"Alright."

Thirty minutes felt like an eternity for the three of them.

Wang Fan announced it was ready and lifted a pig's knuckle out of the braising pot, placing it on the board before them, "How much do you all want?"

"Slurp..."

The three didn't even discuss it; instead, they all instinctively swallowed their saliva in unison.

Family, who can understand?! I'm being overwhelmed by a huge knuckle!

The knuckle, after a long braise, had skin that became soft and tender, absorbing all the essence of the seasonings, presenting a deep crimson color, vibrant and glossy, as if declaring the dish's deliciousness and nutrition. Freshly out of the pot, it steamed enticingly, increasing its allure by at least 50%.

And with Wang Fan's movements, the thick knuckle skin even began to jiggle "duangduangduang," practically dancing, proclaiming to the group — I'm so tender I can dance!

The red pork skin was still covered with a layer of translucent oil, making the three of them involuntarily drool even more.

Within the crevices of the knuckle meat, you could see thick sauce, deep brown in color, accentuating the pork skin's crimson hue, making it look even more tempting.

"How much do you want?"

At that moment, Wang Fan's voice somehow carried a magical allure, rendering Wang Yaoyang unable to utter a mere ounce.

After swallowing hard to keep his drool from spilling, Wu Qian fiercely replied, "One whole! Don't chop it; give us each one to squat on our rice!"

"What the heck? Brother, are you serious? Who chews a whole knuckle first thing in the morning?"

Even Zheng Yaoyang was taken aback by Wu Qian's boldness, as was Lin Mu, a native Northeasterner.

Wu Qian licked his chapped lips, "Or else I'll have a whole one and you two can have an ounce each."

Lin Mu was momentarily stunned, then took another careful look at the seemingly perpetually jiggling knuckle...

"Let's start with one, and if it's not enough, we'll get more!"

Zheng Yaoyang and Wu Qian both gave Lin Mu a thumbs up, "You're the boldest of us all."

Wang Fan took out a newly ordered packaging box, lifted the lid of the rice cooker, and started scooping rice into it.

The aroma of the new rice drifted out, unexpectedly able to rival the meat's fragrance.

Finally, the two aromas mingled and merged, creating a new scent — the scent of hunger.

"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle..."

Lin Mu, Wu Qian, and Zheng Yaoyang all heard the rumbling of their stomachs, yet paid no mind, focusing intently on Wang Fan's every move.

After lining the bottom of the bowl with rice, Wang Fan placed the jiggling knuckle on top, and with a gentle tug, pulled out a bone so clean that even a dog would shake its head.

He then ladled out a spoonful of bright red sauce from the pot and poured it over the knuckle, whose already rosy hue deepened, enhancing its appeal.

The sauce spread from the knuckle skin onto the rice, turning the translucent grains a tempting sauce-red, making the three of them eager to take a huge bite.

After preparing one serving, Wang Fan set it on the counter and started on the second, but that first serving was quickly seized by three large hands.

Lin Mu looked at the other two and said, "I should eat the first serving. You two are guests from afar, and I must ensure your safety, so I'll test it for poison first, and if it's okay, you both can eat."

Zheng Yaoyang sneered, "I'd rather believe I got poisoned because I didn't brush my teeth than think the chef meant harm. I've been hungry all night; this first serving should be mine."

Wu Qian declared sternly, "Have you two forgotten who's treating? I eat the first serving. Today's expenses are on Master Wu."

"Please, noble father!"

Lin Mu and Zheng Yaoyang released their grip simultaneously. Firstly, the moneybag having the first taste was proper, and secondly, the second serving was almost ready.

Wu Qian eagerly cradled the rice box, flipped open the lid, and took a deep breath.

The rich meat aroma mixed with the rice's freshness, an enticing scent from the deepest part of the soul.

Besides pulling out the bone, Wang Fan hadn't shredded the knuckle meat, leaving it as a whole piece atop the white rice, maximizing the visual impact.

Wu Qian lightly poked the knuckle with his chopsticks, which pierced the skin like a sword with no resistance.

"Whoa!"

In awe, Wu Qian could no longer resist the temptation and picked off a large chunk of meat.

The elasticity of the knuckle skin was astounding; even as Wu Qian brought it to his mouth, a tiny bit remained connected.

Beneath the sauce-brown skin lay snow-white fat, which Wu Qian popped into his mouth under the envious gazes of Lin Mu and Zheng Yaoyang.

Soft, tender, fragrant, and smooth.

The skin was practically melt-in-your-mouth, requiring almost no chewing, while distinctly providing that gelatinous sensation.

Soon, the meat's aroma and seasoning's fragrance exploded in his mouth simultaneously.

Raised in wealth, Wu Qian was accustomed to the finest in life, having tasted countless gourmet dishes.

For him, aroma was critical in discerning food quality.

It tested the chef's skill in seasoning; too little, and the aroma was lacking; too much, and it overwhelmed, like the roles in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.

This knuckle was the best he'd ever tasted.

He distinctly felt the presence of the seasoning aroma, yet it seamlessly merged into the meat, the mouth distinctly echoing rich meat fragrance.

Along with the melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfectly judged saltiness, and a faint sweetness, he believed even after finishing an entire knuckle he wouldn't feel greasy.

Zheng Yaoyang gulped, "Is it good..."

Wu Qian was too immersed to respond, hurriedly picking up another large piece as soon as he swallowed.

The knuckle's muscle fibers, though distinct, weren't dry, especially the front knuckle.

As soon as Wu Qian stuffed this lean bite into his mouth, it felt utterly tender.

Saturated with braising sauce, the more he chewed, the more fragrant it became, making him unwilling to stop.

Zheng Yaoyang felt he already got his answer.

Eating like that, does he even need to ask?

This is coming from someone who could criticize Michelin 3-star restaurants!

Zheng Yaoyang readied his entire being, poised for action.

This second serving of knuckle rice had to be his!

"Here it comes!"

Zheng Yaoyang focused his gaze, his pupils narrowing to needlepoints, snatching up the freshly placed rice box on the counter with lightning speed.

Lin Mu was caught completely off guard.

"Haha, take your time waiting, I'm digging in first!"

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