Qin Hao returned home, finished his instant noodles, and then began to study his tasty roasted duck.
He used the household electronic scale to weigh out the herbs, each with a specific weight in grams.
Though the household scale was not as accurate as a specialty scale for herbs, the difference was negligible.
It took him about twenty minutes to prepare the medicine, after which he added the right amount of water and set it to simmer on medium heat on the coal stove.
These herbs were mostly common tonics, but after being fused and boiled, their effects had altered in ways no one but Qin Hao knew.
When a faint fragrance wafted from the pot, Qin Hao added a few spices.
The aroma from the pot grew stronger, provoking a ravenous appetite. Upon smelling it, Qin Hao's stomach growled again.
Qin Hao initially thought the herbal decoction would taste and smell unpleasant, as his impression of herbal medicine from childhood was that it was bitter and off-putting.
But today he realized he had been wrong, as herbal medicine could also produce such an intoxicating aroma.
He was so tempted to drink the herbal broth right away because it smelled so good.
After the potion in the pot had reduced to two-thirds and become somewhat thick, Qin Hao turned off the heat, for the duck's marinade was ready.
Then, he smacked his forehead in annoyance when he realized he had forgotten to get the duck. He covered the pot and rushed downstairs.
Once outside the residential complex, he hailed a taxi and headed to the nearby live poultry market.
He didn't linger in the market, spending thirty-six yuan on a 2-pound duck.
At Qin Hao's request, the duck had already been plucked and cleaned, and it would be ready for roasting after another wash.
After purchasing the duck, he caught a cab back home, the whole round trip taking less than half an hour.
When he arrived home again, the seasoning in the pot was still warm.
He washed the duck once more, then used a knife to score the skin, enhancing the flavor absorption.
He submerged the duck in the pot with the marinade to soak.
Five minutes later, Qin Hao removed the duck, placed it on a dish, and then popped it into the microwave.
...
The preparation of a delicious roasted duck is roughly this process. It is neither simple nor difficult to articulate.
There isn't much technical skill involved, but the most challenging part is getting the seasoning right.
He occupied himself with a mock math test for the standardized exam and then reviewed the answers, ending up with a score of 120.
This was still some distance from his goal, but his improvement had been quite rapid.
During the previous mock test, he had scored just over seventy in math.
He reviewed the questions he got wrong and reflected on his shortcomings.
Then he continued working on math mock tests, repeating the process over and over.
...
At six-thirty in the afternoon, Mrs. Qin finally called out, "Xiao Hao, come and eat."
He was actually already hungry; if it weren't for his studies distracting him, he felt he couldn't have lasted until now, mainly because the smell of roast duck was too tempting.
Qin Hao quickly left his room. Mrs. Qin brought the dishes to the table and took the roast duck out of the microwave.
Suddenly, the aroma in the room intensified, and the three of them couldn't help but swallow their saliva.
Mrs. Qin brought the roast duck over; it was golden brown, shiny, and fragrant.
Mr. Qin swallowed again and asked, "Xiao Hao, where did you buy this roast duck? How come I don't know of such a roast duck restaurant in Jiangshan City?"
Qin Hao spoke evasively, "It seems like it's a new restaurant. I forgot where exactly."
Qin Youguo chimed in, "This color and aroma are the best I've seen, so delicious. What brand of roast duck is this?"
"Forgot."
"Where in Jianghua District did you buy it?"
"Forgot."
...
Mrs. Qin sat down, slightly annoyed, "What do you keep in your head all day? You can't even remember this."
Qin Hao let out a dry laugh and hurriedly gave each of his parents a duck leg, "Dad, Mom, you both work hard, eat more."
Mr. Qin said contentedly, "You're finally getting sensible, my boy."
Mrs. Qin tried to give the duck leg to Qin Hao, "I've had duck legs often enough, you have it."
Qin Hao insisted, "Mom, you eat it. You definitely haven't tried this before, taste how it is."
Mrs. Qin didn't insist further, her face breaking into a smile before taking a bite, "Mm? Crispy, tender, rich but not greasy, this meat melts in your mouth. It's very delicious and not the least bit cloying."