Chapter 133: Grilled Seafood on a Stone Slab

"Grain for Green" project?

After a moment of reflection, Zhong Di recalled that Qian Weining had mentioned it to him once before, and he had already agreed. He hadn't expected it to be implemented so quickly. However, thinking about the speed at which the reservoir was being renovated, he didn't find it particularly surprising.

"Yes, that works. Uncle Qian, just let me know when it’s convenient for you in the next few days, and we’ll go."

"How about tomorrow?"

"Isn't there a runoff competition tomorrow?"

Zhong Di still remembered that persistent person. The runoff was scheduled to last until 6:00 PM tomorrow, and there wouldn't be much time for anything else after that.

"It will be over in about an hour, start to finish. You think it’s a major tournament? It’s just one hour—whoever has the highest total weight of the catch wins. Then, have lunch with me, and I’ll take you to see that project of mine in the afternoon. We can discuss the details once we're there."

Qian Weining wasn't surprised by Zhong Di’s question; anyone would have assumed the same.

"In that case, that works."

While they were talking, Zaker finished making the *latiaozi* (hand-pulled noodles). Qian Weining didn't stand on ceremony and dove right in, finishing the noodles with gusto. It was staggering to see someone of his age eat so much; even a healthy young person might not manage such a portion, let alone a greasy middle-aged man—and one who was accustomed to a life of luxury at that.

"That was a great meal tonight. Tomorrow, come over to my place for a seafood feast. Alright, I’m off."

After a few more words with Zhong Di, Qian Weining got into his car and drove away.

"I have to say, watching him made me hungry, too. Shao Hong, fresh oysters—should we have another round?" Zhong Di looked at the departing Qian Weining and then at the seafood in the bucket. He silently decided that they wouldn't be escaping their fate tonight.

"Zaker and the others have all left. Is it really okay for just the two of us to cook a private meal?" Shao Hong said this, but his eyes were honest, fixed intently on the bucket.

That large bucket of seafood was truly tempting, especially the sea shrimp. Seafood like that was fresh, fragrant, and had a wonderful texture, with a subtle hint of sweetness. If one added a bit of seasoning or a dipping sauce, it would be enough to make anyone’s mouth water. Once you get used to ocean seafood, you can no longer stomach inland freshwater fish, which often carried a slight muddy, fishy taste.

"Come on, it's not like we don't have it. Let's just finish this bucket off happily!" Zhong Di knew exactly what Shao Hong was thinking the moment he saw his expression.

People, after all, always have to suppress their cravings from time to time.

"Woof!"

Yusheng was barking frantically from the side, nudging the bucket of seafood with his head, clearly looking forward to a feast. He had heard their entire conversation; possessing a high level of intelligence, he naturally knew what his "dad" was thinking, and he was all for it.

"Look, even Yusheng wants some. Let’s get started!" Zhong Di picked up the bucket, intending to give the catch one more rinse in clean water. The seafood had already been purged of sand, but Zhong Di wanted to wash it again—no special reason, he just felt like it.

"Steamed, stir-fried, stewed, or grilled? How do you want to eat them? I'll go get things ready." Since they had come this far, Shao Hong was naturally cooperative. It was true he had just eaten noodles, but for some strange reason, he felt hungry again.

"How about pan-searing? Grilling is too dry, and a stewed medley doesn't feel quite right. Let's just pan-sear them, add some seasoning, whip up a dipping sauce, and chat while we eat."

"That works." Shao Hong agreed it was a good idea.

"Don't forget, add extra bird's eye chilies to my portion, and squeeze in some lemon juice," Zhong Di reminded him. Along with the natural sweetness of the seafood, the heat of the chili was a must.

"Got it."

After some preparation, the two began. For the "pan-searing," they didn't use an electric griddle but instead used a large, flat stone slab, about half a meter long and wide, and roughly five centimeters thick. The center of the slab had been polished down slightly with a grinder so the oil wouldn't spill. Using a stone slab to sear seafood avoided the direct scorching of an open flame and prevented the uneven heating of an electric griddle.

Zhong Di decisively pulled out a large oyster and tossed it onto the slab; the texture of this would be quite something.

"I’ll have a big oyster, too." Seeing Zhong Di pick a large one, Shao Hong followed suit. All the seafood Qian Weining had brought was large; there wasn't a small piece in the bunch.

The sound of sizzling filled the air, and soon, a distinct, savory scent of seafood wafted around them.

"Wait, don't add the seasoning yet. For the first batch, we have to eat them plain!" For food like seafood, you don't naturally need seasoning; having grown up in seawater, they were already perfectly salted.

"Fair enough. That moon scallop—it’s time to flip it." Shao Hong added a few more pieces of firewood under the stone slab.

Soon, the seafood on the slab was cooked. It had been alive when put on, and in just a moment, it was done—incredibly fast. The sea shrimp, in particular, were large; when first thrown on, they had struggled, but now they all exuded a fresh, fragrant aroma.

"I’ll take an oyster." Zhong Di decisively picked up the first large oyster he had placed on the slab.

"Woof!"

"What, you're hungry too?" Zhong Di looked at Yusheng. Fine, he would toss the dog a sea shrimp.

"I really want to eat too!" A moment later, another voice entered Zhong Di’s mind.

It never ends. He hadn't even gotten the oyster into his mouth, and he was already being protested?

A tricolor bougainvillea?

"You’re a plant; you’re asking for a skewer? I’ll feed you fertilizer water later—drink your fertilizer water!" Zhong Di replied via thought. It had jumped, and now instead of drinking fertilizer water, it wanted seafood? Had it gotten ahead of itself?

Zhong Di ignored the bougainvillea. He could understand why it wanted seafood—it was all pure nutrition.

Putting on disposable gloves, Zhong Di opened the oyster and pried out the meat. Why "pried"? Because oysters have a strong adductor muscle that is firmly attached; if you don't pry it off, you can't get the meat out. To discard that muscle would be a huge waste; it was the best part of the oyster, firm and incredibly bouncy.

"One bite," Zhong Di muttered, stuffing the large oyster into his mouth.

*Hoo! Hoo!*

It was a bit hot. Zhong Di exhaled, savoring the tender, slippery texture of the oyster. He bit down hard, and the juices inside instantly flooded his mouth. It was like an explosion of flavor—that unique, fresh essence of the sea filled his palate.

It was absolutely sublime.

Zhong Di quickly finished the entire oyster. Eating the first batch plain was definitely the right choice. He immediately picked up a moon scallop, opened it, dug out the meat, and downed it in one bite as well. The slight warmth and the fresh, savory taste gave him a massive appetite.