Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 924 - 455: Life Unyielding (Part 7)

Jiang Hui Qin stayed in the kitchen until she watched the final step of steaming the yam cake. She originally wanted to wait until the yam cake was out, but the young lady arrived early, so she had to go to the front hall to greet her.

Adhering to the principle of "since we're here," Jiang Hui Qin tried a piece of red bean bun made by Zhao Cheng'an before leaving and left a comment:

"It's too sweet and a bit hard."

Annoyed, Zhao Cheng'an stomped his foot in dissatisfaction and muttered softly, "Where is my bun hard? Hui Qin is slandering me!"

He's even learned to use the word 'slander.' It seems Zhao Cheng'an has been attending some cultural classes these past two years.

Chen Qiusheng said poignantly, "Her brother is Jiang Chengde, and her sister-in-law is Qin Wan. The signboard of Qin's Steamed Bun Shop is its various buns. Isn't it normal for her to think your bun is not tasty?"

Zhao Cheng'an fell silent, turning his attention to the yam cake in the pot and asked, "Master Chen, this yam cake is quite large. Miss Fen, a little girl, won't finish it, right? I'm going to sneak out of the city tonight to steal something and won't have time to squat. Could you squat for me and pick it up the moment it drops on the ground tonight and bring it back for me to eat?"

Chen Qiusheng: ...

Qin Huai feels that Chen Qiusheng is already questioning life.

Chen Qiusheng was indeed questioning life, remaining silent for over five minutes before slowly asking, "This year... so early?"

"Yes, I just received the news yesterday. Last night, human traffickers gathered outside the city to sell people. They've changed locations, but even if they change locations, I can find it. Even if they bury yams underground, I can dig them up."

"I've already asked Manager for leave. Once it gets dark, I'll leave the city, aiming to return by midnight. Master Chen, could you help me pick up..."

"Impossible," Chen Qiusheng refused flatly.

Zhao Cheng'an turned away disappointedly, his eyes lighting up again as he saw Xia Sheng returning with two cabbages. He greeted him, "Xia Sheng, do you have time tonight to help me pick up the yam cake?"

"No." Xia Sheng didn't quite understand what Zhao Cheng'an was talking about, clearly uninterested in understanding, and directly refused as he continued working expressionlessly.

Zhao Cheng'an could only loaf around in disappointment.

He's the most unique snack master in this kitchen, doing the work of a snack master but only receiving the salary of a helper. Because his pay isn't much, and he's associated with Chen Qiusheng, no one would force him to do work that isn't his.

Moreover, Zhao Cheng'an is technically the exclusive snack master to the old lady. Only she likes his buns, while other masters have normal taste and find them too sweet, needing to specify not to let him make snacks if they want some, leaving Zhao Cheng'an rather idle.

Qin Huai can see that Zhao Cheng'an seems quite eager to sneak a bite while loafing around, but his professional ethics keep him from doing so.

Zhao Cheng'an has a very good principle when it comes to stealing—

He doesn't steal from his own household.

Bored and unwilling to take on extra work, Zhao Cheng'an watched Xia Sheng work beside him.

Xia Sheng and Zhao Cheng'an are practically two extremes.

Despite earning the same wage, Xia Sheng is undoubtedly a jack of all trades. He does all kinds of work, and there's always work for him to do. Even when there isn't, he creates opportunities to work, having a keen eye for spotting work.

Zhao Cheng'an watched Xia Sheng constantly prepping ingredients, stoking the fire, adding fuel, occasionally adjusting seasoning, managing the ladle, and watching the fire control. He couldn't help but ask, "Xia Sheng, aren't you tired?"

Xia Sheng gave Zhao Cheng'an an exasperated look, his tone carrying a slight hint of patiently teaching a child, "You should learn as much as you can while you can, how could you be tired?"

"You're comfortable now because we have a master looking after us. But what if he grows old and wants to return outside the border? People have to think about the future."

"Once Master Chen returns outside the border, I won't have to give him my wages anymore. By then, Ping'an should have entered university and can work for the government. It'll be his turn to support me."

Xia Sheng: ...

Xia Sheng couldn't help but say, "What if Ping'an doesn't get into university? What if he doesn't go to work for the government? What if, like my family back then, we experience a three-year drought, sell all the land, and to save a mouthful of food, we have no choice but to hang ourselves with a rope?"

"That won't happen," Zhao Cheng'an said confidently. "Don't worry, Xia Sheng. Not to mention, we don't even have land in the first place. Even if one day we become so poor that Master Chen sells all the wood in the firewood store, we won't starve to the point where we have to hang ourselves. I have skills; I can steal for you!"

"Actually, I can steal from noble households, too. Before I knew you, I even went to the Prince's..."

Xia Sheng directly covered Zhao Cheng'an's mouth, signaling not to say things he shouldn't.

"What if you're caught stealing?" Xia Sheng asked.

Zhao Cheng'an hadn't considered this. After thinking for a while, he said, "If I'm grown up by then and get beaten to death, it's not a loss, but if I'm still like this now and get beaten to death, it would be a pity. Right, Xia Sheng's point makes sense. I should only steal from the human traffickers outside the city, and stealing from noble households is risky."

"You're really good, Xia Sheng, considering things for me so much."

Xia Sheng didn't understand but was used to it, ignoring Zhao Cheng'an as he continued his own work.

Zhao Cheng'an loafed around till the sun set. During this time, the old lady's maid came by to inform him of the snacks she wanted to eat tomorrow, advising Zhao Cheng'an to prepare the ingredients in advance.

Zhao Cheng'an practically timed it, finishing his meal of bean rice before the sun fully set, and then excitedly raced towards the outskirts of the city.

He spent the whole night stealing.