This was supposed to be yesterday’s update. My laptop was acting up.
Yu Mian had just finished introducing Huo Ting as his special assistant when he was caught off guard by the comments flooding the barrage.
‘Not using an assistant?’
Wasn’t the whole point of this live broadcast to address everyone’s suspicions that he was actually Huo Ting?
His brief hesitation and confusion was captured on screen, Yu Mian had stopped mid-sentence, clearly reading the comments in the barrage.
[Help! I’ve said it hundreds of times already, can we please act normal in the comments? [Collapsing while holding head]]
[Ahem, throwing flowers, pressing paw prints! Looking forward to the spicy chicken!]
[Teacher Fish Soup Noodles, when are we starting to cook?]
As soon as the viewers realized that Yu Mian was reading the comments, they quickly straightened up, and the messages became noticeably more normal.
For a moment, Yu Mian even wondered if he’d just imagined those weird comments.
[But they’re still holding hands QWQ… Is it possible that holding hands with Teacher Fish Soup Noodles makes the food taste better? I want to hold hands too and absorb some of that luck!]
“Ahem, good food comes from practice, there’s no such mystical thing. Everyone needs to be down-to-earth.”
After reading that last comment, Yu Mian immediately let go of Huo Ting’s hand in mild embarrassment, trying to discourage such strange thoughts from appearing in the barrage.
[Ah, I get it now, Teacher Fish Soup Noodles, I was wrong!]
[So embarrassing hahaha, I can’t believe my comment got read out loud and got a public execution!]
[Teacher Fish Soup Noodles, I swear, that guy just wanted to hold hands! It had nothing to do with cooking!]
Seizing the opportunity, the other viewers started to pile on, eager to socially “kill” that commenter in front of Fish Soup Noodles.
“…”
Yu Mian realized he’d have to learn to ignore some of the weird barrage comments. Pretending to be calm, he pulled out his notebook to check the next step.
‘Why don’t the people in the barrage follow the script?’
‘Half of what they were saying didn’t even connect!’
[iFish_is_shutting_down.jpg]
“Ahem, anyway, our first step is to prepare the basic ingredients. Washing and cutting the vegetables require careful attention as well.”
Following his original plan, Yu Mian handed a basket of chili peppers to Huo Ting.
Huo Ting looked at Yu Mian, who was obviously getting nervous, and chuckled quietly.
“What are you laughing at…!”
Yu Mian immediately moved his earpiece aside and questioned Huo Ting in a low voice.
This was his first live broadcast, he didn’t need this guy causing him to mess up.
“Did I laugh?”
But as Huo Ting turned to wash the vegetables, his movements seemed more like he was trying to cover something up. Yu Mian had the sudden urge to grab him.
To the viewers watching the live broadcast, even though they couldn’t see their faces, it was clear that the two of them were whispering to each other off-mic.
[Ah, Teacher Fish Soup Noodles? What are you two whispering about? Are you exchanging some kind of secret gourmet recipe?]
“Ahem, I just meant that we need to wash them thoroughly…”
Yu Mian was now thankful that his face wasn’t visible on screen, otherwise he would have died of embarrassment.
“Then, we need to cut the washed chicken thighs into chunks. First large pieces, then smaller ones. You can find all the necessary ingredients and tools on the Food Research Institute’s official website. They’re quite affordable.”
Completely ignoring the viewers’ obvious curiosity, Yu Mian stuck to his plan and started cutting the chicken.
He gradually realized that to keep the live broadcast flowing smoothly, he couldn’t let himself get distracted by the barrage’s antics.
[Ah, does it have to be chicken thighs? I just realized I bought chicken breast by mistake. Is there a difference?]
“Chicken breast tends to be drier, but it’s great for those who are dieting or working out. Different cuts of meat have different flavors, so you can save it for another time.”
As Yu Mian focused on handling the ingredients while occasionally responding to normal questions from the barrage, the viewers gradually became more engrossed in the live broadcast.
Since the camera was pointed at the countertop, all attention was drawn to Yu Mian’s hands, and his precise handling of the ingredients showed his clear expertise.
With his sleeves slightly rolled up, his fair wrists were exposed. Occasionally, when he exerted force, faint muscle lines could be seen.
The combination of strength and softness gave off a strangely harmonious feel, making the viewers appreciate the aesthetics of cooking.
[Wow, cooking can actually be beautiful if you are skilled at it! I’d be happy just watching a live broadcast of him handling ingredients.]
Noticing that Teacher Fish Soup Noodles had stopped paying attention to the barrage, the viewers couldn’t help but start whispering among themselves again.
[Although… ahem, I just realized that Teacher Fish Soup Noodles has such a thin waist.]
As they continued watching, some of their gazes inevitably started to wander.
After all, as the live broadcast went on, Yu Mian was no longer standing rigidly in front of the camera. Whenever he handed the chopped chicken pieces to Huo Ting for rinsing or turned slightly to season the meat with salt and spices, his well-proportioned waistline would occasionally come into view.
Just from these details, it was obvious that Fish Soup Noodles wasn’t old at all, and he didn’t look like the “down-and-out middle-aged man” as rumores had been saying online!
[So I’m not the only one? I was already staring at his waist while everyone else was looking at his hands. Wuuu, does this make me a pervert?]
[So why did Teacher Fish Soup Noodles agree to live broadcast in the first place? Now, besides reading novels when I’m bored, I can rewatch his live broadcast preplays too…so happy!]
“…But here’s an important point. After marinating the chicken, we need to add a bit of oil to lock in the flavor and moisture, and it also prevents the pieces from sticking together when stir-frying.”
Just as the barrage was getting bolder with their comments, Yu Mian suddenly stood up and started explaining the details while looking at the screen. The viewers immediately panicked and flooded the barrage with normal messages, hoping to bury their embarrassing remarks.
[Got it, got it! That makes so much sense! I’ve suddenly had an epiphany!]
[Teacher Fish Soup Noodles explains things so well, I’m completely captivated.]
[Throwing gifts! Amazing at writing and equally amazing at cooking!]
Yu Mian: ?
“Are you all really paying attention? The speed at which you’re leaving comments is too fast.”
Yu Mian suddenly realized that some people didn’t actually care about how well he cooked. They would shower him with compliments and encouragement no matter what.
For a moment, he felt both helpless and amused.
[Teacher, I’m an octopus! I have many hands, so I can cook while leaving comments to compliment you!]
“Emm… You better really be one.”
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Mian couldn’t help but respond to the comment.
[I’m dying, Teacher Fish Soup Noodles actually said ‘you better really be one’ hahaha!]
[Alright, alright, so the octopus has made an appearance, huh? You really know how to have fun.]
“Ahem, let’s stay serious. We’ve finished prepping the chicken, and the chili peppers are chopped. Now we need to heat the oil in the pan before adding the chicken…hmm?”
Just as Yu Mian was about to start cooking, Huo Ting, who had stepped off-screen, took a black apron from Qiao Ni and handed it to him.
Qiao Ni looked at Huo Ting and Yu Mian, who were cooperating well with each other, and smiled. She felt a little guilty for not thinking of handing Young Master Yu Mian the apron earlier. It was only thanks to Young Master Huo Ting’s reminder that she remembered.
During the trial broadcast, Yu Mian had mentioned preparing an apron, but in the rush of going live, he had completely forgotten to put it on.
“Oh, right. I forgot to mention, everyone can wear an apron to prevent oil from splattering onto your clothes… Thanks.”
Yu Mian put on the apron and tilted his head slightly, watching as Huo Ting lowered his gaze and tied the straps around his waist. He whispered “thank you.”
He was holding the marinated chicken and really didn’t have a free hand.
“Just continue, don’t let it distract you.”
Huo Ting glanced at the barrage once more before tying a loose knot at Yu Mian’s waist, making sure the apron was securely in place.
[Huh? Wait, how did he suddenly end up wearing an apron?]
This unexpected scene left the live broadcast audience momentarily stunned.
[Boss, you’re way too thoughtful. I’m crying, thank you for reminding Teacher Fish Soup Noodles to wear an apron… Thank you so much…]
[Damn it, was I just spied on? I didn’t even get a chance to screenshot!]
Even though Fish Soup Noodles didn’t have time to constantly check the barrage, Huo Ting, who had finished washing the vegetables, could definitely keep an eye on the endless stream of comments.
Could it be that he saw their shameful remarks? Did he do this on purpose to block them?
That would be way too evil.
However, all the speculation and discussion were quickly overshadowed by the sizzling sound of oil as Yu Mian started adding the marinated chicken to the pan.
[Whoa, what was that sound? Did something explode? That’s dangerous! Teacher Fish Soup Noodles, be careful…]
“Don’t worry, everyone, this is completely normal. We’re frying the chicken in the first round to set its shape, then we’ll increase the oil temperature for the second round. That way, we’ll achieve the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture described in the book.”
“And in just twenty seconds, we can take them all out.”
Seeing how concerned everyone was, Yu Mian patiently explained while skillfully scooping out the golden-brown chicken pieces.
[So that’s the secret to crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside?]
[No wonder when I tried making it yesterday, the meat tasted off. So that’s why!]
[It really does look crispy and delicious QAQ. Golden and crunchy on the outside, but soft and juicy when pulled apart…]
Although the chicken was only partially prepared, the aroma had already started spreading, making the viewers eager to try tasting the half-finished dish.
