Chapter 9

All the way into the late night, some people were still not ready to go home, showing every intention of working through the night. Because the sea was calm, the fishermen became a bit bolder, forming teams to venture into more distant waters.

Each fishing boat was equipped with bright lights. The purpose of these lights was not to make it easier to see the way, but to lure fish. These lights are called fish-attracting lights, and many marine fish have a tendency to be attracted to light. The lights often lure them closer.

In fact, not only fishing boats use this equipment; anglers might also use it. Friends who have the opportunity to go sea fishing can try adding fish-attracting lights to their fishing rigs, which are also known as fish-gathering lights. Chinese sea anglers don't believe in this, as they always focus on the bait.

However, the use of fish-attracting lights as an auxiliary tool is quite common among foreign fishermen, including our close neighbors, the Japanese.

A village like Tangjia, which is relatively backward, of course, could not afford professional fish-attracting lights. It is said that professional fish-attracting lights utilize the phototaxis of most fish species, integrating specific light-emitting luring schemes to attract fish in deeper waters, thereby increasing the catch rate per unit of working time and having significant economic value.

Wei Hang naturally wouldn't stay up all night with those people. Around eleven o'clock, a few people packed up their things and went home to prepare for a late-night snack. His mother and Aunt Xu had already gone back half an hour earlier, and the scallop late-night snack should be almost ready by now.

"Alright, take a break! It'll be ready soon," Wei's mother said to Wei Hang and the others as they entered the house.

There are many ways to prepare scallops. As genuine fishing village women, both Wei's mother and Aunt Xu were well-versed in these tasks and could prepare several delicious dishes with their eyes closed.

The most classic way to enjoy scallops is steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli, a dish that both rural and urban people love. To be honest, although everyone has different tastes, there are commonalities, and there is no difference between rich and poor. The same dish, after all, is just a matter of different decorations and settings.

"This is delicious, but it's a hassle to clean," Wei's father said, not intending to help. He sat on a stool and drank tea in large gulps.

His words were true. The two women had returned half an hour earlier and had just finished cleaning the scallops.

They first rinsed the shells with clear water to remove the sand and mud. Then, they used a small knife to pry open the shells, cutting the scallop meat inside. At this point, you would see the meat on both sides of the shell. Next, the knife was pressed against the bottom of the shell to completely remove the meat. This step must be done with the knife tightly against the bottom of the shell to ensure the meat is removed intact.

After separating the meat from the shell, they had to clean the meat. They used a knife to remove the internal organs, which appear black. Then, they placed the intact meat in a large bowl, added a little salt, and soaked it in salt water for two to three minutes. They used chopsticks to stir the meat clockwise to allow the sand and mud to settle at the bottom of the bowl.

They then scooped out the meat, discarded the water in the bowl, and added an appropriate amount of cornstarch to the bowl. They placed the meat back in the bowl and gently washed it with their hands. This process ensures that the cornstarch removes any remaining sand and mud. Finally, they rinsed the meat with clear water, and the preparation was complete.

Cornstarch is a term used in rural areas, often used in making tofu and as a thickener. In fact, it is just starch.

In Chinese cooking, cornstarch is used not only to thicken dishes and give them a smooth texture but also as a tenderizer for meat. It has a wide range of uses, such as a seasoning for stir-frying, making pancakes, and as a coating for meat before cooking.

However, the source of cornstarch varies by region. Inland areas use potato starch, also known as starch. In Hong Kong, cornstarch is used, and in Taiwan, tapioca starch is commonly used.

Ten minutes later, two large plates of steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli, which were both visually and aromatically appealing, were ready. Wei Hang eagerly entered the kitchen to bring out the dishes. As soon as they were on the table, he habitually picked up a scallop and ate it.

Suddenly, he felt a cold glare on his back. Turning around, he saw his mother giving him a warning look, while Aunt Xu was smiling at him. He gave a sheepish smile, and the scallop in his hand felt hot. He couldn't eat it, but he couldn't put it back either.

Of course, there was one who didn't follow the rules. That was Wei Hang's younger sister, Wei Lan. She didn't notice her mother's warning and picked up a scallop, blew on it, and ate it.

She turned around and noticed something was off. "Bro! What are you standing there for?"

Wei Hang glanced at her, signaling that their mother was watching.

Wei Lan's face changed, but she quickly reacted. She picked up another scallop and pulled Zhang Xueru into it, ensuring their mother wouldn't say anything.

"Sister Xueru, have one too. Aunt Xu and my mom are really good at cooking." This was a subtle compliment.

This time, it was Zhang Xueru's turn to feel awkward. She understood her younger sister's intention and followed her lead, eating the scallop. After all, they were in this together. Indeed, Wei's mother had nothing to say.

Wei Hang gave the girl an appreciative look, thinking, "You're pretty clever!"

"Come on, everyone! Start eating!" Wei's father came to his daughter's rescue. Whenever this happened, as a father, he would step in. His affection for the girl was clearly greater than for Wei Hang. They say daughters are their fathers' past lovers, and it seems there's some truth to that.

"The vermicelli is a bit too much." Wei Lan didn't particularly like vermicelli and moved it to her brother's bowl.

Wei's mother glared at her, a signature move to discipline her daughter. "You talk too much. You keep the good stuff for yourself and leave the bad for your brother."

"It's fine! The vermicelli absorbs the freshness of the scallops, the aroma of the garlic, and the saltiness of the soy sauce. I think it's delicious," Wei Hang said, not minding.

Wei's mother knew that both father and son doted on the girl, so she didn't continue scolding.

Zhang Xueru, seeing this, felt a bit envious. In the past, she and her sister were also very much loved by their father, but he had passed away too early.

Wei's mother picked a good scallop and placed it in Zhang Xueru's bowl. "Xueru, eat more."

"Sure, thank you, Aunt! I can serve myself," Zhang Xueru said, a bit surprised.

Then, the conversation at the table turned to the two families' cooperation in acquiring scallops. Given the inconvenience of transporting fresh scallops and the limited price, they planned to process them into dried scallops, with Wei Hang responsible for sales, and the profits to be split equally.

"It's very late. Xiao Hang, take Xueru and Aunt Xu back. Be careful on the way," Wei's mother said, trying to create an opportunity for her son.

"No need! I can go back with my mom," Zhang Xueru quickly said.

Xu Jing didn't say anything. She was also happy to see this happen and was trying to create an opportunity for her daughter. Based on Wei Hang's current situation, she predicted he would become a millionaire, and it would be good for her daughter to be with him.

Moreover, it wouldn't be long before other girls in the village would be introduced to him. Her daughter had little education and a modest family background, giving her no advantage. This was her greatest concern. She had even thought about how to make these two a couple.

If Zhang Xueru and Wei Hang knew what this woman was thinking, they would probably be speechless.

New book ranking 39th, everyone, can we break through? It all depends on you! Thanks to the support of Jiangnan's top lady!

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends