Free Web NovelChapter 506: Chapter 506: Pufferfish Banquet
Elder Li took the box, having a good idea of what was inside.
After all, he knew what Li Xu had recently acquired.
’A gift at a time like this... it must be that.’
He opened it, and his old eyes instantly lit up.
"Just as I thought..."
Elder Li took a deep breath, a look of sheer bliss spreading across his face. "What a fragrance... truly magnificent. So this is the legendary Ten Thousand Year Agarwood... I’ve lived for most of my life and have only ever read about it in ancient texts. I never thought I’d get to see the real thing with my own eyes."
He stroked the piece of Agarwood with a sigh, a complex look in his eyes.
"Doctor Li, this gift... it’s too much."
Elder Li sighed, closed the lid, and looked at Li Xu. "To be honest, there was something I was embarrassed to bring up when I invited you today. An old comrade-in-arms, someone I’ve known for decades, heard about this and insisted on asking me for a favor... *Sigh*, I don’t know where to put this old face of mine."
"Elder Li, you’re being too serious."
Li Xu smiled and gestured to the box. "Since I’ve given this Agarwood to you, it’s yours to do with as you please. Whether you keep it for yourself or give it to your old comrade is your decision. I won’t interfere."
Li Xu had phrased it perfectly. He had given Elder Li face, gotten him out of a tight spot, and avoided making it seem like he had been forced to hand over the Agarwood.
Elder Li gave Li Xu a long, appreciative look. "Good, what a good kid! In that case, I’ll brazenly accept it. But I can’t just take it for nothing. Once my old comrade’s health improves, I’ll have him pay you a visit and thank you in person."
With the serious business concluded, the atmosphere immediately lightened.
Elder Li was in high spirits. He waved his hand grandly. "Alright, enough of that dreary business. It’s a rare occasion for us to get together, so I’ve prepared a special main course for you all."
"A special main course?" Ding Kaifang asked, intrigued.
"Fugu," Elder Li said, uttering a single word.
"Fugu?"
Li Xu, Song Sisi, and Ding Kaifang all exclaimed in unison.
This was the legendary deadly delicacy, the one people say is "worth dying for."
A single gram of its toxin could fell several grown men.
"That’s right, fugu indeed." Elder Li stood up, beaming. "What’s more, I’ll be preparing it myself today. Come, let me take you to the back kitchen and show you something special."
The group made their way to a spacious, brightly lit kitchen.
Inside a massive glass tank, several plump, round fish were swimming about.
Elder Li rolled up his sleeves, baring his forearms. He deftly picked up a hand net and scooped one out.
"A torafugu," Li Xu identified at a glance.
"A sharp eye," Elder Li said approvingly.
He held the fat torafugu in his left hand and quickly tickled its white belly a few times with the index finger of his right.
As if angered, the torafugu instantly inflated with a WHOOSH, transforming into a round, spiky ball. Small spines erupted from its once-smooth skin, making it look both comical and cute.
"Heh heh, this little guy is ticklish. Judging by the firmness of the spines, it’s a male."
Elder Li chuckled and placed it on a cutting board, his expression instantly becoming one of intense focus.
The amiable old man vanished, replaced by a master chef who loved his craft.
The knife rose and fell.
With a flash of cold steel, the fugu’s belly was slit neatly open.
Elder Li’s hands were a blur, darting between the organs with a precision that was almost terrifying.
"A fugu’s most toxic parts are its liver and ovaries, and the blood is also poisonous. But the liver is also the most delectable part."
Elder Li explained as he worked, "This is called ’Xishi’s Milk.’ Handle it poorly, and it’s arsenic. Handle it well, and it’s the nectar of the gods."
He meticulously separated the liver, then swiftly cleared out the other organs. The entire process was as smooth as flowing water, without a single drop of excess blood spilled.
Next came skinning the fish.
Elder Li switched to a razor-sharp scraper, slicing gently along the grain of the flesh.
His wrist and waist moved in concert with a peculiar rhythm, as if he were performing a silent dance.
The blade glided between skin and flesh, making a soft SHUSHING sound.
HISS—
With a soft sound, the skin, only a millimeter or two thick, was peeled away in one complete piece. It was as thin as a cicada’s wing, practically translucent.
"The outer layer with the spines must be removed completely. The inner layer is the most delicious—a true connoisseur’s favorite."
Elder Li set down his knife and wiped his hands with a towel, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. "Don’t underestimate that single motion. Back in the day, I practiced that one cut for three full years."
"You can’t use brute force; it’s all about finesse. Your mind must be calm, your hands steady, and your breathing controlled."
Li Xu watched from the side, utterly amazed.
’This isn’t just cooking,’ he thought. ’It’s a delicate surgical procedure—no, it’s even more artistic than surgery.’
"Alright, the housekeeper can handle the rest. You all go on ahead and have some tea. It’ll be ready in a moment."
Elder Li said.
...
Back in the dining room, the fragrant aroma of tea filled the air.
Ding Kaifang produced a treasured bottle of Lafite, and the red wine in the decanter glowed as enticingly as a ruby.
Soon, the first course arrived.
On a small, exquisite black plate rested two pieces of a brownish, translucent aspic.
"This is the fish skin aspic."
The housekeeper announced.
Song Sisi stared at the glistening, translucent dish. Even though she knew Elder Li’s skills were beyond question, she couldn’t help but feel a knot of fear in her stomach. ’It’s still fugu, after all.’
She steeled herself and picked up a piece. "Li Xu, I’ll try it first. If it’s not poisonous, then you can eat."
A warmth spread through Li Xu’s chest. ’This silly girl.’
He shook his head and gently pressed her hand down with a smile. "You silly girl, what kind of man lets a woman test for poison? Besides, Elder Li’s culinary skills are state-banquet level. Don’t worry, just eat."
With that, he picked up a piece himself.
Under the light, tiny specks of white, flaky meat—deliberately left behind—were suspended in the aspic.
He placed it in his mouth.
Cool. Smooth. Springy.
As his teeth gently closed, the wonderfully springy aspic instantly melted on his tongue.
An intense, savory sweetness instantly flooded his entire mouth, followed by a faint saltiness and the aroma of wine—the flavor of a special soy sauce and aged Shaoxing wine.
But the most incredible part was the unique, gelatinous texture of the skin, which lingered sensuously between his lips and teeth, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste.
"Incredible!" Li Xu couldn’t help but exclaim. "Fresh! Pure! Perfect!"
This wasn’t just eating fish; it was savoring a work of art.
Next came the main event.
Two large, dark-blue platters were brought to the table.
They were covered with glistening, translucent fugu sashimi. Each slice was perfectly uniform in thickness, layered like flower petals and garnished with sprigs of emerald green endive and pale yellow slivers of ginger.
The flesh was as white as snow, but under the light, a faint blush of fresh red could be seen along the spine. The contrast of red and white was like a plum blossom against the snow, exuding a beautiful yet dangerous allure.
"Fugu sashimi."
Elder Li emerged with a hearty laugh. "Come on, give it a try. I cut these slices a little thicker for a better chew."
The housekeeper used the serving chopsticks to pick up a slice, dipped it lightly in the special soy sauce, and placed it on Li Xu’s plate.
"Doctor Li, please."
Li Xu gazed at the slice of fish on his plate, which seemed to tremble ever so slightly. He took a deep breath, picked it up with his chopsticks, and placed it in his mouth.
