How Can Frozen Fish Compare to Fresh Fish

At first, the girls didn’t like eating fish heads, or rather, they found them disgusting.

But after Lin Mo explained that eating fish heads could improve their skin, the young women started picking at them with their chopsticks.

At another table, those who didn’t like fish didn’t join in, but they did end up eating fish porridge.

The main reason was that Lin Mo had already removed all the small bones from the bighead carp, so there was no worry about choking on them when eating the porridge.

The fish porridge was delicious,

and everyone was thoroughly satisfied with the meal.

Once everyone had eaten their fill, some prepared to go soak in the hot springs.

However, Lin Mo raised a hand to stop them.

"After a full meal, blood concentrates in the stomach. If you go into the hot springs now, you might faint."

Hearing this, everyone suppressed their initial excitement.

Meanwhile, Fang Jun had some business to attend to and left, so the group resumed their free time.

At the entrance, a few people strolled in. With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Lin Mo recognized them as the ones who had bought the fish earlier.

Aside from those three, there was also a middle-aged man dressed in a windbreaker, looking entirely unlike the refined nobility often depicted in novels.

Still, the three referred to him as "Boss Ma."

Most importantly, Lin Mo recognized this Boss Ma.

Ma Linxi sat down without any airs, casually unwrapping the vacuum-sealed tableware and rinsing it with hot water.

(For the character’s origin, refer to Chapter 74.)

This was one of the standard routines for Cantonese people when dining out.

Some might call it unnecessary, but experiments have proven that rinsing tableware is quite effective.

It’s not about sterilization—it’s about washing away residual anionic detergent.

Hot water alone is enough to remove it.

But this substance is mildly toxic, and prolonged exposure is harmful to the body.

Ma Linxi, being Cantonese himself, had disbanded his hiking group after that incident.

Trekking through mountains and rivers had been a challenge for him.

But what lingered in his mind was the storm that night.

And that voice.

Right now, though, Ma Linxi was more interested in the meter-long bighead carp.

He didn’t care about the rest—he just wanted to taste the fish head.

Whether it was steamed with chopped peppers, salt-baked, plain steamed, or pan-fried, he loved it all.

Then the man in his thirties pointed at Lin Mo, who was playing cards in the distance.

"Boss Ma, that’s the kid who caught the fish. We had to pay over ten thousand to get it from him."

Ma Linxi glanced over, feeling that Lin Mo’s profile looked familiar, though he couldn’t quite place it.

Before he could say anything, the fish head arrived—half steamed, half with chopped peppers.

This was Ma Linxi’s preferred way of eating it.

Seeing the two large plates, he exclaimed excitedly, "This fish head is huge! Bigger than any I’ve had before."

With that, he picked up his chopsticks and went straight for the fish eye.

He loved eating the eyes first—the texture was unique, the flesh firm, and the flavor distinct. Though not everyone enjoyed it.

But tastes vary.

The other dishes arrived soon after.

"Good, good. This fish is well worth the ten grand. I love it," Ma Linxi nodded. Spending ten thousand on a freshwater fish was hardly cost-effective.

The man in his fifties nodded slightly in agreement.

But the thirty-year-old couldn’t help voicing his dissatisfaction.

"Boss Ma, if it’s just the fish head you want, wouldn’t a saltwater fish’s head be bigger? And for ten grand, you could get a bluefin tuna head."

Ma Linxi’s expression darkened.

"Do you even know anything about food? Bluefin tuna die as soon as they’re caught. How can frozen fish compare to fresh?"

Bluefin tuna are deep-sea fish that perish within minutes of being brought to the surface.

If eaten within a few hours, they can still be considered fresh.

But it’s not that simple to get them that way.

In Ma Linxi’s opinion, a large, fresh freshwater fish was far superior to a frozen bluefin tuna head.

Though, in reality… who could say?

After being scolded, the man fell silent and focused on eating.

Lin Mo occasionally glanced over, but since they weren’t trying to cozy up to him, he didn’t mind.

About half an hour later, Fang Jun and the others returned, carrying several boxes.

"Everyone, check out what we’ve brought back!"

Those still in the lobby gathered around.

Three boxes of fireworks, big and small.

"These are all sponsored by Lin Mo—five grand worth! We nearly cleared out the shop."

"Are we allowed to set these off here?"

"What’s there to worry about? This is the suburbs, not the city. And it’s wide open—no risk of starting a fire."

Fang Jun waved it off.

Hearing this, everyone relaxed and cheered, "Thanks, Boss Mo, for the fireworks show tonight!"

Lin Mo checked the time. "After the hot springs, we’ll do the countdown. Then we can set them off."

Though it wasn’t Lunar New Year, fireworks were a common way to welcome the new year after midnight.

As the fireworks were stored away, Ma Linxi, still eating his fish, glanced toward the hot spring resort.

"We probably can’t set off fireworks over there, right?"

"That area’s managed, so no. But this side belongs to the village. They can do whatever they want without complaints."

The middle-aged man suggested, "Should we book a room here for you, Boss Ma, so you can watch the fireworks?"

Ma Linxi thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Sure. It’s not like I’ve never stayed in a guesthouse before. And they have hot springs here too, don’t they?"

The middle-aged man stood up to make arrangements.

Ma Linxi sighed as he looked at the other two, who kept their heads down while eating.

Hearing the sigh, they lowered their heads even further.

Lin Mo overheard the conversation and realized Ma Linxi just wanted to see the fireworks.

No matter—the money for the fireworks had come from them anyway.

By around eight in the evening, everyone had gone to fetch their clothes for the hot springs.

The farmhouse’s hot springs were more like private pools, with changing rooms nearby.

The changing rooms also had showers.

Warnings were posted along the walls.