Medicinal Chicken Hot Pot (1)
After being kicked out of the hospital, Sireno actually followed Sang Ye all the way back to the West Building. They weren't set to depart for the Tide Sea until the day after tomorrow. Although it was his own loose tongue that had offended the other General, he was sharp enough not to flaunt himself in front of Jiang Sili again, instead adopting a pitiful, downtrodden expression.
The soft-hearted Sang Ye found herself bringing him home.
"Who did you bring back?"
As soon as they stepped into the building, a figure emerged from behind the screen. The little Phoenix gave a hop and stood firmly on top of the screen, its bead-like eyes looking quite unfriendly at the beautiful male behind Sang Ye.
"The Prince of the Tide Sea clan," Sang Ye said, oblivious to the tension. "General Jiang Sili kicked him out of the hospital. I figured since I’m heading to the Tide Sea in two days anyway, he might as well stay with us for a bit. It’s a bit sad for him to be wandering the base alone."
The pale blue fins behind Sireno’s ears trembled slightly as if he were frightened, and he looked at Sang Ye with a gaze full of vulnerability.
Sang Ye glanced at Sireno, who was about her height, then at the menacing Lin Changli, who was standing there with tight lips and a sulky face. "Don't scare him. He’s just a guest; he’ll be gone soon."
Lin Changli raised an eyebrow, looking at her in disbelief. "I’m scaring him?" He let out a dry laugh. "Why do you think Jiang Sili kicked him out? Jiang Sili is famous for having the best temper in the base."
Sang Ye waved it off dismissively. "Oh, hush. Why bring that up now? You want him to sleep outside in the dirt tonight?"
"I sleep in the wild all the time. Besides, he’s a merman. Can't he just jump in the sea and find a rock to sleep on?"
"Listen to yourself. Is he the same as you?" Sang Ye argued immediately. "You're tough as nails and you carry a Phoenix—you've got a built-in heater and a bodyguard. Look at him; he looks like he’d trip over his own shadow."
Sang Ye gave him an odd look. "Besides, why are you blocking him? You don't even know him, and he hasn't done anything to hurt you. Why so stingy?"
Lin Changli was speechless. He glared at the silent Sireno, then turned on his heel and stormed off.
"Where are you going? Are you coming back for dinner?" Sang Ye called after him. Big brother, if you don't eat, I can't cure you!Lin Changli’s back stiffened. He seemed even angrier as he quickened his pace and vanished.
Du Yuan and Rong Cheng were leaning against the sofa in the living room, chewing on dried mangoes and watching the drama at the door with great relish. Sireno blinked his moist eyes and finally spoke: "Thank you, Colonel. You are truly too kind."
Sang Ye felt a bit embarrassed. After all, this wasn't her house; Sireno really should be thanking the man who just stormed off in a huff.
…
Preparations for the Tide Sea trip were nearly finished. Rong Cheng, having earned merit for capturing Minur and finding the missing soldiers, had been allowed to pick a newly developed weapon from the armory. Yesterday, she had accidentally sliced off half a reef under the West Building's cliff while testing it, leading Du Yuan to strictly forbid her from taking it out at home.
"Should we have Medicinal Chicken Hot Pot tonight?" Rong Cheng suggested. "I'll go slaughter a few Three-Yellow chickens. A hot pot will be nice and warming!"
"Sounds good. I'll prep some Sweet Vinegar. It’s the best dipping sauce for tender chicken."
"Slice some ham and red sausage, too. We’ll need bean curd sheets, fine kelp, and vermicelli. Everything dipped in sweet vinegar... ah, that taste." Du Yuan narrowed her eyes, savoring the memory.
Sang Ye patted the merman’s shoulder, noting that beneath the delicate exterior, he was actually quite firm and muscular—unsurprising for someone who swam in the ocean daily. "We're having chicken hot pot tonight to drive out the chill."
Sireno looked at the red-haired woman's bright smile and smiled back. "Alright."
Medicinal chicken originally evolved from health-boosting tonics. People discovered that when mixed with fresh chicken and specific spices—especially when paired with a specially prepared Sweet Vinegar—it became a unique delicacy.
Back in Shifang Grotto, this was a winter staple. The herbs grew on the mountains behind the sect and were naturally infused with spiritual energy, allowing people to pass the winter without illness.
Sang Ye took a Three-Yellow chicken, rubbed it with salt, and drizzled it with flowery rice wine. She simmered it with ginger, dates, sesame oil, tangerine peel, and angelica, adding spring bamboo shoots for freshness. Finally, she added astragalus and goji berries. After thirty minutes, the chicken was tender and its essence had fully melted into the soup.
The secret to a great base is the concentration. After simmering, she placed the soup in the freezer to set. It quickly turned into a bright yellow, fragrant solid base—similar to her instant noodle sauce packs. To make hot pot, one simply needed to dissolve a spoonful in water.
The Sweet Vinegar was a processed condiment. She boiled rice vinegar to remove the harsh edge, then added soy sauce, water, sugar, and chicken essence. Once cooled, it was sweet, tangy, and refreshing, perfectly balancing the earthy medicinal notes of the chicken.
…
In the evening, Wu Jianing came running over like a little pony. Sireno sat on the kitchen porch, his eyes lowered submissively as he peeled vegetables with Du Yuan. It seemed no one who came to this kitchen could escape the fate of prepping vegetables.
Sireno let out a shy smile at something Du Yuan said. "I can. Would you like to hear it?"
Sang Ye, inside the kitchen, heard an ethereal song. It sounded like the nervousness and curiosity of a sea creature stepping onto land for the first time; it was pure, fervent, like a whisper to a lover. Even Jianing sat quietly by his side, entranced.
Sang Ye approached the door but stopped, afraid to disturb the moment. Sireno turned his head slightly, his deep blue eyes meeting hers. His curly silver hair draped down to his waist, partially covered by his gauzy robe. For a moment, Sang Ye found herself at a loss for words.Snap! A finger snapped, and the troublemaker arrived. Lin Changli stood before them, head tilted. "Pull back your mental power. Don't use it on everyone," he said pointedly.
Sang Ye snapped out of it, realizing the air was thick with a tide-like mental energy, carrying the scent of the sea. They had been unguarded and hadn't noticed the source.
Sireno blinked innocently. "I radiate mental power whenever I sing. It’s the nature of the Tide Sea clan; I can't control it."
Lin Changli sneered. "Your 'talent' only seems to work on women."
"The influence on the opposite sex is indeed a bit stronger," Sireno didn't deny it.
Even knowing it was a mental influence, looking at Sireno’s beautiful face made it hard for anyone to stay angry. "Alright, alright," Sang Ye played peacemaker. "It's a small thing; Sireno didn't do it on purpose. Everyone's back, so let's eat."
…
Outside, only Lin Changli and the merman remained.
"The Prince seems to harbor a great deal of hostility toward me?" Sireno stood up, dropping his frail act. His expression became dignified, and he lowered his voice. "But you and I only met today."
"Or perhaps..." Sireno looked inside the house, where the red-haired woman was feeding a child. A glint of genuine interest flashed in his eyes.
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