when they come home from school tonight.”

“It probably won't be cheap, right? Didn't Second Grandfather just say that the wholesale price of that fish is 30 yuan a catty? Plus Chuan Wa Zi's craftsmanship, a single grilled fish would have to sell for one or two hundred, wouldn't it?”

“Hiss, that expensive! But we're neighbors and relatives; we've all taken care of him so much in the past, how could he be so shameless as to sell it that expensively? That smell is really enticing!”

“You lazy woman, you can't say that outside, it's embarrassing! Chuan Wa Zi has always been self-reliant. Now that his life is finally improving, how can we take advantage of him? If you really want to eat it, just buy it for two hundred. At most, we'll work a little harder this month.”

“Well, forget it then. Two hundred yuan is equivalent to four or five days' worth of food. Can't afford it, can't afford it.”

...Lu Chuan didn't know his neighbors were discussing him. When he delivered the satay-sauce-flavored grilled fish to Uncle Deming's house, the look of relief on Uncle Deming's face made him pause in surprise.

“Uncle Deming, please try the grilled fish I made!”

Uncle Deming didn't stand on ceremony with Lu Chuan. He placed the grilled fish takeout box on the dining table, then puffed on his pipe, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth as he chuckled:

“Chuan Wa Zi, I smelled your grilled fish from a long way off. Are you planning to open a shop? Are you tight on money? If you are, tell your uncle. I've saved up some old capital, I can lend it to you.”

Lu Chuan was stunned for a moment, a warm current flowing through his heart.

Uncle Deming's biggest dream these past years had been to lead the village to prosperity through hard work, but Lu Family Village lacked any distinctive economic points.

Most of the people in the village who had made any progress had gone to big cities to develop, leaving behind only the poor families who couldn't leave.

But Uncle Deming had never given up, and as the village secretary, he was extremely incorruptible.

His so-called 'old capital' was truly hard-earned savings, practically his burial money.

But now, seeing Lu Chuan's excellent grilled fish skills, he didn't hesitate to offer his burial money to Lu Chuan to open a shop, without considering whether Lu Chuan's business would succeed or if the money could eventually be repaid.

This gesture was heavy, yet incredibly heartwarming.

Lu Chuan was grateful, but he wasn't planning to open a shop, nor did he intend to borrow money, so he quickly waved his hand in refusal.

“No, no need. I'm doing quite well with my stall right now. Thank you, Uncle Deming.”

Uncle Deming nodded, agreeing:

“It's good that Chuan Wa Zi is practical. Start with a small business, step by step. Later, when you've saved money from your stall and perfected your skills, you can open a shop.”

Lu Chuan scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly.

He chatted with Uncle Deming for a while longer, then bid farewell, rushing to deliver the last grilled fish to He Jingrui.

Watching Lu Chuan leave in a hurry, Uncle Deming smiled and shook his head, then got up and walked to the dining table, opening the insulated bag.

Immediately, an astonishing aroma filled the room.

Uncle Deming, caught off guard, took several deep breaths, then a look of bewilderment and emotion appeared on his face.

He looked through the open door at Lu Chuan's receding figure, and the look of relief on his face became even more pronounced.