Having finished the sizzling iron plate octopus, Li Xiao turned his attention to the final dish.
The aroma of the steamed small red scallops with garlic and vermicelli was mouthwatering. As Li Xiao tasted it, he carefully appreciated every detail of the dish.
The small red scallops were generously covered in fresh minced garlic and a meticulously prepared garlic sauce. The entire dish radiated a rich, savory fragrance that completely stimulated his appetite. He gently picked up a steamed scallop with his chopsticks. The plump meat clung tightly to the shell, glistening with clear juices and topped with golden, roasted garlic bits.
He placed the scallop into his mouth. With just a light bite, the tender meat burst with incredibly fresh and savory juices. The delicate texture of the scallop complemented the robust garlic aroma perfectly. The slight spiciness of the garlic brought out the natural sweetness of the seafood, leaving a lingering, unforgettable aftertaste.
Meanwhile, the bed of vermicelli underneath had soaked up the essence of both the garlic and the scallops. It was soft, chewy, and utterly delicious, with every single strand infused with rich broth and flavor. As Li Xiao continued to eat, he found the texture of the vermicelli to be outstanding. It combined the spicy kick of the garlic with the umami of the seafood. The rich layers of flavor made it impossible for him to put his chopsticks down.
The pairing of the small red scallops and vermicelli was simple yet classic, flawlessly showcasing the freshness of the seafood and the unique profile of the garlic. The flavors of the dish were harmoniously balanced; every bite felt like a gentle, meticulous pampering of his taste buds.
[Congratulations, you have unlocked the 55th index!]
[The culinary index you unlocked is: Steamed Small Red Scallops with Garlic and Vermicelli]
[Dish Rating: 89 points (Good)]
[Since the dish rating is Good, rewards are multiplied by 3]
[Congratulations, you have received a cash reward of 400,000 yuan]
[Congratulations, you have received a cash reward of 400,000 yuan]
[Congratulations, you have received a cash reward of 400,000 yuan]
...
Li Xiao left the restaurant thoroughly satisfied. He had truly enjoyed this meal. Although there had been a minor hiccup in the middle, the manager had handled it promptly enough that it didn’t ruin the overall experience.
After lunch, Xu didn’t leave. Instead, he volunteered to be the tour guide for the group of four. Their first stop was the Changshan Tail Lighthouse on South Australia Island.
Renowned for its striking red exterior, the lighthouse stood proudly at the southernmost tip of the island, serving as a highly iconic landmark. Though the Changshan Tail Lighthouse wasn’t particularly tall, its crimson body looked exceptionally vibrant against the backdrop of the blue sky, white clouds, and azure sea. It resembled a dazzling pearl embedded along the emerald coastline. Surrounded by expansive grassy plains and rugged rocks, the picturesque scenery made it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Phone in hand, Li Xiao captured the beauty of the red lighthouse from various angles. The sunlight spilled over the structure, making its crimson walls appear even more vivid in the radiant glow, forming an absolutely stunning view.
The surrounding area was bustling with activity as numerous tourists framed their own photos nearby. Zhou Shishi and Wen Yaqian took commemorative photos together at the base of the lighthouse, while Wenchu People sat quietly on a rock, gazing out at the distant ocean in deep thought. The breathtaking scenery here was refreshing and uplifting, easily making one forget the noise and hustle of city life.
After snapping several more photos, the crowd began to swell. The four of them didn’t linger; they hopped back onto Xu’s electric cart and set off for their next destination.
Changsha Tail Reef Beach was scattered with rocks of all shapes and sizes. Sculpted by the relentless passage of time, these uniquely formed stones created a distinctive coastal landscape. The ocean waves gently lapped against the rocks, kicking up layers of white, frothy foam in a scene that was both serene and magnificent.
When Li Xiao and his companions arrived, they saw many families with children searching for small marine life among the crags. Holding colorful plastic buckets in one hand and an assortment of little plastic tools in the other, the children excitedly flipped through the rocks. They were on the hunt for crabs, starfish, tiny fish, and all sorts of seashells. Their cheerful laughter brimmed with the joy of exploration, infusing the entire area with life and vitality.
Seeing the three women itching to give it a try, Li Xiao asked tentatively, "If you guys want to try beachcombing too, I can go buy some tools nearby?"
The three women exchanged glances and nodded repeatedly. Without hesitation, Li Xiao walked over to a roadside stall and bought three sets of beachcombing tools.
Noticing Xu looking like he wanted to say something but biting his tongue, Li Xiao asked in confusion, "What’s wrong? If you have something to say, just say it."
Xu hurriedly lowered his voice. "Mr. Li, I checked the tide schedule before we left. Right now, it’s neither low tide nor high tide. This time of day isn’t great for beachcombing. If you actually want to catch seafood, you’ll probably have to wait until after eight-thirty tonight."
Li Xiao chuckled softly and pulled out his phone to pay for the tools. "It’s just for fun. Catching a few little hermit crabs or regular crabs is perfectly fine."
Hearing his open-minded response, Xu finally relaxed. He had brought other guests here before during similar non-tidal hours. Because they barely caught anything, they had cursed him out terribly. Ever since then, he had learned to be more cautious. Whenever guests wanted to go beachcombing, he made sure to warn them in advance to temper their expectations. That way, if their haul was small, they wouldn’t blame it on him. And if they ended up with a bountiful catch, it would simply be a pleasant surprise.
Armed with their tools, the three women joined the ranks of the treasure hunters. They carefully shifted the rocks, occasionally bending over to inspect the small tide pools left behind on the reef beach, inadvertently flashing a bit of skin in the process.
However, just as Xu had mentioned, it wasn’t the right time for the tides. There was no obvious ebb or flow along the coastline, making it practically impossible for much marine life to remain near the shore. Furthermore, there were so many people beachcombing here that even if a few small creatures had been stranded initially, they would have been snatched up long ago.
After bustling about for a solid ten minutes, their combined harvest amounted to a single crab slightly smaller than a pinky fingernail and two sluggish hermit crabs.
Li Xiao followed them at a leisurely pace. He admired the snow-white spray kicked up by the waves relentlessly crashing against the rocks while simultaneously keeping an eye out to ensure the women didn’t run into any danger.
Through their continuous efforts, the three of them gradually began to figure out a few little tricks. They moved away from the shore, venturing toward the shallow rocks submerged in seawater. Seeing their actions, Li Xiao didn’t bother to remind them that the water there wasn’t deep—barely covering their ankles—and posed little danger. Still, he quickened his pace slightly to stay close.
Once they entered the shallow water zone, their haul finally began to improve. Zhou Shishi and Wen Yaqian were particularly thrilled. Every time they discovered a new little creature, they rejoiced like children.
Their beachcombing adventure didn’t last too long. After spending a little over half an hour and catching half a bucket’s worth of various small creatures, they hastily wrapped it up. After all, beachcombing was mostly about the novelty of the experience. If the harvest was good, people might tirelessly keep searching. But their overall catch wasn’t particularly impressive, with the largest piece of seafood being only the size of a thumb. Consequently, they lost interest after playing around for a short while.
Leaving Changsha Tail Reef Beach behind, the electric cart continued toward their next destination.