I've been transported into a Western fantasy game, and my dad wants me to marry my sister.

Chapter 89 Sylvia’s secret plan

By the pond in the backyard, Lynn scooped up a lively bass.

Today I'll teach you how to make a special fish dish.

"Order it as pickled cabbage fish."

Lynn pressed the fish down on the cutting board and precisely tapped its head with the back of the knife, immediately stopping the fish from moving.

"Pickled cabbage?"

"Is it made with sour fruit?"

Sylvia tilted her head curiously.

"No, it's a special pickling method."

"There is a wild vegetable called mustard greens near the Silver Dew settlement. It has thick leaves and a slightly bitter taste. It is not very tasty when cooked."

"But if you blanch it in rice water and then ferment it, it will become a tangy and appetizing pickled cabbage."

Lynn began to skillfully scrape off the scales and remove the internal organs.

While processing the fish, he explained in detail how to make sauerkraut:

"As for the method..."

"First, boil the rice water. The rice water contains starch, which helps with fermentation."

Wash the mustard greens thoroughly, then blanch them whole in boiling rice water until the leaves change color, then immediately remove them from the water.

"Prepare a clean container, put the mustard greens in, sprinkle with salt, add chili peppers and garlic cloves, and finally pour in the rice water used to blanch the greens."

"Then seal it well and store it in a cool place."

"In summer, it takes one to two days, and in winter, it takes two to three days to get tangy, crisp, and tender pickled cabbage."

Vera listened attentively, while Amber had already moved a small stool to sit beside her, her eyes fixed on the fish, her tail wagging unconsciously.

I'm so hungry I'm about to faint!

"I pickled these in advance." Lynn took a ceramic jar from the shelf next to her and opened the seal.

A unique sour aroma immediately wafted out.

Sylvia leaned closer and took a sniff, her eyes lighting up: "What a unique scent!"

"The essence of sauerkraut fish lies in the sauerkraut." Lynn took out a head of pickled sauerkraut.

The pickled cabbage is yellowish-green, has a tender and chewy texture, and a pure sour taste.

He began to fillet the fish.

The knife glides along the fish bones, and thin, even slices of fish fall onto the plate, glistening and translucent.

"The fish slices should be thin, but not broken. The thickness should be about..." Lynn picked up a slice and held it up to the light, "so that you can vaguely see the outline of your fingers."

Sylvia was eager to try: "Master, let me give it a shot!"

"Watch me do it once first."

"Remember, keep your wrist steady and use a pushing motion with the knife."

Lynn handed her the knife.

He stood behind Sylvia, loosely holding her hand as he demonstrated the action.

The two were already very close in this position, and Sylvia seemed to have deliberately leaned even closer, almost touching Lynn.

Lynn took a half step back.

Vera raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

"Like this...yes, push it over slowly," Lynn instructed.

Sylvia's first slice of fish was cut a little too thick, and the second slice was a little too thin.

But she was a chef, so the later slices were all evenly sliced.

"Master is so amazing! You know so much." She turned her head, a smile of admiration on her face.

Because of the turning motion, Sylvia's body touched Lynn.

Lynn could feel Sylvia's soft touch.

It's not small in scale either, maybe just a little smaller than Vera.

But what's the situation with Sylvia?

Lynn was a little confused.

Am I really a succubus? Do girls get completely captivated by my charm the moment they get close to me?

To avoid making Vera jealous, Lynn consciously took a half step back: "Just study more, now let's deal with the fish bones."

Chop the fish head and bones into pieces, heat oil in a pan, and fry until golden brown on both sides.

Then add the chopped pickled cabbage and stir-fry together.

When pickled cabbage meets hot oil, its sour and fragrant aroma bursts forth even more intensely.

"Stir-frying pickled cabbage is to bring out its flavor, but you have to control the heat and not stir-fry it for too long, otherwise it will lose its crisp and tender texture."

Lynn explained.

Transfer the stir-fried pickled cabbage and fish bones to a soup pot and add enough boiling water.

Once the water boils, the broth quickly turns milky white.

"Now comes the crucial part." Lynn turned the fire down.

"To allow the flavors of the fish bones and pickled cabbage to slowly infuse into the soup, simmer for at least 15 minutes."

While waiting, Lynn began to marinate the fish fillets.

Mix egg whites, a small amount of starch, salt, and a little homemade liquor, then drizzle with a little oil to lock in the moisture.

"This is how you cook fish fillets to make them tender and smooth."

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of pickled cabbage and fish soup, mixed with the bubbling sound of stewing, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Amber's stomach rumbled again.

The little foodie Vera swallowed hard and couldn't help but ask, "When will it be ready?"

"Almost there, just a little longer."

Lynn estimated the time.

Taking advantage of the break, Sylvia moved closer to Lynn and asked, "Master, what seasonings should we add next? I'll go get them."

"Minced ginger, minced garlic, and dried chili pepper pieces," Lynn said, starting to prepare another small pot of hot oil.

Sylvia responded and turned to the spice rack.

She tiptoed to reach the top jar of dried chili peppers, leaning slightly forward.

Beneath the short fairy outfit, her slender waist was revealed.

"I'll do it." Lynn walked over and easily took the jar.

During the handover, Sylvia's hand "accidentally" landed on the back of Lynn's hand.

Her fingers were slender, her palm warm, and she held them for a full two seconds before letting go.

"Thank you, Master." She blinked, her smile sweet.

Lynn glanced at her, somewhat puzzled.

Is she trying to seduce me?

But Lynn didn't say anything.

Lynn felt she was caught in one of the three great illusions of life—that she liked her?

The soup is ready.

Lynn used a fine mesh sieve to scoop out the fish bones and sauerkraut and placed them at the bottom of the bowl.

Only a milky white broth remained in the pot.

Turn the heat up high, and when the soup is boiling, slide the fish slices in one by one.

When the fish fillets are heated, they quickly curl up and turn white, resembling blooming flowers.

"Do not stir the fish fillets after they are put into the pot. Wait until they are set before gently pushing them apart with a spoon. Do not cook for too long. Turn off the heat immediately when the soup boils again."

Lynn's movements were very gentle.

Pour the cooked fish fillets and broth into a bowl and cover the pickled cabbage and fish bones.

The final step is to sprinkle on chopped green onions, minced garlic, and dried chili pepper pieces, and then drizzle with a spoonful of boiling hot oil.

"Sizzle—"

The aroma reached its peak at this moment.

The tangy flavor of pickled cabbage, the umami of fish soup, the spiciness of chili peppers, and the caramelized aroma of scallions and garlic released by hot oil... all the flavors are distinct yet perfectly blended.

A bowl of pickled fish is placed on the table: in the milky white soup, the snow-white fish slices are faintly visible, and the yellow-green pickled cabbage, bright red chili peppers, and emerald green scallions are colorful and tempting.

The steam, carrying a fragrant aroma, rose gently.

"It's ready to eat," Lynn announced.

Amber practically lunged at it.

Lynn smiled and stopped her, saying, "Be careful, it's hot."

He first served each person a small bowl of soup: "Try the soup first, it's quite appetizing."

Amber blew on it and carefully took a sip.

acid!

But the sourness wasn't sharp or pungent; rather, it was a smooth and mellow sourness.

After the sour taste, the umami flavor of the fish soup melts on the back of the tongue, followed by a faint spiciness, and finally the unique numbing aroma of pepper lingers in the mouth.

"Mmm..." Amber's eyes narrowed to slits, and her ears twitched comfortably. "Delicious!"

Vera also took a bite, and her expression softened.

The sauerkraut fish has a very unique flavor; it's tangy, refreshing, and appetizing, making people's appetites soar.

Meanwhile, Lynn returned to the kitchen to serve the fish fillets.

Just then, Sylvia cried out "Ouch!" as if she had tripped over something and fell towards Lynn.

Lynn instinctively reached out to support her.

Sylvia landed steadily in his arms, her hands naturally wrapping around his waist.

"I'm sorry, Master... I was so careless."

She looked up, her eyes filled with apology, but her arms showed no sign of letting go.

Despite feeling the soft, warm fragrance, Lynn frowned.

too weird.

Once could be considered an accident, but twice would seem a bit deliberate.

Does she really like me?

But the kitchen is not a place for flirting.

He straightened Sylvia up and then grabbed her by the back of her collar like he was lifting amber.

"Huh? Master?" Before Sylvia could react, she was lifted up.

Lynn strode to the kitchen door and threw her outside.

"Sylvia".

"It's dangerous to do that in the kitchen—hot oil, boiling water, sharp knives—even if you're superhuman, you can't mess around like that."

His voice was calm, but carried an undeniable seriousness.

Sylvia was stunned. She hadn't expected Lynn to be so direct.

"I just..."

Lynn interrupted her, "In any case, the kitchen is a workplace that requires focus and care. Practice making sauerkraut fish for me today, and I'll check it later."

After saying that, he closed the kitchen door.

Outside the door, Sylvia stood there, looking somewhat dejected.

Finally, she gritted her teeth, turned around, and went back to her seat.

Vera noticed Sylvia's dejected expression as she came out of the kitchen and asked with concern, "Sylvia, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Sylvia smiled freely, regaining her sunny and warm demeanor.

At this moment, Amber's eyes were only filled with longing for food: "My Lord Prophet, may I try the fish slices?"

"Sure," Lynn's voice came from the kitchen.

At lunchtime, the restaurant was filled with delicious aromas.

Besides the sauerkraut fish, Lynn also made a few simple side dishes.

Stir-fried seasonal vegetables, cold black fungus salad, and a pot of chicken soup that had been simmering for a long time—the chicken soup was prepared for Leah.

He first took out two food containers and carefully packed them.

"This is for Leah."

"She would probably like the sour and spicy flavor."

He filled a whole box with pickled fish, making sure to add extra fish slices.

The other food container contained chicken soup, its color a clear, golden yellow, with a few specks of oil and medicinal herbs floating on top.

"This has been enhanced with energy-boosting magical herbs, which can help restore energy," Lynn muttered to himself, seemingly lost in thought.

"Hmm, Leah probably needs to eat something nourishing today..."

Vera watched from the side, even though she knew that Leah was Lynn's sister.

But seeing how meticulously he prepared, I still felt a little envious.

She sat at the table, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the surface. She lost her appetite and stared at the two food boxes.

Lynn packed up her things and turned around to see Vera looking on with such anticipation.

But when his gaze fell upon her, Vera immediately turned her head away, pretending to look at the scenery outside the window.

Lynn found it amusing.

He ladled out a bowl of chicken soup and placed it in front of Vera: "Drink some soup first to warm your stomach."

Vera's ears twitched, but she didn't turn around.

Lynn served her more rice and placed a piece of pickled fish in her bowl: "The fish slices should be eaten while they're hot; they'll taste worse when they get cold."

Vera stole a glance at the fish slices in the bowl. The snow-white fish meat was soaked in the slightly yellow broth, with a few strands of pickled cabbage and chopped green onions on top.

She picked up her chopsticks and took a small bite.

The fish slices were incredibly tender and melted in your mouth.

The tangy flavor of the pickled cabbage perfectly balances the mildness of the fish, while the subtle spiciness enhances the taste without overpowering it.

"...Not bad," Vera said softly, but her hands moved faster.

After taking a couple of bites, she hesitated for a moment, then picked up a piece of fish belly and put it in Lynn's bowl.

"You eat too." Her voice was almost inaudible.

Lynn laughed. Vera's proud yet shy demeanor was really cute.

Just then, Sylvia's voice came: "Master, what about me? Aren't you going to put some food on my plate?"

She looked at Lynn expectantly, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Vera stopped moving, her previously pleasant mood vanished, and her ears perked up.

Lynn sensed the jealousy brewing beside her and calmly said, "Go get your own rice and soup, and get me a bowl too."

Sylvia's expression immediately fell: "...Okay."

She got up to get some rice, her back looking a little dejected.

Amber had already served herself a large bowl of rice and was now engrossed in eating.

This is the second bowl already—"The pickled fish is so delicious," Amber said.

When she eats, her eyes almost squint with happiness, and her tail wags merrily behind her.

"It's so delicious... the sauerkraut fish is much better than the grilled fish at Night Cinema," she mumbled.

"Eat more if you like it." Lynn put a few more slices of fish on her plate.

"Thank you, Prophet!" Amber wagged its tail even more enthusiastically.

The meal ended in a subtly awkward atmosphere.

Sylvia ate very quickly, and after finishing, she took the initiative to clear the dishes, seemingly eager to show off something.

Vera helped wipe the table, but her eyes kept glancing at Sylvia, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Amber, having eaten and drunk her fill, slumped in her chair, rubbing her stomach with her eyes closed, her expression one of utter contentment: "Ah... I'm alive again..."

Lynn finished packing the food box for Leah and looked at Amber: "By the way, Amber, are you from the Rock Root Ancient Tree District?"

"Yes, my hometown is in the Rock Root Ancient Tree District, a village under the White Hair Tribe, located near the giant's remains, but..." Amber paused halfway through her sentence, her expression turning somewhat sorrowful.

"But what?" Lynn asked curiously.

Amber remembered Nightshade's instructions: Lynn was first and foremost a prophet, and only then a human. So she gritted her teeth and continued.

"However, the village was destroyed in an attack by slave-catching teams." Amber's eyes reddened as she said this.

Seeing her sorrowful expression, Lynn didn't press further. Instead, he said, "I'm planning to go to the Rock Root Ancient Tree area in a while, possibly to the vicinity of the giant's remains. Would you like to come along?"

"Is that alright?" Amber was somewhat surprised when she heard that Lynn was going to the vicinity of the giant's remains.

"Of course," Lynn smiled.

"Okay." Amber's expression was filled with reminiscence.

Lunch ended.

The group gradually left.

Before leaving, Vera glanced back at Lynn.

Lynn smiled at her and mouthed "See you tomorrow".

Vera blushed and walked away quickly.

Just as Lynn was about to leave, Sylvia suddenly walked over.

"Master, are you getting ready to go back?" She stood at the door, her face bearing her usual lively smile.

"Master, I...I have something to tell you. Could you come closer?"

"Hmm?" Lynn leaned closer, somewhat curious.

As a result, Sylvia tiptoed and gave Lynn a light, fleeting kiss on the lips before quickly closing the restaurant door.

Lynn was left bewildered in the summer breeze, his face full of questions.

No?

Am I really a succubus?

This person definitely likes me!!

Isn't this just like the plot in "Gala Gei Mu"?!

Although she wanted to figure out what was going on, Sylvia was now acting as if she was shutting herself out.

Lynn had no choice but to give up.

Sylvia leaned against the door, the smile on her face slowly fading.

She gently touched her lips and murmured softly, as if with some kind of obsession.

"...Vera."

"You kissed the Prophet, didn't you...?"

"You promised me... we would always be together."

Even if you don't remember...

Even if you're lying to me...

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

"I...I won't forget either."

A summer breeze blows, and the leaves rustle.

Sylvia looked out the window towards Vera's treehouse, leaving only a whisper that slowly faded away:

Never.