Transmigrating into a Book in the 80s: After Giving Up, I Was Pampered by a Rough Man

As soon as the styrofoam box landed, everyone's eyes turned to it.

Qian Weimin rubbed his hands together, even more excited than when they were discussing the North American channels.

"Dr. Jiang, Brother Lu, let me tell you, this is no small matter."

Ah Hai wiped his sweat and carefully lifted the lid of the styrofoam box.

A fresh, briny aroma carrying the scent of the sea immediately wafted out.

The box was filled with crushed ice, and a huge yellow croaker lay in the middle.

The fish has a thick body, and its scales still have a faint golden hue.

Its tail is slightly curved, which immediately tells you it's a rare and high-quality item.

Jiang Mian, who had been leaning back lazily, sat up a little straighter when she saw the fish.

"This is... a large yellow croaker?"

Ahai immediately chimed in, "It weighs over fifteen pounds, a genuine wild yellow croaker."

Qian Weimin puffed out his chest, his tone full of boasting.

"I already told Ah Hai to keep an eye on things."

"Dr. Jiang has been in Hong Kong for so long, I've been so busy that I forgot to prepare some decent local specialties for you."

"We were lucky with this fish; Ah Hai specially intercepted it from the fishermen."

Ahai nodded in agreement and added, "That fisherman said that you only see wild yellow croakers this big a few times a year."

"Originally, a restaurant owner wanted to buy it, but I just paid more and won it."

Qian Weimin immediately took over the conversation.

"I'm not exaggerating. If you took this to those big restaurants in Central now, they would definitely be scrambling to book private rooms."

"I was thinking that maybe I should send it to a five-star hotel and have the chef prepare it properly."

At this point, he looked at Lu Ting, his tone suddenly becoming incredibly sincere.

"But then I thought about it again. With Brother Lu's skills right here, it would be a waste to send it to a hotel."

"So I just had Ah Hai carry it over."

Lu Ting had already walked to the box.

He squatted down, first pressing the fish's belly, then flipping it over to look at its gills.

Qian Weimin leaned closer and asked, "Brother Lu, how is it?"

Lu Ting nodded. "Very fresh."

Qian Weimin was immediately relieved.

"That's good, that's good."

Jiang Mian looked at the fish with a renewed interest in her eyes.

This wild yellow croaker is so big! I'd only ever heard of it being very expensive before, but I'd never even seen one, let alone eaten it.

Decades from now, even if you have the money, it will be difficult to buy. Right now, we're taking advantage of the times.

Lu Ting looked up at Jiang Mian and asked, "How do you want to eat it?"

Jiang Mian thought for a moment, "How about making fish head soup, steaming part of the fish body, and then braising the rest?"

"The remaining fish meat can be used to make fish balls."

Lu Ting naturally picked up where she left off.

"Use fish bones to make the broth, and steam the fish maw separately."

Qian Weimin, listening from the side, was practically drooling.

"Brother Lu, you haven't even lit the fire yet, I'm already starving."

Jiang Mian couldn't help but smile when she saw how greedy he looked.

"Then Mr. Qian, why don't you stay and eat with us?"

Qian Weimin was waiting for these words, but he still deliberately said something polite.

"This...this is too much trouble!"

Jiang Mian raised an eyebrow. "Then you're leaving?"

"No, no, no!" Qian Weimin immediately sat up straight.

"I'm a very loyal person. The fish has already been delivered, how could I just leave halfway?"

"What if Brother Lu accidentally makes too much? It would be such a waste if no one ate it! It would be a complete waste of resources!"

Ah Hai couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Qian Weimin turned and glared at him. "What are you laughing at?"

Ah Hai immediately stood up straight. "Boss, I wasn't laughing."

Qian Weimin waved his hand, "Never mind, you also contributed today, so stay with us."

Ah Hai's eyes lit up instantly. "Thank you, Boss. Thank you, Miss Jiang. Thank you, Mr. Lu."

Lu Ting didn't say much, and simply rolled up his sleeves.

He picked up the large yellow croaker, easily weighed it in his hand, and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

Qian Weimin watched his retreating figure and said in a low voice, "Dr. Jiang, I truly believe Brother Lu is extraordinary now."

"He held such a big fish as if it were a scallion."

Jiang Mian took a sip of tea and slowly replied, "My husband is very strong."

Qian Weimin: "..."

He felt he really shouldn't have responded to that.

Soon, the sounds of running water and a cleaver hitting the cutting board could be heard from the kitchen.

Lu Ting is always efficient. Once a large yellow croaker was in his hands, he quickly and clearly processed it, dividing it into parts.

The fish head was split open, the fish bones were cut into sections, and the scum was carefully rinsed away with hot water.

However, while gutting the fish, Lu Ting felt a sudden, inexplicable discomfort.

However, the discomfort came on quickly and went away just as fast.

He didn't take it to heart.

Jiang Mian was curious and wanted to go in and take a look, but Lu Ting chased her back from the kitchen doorway.

"I'll just take a look."

Lu Ting wiped his clean hands on his apron, walked over and gently pushed her half a step away.

"Sweetie, there's a fishy smell inside. Sit down and wait."

Jiang Mian looked up at him and said, "Lu Ting, you're getting better and better at managing me these days."

Lu Ting looked down at her. "The kitchen is smoky and quite hot."

After listening, Jiang Mian gave a soft hum and turned back to the terrace.

When Qian Weimin saw her return, he immediately pushed the teacup towards her.

"Dr. Jiang, I must say Brother Lu is doing a great job."

"A place like the kitchen is definitely not for roughnecks like us."

Jiang Mian glanced at him. "Boss Qian, when did you learn to cook?"

Qian Weimin immediately coughed.

"I'm in charge of eating and praising, which is also a very important skill."

Ah Hai whispered angrily, "The boss usually burns even when he's frying an egg."

Qian Weimin glared at him. "Ah Hai, do you still want to eat fish today?"

Ah Hai immediately shut up.

The atmosphere on the terrace immediately became more relaxed.

All those calculations about Smith, Liu Wensen, and the North American channels seem to have been temporarily overshadowed by this big yellow croaker.

Qian Weimin, holding his teacup, couldn't help but bring the topic back.

"Dr. Jiang, I have already sent someone to deliver the message."

"If Liu Wensen receives news that we've arranged for him to meet with Smith at the same event, he'll definitely have to reconsider."

Jiang Mian picked up her teacup and took a sip. "He will come."

"Are you so sure?"

"Since he came to scout the way, he can't possibly back down at the first step."

"And it would be even more interesting if he were genuinely afraid to see Smith."

Qian Weimin nodded repeatedly as he listened.

"I'm just waiting to see the two of them sit at the same table."

"One pretends to be a professional investor, and the other pretends to be a reliable old partner."

"At that time, everyone will be polite to each other on the surface, but they'll probably all be cursing each other in their hearts."

Jiang Mian smiled and said, "Boss Qian, you'd better be careful not to smile too obviously."

"Don't worry, I'm a professional." Qian Weimin patted his chest.

"I really couldn't resist, so I had Ah Hai stand in front of me to block my way."

Ahai: "..."