The first time Yu Mian arrived at the research institute of the interstellar era, he found that it was nothing like the research institute he had imagined.
Perhaps because it was focused on ingredient research, the Central Star Food Research Institute resembled a rare “pastoral” scenic area of the interstellar era.
Various ingredients were being cultivated in special growth chambers, but they were also subjected to layers of selection.
Those considered valuable and with good taste would have their production scaled up, while those deemed worthless or even harmful would be sent to the waste area.
However, Harrison really didn’t expect that the mysterious gourmet expert brought by Huo Ting would immediately take an interest in an ingredient that was about to be discarded into the waste area.
“Chili, are you sure? According to our experimental results, this plant causes pain, dizziness, and if the dosage is increased, it could even burn and numb.”
While speaking to Yu Mian, Harrison took out a bottle of deep red liquid from the storage room of the growth chamber.
“Child, look, we tried to make a nutrient solution from this, but no one could even drink a small sip! Let alone sell it to create economic value.”
“Chili sauce!”
When Yu Mian took the bottle, he was even more surprised.
“Chili sauce?”
“Yes, it’s indeed too stimulating to drink straight, but it can be used as a seasoning in dishes.”
Yu Mian opened the cap and sniffed it lightly, only to cough from the pungent smell.
‘Uncle Harrison is truly impressive. He actually used chili to make a spicy nutrient solution. Of course, no brave soul would dare drink it.’
“Wait for me a moment, I’ll give it a try. There’s a kitchen here, right?”
“Indeed, there’s a laboratory kitchen…”
Harrison watched as Yu Mian took a few freshly picked small chilies and the bottle of chili-flavored nutrient solution before heading to the “laboratory.”
Yu Mian was amazed by the rich and colorful tools and ingredients in the “laboratory kitchen.”
The key point was that in the interstellar-era, common edible meats like pork and beef had also made technological breakthroughs in artificial synthesis.
“But even so, I still won’t eat fish…”
Yu Mian looked at the various labeled meats in the fridge, and when he saw synthetic fish meat, he quietly turned his gaze away.
Speaking of which, are there any crabs?
He really wanted to make some steamed crabs.
Imagining Ernis’ reaction when reading about the protagonist making steamed crabs, Yu Mian suddenly realized that he also had a bit of a bad taste.
In the end, Yu Mian took out a piece of tender pork.
Unexpectedly, the entire laboratory was soon filled with an indescribable fragrance, so much so that Harrison swallowed and looked at Yu Mian in astonishment as he placed a plate of chili pork stir-fry on the table.
With the bright red chilies as a garnish, each slice of evenly cut meat looked tender and delicious, and the edges were slightly curled with perfect doneness. Under the lighting, it was a feast for the eyes and nose.
“Look, it’s a very simple dish. Would you like to try it?”
Harrison and the other lab workers tried a slice of stir-fried pork, and their taste buds exploded with an indescribably wonderful taste.
What was once considered a toxic, pungent spiciness had now become a mysterious ingredient that made the pork taste incredibly fresh.
The consequence of eating the first slice was that they all wanted more! One piece after another, they couldn’t stop!
Before Yu Mian had time to bring out the rice, the plate was already empty.
Not only were the pork slices gone, but even the chili slices soaked in the rich meat gravy were eaten clean.
“Uh, aren’t you guys finding it salty?”
Yu Mian stared at the plate in shock. If it weren’t for the oil stains left on it, he would almost suspect that he hadn’t even cooked at all.
Harrison and the others exchanged embarrassed glances, feeling awkward yet unable to hide their amazement. The dish was so delicious that they almost wanted to swallow their tongues.
“We’re truly sorry, but this is incredible. Just a few small chilies can make the flavor of the meat so fresh and wonderful…”
“That’s because chilies are a crucial seasoning! There are also dishes like mao xue wang, spicy chicken, spicy hot pot…they are all super delicious!”
Have included pics below by the way.
Yu Mian earnestly reminisced about the various spicy dishes he used to love. The more he talked, the hungrier Harrison and his group felt.
“Teacher Yu Mian, have you really not considered starting the new book as soon as possible?”
So much so that before Yu Mian could finish his words, Uncle Harrison interrupted him with a serious tone.
“Although we know that every word you write is worth a lot, and the royalties for each of your books are incredibly high… we sincerely hope to invite you to start your next food-themed novel as soon as possible!”
Harrison’s research institute collaborated with many Central Star restaurants and even ran an online food ingredient shopping platform. Every time they developed new radiation-free ingredients, they would promote them in various ways to the market.
However, aside from the Federation government’s assistance in purchasing in bulk, sales through other channels were dismal.
At this moment, Harrison suddenly thought of a perfect collaboration opportunity.
If Yu Mian, this gourmet expert and renowned author, could promote their new ingredients in his books, Harrison couldn’t even imagine how popular those unsellable ingredients would become.
When Yu Mian received the contract that Harrison solemnly handed over, he read through it and was stunned.
“This seems a bit too generous… You really don’t have to be so anxious.”
Even without such a contract, he was already willing to start a new food-themed novel just to improve his meals.
Moreover, Yu Mian thought about the progress of “Reborn”.
“I should be able to finish the current book in a little over a month.”
After making his calculations, Yu Mian attempted to explain this to Uncle Harrison.
Avoiding having two books at the same time would also prevent public outrage in the comment section…
“No, this is a queue-jumping fee because we really can’t wait for you to finish your current book!”
“Huh?”
Harrison’s response caught Yu Mian by surprise.
“And aside from the agreed payment, we’ll provide all the ingredients needed for your new book for free. We can even deliver anything you need straight to your doorstep at any time! You have no idea how much more pressure we face with every day of delay!”
Moved by the plate of chili pork stir fry that had completely won him over, Harrison explained with a pained expression.
Among all the research institutes in Central Star, the most valued ones were undoubtedly those focused on cutting-edge technology. The higher the investment in these institutes, the greater the returns they often generated.
In contrast, the Food Research Institute, which had always required more funding than it generated, found itself in an awkward position.
“We’re really hoping that by the time the next quarter’s funding applications start, we’ll have enough confidence and materials to secure a larger financial allocation. Otherwise, if we keep running at a deficit, we’ll face budget cuts. Eventually, food might end up being completely replaced by nutrient solutions.”
‘Food entirely replaced by nutrient solutions?!’
Just hearing those words made Yu Mian’s scalp tingle.
Fine, jumping the queue it is. What else could he do?
Even though “Reborn” was at a critical point…and he might end up being chased by angry readers.
“But even if I start a new book, designing the outline and preparing everything will take at least half a month. Will that be enough time?”
After all, while a food-themed novel could include live broadcasts, in an interstellar era dominated by nutrient solutions, it was undoubtedly a genre prone to resistance. Launching such a book would require careful planning.
“Alright, it’s a deal then! But, uh… could you demonstrate how to make chili pork stir-fry again?”
“I originally planned to treat you to our latest broccoli-flavored nutrient solution.”
Harrison opened a box of green nutrient liquid but suddenly felt embarrassed to offer it.
“…No problem, I can demonstrate it for you a few more times.”
Yu Mian looked at the broccoli-flavored nutrient solution with respect. Anyone who could drink it must be a god.
In the days that followed, apart from drafting the outline for his new book and conducting various experiments in the kitchen, Yu Mian began a rapid update mode for “Reborn”.
Interstellar readers were very satisfied, almost wanting to scream, “Teacher Fish Soup Noodles is our god!”
Producer Otek thought Yu Mian was putting in this much effort to help boost the popularity of “Heavenly Voice: Rising Star”, and repeatedly expressed gratitude.
[Fish: No, no, that’s not the reason. The explosive popularity of “Heavenly Voice: Rising Star” is largely due to your brilliant and entertaining planning and production. Moreover, thanks to you, it seems like the number of people reading novels has surged recently.]
As the author, Yu Mian joined Huo Yan, Qiao Ni, and the others at the old residence in binge-watching the advancement rounds of “Heavenly Voice: Rising Star”.
Producer Otek was really a creative genius. Without ever seeing the original Earth version of similar shows, many of his ideas coincidentally aligned with what had made those shows so popular.
The most unexpected addition was the introduction of a new way to gain extra votes:
Readers who subscribe to Teacher Fish Soup Noodles’ novels could earn one additional vote per ID, with a maximum of one extra vote per ID.
Many existing fans of Yu Mian’s novels bought extra copies to gift to friends and family who hadn’t read them yet.
Tempted by the offer of free novels, a large number of new readers fell into the pit with just one taste. Even Yu Mian himself was startled by the sudden surge in subscriptions.
No wonder there was a practice on Earth where people bought milk just to vote.
At least with novels, there was no wasting resources like pouring milk away. Instead, gifting novels for others to read made all the difference.
Mao Xue Wang (Made of duck blood curd, tripe, chicken gizzard and other organ parts simmered in a broth that is made of peppercorn and chili.
Spicy chicken
Spicy hot pot
