Deep-Fried Small Fish

Mǎn Bǎo looked at the oil in the jar and immediately knew that it was not enough. She pursed her lips, put down the oil jar, and then left with a sad expression.

Xiao Qian immediately understood. She looked down at the oil in the jar and thought there was quite a lot.

If this was not sufficient, how much oil would be required? She didn't dare to ask, afraid that the child would pester her to eat deep-fried fish.

Mǎn Bǎo squatted in front of the wooden barrel containing the small fish, watching them swim back and forth. She grabbed a basin and started scooping up the fish.

Dà Tóu came over and asked, "Little girl, why are you scooping them up?"

Mǎn Bǎo replied, "I'm going to find Shàn Bǎo."

Dà Tóu widened her eyes and swiftly grabbed the wooden basin, saying, "Little girl, the young master also has fish; we don't need to send them."

"Not all of them, just half." The other half will be fried and eaten. Text: ### Mǎn Bǎo knew that asking for help required payment, so she decided to bring a little more and then discuss with Bái Shànbǎo, giving him half and frying the other half. ###

Mǎn Bǎo described how delicious the deep-fried small fish were to Dà Tóu, who immediately started salivating and asked, "Do they have so much oil at their house?"

"Definitely." "Their kitchen has so much delicious food and fun things," Man Bao said.

As a frequent visitor to the Bái family, Mǎn Bǎo had been to their kitchen and was very familiar with it.

Dà Tóu no longer objected and even helped scoop up the fish, then called Dà Yā to assist. The two of them carried the fish to the Bái family together.

Zhōu Xǐ and Xiǎo Qián were busy in the kitchen, while Fēng and Hé went to the vegetable garden. Lǎo Zhōu had just taken a group of men out, so there were no adults in the yard.

Mǎn Bǎo brought Dà Tóu and Dà Yā to the Bái family along with a basin of fish.

Mǎn Bǎo would visit the Bái family almost every other day, and the servants there were very familiar with her. They would open the door for her and inform the young master as soon as they saw her.

Bái Shànbǎo ran out and saw them carrying the wooden basin. He happily said, "I also have fish, so you don't need to bring them."

Mǎn Bǎo replied, "I didn't bring them as a gift." I want to eat deep-fried small fish, but my family doesn't have enough oil. I want to exchange half a basin of fish for fried small fish.

Bái Shànbǎo tilted his head in confusion and asked, "What is deep-fried small fish?"

"It's just frying them in oil." "You don't understand cooking, just ask the cook and you'll understand," Mǎn Bǎo emphasized the deliciousness of the deep-fried small fish based on Kē Kē's description.

Of course, she had never eaten them, but that didn't stop her from imagining based on Kē Kē's description.

Bái Shànbǎo couldn't help but salivate and took them to the kitchen. "I want to eat the fried small fish too."

Mǎn Bǎo agreed.

The Bái family's cook was preparing dinner, and they had just received some fish. They were considering boiling one egg and frying another, but then the young master arrived.

Mǎn Bǎo couldn't cook, but she had been shadowing the cook since she was young and was very knowledgeable about cooking. She skillfully guided the cook.

The cook was always accommodating to the young master, so despite thinking that frying the small fish would require a lot of oil, she started another pot.

The fire was initially too high, but the skilled cook quickly adjusted it and followed Mǎn Bǎo's method to prepare the small fish. She marinated the chicken pieces, coated them in flour, and then fried them in oil.

The sizzling sound of the oil and the aroma quickly filled the air, and the four children eagerly approached. The cook quickly asked them to step back, afraid of splashing oil on them.

After estimating that they were ready, the cook took them out to drain the oil. After tasting them, she felt they were good and started the second batch.

Mǎn Bǎo no longer looked at the oil pot; instead, he squatted in front of the plate of fried small fish, unable to resist the temptation. Bái Shànbǎo also couldn't resist and went to the kitchen. The cook laughed and said, "If the young master and the young ladies want to eat, go ahead. I still have more to fry."

Bái Shànbǎo grabbed one, followed by Mǎn Bǎo. Dà Tóu and Dà Yā were a bit hesitant and did not reach out.

Mǎn Bǎo took a bite and found it crispy and delicious. She then stuffed a piece into Dà Yā's mouth and another into Dà Tóu's, and happily ate with Bái Shànbǎo.

The cook fried batch after batch, and the four children started eating almost without waiting. When Liú Shì heard the news and rushed over, the four children had already eaten quite a bit.

Liú quickly pulled them up and said, "You can't eat too much at once. Save some for later."

Bái Shànbǎo joyfully stuffed a piece of food into his grandmother's mouth and exclaimed, "Grandmother, it's so delicious."

"Even if it's delicious, you must eat in moderation," Liú shì taught them. "Eating too much of anything is not good, even if you love it; you must restrain yourself."

After tasting the deep-fried small fish, Liú Shì found it to have a unique flavor and deemed it suitable as a snack for the children. However, she advised that they should not consume too much at once.

In the end, Liú Shì decided to have the cook fry some more and gave Mǎn Bǎo a basin to take back. She patted Mǎn Bǎo's head and said, "You can't eat anymore tonight, and in the future, you must eat less." Otherwise, your stomach will hurt. "Understand?"

Mǎn Bǎo happily agreed and went back with Dà Tóu and Dà Yā, carrying the basin.

When Qián shì saw the basin of freshly fried fish brought back by the three children, she fell silent for a moment and then said to Xiǎo Qián shì, "Can we harvest the yams in the field?"

Xiǎo Qián replied, "I dug them today, and they are quite big." "They should be ready to eat."

Qián then said, "Tomorrow, dig a few and have Mǎn Bǎo take them to the Bái family."

Xiao Qian agreed.

Qián called Mǎn Bǎo over while she was distributing the fried small fish and touched her flushed face, saying, "Next time, don't be so rude. You can't just bring fish directly to someone's door."

Mǎn Bǎo, feeling embarrassed, replied with her eyes shining, "Mother, the deep-fried small fish is so delicious." "You should try them too."

Qián Shi smiled and shook her head, "I can't stand the smell." "I won't eat them, but you can."

Mǎn Bǎo felt a bit regretful, "Mother can't even eat such delicious food." "Mother, I would like to send some small dried fish to Mr. Xian and my friends."

Qián Shi smiled and said, "If you want to send them, go ahead."

Mǎn Bǎo happily went to find a box to pack them in.

There were no suitable boxes at home, but the editor's boxes were available. These items were given to Mǎn Bǎo by Zhōu Erlang for packing purposes. Mǎn Bǎo found two smaller fish and packed them. He planned to take one box to Mr. Zhuang the next day and give the other to Zhōu Sìláng to take to Miss Fu'er.

Last time, Miss Fu'er sent Mǎn Bǎo a beautiful letter adorned with hand-drawn flowers, but Mǎn Bǎo struggled to find an appropriate gift to reciprocate.

Of course, Mǎn Bǎo not only sent the small fish but also wrote a letter to Miss Fu'er, informing her about the enjoyable events of the day. It was the most enjoyable experience she had ever had in her life. She thought fishing was really fun, just like celebrating the New Year.

If they could go fishing every day, that would be great. Mǎn Bǎo was already looking forward to the upstream dam breaking again so they could go fishing by the river every day and have fun by the river every day.