Reborn in the Great Northern Wilderness in 1982, I farmed and hunted to support my whole family.

Young Master Zhao looked at Li Mu with newfound respect: "Wow, you're quite capable, kid. You can even cook squirrel fish. Alright, I enjoyed this meal. Come back to your little restaurant sometime, and remember to make squirrel fish for me again!"

Dahei explained that Li Mu was not the owner of the small restaurant.

"It was a friend who came to help out. He happened to run into Young Master Zhao having dinner today, so he showed off his skills. I didn't expect Young Master Zhao to be so kind as to accept my invitation; he really liked it."

Young Master Zhao had a good time today, and since he was about the same age as Li Mu, they got along quite well after chatting for a while. Before leaving, he told Li Mu the name of a place.

"Come find me next time you come to the county town, and I'll treat you to a meal! I'll remember this."

Li Mu smiled and agreed, knowing that it was just to give him face and that he couldn't actually go to see him.

For someone like Young Master Zhao, being able to confide in him is already quite good; one shouldn't be too greedy.

Li Mu saw Young Master Zhao to the door, watched him get into a car and drive away. Only then did he turn back into the small restaurant, finish his meal, wipe his mouth, and, carrying an empty fish basket, prepare to leave with Tian Xiaohu.

"Hey, hey, wait a minute, little brother!"

The shopkeeper hurriedly took out a few banknotes from the counter and stuffed them into Li Mu's hand.

"I really owe you all a lot today, especially you, young man. Your squirrel fish is excellent and has brought me a lot of business. Here, take this money as a reward for your hard work."

"Brother, we can't accept this!"

Li Mu declined, saying, "Brother, you're too kind. We were able to sell the fish today thanks to your help. We can't accept this money."

The owner insisted on paying, saying, "Don't be shy. This squirrel fish brought me a lot of customers today, and it might even become our restaurant's signature dish in the future. You have to accept this money."

"Will you still deliver fish in the future? I'll definitely get my fish from you! I cook fish really well, I'll give you extra money! Let's have a win-win situation!"

Big Black chimed in, "Tiger, you should teach me how to make squirrel fish too! Your skills are amazing! If my restaurant could offer this dish, business would definitely boom!"

Li Mu went to see the owner of the small restaurant, and seeing that he had no objections, he continued, "Brother Dahei, you're really flattering me. I figured out this skill myself; there's no secret to it."

“If you want to learn, I can teach you. But you have to call your restaurant’s chef over first, and I’ll have him learn so that you can introduce this dish to your restaurant in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Big Black's face lit up with joy: "Really? That's great! Come on! To my restaurant, I'm taking him with me!"

The boss laughed and cursed, "Get lost, you donkey!"

Big Black wasn't angry at all. He laughed and said to the boss, "Brother, I'll take them to my place now. We'll come back for drinks another day!"

After saying that, Dahei pulled Li Mu and Tian Xiaohu out of the small restaurant and rode his bicycle to his own restaurant.

It was past lunchtime, and the Black Wind Village Restaurant was nearly empty. As soon as Da Hei led Li Mu and Tian Xiaohu into the kitchen, he shouted loudly, "Old Zhao! Old Zhao! Come here quickly! I've brought you a master."

A middle-aged man with a round belly poked his head out from behind the stove, looking at Big Black with a puzzled expression: "What kind of expert is he? Big Black, where did you find him?"

"Hehe, this is Brother Li Mu. He has a signature dish that will definitely amaze you!"

Old Zhao, his hands still warm from working, wearing an apron and covered in grease, immediately perked up when he heard Da Hei's words: "What dish is it? Let me see!"

Dahei laughed heartily and pulled Li Mu in front of Lao Zhao: "Look, this is Brother Li Mu. His squirrel fish is absolutely amazing! I just had a bite at a small restaurant, and it was simply divine!"

"What fish?"

Old Zhao thought he had misheard and looked at Dahei and Li Mu with a blank expression.

"Squirrel fish!"

"Where did you find the squirrel in the dead of winter! Blackie, did you hit your head?" Old Zhao said bluntly. Looking at Li Mu's young appearance, who would believe he was a chef?

Upon hearing this, Li Mu couldn't help but chuckle.

Old Zhao was surprisingly humorous, mistaking the squirrel fish for a real squirrel. He shook his head and said with a smile, "Master Zhao, you've misunderstood. The squirrel fish I'm talking about is a dish, not a real squirrel."

Upon hearing this, Old Zhao suddenly realized what was going on. He scratched his head and laughed sheepishly, "Oh dear, look at my brain! I completely misunderstood the name of the dish. Squirrel fish? I've never heard of that dish before. Do you know how to make it?"

Li Mu nodded confidently: "I can do it, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Dahei chimed in, "Old Zhao, don't underestimate Mu Zi. His cooking skills are amazing. Even Young Master Zhao praised him highly. Today at the restaurant, his squirrel fish amazed everyone."

When Lao Zhao heard this, he figured he was free anyway and it wouldn't bother him.

"There are a few more fish behind. Want to show off your skills?"

Li Mu rolled up his sleeves, ready to get to work. He walked to the fishpond, selected a lively fish, and skillfully began to prepare it.

Old Zhao watched intently as Li Mu skillfully removed the scales, gills, and entrails in one fluid motion. Then, he cut off the fish's head from the pectoral fins, split it open, and flattened it—his movements were smooth and deft, unlike someone who was just boasting.

"Hey, this kid's got some skills!" Old Zhao couldn't help but secretly praise.

Next, Li Mu began slicing the fish. His technique was light and skillful; the two connected slices of fish meat were as thin as cicada wings, yet perfectly intact. Then he made straight diagonal cuts on the fish meat, followed by diagonal cuts on the straight cuts, deep enough to reach the skin, but without cutting through it.

Each cut was incredibly precise, as if measured with a ruler. Moments later, the fish was covered with patterns resembling squirrel fur, a truly astonishing sight.

Old Zhao watched in stunned silence. Only Old Jin could rival such exquisite knife skills. Old Jin was a senior figure in their trade, his knife skills were unparalleled. No one expected that a young man could display such superb skill today; truly, the younger generation surpasses the older!

Old Zhao couldn't help but exclaim, "Young man, your knife skills are truly remarkable! I've been in this business for so many years, and I've never seen anyone as skilled as you."

"Master Zhao, you flatter me. I learned it through hard work and practice. Where's the flour? And have you prepared the side dishes and seasonings? Making squirrel fish requires quite a few ingredients."

Old Zhao quickly pointed to the prepared ingredients on the side: "They're all here. Look, flour, scallions, ginger, garlic, and sweet and sour sauce, everything's ready."

Li Mu began to coat the prepared fish meat with flour.

Old Zhao assisted by mixing the sweet and sour sauce, all the while secretly learning how to do it.