Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 766 - 388: Sugar-Coated Bullet (Part 2)
Boss Gong values the thought behind the gesture.
The only snacks Qin Huai is going to make now are the Four Happiness Rolls and lotus root powder balls. The Four Happiness Rolls were mentioned before triggering Gong Liang’s mission, so he could only use the lotus root powder balls to borrow flowers to offer Buddha.
Moreover, compared to the Four Happiness Rolls, the lotus root powder balls are certainly less difficult, at least that’s what Qin Huai thinks. Even though he hasn’t watched the video tutorial for the lotus root powder balls yet, he believes they should be simpler.
Therefore, in that earlier scene, Qin Huai thought that using the lotus root powder balls to stage a drama was just right.
Qin Huai knew very well that in this kind of situation he couldn’t see Gong Liang’s expression clearly, and Gong Liang probably couldn’t see his expression either. So, he exaggeratedly pretended to think for a while, and it wasn’t until they almost reached the neighborhood gate that he said in an uncertain tone:
"Maybe I heard it from a regular customer at Huang Ji."
"Or perhaps Dong Shi mentioned it casually to me."
"I’m sorry, Mr. Gong, it’s been a while, so I don’t quite remember. Anyway, I just remember someone telling me that you like lotus root powder balls. When I heard it, I thought about finding time to learn and make them for you because I felt that lotus root powder balls shouldn’t be particularly difficult, probably not more complicated than the Four Happiness glutinous rice."
"But I forgot because I was busy, and I suddenly remembered it during the meal just now, so I said that. What, do you not like lotus root powder balls?" Qin Huai walked under the street lamp, looking at Gong Liang with sincerity.
The lamplight on Qin Huai’s face made his expression look particularly earnest.
But Qin Huai’s performance was obviously unnecessary because Gong Liang wasn’t even looking at him; he was bowing his head, seemingly replying to some important work message on his phone.
"No, no, I was just curious about who said it, afraid that it might have been my wife who told you." Gong Liang felt a bit embarrassed, "I don’t like lotus root powder balls. I generally don’t like these purely sweet snacks, but my wife does."
"When I just started working and was dating my wife, I often went to the State owned Restaurant to buy a serving of lotus root powder balls, packed it in a lunch box, and took it to the cinema for her to eat while watching a movie."
"Back then, in the pitch-dark cinema, you couldn’t see anything except the screen during the show, and my wife often ended up spilling the sweet soup on herself while eating."
"Thinking back on it, I really do miss it."
Qin Huai: ......
So you specially waited for me at the entrance of Huang Ji just to bait and trap me?
Alright, alright, I know the love between you, Gong Liang, and Guo Mingzhu is steadfast and has withstood trials. I’ve not only heard of your glorious deeds but also witnessed them in your memories. Guo Mingzhu was undeniably a great beauty when she was young. You, Gong Liang, are quite fortunate to have married her, isn’t that right?
"So, Mr. Gong, what you mean is..." Qin Huai was genuinely confused about what Gong Liang wanted, was it merely to flaunt love? Surely not.
"I just feel that Master Qin, you especially remembered what I like to eat and intended to make snacks for me, which is really too much effort." Gong Liang raised his phone, showing the screen to Qin Huai, indicating for him to look.
Qin Huai focused and saw it was a chat record with a famous smart home appliance brand sales consultant. It seemed that Gong Liang had ordered a whole new set of smart home appliances.
"What’s this..."
"This is a newly launched full set of smart appliances from early this year. I did a little research; it only takes 6 hours for home installation. We can arrange for workers to install them while Master Qin is at work, there’s plenty of time."
Qin Huai: ?
"Master Qin, you mustn’t feel embarrassed. You could remember what snacks I like; helping you upgrade your home appliances is only natural. I’ve already placed the order, and they will be installed at your place tomorrow. It’s the same brand you’re using now, so there’ll be no adjustment issues."
"Old Zheng is really slow in action. I told him when he bought this house, hurry up and get the underfloor heating installed while Master Qin is not in Gusu, and take the chance to renovate the whole place."
"I’ve already bought the house upstairs. We’ll break through from top to bottom for a bigger space. Too bad the owner downstairs doesn’t want to sell, or it would be more convenient to buy it and have fewer stairs to climb."
Qin Huai: ??
"When the renovations start, I’ll have Old Zheng send you the blueprint, Master Qin. Let me know if you’re satisfied; if not, we can revise it."
Qin Huai: ???
For some reason, Qin Huai really wanted to go back and watch the video tutorial for lotus root powder balls, feeling a strong urge to make A-level lotus root powder balls for Gong Liang as soon as possible.
Qin Huai instantly understood the expression Wang Gen Sheng had when he ate the lotus root powder balls in his memory.
Oh, this is what sugary missiles feel like? Truly...
Unresistable.
After being bombarded with Gong Liang’s sugary missiles all the way, Qin Huai returned home in a daze, only to find Shi Dadan there, eating bananas while watching Wang Gen Sheng do the accounts.
It was clear that Shi Dadan didn’t understand a thing but still enjoyed watching.
Qin Huai greeted them, indicating he had something else to do and returned to his room to call Su Qian. He inquired about how Zhiwei Restaurant planned to arrange things, whether the people from Zhiwei should end the exchange early and return to Zhiwei Restaurant or change course to come to Huang Ji.
Qin Huai knew the issue this time was caused by himself, so he was very humble, expressing that if the Zhiwei group decided to return, he would be responsible for any penalties for breaking the lease.
If they come to Huang Ji, he would also cover any additional rent and living expenses.
As it turned out, Su Qian said it wasn’t necessary. Boss Su heard that Qin Huai had gone to Huang Ji again and expressed that Zhiwei Restaurant and Huang Ji are friendly establishments. Although Boss Su and Zheng Da have some unspeakable private grievances, Boss Su still admires Huang Shengli.
Huang Ji, as a renowned high-end restaurant, is clearly more suited for learning in a more formal way.
So Boss Su generously decided that the previous exchange students weren’t enough. If they went to Huang Ji, shouldn’t more be sent? They have many eager exchange students at Zhiwei Restaurant. Master Qin, should we send 3 more or 5 more?
To this, Qin Huai: ...
Is this how the plot develops?
Could Huang Ji accommodate so many pastry chefs?
Well, it can; Huang Ji’s kitchen is indeed very large.
Su Qian’s question caught Qin Huai by surprise, prompting Qin Huai to ask him back, "Do you think sending 3 is better, or 5?"
"Master Qin, you really need not worry about Boss Su’s opinion. Boss Su heard that the apprentices visiting Yunzhong Restaurant made significant progress, so he was keen to temporarily send a few good prospects. If you are willing to accept them, I think adding just 2 more will be enough. Having too many might be a burden for you and would affect your normal pastry-making routine."
"Let me know the type of apprentices you prefer. I noticed on the list there’s someone who’s pretty skilled at making Cantonese dim sum. I remember you sometimes like to have prawn dumplings for breakfast. However, there isn’t anyone truly adept at making prawn dumplings in this group; why don’t we send him over?"
Qin Huai was instantly tempted: "Sure."
"There’s also someone else with decent dough kneading skills, could be your assistant. How about we give the other spot to him?"
"That’s fine; you decide, Su Qian. I trust your judgment." Qin Huai said.
"Alright, it’s tentative for now. I’ll send you the list later. If there’s anyone else you’re interested in, let me know. We might set off two days later than planned due to some work handover, and please liaise with Huang Ji about arranging our placements."
"I’ll hang up now, so as not to disturb your rest."
Qin Huai hung up, marveling internally at the attentiveness of a true direct disciple of Master Zhou.
On the other side, Su Qian was also on the phone with Boss Su.
"Two? Qin Huai agreed to send two more apprentices over?! That’s fantastic! At first, I thought getting to send just one more would be good enough, but we can send two." Boss Su’s voice was almost piercing with excitement.
"Xiao Qian, have you sounded out when Qin Huai plans to come to our Zhiwei Restaurant? Master Zhou can’t wait any longer. News has spread about how excellent the Four Happiness glutinuous rice Qin Huai made in A City was, that even Mr. Xu wants to write another column about it. If Qin Huai doesn’t come to our Zhiweiju soon, I fear Master Zhou will go to Huang Ji himself to see him."
"Didn’t Master Zhou secretly buy some fruit from Huang Ji during the Chinese New Year?" Su Qian asked.
"...That’s different."
"I understand, uncle, please don’t worry, Master Qin has his own plans."
"Once I’m at Huang Ji, I’ll subtly ask around, aiming to have Master Qin come to our Zhiwei Restaurant before June."
