CHAPTER 738: CHAPTER 737: THE FEMALE GENERAL’S STEAMED TEA BOWL (PART 2)

Chawanmushi, also known as Japanese steamed egg, is a type of Japanese-flavored snack that is quite renowned. After many customers have their fill of raw and cold seafood such as sashimi, they would order a warm bowl of steamed egg to eat. It warms the heart and stomach, and the sense of bliss is simply indescribable.

To be specific, the preparation of chawanmushi is not substantially different from that of ordinary steamed eggs; it is just that the container is slightly special, utilizing a tea cup.

And when it comes to chawanmushi, why must it be associated with a thick Japanese flavor? Here, we must mention the soup mixed with the egg liquid, which is a very representative Japanese katsuobushi broth. At first glance, the soup appears plain, but once tasted, the palate is dominated by a deep, lingering flavor.

Katsuobushi, in other words, bonito, and what are called katsuobushi flakes, are actually the same thing.

Speaking of technical content, chawanmushi is a home dish. Almost every housewife who knows how to cook can prepare and serve it, and the taste is quite good.

Therefore, when the audience knew the main general was using such a snack as her Lin-level debut work, they couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

"Too ordinary!"

"The recipe is common! The ingredients are common!"

"Yes, if she cannot bring something new or give the dish profound meaning, I’m afraid Main General Liangzi will find it difficult to win approval from those four!"

All the voices expressed concern.

At this moment, Xia Yu noticed a scornful look sweeping towards her. Lei Zhe was up to something again, his eyes clearly showing contempt for the main general’s work.

From a culinary perspective, he did indeed have the right to look down on the yet-to-be-officially-promoted main general.

Xia Yu, however, merely chuckled softly to herself, her lips silently moving towards Lei Zhe: "Just wait and see!"

As they waited, half an hour passed by unnoticed.

Steamed egg could be cooked quickly over a high heat, and in at most 10 minutes it could be ready to serve. But mastering the heat for steamed eggs is also an art. Even the junior high students of Far Moon probably wouldn’t use high heat, as it tends to make the egg custard tough and lose its original delicate texture. Such a dish would be utterly ruined.

The main general cooked it over a low flame on a charcoal stove for half an hour, the efficiency was actually pretty high.

Clack-clack!

The sound of the bamboo curtains in the room being rolled up.

The curtain facing towards the Yu Bath of Shinjuku Imperial Garden were all lifted and tucked under the eaves, gradually revealing the garden night view to the guests.

In that direction, the lights were dim, the tree shadows swayed, and the wind brought the rustling sound of leaves, creating an atmosphere as if from a painting.

The ambiance was set, and the young women in kimonos began to serve the food.

Each table, according to the number of people, received an individual tea cup of the Japanese chawanmushi. And when the maids took them away at the end, the number of tea cups was just right—neither more nor less.

The main general still knelt behind the counter, her eyes lifting to look at the four tycoons seated at the head table.

No one was in a rush to start eating, and all became silent in the room.

"Chawanmushi?" Aoki Motota of Shi Lin Temple, with a chuckle, began to speak. "Liangzi, tell us why you chose such a common recipe!"

"We need an explanation!" declared the stern-faced Master of Yuchuan. She was naturally severe with her white brows, and with her imposing manner, she commanded authority without anger.

Shinohara Shigetaro and Chiyoda Goddess also watched the main general.

The whole room was looking at her.

"A common recipe?" Liangzi Lina’s lips curved into a faint smile, as if she was about to laugh. Her gaze first swept over Xia Yu, who was also looking at her beside the main seat. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she lowered her eyelids and spoke softly: "But it is this very plain and ordinary recipe that carries my most precious memories."

Memories?

Everyone saw the main general look at Xia Yu while speaking, and their expressions weren’t quite right.

Behind Shinohara, Eriina and Alice Sisters, and next to them the Yuchuan Sisters, all stared at Xia Yu with exaggerated looks, as if they were seeing a big scoundrel whose character had collapsed.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Xia Yu, who could exchange glances and laugh with Lei Zhe, couldn’t stand this strange barrage of stares.

He knew the story behind the main general’s words.

Originally, when the main general taught him the recipes for "Sukiyaki" and "Chawanmushi" hands-on, Xia Yu pryed and managed to get her to tell a story.

Looking at Xia Yu, who was seated uncomfortably and seeking help with his eyes, Liangzi Lina’s eyes held a teasing smile.

She whispered softly: "Chawanmushi, simple and ordinary, is deeply loved by women and children in Japanese cuisine culture. But when I was a child, I hated all egg dishes, absolutely all of them. My mother, a very excellent chef, tried various methods to cook chawanmushi to change my picky eating habits..."

As she spoke, the main general slowly reached out her hand and lifted the lid off a tea cup in front of her, and instantly, steam billowed out.

The scalding steam now felt tender to the touch.

Inhaling the aroma in the air, the female lead revealed an unprecedentedly gentle smile, "This memory, and the things my mother left me... I have imbued them into this teacup steamed egg!"

"Try it—"

With a soft voice, she finished speaking and then used a spoon to scoop out a spoonful of the custard, bringing it to her mouth, her eyes immediately glistening with moisture.

Mother’s taste?

For some reason, Senzemon, Dojima Yin, Shinohara Shigetaro, Aoki Motota, and Lei Zhe, Catherine, and Andrea, all cast strange glances at Xia Yu.

"Isn’t this similar to the essence of ’Tofu Trio’?" Dojima Yin frowned.

Even Xia Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

Had the female lead tasted his tofu dish that night and thus comprehended her own unique "Culinary Justice"?

Mysterious!

Xia Yu was the first to disbelieve.

"It’s so strange..."

A voice laced with an uncontrollable sob came from beside her.

Yuchuan Meisha’s hand was pressed on the lid of the teacup, her palm trembling, her arm shaking visibly, and even her left hand, resting on her skirt, gripped the fabric tightly.

"Voice!" she murmured, "A faint voice says she, she wants to see me!"

"So familiar, is it mom?"

"Where are you? Wait!"

Unable to control the eagerness to see a cherished person, Yuchuan Meisha snapped the lid open; steam rushed forth, and as the odor of the dish passed over her face, tears fell like pearls snapped from a string, one by one onto the tabletop.

The Yuchuan Sisters had extraordinary auditory gifts; they didn’t need to taste to "hear" what was in the dish. Yuchuan Ayaka also showed a similar reaction, covering her mouth with her hands, her eyes incredulously wide.

She too lifted the lid of the teacup.

Inside the cup was a smooth, fine steamed egg, like polished jade.

Yuchuan Meisha stared blankly at the teacup, a vague figure of a woman appeared in her vision, smiling at her and whispering softly, "I want to see you—"

At that moment.

Xia Yu could no longer afford to observe the reactions of others, his eyes too were firmly gripped by the teacup in front of him.

The steamed egg was beautiful.

What was an incredibly ordinary snack, transformed by the deft hands of the female lead, shone brilliantly, with an exquisite, gem-like allure.

With a solemn expression, he spooned out a piece and brought it to his mouth.

Ah!

It was like a cloud of steam entering his mouth, his teeth and tongue couldn’t stop this insubstantial thing, it slipped directly down his throat, like a jelly consommé melting away, creating a pleasant stream of warmth, Xia Yu’s body shivered, his eyes shocked.

"This feeling..."

The steamed egg was undoubtedly very, very delicious, the flavor of the egg mixed with dashi broth, savory and sweet yet not frivolous, leaving a profound aftertaste in the mouth.

But at this moment, under the jelly-like "warmth," Xia Yu subconsciously dismissed everything else.

Warmth, surpassing all!

Xia Yu’s spirit trembled, he thought to himself, "Is this the true ’Culinary Justice’ hatched?"

Warmth was only the appearance of "Culinary Justice," but with its elevation through "Culinary Justice," this texture overwhelmingly surpassed all other aspects of the dish – ultimate flavor, complex gustatory structure, all fell apart in front of the wave of warmth.

It was immensely precious, possessing a mysterious Magic Power that could make hearts tremble and eyes weep.

The hand holding the silver spoon started to shake uncontrollably.

The next spoonful could lead to something he couldn’t stop, but Xia Yu still couldn’t help but take another bite.

"Boom!"