7:00 PM sharp.
The Izakaya had just opened and welcomed its first customer, Nakiri Mana.
Upon closer inspection, she was dressed in a white kimono embroidered with various delicate cherry blossom patterns.
Even the cuffs and hem were adorned with light pink tassels, making her walk gracefully and fluidly. Although she looked somewhat tired, her temperament remained rich and unvulgar, dignified and elegant.
"Mom!"
"You... you're here?"
As soon as she entered, her daughter Erina's voice rang out.
This made Mana freeze, and then a hint of loving light appeared in her eyes as she smiled and said, "Isn't this Erina?"
"Are you also here at the Izakaya on time for Sosuke's cooking?"
"Mom, you misunderstood. I'm just working part-time at the Izakaya during the holiday after the Practical Training activity."
Upon hearing this, Erina quickly explained.
"Part-time?"
"Hmm, it's not bad to be by Sosuke's side, at least I can eat his cooking every day."
After speaking, Nakiri Mana picked up a folding fan, covered her mouth, chuckled, and added, "Mom, I also especially wish I could be like you, here at the Izakaya every day!"
"Mom, I'm not here for his cooking; I want to hone my own cooking skills here."
"I understand, I understand."
"With both of us having the God Tongue, how could I not know what you're thinking?"
"Mom, it's not what you think."
The scars caused by the hasty departure years ago could certainly not heal quickly.
There was still a rift between the mother and daughter, and their relationship was distant and indifferent, but compared to before, it was much better.
Therefore, Sosuke, who was quietly observing them from the side, couldn't help but feel a little relieved.
...
"Mana, you look tired."
"Remember to rest more during this time. You know your body is inherently weak and cannot withstand any strain."
Then, Sosuke prepared a cup of hot fragrant tea and placed it in front of Nakiri Mana, asking with concern.
Facing such an enthusiastic Sosuke, Nakiri Mana only sighed helplessly and said, "No choice, there are many things to deal with recently. Just the WGO Gourmet Organization preparing for the next THE BLUE World-Class Culinary Competition is enough to make me incredibly busy!"
"Is that so?"
"I thought you were so tired because of the Midnight Chefs."
Blinking his eyes, Sosuke said with a hint of deeper meaning.
"Huh?"
"Your news is that well-informed?"
"It seems some things really couldn't be hidden from you."
Nakiri Mana was surprised, but she pretended to be calm and murmured softly.
"Hmm, I don't want to concern myself too much with those matters. Since you've come all the way to the Izakaya, how about I treat you to my latest dish?"
Sosuke continued indifferently.
"New dish?"
Nakiri Mana's interest was immediately piqued upon hearing this: "What kind of dish is it?"
"Bao Shan Flying Dragon Pot!" Sosuke said.
"Listening to the name, it must be like Live Ice Sea Bream Mountain, Golden Ratio Shao Mai, Reincarnation Spring Roll, and so on, right? Alright, then I'll have one Bao Shan Flying Dragon Pot dish."
"OK, please wait a moment."
As their conversation ended, Sosuke tidied his clothes and turned to get busy.
...
Prepare vegetarian ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, soybean sprouts, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, carrots, and so on.
Use these vegetarian ingredients to simmer a vegetarian High Soup for nearly 1 hour, during which soybean sprouts and bamboo shoots need to be blanched in advance to remove their beany and astringent flavors.
Next, prepare several sheets of traditional Xuan paper.
Fold them into the shape of a regular pot, then add water to the paper pot and place it over the stove fire to heat.
Afterward, the entire paper pot surprisingly did not burn despite the heat from the stove!
This sight naturally shocked all the diners present.
Sosuke continued to throw all the ingredients, except for green vegetables, into the paper pot.
Then pour in the vegetarian High Soup and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes, seasoning with salt.
Use the side of a knife to pat the shrimp, then use the back of the knife to chop it into shrimp paste, add egg white, salt, white pepper, and a small amount of cornstarch, then beat until firm, and form into shrimp balls after firming.
These raw shrimp balls are the soul of the entire Bao Shan Flying Dragon Pot.
Because they are relatively light, these raw shrimp balls will eventually float on the surface of the water, like beautiful pearls, very attractive!
Finally, maintaining a simmering, almost boiling state in the pot, cook the shrimp balls until done.
At this point, Nakiri Mana finally understood why Sosuke used a paper pot to stew the ingredients.
"Utilizing paper's ability to absorb impurities and grease, to consistently maintain the freshness of the soup base, so that the long-simmered ingredients can retain their original deliciousness."
"In other words, this pot of soup will always be free of foam and impurities, appearing incredibly clear!"
Amazing!
Truly amazing!
This kind of creativity was very bold in Nakiri Mana's eyes, and it made her even more expectant.
...
Time slowly passed.
Soon after, the Bao Shan Flying Dragon Pot dish was completely finished.
When Sosuke, disregarding the reactions of all the diners present, unhesitatingly lifted the lid, an even more magical scene occurred.
The steam in the pot, like a flock of birds freed from a cage, suddenly flowed out in all directions, and the smoke curled and filled the entire Izakaya.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
After emitting several violent sounds, the entire dish actually glowed!
Amidst a dazzling golden light and swirling smoke, Nakiri Mana, who was close by, stared with wide eyes.
This was because she vaguely saw a golden dragon, shimmering all over, flying out of the paper pot.
It stepped on the hazy smoke, as if soaring through clouds and mist, and its thick front claws, powerful tail, and delicate whiskers fluttering in the wind were simply breathtaking!
"Golden Dragon?"
"I... I actually saw a golden dragon?"
Involuntarily, Nakiri Mana's face was filled with shock.
Although she had witnessed such grand spectacles several times at the Izakaya, she still found it incredibly exaggerated and astonishing!
Gradually, as the smoke and golden light dissipated, the ethereal, illusory golden dragon also completely vanished from Mana's sight.
"Alright, this is my brand new dish, Bao Shan Flying Dragon Pot. As you can see, the greatest feature of this dish is its special paper pot, and most of the ingredients used are vegetarian."
Sosuke glanced at the shocked Nakiri Mana and said casually. (End of Chapter)
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