"No problem," Tang Fei said.
Tang Fei ran to the fridge and rummaged through it, finding an abundance of various fruits and meats.
It was the first time he had cooked for his master, so naturally, he wanted to make a lasting impression. After giving some thought to Xuanyuan Mingjing’s character and roughly understanding his taste preferences, he got busy.
Soon enough, several fresh stir-fries were ready.
Tang Fei had made a dish of tiger skin peppers, tender bamboo shoots with wild buffalo meat, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a vegetarian stir-fried Snow Mountain blue.
He also made a pot of pheasant and wild vegetable soup, with the plump pheasant floating a layer of butter on top. Lifting the lid, the aroma was tempting.
Accompanied by Shen Xinglan’s deep-fried grape worm, the stone table was fully laden.
Tang Fei opened the chilled peach blossom brew and poured a cup for each person.
Xuanyuan Mingjing picked up his cup and said, "Here’s to tonight’s moonlight. Only with moon and wine can the night be truly delightful."
The others also picked up their cups, echoing, "Here’s to tonight’s moonlight."
Tang Fei originally thought that with such a pink name, peach blossom brew must be fruit wine, but it turned out to be a strong spirit.
One sip was both icy and spicy, the two sensations clashing yet strangely unified.
Tang Fei grimaced as he drank, but the others seemed to relish it.
Si Yinchuan drank his cup and didn’t wait for Tang Fei to pour him another before he busily filled his cup again and downed it in one gulp.
Then he closed his eyes, let out a breath, and exclaimed, "Refreshing."
Xuanyuan Mingjing picked up his chopsticks and said, "I heard most of tonight’s dishes were made by Tang Fei, let’s all give them a try..."
He tasted a piece of tiger skin pepper, chewed it carefully, nodded his head in praise, and commented, "Not bad. The skin and flesh are thick, the oil temperature is just right, spicy yet sweet, a unique flavor..."
Next, he tried a piece of wild buffalo meat, and after a brief taste, his eyes lit up as he said, "This dish is even better, preserving the fat of the snow buffalo, achieving the ultimate freshness and tenderness..."
Xuanyuan Mingjing raised his cup and declared, "This cup is to Tang Fei, welcoming him to our big family."
"I rarely see the dean praise anyone; Tang Fei should definitely drink a few more cups," Si Yinchuan said with a chuckle.
Shen Xinglan also raised his cup, with a wronged expression, and said, "It seems I can’t keep my position as the head chef? From now on, I can only be Tang Fei’s sous-chef?"
"The grape worm you deep-fried is also very tasty, and this is the first time I’ve tried this dish. It’s crispy and perfect for accompanying the drink."
When they got to the pheasant and wild vegetable soup, everyone stopped talking, and all that could be heard was the sound of them slurping the soup.
"Tonight, this soup is the best," Xuanyuan Mingjing said as he put down his cup. "After drinking this soup, I can’t drink anymore. The strength of the alcohol shouldn’t overpower the aroma of the soup."
But Si Yinchuan poured himself another cup and said, "For this soup, I must drink a few more cups... It’s been a long time since I’ve had such delicious soup. It looks like we’re in for a treat from now on."
Shen Xinglan looked at Tang Fei and said, "After eating the dishes that the junior brother has prepared, I realize that my cooking skills can only be described as ’edible’. Junior brother is the real chef..."
"I dare not, dare not, if master, senior brother, and Dean Si want to eat anything in the future, just order it... I’ll strive to learn," Tang Fei humbly said.
He knew that the several dishes and the pot of chicken soup he had carefully prepared were a success.
What’s that old saying again? To capture a man’s heart, first conquer his stomach.
He knew he had captured the hearts of Xuanyuan Mingjing, Si Yinchuan, and Shen Xinglan...
"You two brothers don’t have to be modest. Each has his own strengths and talents," Si Yinchuan said laughingly. He looked at Xuanyuan Mingjing enviously and commented, "Dean, you’ve taken on a couple of good disciples."
"If Dean Si likes it, feel free to come over for meals anytime," Xuanyuan Mingjing invited.
"Of course, even if you don’t invite me, I’ll have to come over shamelessly."
The meal ended with everyone contented.
Tang Fei and Shen Xinglan cleaned up the kitchen together before Tang Fei took his leave.
Xuanyuan Mingjing looked at Tang Fei and said, "Rest well tonight, and come to me first thing in the morning to report."
"Yes, Master," Tang Fei agreed.
Si Yinchuan, having drunk quite a bit, with a touch of red on his face yet showing no signs of drunkenness, stood up and said, "I’ll take Tang Fei back to rest. The other students’ accommodations should already be arranged... If I don’t send you off, you probably won’t know where you’re supposed to stay tonight."
"Thank you, Dean Si," Tang Fei said gratefully.
"What’s there to thank? It’s all part of the job," Si Yinchuan said with a smile as he waved his hand.
Once Tang Fei and Si Yinchuan left, Xuanyuan Mingjing, holding a small teapot, sipped tea and asked, "Do you know why I took on this disciple?"
"I do," Shen Xinglan said aloud.
"The people of Lowei like a kind of fish called sardines. The price of live fish in the market is much higher than that of dead fish, so fishermen always try their best to bring live fish back to the harbor."
"Despite their efforts, most of the sardines still suffocate and die on the way. Later, someone put a catfish that feeds on sardines into the tank with the sardines.
"The sardines swam around evading the catfish, which solved the oxygen deficiency, and most returned to the harbor alive and kicking."