I Have a Lake as I Walk Through the Courtyard

Liang Ladi puffed out her chest, almost causing Nan Yi to trip and fall. "What nonsense am I talking about? You hugged me, you touched me, everyone in the repair shop knows! Now you've run away, how am I supposed to face anyone? Waaah..."

Nan Yi, sitting in the kitchen, was utterly exasperated. He'd even given up his job to avoid his wife, the "tiger mom," and now she'd actually followed him here. "Keep your voice down!"

Hearing this, Liang Ladi cried even louder, glancing at Nan Yi every now and then. "I can't face anyone! If I leave, what will happen to my four poor children? How will they survive?"

*Cough cough cough* That's a lot to say. The third uncle, sitting in the living room drinking tea, choked on his tea, his face turning red. "Could this be another scam?"

Seeing the old man's expression, Lin Feng nodded affirmatively. "I'm pretty sure of it. Do all chefs these days like this kind of thing?"

Tsk, tsk, the third uncle is drinking his bland tea with relish! "Aren't you a cook too?"

Hearing this, Lin Feng's face darkened. Who are you implying, old man? Do you think I'm that kind of person? Looks like there's no point in discussing cooking skills today! Lin Feng sighed. Good things come to those who wait!

Looking at the stubborn Nan Yi, Liang Ladi couldn't tell if it was from sadness or something else, but a few tears actually welled up in her eyes. "I know you look down on me, I might as well die! If you have any conscience at all, help me take care of my children!"

"Alright, alright! Stop acting! I'm scared, okay? I must have owed you something in my past life!"

Hearing this, Lin Feng outside shook his head. Another man ruined... A moment of weakness, a lifetime of hardship!

The old man narrowed his small eyes and smiled. "This fish will definitely taste better than usual today!"

Liang Ladi quickly adapted to her role as the hostess, looking at the fragrant fish filling the room. "What a pity, my children! I wonder if they've eaten yet?"

"They're treating us today. Bring them over this afternoon, and I'll cook them something nice!"

Liang Ladi looked around the house with satisfaction. "This house is a bit small. There's also a side room next door. Wait a minute, go tell that high-ranking leader I want to come over too!"

"What? You're not working at the machine repair shop anymore?"

"I'm a level 5 welder, I'm in high demand everywhere, people would beg for me. Just looking at Cui Dake makes me sick. That big boss is after your skills, surely you can handle this little thing? Remember to have him bring over that side room next door, otherwise my kids won't have enough room."

Nan Yi's face darkened. "Do you think you're some big boss who listens to me and whatever I say goes?"

"You're such a blockhead! Isn't that big boss named Li Huaide? If you're too embarrassed to ask, I'll go find him! Don't worry, it won't bother you at all!" Liang Ladi was full of confidence. Nan Yi's skills were absolutely hard to find even with a lantern. That factory manager Liu actually promoted Cui Dake, which was like losing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed.

The fish was finally cooked, and when it was served, the aroma was like a bomb. Even Lin Feng, who usually doesn't lack for oil and fat, couldn't help but swallow his saliva. Just from the aroma, he knew that Nan Yi's cooking skills were far superior to his own. No wonder even someone like Li Huaide had to try to poach him!

If the aroma of Sichuan cuisine is like a series of explosive bursts, Nan Yi's cooking skills are mainly based on Shandong cuisine. The fish he makes is salty and fragrant, with a rich sauce that makes people's appetite soar just by looking at it.

With guests present, Liang Ladi became much more reserved. There were three men at the table, but Liang Ladi didn't join them. Seeing this, Lin Feng felt a little embarrassed. "Sister-in-law, come and eat with us!"

Hearing this, Liang Ladi found Lin Feng extremely agreeable. This young man knew how to talk; he was much better than the old man next to him who was only staring at the fish. "You guys eat first, I'll tidy up and come over!"

"Eat up, eat up, don't worry about him. There's some left for him in the kitchen. Let's have a good drink together!"

Seeing that the third uncle was about to pour the wine, Lin Feng's eyes widened. "Hehe, such good food deserves good wine. You wait, I have some at home!"

The third uncle didn't insist. He looked at the glass of wine that had been poured in front of him with a puzzled expression, took a small sip, and the chef's tongue was not so easy to please. After a little wine entered his mouth, his whole face instantly scrunched up like a palette!

"Isn't my liquor good? It's authentic Erguotou!" The third uncle looked at Nan Yi's strange behavior without any surprise. He was shameless and kept urging him to drink.

Nan Yi finally understood why Lin Feng had run away. He forced a smile at the old man who was urging him to drink, and only breathed a sigh of relief when Lin Feng brought over a bottle of wine! If he had to drink this kind of wine with this dish, he would have been miserable!

Lin Feng opened the bottle, and a burst of aroma instantly filled the air. "Authentic Shanxi Fenjiu! Everyone, have a taste!"

Nan Yi took a sniff. "You've really gone to great lengths for me today, with fish and wine!"

"Your skills alone are worth it!"

Liang Lati, in the kitchen, sniffed. "Who exactly is Lin Feng? How can he get his hands on this kind of wine? Oh dear, I'm craving it, what am I going to do?"

The third uncle didn't expect to find such a pleasant surprise during the meal. This kind of wine is something that ordinary people can't buy even if they have money. As someone who often drinks, he naturally knows its value. After some mutual flattery, all three of them got quite drunk, mainly because the alcohol content of this wine was really high!

The first one to collapse was the Third Uncle. This old guy would eat a piece of meat and drink a sip of wine, almost emptying the cup completely, as if he was afraid of not drinking a cup enough. Lin Feng looked at Nan Yi, who was already in a daze.

"Master Nan, how did you cook this fish? It's so tender and smooth! I can never seem to get the timing right!"

"Haha, to be honest, it's actually worthless. The key is in the timing of adding the salt; you have to add it in batches... *burp*"

Just as Lin Feng was getting to the crucial point, Liang Ladi suddenly ran out of the kitchen, smiled at him, and said, "My husband is drunk. I'm sorry, we'll have to keep you company another day!" She then helped Nan Yi back into the inner room.

Lin Feng gave a wry smile. In this day and age, people are extremely protective of their culinary skills, unlike in later generations who are afraid you won't know about them and even film them in videos!

"Sister-in-law, I'll be taking my leave now!"

"Let's keep in touch!"

Helpless, Lin Feng helped up the third uncle, who was already completely drunk. The old man looked like a starving ghost reincarnated as Lin Feng helped him out of Nan Yi's house.

After sending the third uncle back, Lin Feng returned to the house, entered his spatial dimension, and drank a mouthful of spiritual spring water. The effects of the alcohol evaporated almost completely. He had gone all out the second time, but he had also learned a lot. After Lin Feng sobered up, he instantly produced a fish in his hand with a thought.

The entire fish was quickly cleaned by an invisible force, almost exactly the same as how Nan Yi had done it, down to the depth of the cuts on the fish!

Lin Feng frowned, recalling the male lead's steps, and began to replicate them step by step in the space!

The entire process of the fish's transformation within the space was clearly reflected in Lin Feng's mind. Following Nan Yi's timing and proportions of adding seasonings, Lin Feng compared his own cooking to the results. As the fish was taken out of the pot, Lin Feng took a bite. Not bad, not bad, almost perfect.