He used flour afterwards to allow the fish to maintain its freshness after being seasoned with salt, as well as to remove the fishy smell to a greater extent.

This cooking technique is quite common among the people.

When washing pig stomach in folk cooking, there is a specific step used to remove the smell of the stomach.

The specific process involves sprinkling flour on the pig stomach and then vigorously rubbing it;

This not only removes the foul smell of the pig stomach but also makes the texture smooth and tender during cooking.

Rinsing off the residual flour on the fish's body with water, Wang Xiaole's work did not end there.

Wang Xiaole cut two white radishes into chunks with a knife, then pressed and squeezed them to extract the juice.

After this step, he obtained a very pure white radish juice with no unnecessary additives.

Next, he soaked a clean sponge in the white radish juice and stuffed it into the small opening under the fish belly;

Then, using another sponge, he continued to soak up the juice from the radishes, filling the fish belly with one sponge after another until it was completely saturated, effectively removing the fishy smell.

He was well aware that what he had just done was to eliminate the fish's external fishy odor;

Now, by using the white radish juice, he could absorb and neutralize the fishy smell internally.

In previous cooking experiences, Wang Xiaole had often used white radishes and knew well that using radishes in certain dishes could enhance the flavor of the soup.

When radishes serve as auxiliary ingredients, they act as catalysts and enhance the freshness while reducing the fishy smell.

After about ten minutes, he reached into the fish belly and pulled out all the sponges inside, setting them aside;

He then poured clean water into the fish belly through the small opening, shook it a few times, and poured it out.

He then placed the large carp into the pot, and strangely, the boiling oil in the pot made no sizzling or crackling sounds.

For those in the know about cooking, the oil was at about three-tenths of its boiling point.

When the oil is at three-tenths of its boiling point, even if water is dripped into it, there will be no sound;

Only when the oil reaches or exceeds four-tenths of the heat will it make a sizzling sound.

Putting anything with even a little moisture into it will cause steam and incessant crackling sounds.

Wang Xiaole personally believed that frying was not entirely frying, but rather creating a thin layer of oil film on the surface of the food;

The role of the oil film is to protect the food, ensuring that the taste remains more thorough and delicious.

This is why Wang Xiaole did not fully fry the fish.

The reason is simple - adding a layer of oil film to this large carp can indeed provide protection.

After all, he had already used a knife to make over a hundred cuts in the carp;

But if he used oil at four-tenths or higher temperature, the fish's cuts would naturally expand.

This not only ruins the appearance but also allows oil to seep into the fish's belly, resulting in overcooking the fish meat.

This method was indeed ingenious!

Short-term frying not only prevents the fish skin from bursting but also ensures the fish meat wrapped in the skin is cooked just right;

Coating the fish with a layer of oil film helps prevent potential skin issues or peeling during further cooking.

Bai naturally did not know what "big brother" was thinking about, nor did she have the time to think about it.

She was very interested in the fish, and now her whole heart was set on learning about cooking;

She seemed very attentive at the moment, carefully watching "big brother" and observing all his steps in cooking the carp.

When the cooking was complete, a pot of fresh fish soup was ready.

Wang Xiaole was quite confident in his cooking skills.

Unlike other chefs who taste their dishes before serving, he did not feel the need to do so to ensure the taste was right.

As the fish soup was served, he promptly ladled it into bowls, then gestured for Bai to sit at the table and be the first to taste the soup's flavor.

After settling down, Bai picked up a pair of chopsticks and immediately put a piece of fish belly meat into her mouth.

The fish meat was plump and tender, with a unique fresh taste she had never experienced before.

This carp was artificially raised, so the meat quality was not as good as wild fish and tended to be tougher and less flavorful.

Most chefs might end up making the fish similar to dried meat, requiring vigorous chewing.

But after Wang Xiaole cooked it, the carp meat was unexpectedly crispy, tender, and succulent!

Bai could enjoy the fish without much effort in chewing, simply by pressing it between her teeth, and it crumbled easily, extremely delicious!

"Delicious!" After tasting the fish, Bai's eyes widened in amazement.

If even this rarely expressed little girl praised the dish, Wang Xiaole could be confident that he had exceeded expectations today.

With his elbows on the table and palms crossed, he sat still without using chopsticks, just enjoying watching Bai savor the meal.

"Eat as much as you want if you find it delicious," he told her. "I have no limits on how much you can eat."

This statement was meant to show concern, but Bai paused her meal with a sudden movement.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's just... I remembered my mother."

Bai seldom spoke such long sentences, and the content left Wang Xiaole lost in thought.

It seemed that what he had just said reminded Bai of something her mother had once told her.

Now that the "Calamity Meeting" no longer existed, he had inadvertently brought back memories for Bai in this kitchen, likely recalling an unforgettable past.

He had no specific intentions. Although the leader was nothing short of a villain and an enemy to him, he didn't mind.

At the end of the day, he wouldn't hold a grudge against a dead person, no matter how wicked they were in life.

In essence, the leader was just one of the many people he had killed, but for Bai?

Even if Bai had realized the true nature of the leader, some pasts couldn't be erased. They didn't have to be completely forgotten as if they never happened.

The leader had continuously used Bai, but in these many years, she might have treated Bai well too; that was reality.

Wang Xiaole wouldn't force Bai to sever ties completely with a dead person;

It was just that after the leader's departure from this world, Bai needed someone to be by her side now.

It might have been quite abrupt.

However, in the next moment, Wang Xiaole firmly held Bai's hand, pulling her out of her reverie to look back at him.

"I can't replace your mother, nor do I intend to become her, but I am more than willing to take care of you for the rest of your life."

"...?"

"Not understanding? Well, to put it simply..."

Even with a painful wound left by Bai on his chest, he hadn't fully healed.

Given his aversion to pain, he wouldn't normally disturb the injured area unless absolutely necessary.

However, today would prove different.

He commanded his torso under his mind's influence to cooperate for a while longer in preparation for enduring a bit more.

After issuing the command, he took a deep breath, determined to ignore the pain in the "dead flesh" and moved to embrace Bai abruptly without warning.

"In simple terms: I want to be with you for the rest of my life! I'll cook for you when you're hungry, keep you warm when you're cold, just treat me as a servant and a cook."

He believed he wasn't crazy and wouldn't put himself in harm's way for a girl he merely liked;

Going to the Blackstone Tower during the day and fishing tirelessly at night showed his dedication wasn't from a romantic perspective but simply because:

"Why do I like you? Come on, cute cat-ear little girl, grant me the only wish of my life, will you?"

Using his "Taffy Divine Skill," he stuck to Bai like glue, refusing to let go unless he heard the response he desired.

Having such an assertive attitude might not be surprising. After all, a wanderer was another way to say a rascal, so how could one expect a gentlemanly approach when seeking love?

However, he underestimated Bai. Though she was feeling guilty, she wasn't entirely non-reactive at this moment.

The twin daggers she always carried were still by her side.

Seeing Bai take a hand from her chest, she reached for the hidden dagger at her waist, pointing it at "big brother's" vitals.

Seeing Bai seemingly serious, Wang Xiaole felt a bit uneasy, but he soon thought:

Let's give it a shot. What's the point of living the days without Bai's company? Even if it means sacrificing his life.

Clamping his teeth together, he focused his eyes not on the dagger but on Bai's face, although her expression was unmoving.

In this tense moment, he felt a chilling sensation at his neck as the smooth side of the dagger pressed against him.

Just when he hoped for a quick end, Bai spoke up:

"As an assassin, I have triumphed over 'big brother.'"

Wang Xiaole thought the assassination game had dragged on for too long, and it seemed far from over now.

With an inquiry on his lips, he remained patient, knowing he might not be able to speak soon:

"So what?"

"As the victor, I have the right to make a request to the loser."

"And what would that request be?"

"I reject your previous request."

"Whimper, whimper, life has become difficult."

As he suffered rejection, Wang Xiaole's expression revealed the agony as if he had been tortured, making odd sounds.

Feeling desolate and thinking the sky outside was pitch black even though it was night, a small hand reached out from across to grasp his.

Bai decided to give "big brother" a chance for revenge. Until the deadline arrived, she allowed him to challenge her. As she had mentioned:

"Within fifty years, 'big brother' can seek revenge. Until the deadline... I won't leave 'big brother'!"

Taking a leaf from his book, a small kiss was planted on "big brother's" lips without understanding the gesture's significance.