n

n

n

nThe next day, Monn went to the bank of the Gaya River after he got up.

nHe used the “exquisite fish bait” from the lucky draw to catch another big fish.

n

n

nMonn was a little worried after taking it home.

nHe didn’t know how to cook this thing!

nMonn still took the sharp knife after thinking for a while.

nThen, he scalded the 40-50 cm long salmon!

n

n

nHe naturally needed to clean the internal organs of the fish after removing the scales!

nMonn didn’t have any problems before this step.

nThe problem was that in the next step…

nWhat should he do with the fish that was cleaned?

n

n

nBoil it or roast it? Or… fry it in oil?

nMonn still couldn’t figure it out after thinking for a long time.

nHe looked at the time and saw that it was just past seven o’clock.

nThere wasn’t much fun anymore fishing with the “exquisite fish bait”…

nAnyway, it would soon catch a big fish after throwing an earthworm into the water!

nTherefore, Monn was doing his routine and went to catch a fish to eat. It didn’t take much time.

n

n

nIt was only seven o’clock now. It didn’t seem nice to wake Little Alma up at this time…

nBut he really wouldn’t know how to cook the fish if he didn’t wake her up!

nMonn looked a little distressed!

nMonn finally went upstairs and gently pushed open Little Alma’s door after hesitating for a while.

n“Alma, Alma…”

n“Oh? Father Monn… is it time to get up?”

n“I’m so sleepy…”

n“Eh? It’s only seven o’clock? Papa, you woke me up a little early today.”

n

n

nLittle Alma rubbed her eyes in a daze. It was that she was still drowsy.

nMonn’s face blushed.

nHe cleared his throat and said.

n“Um… Aunt Millie taught you how to cook fish yesterday. Did you learn it?”

n“Papa caught a big fish just now, but I didn’t know how to cook…”

nLittle Alma understood as soon as Monn said that.

nShe stretched and closed her eyes to laze for a few seconds.

nIn the end, she struggled to sit up!

n“Father Monn, leave it to me. I’ve learned a lot from Aunt Millie!”

n“Ahem… Alma, I’m sorry!”

n“Well, why don’t you teach me as well?”

nMonn scratched his head. He felt very guilty for waking his daughter up so early because he didn’t know how to cook.

nLittle Alma smiled and patted Monn’s shoulder like a young adult.

n

n

n“Father Monn, you can’t even beat me at chess. You definitely can’t learn how to cook fish!”

n“From now on, we’ll eat a meal of fish every week. Leave this to me!”

nLittle Alma’s sensible words touched Monn.

nThis little girl was too obedient!

n“Okay, Papa will go fishing for a big fish every week from now on. Then, you cook the fish for papa when you don’t have to go to school, okay?”

n“Okay!”

nLittle Alma nodded heavily and smiled happily.

nThe father and daughter came to the kitchen, and Little Alma found an apron to put on for herself.

nThen, she picked up the big fish that she struggled to hold onto and paused for a few seconds.

nShe pursed her lips and looked at Monn.

n“Father Monn, can you catch smaller fish in the future? This one is too big. I can’t even carry it!”

n“Uh…”

nMonn’s expression turned awkward!

nThe main thing was that the size of the fish wasn’t under his control!

nSo it seemed like the effect of the “exquisite fish bait” wasn’t a good thing either!

nHowever, if that was the case…

nMonn had another new idea.

nHe could fish a big fish every day, sell it, and buy some other dishes!

nAlthough a fish couldn’t be sold for much, he might be able to pay for a day’s worth of food if it was big enough!

nHe could also enrich Little Alma’s nutrition.

nHowever…

nActually, Monn could afford other dishes even before that.

nHe didn’t know how to cook. That was the main point!

nBut if he could sell a big fish every day.

nPerhaps he could hire a maid who specialized in cooking?

nThe commission for a cooking maid was low, only about eight shillings a day in that era.

nMonn felt that it was troublesome in the past.

nBut Little Alma was gradually growing up, and the nutrition that she needed to replenish would be more abundant.

nFurthermore, Monn had the thought of preparing to hunt dark creatures. So he would have more money.

nIn that case, hiring a cooking maid seemed like a good idea?

nMonn kept on working while these thoughts ran through his mind.

nHe helped Little Alma put the big fish on the chopping board, then cut off the fish head.

nThen, he cut the fish body into a few pieces according to Little Alma’s request.

nFinally, Little Alma instructed Monn to add water, oil, and so on to the pot.

nMonn could not help with the following steps!

nThe seasonings of that era were not rich.

nBut with Monn’s status, they had seasonings like pepper, pepper, salt, olive oil, and so on.

nLittle Alma stood on a stool.

nShe earnestly followed the method she had learned from Millie.

nShe added all kinds of seasonings into the pot bit by bit.

nA burst of fragrance filled the entire kitchen before long, along with the heat.

n“Father Monn, Aunt Millie said that we need to cover the pot after this step.”

n“Then wait for another twenty minutes. Add some vegetables, wormwood, and other ingredients into the pot, and it will be ready!”

nLittle Alma said seriously as she looked at Monn.

nMonn nodded and gently stroked Little Alma’s head.

n“Alma, you’ve done well. You’re already better at cooking than papa!”

nMonn scratched his head upon looking at the pot that was bubbling with steam.

n‘That doesn’t look difficult!’

n‘It is just… wash, cut, heat the oil, add water, add some seasoning, and finally braise it!’

n‘I shall try it tomorrow!’

nMonn carefully placed some vegetables on the fragrant stewed fish after another twenty minutes!

nThe meal was ready!

n“Wow! It smells so good!”

nAlma widened her eyes and took a sniff.

nThe salmon was a kind of fish that was a specialty of the Gaya River. Its meat was fresh and tender, and it was rich in nutrients!

nThat was the first time the father and daughter had cooked together.

nBoth Monn and Little Alma felt a great sense of satisfaction when they ate the fresh and tender fish in the dining hall!

nAlthough the fish was fresh and tender, the taste was a little wasteful of the fresh and tender meat.

nBut that was the first time the two of them worked together. They still had to eat it clean even if it tasted terrible.

nMonn tidied up Little Alma’s school bag and sent her to school after they finished eating.

nMonn patted Alma’s head at the school gate and said gently. “Listen to the teacher at school and study hard, understand?”

n“Okay, Father Monn! You’re so long-winded!”

n“Hahaha!”

nMonn laughed and handed a five-shilling coin to Alma.

nThat was her pocket money and lunch money for the day.

nAfter sending Alma off, Monn slowly walked towards the church.

nA bishop immediately came forward and bowed respectfully to Monn when he arrived at the church.

n“Cardinal Monn, Pope Andrew wants you to attend the meeting at the Holy Church.”

nMonn nodded.

n“I’ll be right there.”

n