Chapter 471: Lady Yukari's Whim and the Prudent Yakumo Ran
Yakumo Ran stared at the fragrant Dong'an Chicken before her, a dish that sent tantalizing aromas curling through the air. She swallowed hard, her anticipation evident, before turning her attention to the covered dish at her side. She didn't even need to guess what it was.
With a soft click, she lifted the lid. No overwhelming fragrance burst forth, but the sight of perfectly square, golden-brown pieces of fried tofu made Yakumo Ran's breath catch. This was it. Her absolute favorite food. One of them, at least.
Just as she reached for her chopsticks, a slender, almost guilt-ridden hand darted into her peripheral vision. Ran froze. In the next instant, she watched in silent horror as one of her precious pieces of fried tofu was deftly plucked from the plate by Lady Yukari.
The sense of grievance that flooded Ran's golden eyes was so immense it threatened to spill over. Her fluffy tails, usually held high with pride, drooped ever so slightly. But she was a prudent Shikigami, loyal and composed. She dared not utter a word of protest.
Lady Yukari held the piece of tofu aloft with her chopsticks, examining it with the critical eye of a connoisseur. A slow, amused smile graced her lips. "Oh my," she purred, her voice a silken melody. "As expected of the manager. This fried tofu looks simply divine."
Yakumo Ran nodded vigorously, her agreement absolute on that point.
Yukari's gaze drifted to the array of dipping sauces arranged neatly in front of her Shikigami. After a moment of thought, she turned to the shopkeeper. "Manager! Could you tell us what these sauces are?"
Ren glanced over, his expression calm. "There's a chili sauce, a barbecue spice powder, and a sweet and sour sauce," he explained softly. "There are quite a few, actually. Some are... more unusual."
Ran blinked, her own curiosity piqued. "Hmm? Unusual dipping sauces?" she murmured, her eyes scanning the small bowls. "Eh? What's this transparent one?"
"That one..." Ren began with a faint smile, "is something special."
Lady Yukari hesitated for only a second before dipping the stolen tofu into a vibrant red sauce flecked with chili seeds. Under Yakumo Ran's utterly heartbroken gaze, she brought the morsel to her lips.
"Mmm!" Yukari's eyes widened slightly. "Sour and spicy! It's delicious! Truly, the manager's skill is remarkable!"
A flicker of temptation sparked within Ran, momentarily warring with her sorrow. Lady Yukari wasn't so shameless as to snatch food directly from her Shikigami's bowl—though she certainly delighted in ordering her around. This was a rare, direct theft.
Withdrawing her gaze, Yukari turned her attention to her own dish: the Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish. The name gave her pause; she couldn't recall ever having tried it before. But its brilliant, golden-orange hue was certainly appealing. It had to taste good.
"The shape doesn't resemble a fish in the slightest," she mused aloud, "but it is undeniably beautiful... Eh? Why is there a faint sizzling sound...? How interesting..."
She delicately separated a piece with her chopsticks and brought it to her mouth. As the flavor bloomed on her tongue, her violet eyes blinked in surprise. She looked down at the dish, chewed thoughtfully, and then her expression lit up with genuine delight. "Oh! This is truly exquisite!"
Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, so named for the way the fillet was artfully carved to resemble a squirrel, was a dish of considerable renown, a famous delicacy from the south. It seemed that river fish, carp aside, often demanded complex and elaborate cooking methods; dishes like West Lake Vinegar Fish were a proof of the skill required.
This was no exception. Setting all else aside, the sheer knife work needed to carve the fish into its distinctive shape was a feat in itself. The delicate "flower cuts" that allowed the flesh to open up like a pinecone required a surgeon's precision.
The most crucial part, the detail that would stump most diners, was the cooking method. If one were to ask how it was made, the immediate assumption would be, "Steamed, of course! Then drizzled with sauce!"
But the truth was far more involved. The dish was fried. Not just once, but twice, with hot oil poured over it to ensure a perfect, uniform crispness. And the braising sauce that followed—that was where the true 'kung fu' lay. It was a proof of a chef's mastery.
One never had to worry about bones when eating Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish. Firstly, the squirrel-like presentation made any remaining bones obvious. Secondly, mandarin fish have very few bones to begin with, and they were carefully removed during preparation. The most tedious part of eating fish—the constant, careful picking of tiny bones, taking minuscule bites—was completely eliminated.
This dish was a perfect solution. The head and body were prepared separately but both were deep-fried to a flawless golden-brown. As it cooked, the sound of tiny oil bubbles bursting against the skin was enough to make one's mouth water.
And of course, a dish named after a squirrel would be incomplete without the squirrel's favorite food: pine nuts. They were lightly fried for just a few seconds until fragrant, then set aside. Using the remaining oil in the wok, a clear broth was added, along with sugar, ketchup, and aromatic vinegar, and brought to a simmer. The final touch was a slurry of wet starch to thicken the sauce to a perfect, glossy consistency.
The pine nuts were sprinkled on top. The braising sauce was drizzled over. As the bright, glistening sauce cascaded over the hot, crispy fish, the entire "squirrel" seemed to come alive, emitting a faint, high-pitched sizzle—a "chirp."
This was the magic of the Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish. A fish dish that behaved like a squirrel, a chirping delicacy with a flavor that could conquer a diner's palate in a single, unforgettable bite.
The craftsmanship was delicate, the shape unique. It was a feast for the senses, possessing color, aroma, taste, and form. But what made it truly special was its sound. With its head slightly raised and its tail held high, it was fried to a perfect gold and arranged on the plate. The moment the sauce was poured, it sizzled with a sound like a chirping squirrel, its posture resembling the creature bowing its head. It was truly worthy of its fame.
Though the flesh was fried, it hadn't lost its inherent tenderness. The first bite was a revelation: sweet and sour, impossibly crispy on the outside, yet meltingly soft and flaky on the inside. It made one wonder, 'Is this really fish? Or is it truly a squirrel?'
If not for the unmistakable delicate texture and delicious flavor of the fish itself, Yukari might have genuinely suspected the latter.
She was completely captivated by the experience. Never before had she eaten fish prepared in such a way. She found herself in a delightful conundrum: should she savor it slowly to appreciate the flavor, or chew it to enjoy the crispiness? To savor it would be to miss the delightful crunch, but to simply chew it would be a waste of its incredible softness.
Lady Yukari let out a soft sigh of pleasure, turning her gaze to Yuuka Kazami. "I know I've said it once, but I must say it again, Yuuka," she said, her tone laced with playful accusation. "How could you keep Manager Ren's little shop a secret from me?"
Yuuka Kazami offered no response, completely ignoring her as she continued to eat her own meal with serene focus.
Yukari's eyes narrowed into mischievous slits. Her gaze fell upon a beautiful, small wine pot on the table. She picked it up, tilting her head. "And what sort of wine is this...?" She uncorked the stopper. "Oh... so fragrant!"
The moment the pot was opened, a rich, mellow, and intoxicatingly sweet aroma wafted out. Even Yakumo Ran paused, her senses captured by the scent. It smelled divine.
Eagerly, Yukari poured herself a small glass. She admired the crystal-clear liquid for a moment before taking a delicate sip. Her eyes lit up instantly. "Manager Ren! What is this wine?! The floral fragrance is absolutely enchanting!"
"Peach Blossom Wine," Ren replied. "It is one of the wines I offer that is particularly suitable for ladies."
"One of?" Yukari's interest was piqued. "There are others like this?" She drained the cup in one smooth motion, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Then I've decided. I shall try them all! Ran! Don't just sit there looking forlorn, drink with me!"
"Huh? Oh!" Ran straightened up, startled by the sudden command, her thoughts of the stolen tofu momentarily forgotten.
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