CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 157 STEWED RAW KNOCK (PART 2)_3

Du Xixi specifically chose pork belly with a higher fat content from the fridge, cutting it into thumb-sized pieces. Just like the loach slices, they were to be used soon, naturally placed on a clean plate.

At this moment, the broth from the spinal bones was nearly ready, a pale brownish-yellow color. As soon as the small pot lid was lifted, white steam billowed out, carrying a rich aroma that filled the air.

Du Xixi took a deep breath, finding that this simple loach spinal bone soup was already very appetizing. However, since she decided to make "dun sheng qiao", she naturally couldn’t change the menu midway.

Heating the oil in the pan, Du Xixi focused on the oil temperature. Once it was just right, she poured in the loach slices. The sizzling sound immediately erupted as the translucent loach meat turned charcoal gray under the frying, with the meat bits blossoming like "sesame flowers".

When the loach slices were fried to a crisp, Du Xixi scooped them out with a strainer, let the oil drain, and put them on a plate, then began stirring and frying the pork belly pieces.

Scallion segments, ginger slices, and minced garlic were placed into the heated oil in the pan. Du Xixi didn’t use much oil, and once the pork belly was added, the rich aroma of the meat filled the air. The pan became shinier due to the oil rendered from the pork belly. Du Xixi quickly added the fried loach slices from earlier.

The oil fragrance spread everywhere. Du Xixi didn’t stir as vigorously as before. Instead, she waited until the aromas in the pan blended together, allowing the meat chunks to acquire the freshness of the loach, and the loach the richness of the meat. Then she poured the spinal bone broth, simmered over low heat, into the pan, filtering out the bones.

A dash of light soy sauce, soy sauce, and cooking wine, Du Xixi covered the pot, allowing the meat and loach slices to absorb some of the broth.

Meanwhile, Du Xixi called 2569 to bring out a preordered clay pot by Chen Yin. She placed some garlic cloves and scallion segments at the bottom. When the contents of the pot were about ready, she transferred the meat and broth into the clay pot, then layered the loach slices on top using chopsticks.

"2569, help me melt some lard to eighty percent." Du Xixi was arranging loach slices and noticed 2569 idly observing her, so she unceremoniously ordered it to "work."

The lard melted quickly from a milky state to a transparent oil as the temperature rose. As Du Xixi finished layering the loach slices, she added some scallion segments and minced garlic on top. She then signaled 2569 to pour the melted lard over the loach slices.

"Sizzle..." The lard hit the scallion and garlic, and the loach slices and meat chunks below, making a pleasant sound, akin to a thousand chess pieces landing on a board simultaneously, drawing significant attention.

placed the lard pot properly, noticing that although Du Xixi was heating the small clay pot, she didn’t cover it to slowly simmer as usual, so it questioned: "Madam, does this ’dun sheng qiao’ not require simmering?"

"No, it’s already well-cooked. Now it’s just being warmed." Du Xixi waved her hand, glanced at the electronic clock on the wall, noticing that time had quietly reached half-past four. She patted her head and hurried outside, "Ke Lian should be back by now. Help me mind the ’dun sheng qiao’ and assist in serving it when dinner starts."

The handles of the clay pot had heat protection, but the weight of this ’dun sheng qiao’ was not light. Compared to the intelligent 2569, Du Xixi lacked the ability to be attentive in all directions. The dish, which took up most of her afternoon, was safer in 2569’s hands.

"Yes! Mission guaranteed!" 2569 stood upright with excitement. As Du Xixi left the kitchen, it aimed the electronic screen at the small clay pot, watching it intently while also paying close attention to the outside, ready to serve the ’dun sheng qiao’ promptly at dinnertime.

As Du Xixi stepped outside, Ke Lian happened to enter the house. Although he returned by hovercar, he looked as if he’d just rushed back from an urgent task, appearing quite travel-worn.

"Back already?" Du Xixi softened her voice, noticing the fatigue and traces of worry in Ke Lian’s brow. Though she was powerless to solve any of their challenges, she could only make delicious food to accompany them with her gentle demeanor.

Ke Lian ignored his old father and two sons. Seeing Du Xixi still wearing an apron with water droplets on her hands, he approached, wiping them with his pocket handkerchief while softly saying: "I’m back. I would have been earlier, but..."

"It’s okay, as long as you’re back." Du Xixi gently shook her head, interrupting Ke Lian’s explanation. Once the water droplets on her hand were wiped off, she proactively held his big hand, "I made a particularly delicious dish. You all must eat more later."

In such a critical moment, not only was it risky for Du Xixi, but also for Ke Lian and Chen Yin, her protectors. Therefore, Du Xixi needed no further explanation from Ke Lian on why he was late.

As long as he was well, and everyone was well, Du Xixi didn’t mind anything else.

Ke Lian’s expression paused, understanding Du Xixi’s thoughts, and he smiled again, saying, "Then I’ll have to eat a few more bowls of rice!"