Having agreed on the schedule for tomorrow morning, everyone quickly turned their attention back to the seafood market.
The seafood market in front of them wasn’t particularly large. However, there were a full dozen markets like this across South Australia Island, making the overall scale quite astonishing. The variety of seafood sold here was quite rich. Not only did they have catches brought in by local fishermen, but there was also imported seafood transported from outside via fishing boats. The four of them picked and chose, soon returning fully loaded.
The yacht took the four of them back to the villa. Mr. Xu didn’t leave immediately; instead, he helped them light the barbecue grill before bidding them farewell.
Watching Mr. Xu leave, Wen Yaqian couldn’t help but sigh, “Mr. Xu is truly so dedicated to his work.”
The rest of them nodded in agreement. Whether it was his reception or service, Mr. Xu was spot on—meticulous in every possible way.
The villa’s kitchen was spacious and fully equipped. It was more than enough not just for preparing a barbecue, but even for whipping up a massive feast on the spot. Inside, the four of them divided the tasks and worked together.
Wen Yaqian and the Wenchu People were in charge of washing the seafood. They carefully processed every shrimp and fish, ensuring they were thoroughly clean. They forcefully scraped off all the barnacles on the surface of the shells with the backs of their knives.
Zhou Shishi, on the other hand, handled the vegetables. She sliced fresh mushrooms, washed the bright yellow corn, and prepped the colorful bell peppers. These vegetables would be grilled alongside the seafood; after all, eating only meat during a barbecue could easily become too heavy.
As the best cook among the four, Li Xiao was mixing the barbecue sauces. Assuming the grilling temperature was well-controlled, the true deciding factor of a good barbecue lay primarily in its sauces. He made three different kinds: a minced garlic sauce, a sweet secret barbecue glaze, and a mildly spicy cumin powder mixed with various spices.
The minced garlic sauce was a blend of freshly crushed garlic, a pinch of salt, and high-quality olive oil. Half of the minced garlic was fried ahead of time until golden brown, while the other half was left raw. This gave the sauce a richer, more layered garlic flavor. Its rich aroma perfectly highlighted the umami of the seafood. It elevated the overall flavor profile, especially when paired with fish or shrimp.
The secret barbecue glaze, meanwhile, was a recipe Li Xiao had acquired from his system. Although the yakitori restaurant that charged 1,700 per person had been incredibly repulsive, it had rewarded him with a decent skill. He dumped all the soaked dried shrimp and shredded scallops into a pressure cooker. Fifteen minutes later, he yielded a bowl of golden, translucent broth. He mixed soy sauce, honey, and the broth, then tossed them back into the pot to simmer alongside slices of ginger and the leftover shrimp and scallops. Because he used a large amount of dried shrimp and scallops, this barbecue glaze leaned toward the sweeter side. It was ideal for brushing over various meats and shellfish to make their flavors much more robust.
Finally, making the cumin powder was much simpler. Li Xiao toasted cumin seeds and ground them into uneven granules. He then added a little salt, chili powder, and a dash of five-spice powder, and it was done. This seasoning was meant to be sprinkled over the surface of the grilled food, giving it a uniquely aromatic scent and a mildly spicy kick.
With the four of them dividing the labor, their speed was quite impressive. In just an hour, all the preparation work was steadily completed. The fresh seafood and vegetables were skewered onto long bamboo sticks and then neatly arranged on stainless steel trays.
They didn’t start grilling right away. After all, they had just eaten a bowl of flat rice noodles before coming back, so they weren’t too hungry yet. At Li Xiao’s suggestion, they fired up the karaoke machine in the first-floor living room.
Zhou Shishi was the first to pick up a microphone, singing her favorite song. Though her technique was a bit lacking, she sang with deep emotion. Originally planning to just listen from the sidelines, Li Xiao also grabbed a mic and joined in as backup.
Soon, the atmosphere in the living room heated up. Fortunately, the hotel had prepared more than adequately—there were six or seven microphones alone. Otherwise, the group might have ended up fighting over them.
After singing for two or three hours, everyone started to feel a bit hungry. Only then did they put down their microphones one by one and head outside to the barbecue grill. Halfway through, Li Xiao had specially come out to add some charcoal, so the fire was roaring brightly now, perfect for grilling seafood.
The ingredients stored in the fridge were brought out basin by basin and set on the table next to the grill. Beside it, the red glow of the charcoal fire illuminated everyone’s faces, bringing a sense of warmth and comfort.
Li Xiao carefully placed the seafood and vegetable skewers onto the piping hot grill grates one after another. The flames danced, letting out a loud CRACKLE that intertwined with everyone’s relaxed laughter.
The first batch to hit the grill was the fresh shrimp and fish. Under the roasting flames, the shrimp quickly shifted from their original cyan to a vibrant orange-red. Grease seeped out from the smoky heat of the fire, exuding an enticing aroma. The skin of the fish turned a crispy golden brown under the searing flames, yet the meat inside retained its moisture and savory flavor.
Wen Yaqian and the Wenchu People were responsible for flipping the seafood, ensuring every side was heated evenly and roasted to perfection. Li Xiao, meanwhile, brushed on his carefully crafted sauces at just the right moments. The minced garlic sauce worked its magic on the shrimp and fish. That robust garlic scent paired flawlessly with the seafood’s natural sweetness, making people nod continuously in approval.
Next, they began grilling the vegetables. The fresh mushrooms, corn, and bell peppers slowly softened and cooked over the charcoal, emitting a natural, sweet fragrance. The freshness of the vegetables formed a fantastic pairing with the savory seafood, adding a unique flavor profile to the barbecue.
Under Li Xiao’s deft hands, the seafood and vegetables on the grill gradually grew golden and inviting, releasing a mouthwatering aroma. Sometimes they brushed on the secret barbecue glaze, and other times they sprinkled the cumin powder. Every seasoning application was flawlessly precise, giving the food rich, layered flavors and a robust texture.
As the first batch finished, the wonderfully fragrant seafood and vegetables were served on the table, capturing everyone’s attention. Under the warm lighting, everyone sat around together, ready to share this delicious dinner.
Li Xiao picked up a golden, steaming hot grilled shrimp. He carefully peeled off the shell and took a gentle bite, instantly feeling the tender shrimp meat and the rich minced garlic sauce melding perfectly in his mouth. He couldn’t help but praise, “This shrimp is grilled just right. It’s tender and juicy, and the garlic sauce tastes absolutely incredible!”
Beside him, Wen Yaqian smiled and picked up an ear of grilled corn. She took a light bite, and sweet corn juice trickled down the corner of her mouth. She smiled and said, “This corn is so sweet. Eating it with the seafood is a match made in heaven!”
Zhou Shishi opted to try a piece of grilled fish. The skin was crisped to perfection, while the flesh inside remained delicate. She marveled, “This fish is grilled so well. It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, completely locking in the fish’s natural umami.”
The Wenchu People focused on the meat skewers sprinkled with cumin powder, savoring the spicy aroma of the cumin and the savory flavor of the meat with every bite. They said while eating, “This cumin powder is truly good stuff. It makes the flavor of the grilled meat so much richer.”
While savoring the delicacies, the four didn’t forget to share their thoughts with one another.
Li Xiao asked, “Which sauce do you guys think tastes best?”
Wen Yaqian replied, “I personally really like the secret barbecue glaze. That sweet and slightly spicy sensation is really nice.”
Zhou Shishi stated, “I prefer the minced garlic sauce. That intense garlic aroma is too enchanting.”
They enjoyed the fine food in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, with bursts of laughter and praises ringing out from time to time. The firelight from the barbecue grill reflected on everyone’s faces, adding a warm, rosy flush to each of their cheeks.