Gourmet: From a Stall in Northern Europe-Chapter 251 - 175: Challenge Card, Childhood Snacks Series

"I heard from Lucas that we're having Great Xia's famous marinated raw seafood today? Sorry for making you come all this way."

"Uh... no need to thank me."

Lin Chen scratched his head in confusion.

Lucas never mentioned there'd be so many people. If he'd known, he would have prepared more.

Just a dozen boxes aren't enough to share. A few bites each, and it'll be gone in no time.

Lucas was standing by the grill, with a few steaks on it, looking like they had just started, as their color hadn't changed much.

Seeing Lin Chen, Lucas quickly walked over and shoved the tongs into his hand, patting his shoulder, "Everyone has their expertise, so I'll leave it to you, buddy!"

"?"

Without leaving any room for refusal, Lucas went straight towards the rectangular plastic dining table, where the group had already laid out the marinated seafood.

Once the cover was lifted, an array of colorfully vibrant seafood appeared.

"Wow, even ordinary seafood can be made to look so good. I thought raw seafood wouldn't look appealing."

Some people pulled out their phones and cameras, snapping away while simultaneously swallowing their saliva.

They already had unconditional trust in Lin Chen's culinary skills. Eat first, no doubt it's good.

Jiang Shuqi also got up from her beach chair, drawn by the appeal of the marinated seafood, especially since abroad she couldn't buy any.

It was alright before it was mentioned, but now she was craving it immensely.

Marian's four kids were very young, not too tall, just enough to reach the table.

The four of them stood on tiptoes, hands grasping the table edge, blinking their innocent and large eyes, utterly adorable.

"So many varieties, which one should we try first?"

"Can kids eat raw seafood?"

Marian looked slightly worriedly at Lucas, who was stunned; this question really stumped him.

"Of course they can eat, but not too much. Just a taste is enough." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Jiang Shuqi took off her sunglasses, reached out to grab a box of clams and salmon platter, and handed it over.

"Except for the salmon, everything in here is cooked, more suitable for them to eat. The shrimp and crab are raw, don't let them eat too much, just a taste; eating too much raw food can cause stomach pain and diarrhea."

Lucas also held his camera, learning from Jiang Shuqi how to take good shots, planning to upload some nice pictures on social media, anyway marinated seafood doesn't worry about getting cold.

After everyone had snapped several photo sets, the kids began yelling, eager to eat, showing rather remarkable patience.

After tasting a few bites of the shellfish, their eyes lit up, burying their heads in big mouthfuls nonstop.

Seeing the kids enjoy the food so much, Marian and George couldn't resist their burgeoning urges, each grabbing half a crab to nibble on.

The tender, bouncy crab and shrimp meat were completely infused with the delicious juice, slightly salty but bearable, especially when paired with sesame and chunks of green and red peppers from the sauce; the subtle wasabi flavor kept enticing with each bite.

Jade and Amber, not wanting to be outdone, quickly grabbed half a crab each.

With just one mouthful, both were moved, gazing at each other with eyes full of astonishment.

Their years of tacit understanding meant they didn't need to speak, instantly, each gathered a portion of all kinds of marinated seafood in front of them.

Marian and George weren't foolish either, exchanged smiles and did the same.

Jiang Shuqi was teaching Lucas photo-editing skills, noticed out of the corner of her eye the way they divided the food, she rushed forward in a couple of steps, pulling the remaining boxes to herself.

Lin Chen originally thought it was just Lucas and Jiang Shuqi, the amount was surely enough, roughly four servings for sale. But who knew they'd actually team up for a barbecue party.

Not counting the kids, there were at least six adults here, hardly enough to fill the gaps between teeth.

"Hey, trying to sneak off while I'm distracted!"

When his cheap master ran off, Lucas keenly sensed something was amiss, followed closely to grab them, then was pinned down by five people at once.

"?"

He looked up in confusion, "What's up, not letting me eat? This was brought for me by my buddy!"

"Lucas!"

Amber solemnly met Lucas's eyes, "We've been good buddies for over ten years, right?"

"Yes."

"Now you're working here, seafood is everywhere; you can eat it anytime you want, but we're leaving tonight, next time the earliest we can come is Friday night."

"We traveled far to see you, don't tell me you won't even let us enjoy some seafood?"

"Amber has a point," Jade nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Uh..."

Lucas began to waver.

Seizing this moment, Marian signaled him to look at her four kids.

"We have a lot of people, and kids are at a growing age. It's rare to find food they love, you wouldn't want to steal from the kids, would you?"

The four little ones smartly guarded the plastic boxes in front of them, staring at him warily.

"No, no, I wouldn't snatch food from kids..."

"So you're saying you'd snatch from your master?"

Jiang Shuqi slapped his hand, making him retract his arm like lightning, instantly.

"Great Xia has an ancient saying, 'A day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father... mother,' respecting teachers is a virtue of Great Xia people. Dare grab it, that's contempt and betrayal!"

Lucas looked around, scratching his head in grievance.