Chapter 72: A New Inducer

Though Zheng Peiqi and the other two chefs weren’t as good as Yu Jinli, under his instruction, they were skillful enough when they took care of the ingredients. Because of three good assistants, the cooking went pretty fast. Soon, most dishes were finished. Squirrel-shaped Mandarin fish was a famous dish in his previous world. It was complex to make so Yu Jinli saved it for the last. Right at this point, Zheng Peiqi and the other two were almost done with their dishes so they all gathered around Yu Jinli in order to learn how to cook this new dish. The moment Yu Jinli spoke of squirrel-shaped Mandarin fish, Zheng Peiqi and the other two were excited since that meant they could learn a new dish. “Young Lady, what do you need for this dish?” asked Zheng Peiqi. “Mandarin fish, dry starch, ketchup, fresh soup, sugar, balsamic vinegar, wine, salt, minced garlic...” Yu Jinli spoke straight from his memory. Quickly, Zheng Peiqi and the other two got him what he needed and put them within his reach. “This dish is a complex one. Watch carefully when I cook.” Yu Jinli told them. They had an agreement on that. When Yu Jinli cooked, the other three would stand by and watch. At times, Yu Jinli would tell them a few tips. “Yes.” Instantly, Zheng Peiqi and the other two took a serious attitude and watched attentively. They wanted to learn how to cook it now so that they wouldn’t cause the Young Lady more work. Yu Jinli chose smelt - a fish unique to this world. It was similar to Mandarin fish in his previous world so it was a perfect choice. Yu Jinli was quick as he removed the fish scales and gills, cut its belly to remove the internal organs, washed and drained it. Then he washed and prepared all the other ingredients. With one hand on the fish, he cut off its head. He then sliced the fish with the knife against its bone. Turning it over, he sliced the other side and removed the fishbone. This series of moves were very clean and brisk which had Zheng Peiqi and the other two’s eyes wide open. Their respect for Yu Jinli had risen to another level. “Don’t slice the fish tail. Otherwise you won’t get a full fish after you cook it.” As Yu Jinli handled the fish, he told the three chefs. After that, he seasoned the fish with mixed wine and salt and batted it with dry starch. Then, he picked it up by the tail and shook off extra starch. By now, this dish was half done. Next, he poured hot oil on the fish from head to tail. Then he fried its fins and tail so that they remained the same shape and deep fried the whole fish until it turned golden. “Last, fry the fish head to golden as well. Press the fish when it is fried so that it will stay as it is,” added Yu Jinli. “I see.” Zheng Peiqi and the other two watched carefully and memorized the directions for later practice. After the frying, Yu Jinli put the fish head and body together and let its head and tail point upwards in a beautiful pattern. The aroma of the dish made one’s mouth water. “Young Lady, is it ready? It looks nice,” praised Zhao Fei. Such a dish was already a pleasure to the eye, besides, the sight of it made one’s mouth water. “There’s one last thing,” said Yu Jinli smilingly as he mixed ketchup, fresh soup, sugar, balsamic vinegar wine and starch in a bowl to make the sauce. With some oil left in the pan, he cooked some sliced scallion with minced garlic, bamboo shoots, diced fragrant mushroom and shrimp meat, sauce and sesame oil. “Watch, this is the last step, and a very important one.” As Yu Jinli spoke, he poured what was in the pan over the fish in the plate. The moment the hot sauce met the fish, it made a squeaking sound like a real squirrel. That was where the name of the dish came from. With squirrel-shaped Mandarin fish done, lunch was ready. Yu Jinli felt a sense of achievement when he saw a table full of dishes. It was his first time to have cooked so many dishes at one time after he was in this world. Just the look of them made him proud. Members of Divine Beast who had been waiting in the dining room would steal a glance at the kitchen every few minutes. If chief wasn’t with them, they would have rushed over to see where that good smell came from. At first, the members were making reports to Jiang Mosheng about what happened recently on the second floor. However, soon, a rich aroma filled the room. With all of them being mutants, they had keen noses and couldn’t stop themselves from asking after smelling that appetizing aroma. “It smells so good. Where does it come from?” White Tiger’s nose wrinkled as he took a deep breath of the aroma and enjoyed it. Other members also seemed pleased by the smell, curious about where it came from. Jiang Mosheng knew what it was the moment he smelled it. Now that he saw the members’ reaction, he was filled with anger. His little one used to only cook for him. Now there were seven people who came here for lunch, invited by the little one himself! Even if he wanted to drive them away, he couldn’t. Yet he felt sour when he thought that someone else was going to taste the little one’s cooking and discover how good he was. “Keeping going,” said Jiang Mosheng coldly with a gloomy face. Immediately, White Tiger sat upright, trying to turn his attention from the aroma to his chief as he reported. However, that aroma was so special that he had never smelled something like that. He had been through trainings. He wouldn’t bat an eyelid in front of an attractive woman, let alone some aroma. However, not this one. It set an alarm among the members. Was it some kind of new inducer? Would it mess with their mind? That thought put them on guard as they held their breath in order not to become infected by that aroma. But they forgot where they were. At Jiang’s Manor, not military headquarter or battlefield, no enemies were bold enough to come here and try to harm them. Jiang Mosheng was clear what was on his subordinates’ mind judging by their expressions but didn’t tell them the truth. They weren’t strong enough. A mere dish could distract them. It was lucky that they were at Jiang’s Manor. If they were on a battlefield, the consequences would be disastrous. “You can’t even resist an aroma. Continue temptation training when you are back,” said Jiang Mosheng sternly. “Yes,” answered the seven immediately. So, it was indeed a new inducer? The thought of being a member of the most elite team in the military and not being able to resist a single inducer made them flush. They decided that they would intensify their training after going back. They wouldn’t disgrace their chief or Divine Beast. “Let’s go downstairs,” said Jiang Mosheng calmly. Judging from the strong aroma, Jiang Mosheng estimated that the little one probably finished cooking. He wanted to go downstairs and check on him. Besides, he wouldn’t invite the members over again. Otherwise, the little one would be exhausted if he entertained them every time. However, members of Divine Beast had no idea that they were already on chief’s blacklist. It might be difficult for them to come over for free meals again. Further down the stairs, the aroma grew stronger. They couldn’t get enough of it. Besides, though they weren’t very hungry, their stomach started to growl with their mouth watering. They wanted to eat something right away. They had never had such an experience before. At once, they felt as if faced with a formidable foe. If it was just an inducer, they wouldn’t be afraid. However, they couldn’t resist that inducer at all, which brought reactions from them. If they came across such an inducer in battles, they might lose, and lose in a very ugly way - watering mouths... That was too humiliating! By now, members of Divine Beast regretted staying for lunch already. They should have returned earlier. Otherwise, it might be very embarrassing if they did drool. Sitting on the sofa and waiting for lunch, Qiao Mulan waved at Jiang Mosheng and the members warmly. “Good noon, My Lady,” greeted the seven respectfully. “Come and sit. Lunch will be ready in a short while. You are really lucky today to be able to taste little chestnut’s cooking.” Qiao Mulan spoke to the members smilingly. She sounded proud. The members were surprised to hear that and turned to the kitchen together as they found the source of that aroma which was growing stronger. They looked at each other and saw the same confusion in each other’s eyes. Even if there was an inducer, it wouldn’t normally be put in a kitchen where meals were prepared and wouldn’t allow any dangerous stuff. So, what was that aroma? It was so appetizing. Members of Divine Beast were elite military men. That meant they were clever. Soon, they came up with an idea. But they couldn’t quite convince themselves. They had had natural food but had never smelled something so good.