Chapter 472: A Happy Yakumo Ran and Ren's Premonition
When it came to the food, however, Lady Yukari's mood brightened considerably. No matter what, the fragrant dishes and fine wine were infinitely better than the plain water she had been forced to endure. Even the perpetually serene Yuuka Kazami had lifted her gaze ever so slightly when the aroma first wafted through the air.
Yuuka wasn't intrigued by the prospect of drinking, but rather by the delicate fragrance of flowers woven into the wine's bouquet. Yakumo Ran discovered this for herself moments later. After pouring a small measure, she clinked glasses with her master. As the liquid slid down her throat, she instantly understood why Lady Yukari had been so insistent on trying every vintage the restaurant had to offer.
It wasn't just mellow; it was an indescribable, ethereal fragrance. The scent seemed to bypass her senses entirely, touching her very soul and causing the kitsune's guarded expression to soften in pure, unadulterated surprise.
Her eyes drifted to the plate of fried tofu, but after a moment of hesitation, she chose to try the Dong'an Chicken first. The reason was simple: it was chicken, and it was a dish she had never tasted before.
She carefully lifted a piece with her chopsticks. A single, glistening drop of sauce fell back onto the plate. Yakumo Ran swallowed in anticipation before finally placing the morsel in her mouth. In the very next instant, her nine magnificent tails began to sway and swish, an unconscious motion of pure bliss, much like Cerberus when she devours something delicious or receives a long-awaited word of praise.
Lucifer's crimson eyes lit up, fixated on the display. Those impossibly fluffy, grand tails were simply too captivating. Her mind filled with visions of their warm, plush softness, like the most luxurious doll imaginable, and her gaze began to sparkle with a singular, focused desire.
Yakumo Ran remained completely oblivious, unaware that her tails had captured the undivided attention of the Queen of Hell. Her entire being was currently devoted to the Dong'an Chicken; that was all that mattered.
Many might not recognize the name Dong'an Chicken, but if one were to mention dishes like Mapo Tofu or West Lake Vinegar Fish, a certain category comes to mind.
That's right—the Ten Famous Dishes of China. Dong'an Chicken is proudly one of them. None of the dishes that hold this prestigious rank are ordinary delicacies; each carries with it a long and storied history.
Yet, these legendary dishes share a common trait: their preparations are not needlessly complex, but they all demand 'kung fu'—a deep level of skill and dedication. Every single one is a true 'kung fu dish.'
Among them, Dong'an Chicken stands out as one of the more complex. It is one of the few among the Ten Famous Dishes that employs multiple cooking methods in sequence: first, the chicken is boiled and then cooled; next, it is stir-fried; finally, it is stewed until perfectly tender. Just before serving, a flourish of green onions and sesame oil completes the masterpiece.
While this sequence might seem standard for other cuisines, for a list of dishes celebrated for their elegant simplicity, this process is already quite elaborate.
The second common characteristic of the Ten Famous Dishes is, of course, their sublime flavor. Each one is a synonym for deliciousness, and Dong'an Chicken is certainly no exception.
When plated, the dish is a convergence of four distinct colors: the pristine white of the chicken meat, the golden yellow of the skin, the vibrant red of the chili peppers, and the fresh green of the scallions, making it a feast for the eyes.
The dish traditionally calls for special hens, rich in fat. The initial boiling and cooling process renders the meat exceptionally fresh and tender, while giving the skin a delightful elasticity and smoothness.
The subsequent stir-frying awakens the unique, wok-fired aroma that only a hot dish can possess—a fragrance always more potent and inviting than that of a cold dish. From this seemingly simple preparation, an extraordinary flavor emerges.
Chinese cuisine emphasizes color, aroma, and taste, and this dish satisfies all three criteria perfectly. From its sour, spicy, and deeply savory fragrance to the four-color palette visible to the eye, its taste is nothing short of an aggressive, captivating deliciousness.
The meat is delicate, the skin both crisp and smooth. The very thought is enough to make one's mouth water. Imagine it sizzling in the wok with young ginger and fresh chilies, its aroma already a rare treat. But that is not enough. White vinegar is added to heighten the fragrance and acidity, followed by Sichuan peppercorns to further enhance the aroma and introduce a subtle, numbing spice.
Cooking wine and rich chicken broth are poured in, the mixture tossed and fried. The scent alone would make you scream for a bowl of rice. And yet, there is still the final step of slowly stewing it, allowing every drop of the sauce, every nuance of flavor, and all of that rich aroma to permeate the chicken completely.
Even its finale is a grand exit: a final drizzle of sesame oil, a generous sprinkle of green onions, all mixed thoroughly. Only then is the dish truly complete.
Dong'an Chicken boasts a beautiful appearance and vibrant colors. The meat is tender, the taste a refreshing balance of sour and spicy. It is rich without being greasy, perfect for eating in large quantities. It is fragrant, nutritious, and a masterclass in six distinct flavors: fragrant, sweet, sour, spicy, tender, and crispy.
As Yakumo Ran lifted another piece, she saw the rich but not oily chicken skin tremble slightly under the light, the sesame oil on its surface shimmering. When she took a bite, all the flavor that had been sealed within, all the sauce that had seeped into the meat, burst forth in an explosive wave.
Aside from the word 'fragrant,' no other descriptor felt adequate. This was an assertive deliciousness, a taste that could make your mouth water from memory alone.
Yakumo Ran ate with sheer delight, alternating between a bite of chicken and a sip of wine. She was genuinely moved. To think a day would come when she could enjoy a meal without being tricked or teased by Lady Yukari… it was truly wonderful.
Lady Yukari smiled softly as she watched her shikigami eat with such unrestrained joy. Though she was fond of delegating nearly everything to Yakumo Ran, she cared for her deeply.
After all, Ran was her one and only shikigami, as close to her as family. Lady Yukari was well aware of the effort Ran put in day after day, and she cherished her ever-cautious, diligent fox.
"Mmm, so delicious!" Ran murmured, lost in her meal.
Yakumo Yukari's smile remained as she continued to eat her own fish, her mind already drifting to what lay ahead. No matter how she looked at it, what Yuuka Kazami had said earlier had truly startled her.
She had already made a decision. Until she could sort out her thoughts, she would come to this restaurant every day. Firstly, to enjoy the incredible food. Secondly, to see if any other interesting customers appeared. And finally, she needed to keep an eye on things, to ensure no one else from her world acted on their own accord.
Ren glanced up from the manga in his hand, his eyes landing on Lucifer. He asked, a hint of confusion in his voice, "Lucifer, are you feeling anything… strange?"
"No. Why?" she replied, not looking away from Ran's tails.
Ren shook his head, then turned his gaze to Pandemonica. She, too, shook her head. "I don't feel anything, Ren. Did you?"
Ren's brow furrowed slightly. He shook his head again and said nothing more. Lucifer tilted her head, casting a curious glance at him, but didn't press the issue. She knew that if Ren didn't want to talk, no amount of prodding would get it out of him.
What Ren left unsaid was that he had just sensed something—a faint, fleeting aura that felt unnervingly similar to theirs. He could also tell that Lucifer was in no mood to see any of her employees, so he kept it to himself.
Still, Ren couldn't shake the feeling that this place was slowly but surely turning into a different kind of Hell.
[Modeus: Woohoo!]
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