Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 927 - 456: Yam Cake (2)

He treated his own son like a treasure, raising him with utmost care, and he was equally dedicated to teaching two kids who weren't related to him, patiently instructing them.

This character trait was well reflected in his snacks, particularly suited to the yam cake type of snack, which is inherently mild and gentle.

Chen Qiusheng meticulously handled each step, probably because the snacks were originally intended for children. The yam cake he produced was delicate, soft, delicious, and aesthetically pleasing, making anyone who saw it think that the snack master must be a very good-natured person.

This was the most relaxing video tutorial Qin Huai had ever watched.

It wasn't about the smoothness of the techniques, but the overall style and atmosphere of the production. Just by watching the video tutorial, Qin Huai could imagine how Chen Qiusheng usually taught Xia Sheng and Zhao Cheng'an. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart about how lucky Zhao Cheng'an was to have met such a good person who taught him so carefully and patiently.

And yet Zhao Cheng'an didn't want to acknowledge Chen Qiusheng as his master, thinking his skills were inferior to Jiang Chengde. Zhao Cheng'an, you really must be out of your mind.

Qin Huai got so absorbed in watching the video tutorial that he forgot to order takeout until Zhao Cheng'an returned.

When Zhao Cheng'an came back, he brought a bunch of random stuff.

Fridge magnets, ancient coins, antique-style brass hairpins whose use was unknown, sour plum soup, fried dough stick, pea cake, Ai Wo Cakes, and two bottles of Coke that everyone could tell were bought from the convenience store downstairs.

It was quite a haul.

"Qin Huai, you really missed out by not going out with us this afternoon. You wouldn't believe it, but on the way, two restaurant owners got into an argument. I can't quite remember which restaurants they were from, but that's not important. Initially, they were cursing Ling Guangzhao, and then their opinions diverged while cursing, leading to a heated argument and finally to each of them airing the other's dirty laundry. It was spectacular."

"Things like shady menus from when they first started out, using subpar ingredients, scamming customers, secretly taking cuts—wow, wow, wow, a simple business war simply by airing each other's dirty laundry." Zhao Cheng'an excitedly shared as soon as he came in.

Qin Huai wasn't interested in such gossip; he just stared at Zhao Cheng'an without speaking, making Zhao Cheng'an shiver and ask, "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, I'm just suddenly curious," Qin Huai said. "Do you ever dream at night about being a really skilled thief?"

Zhao Cheng'an: ?

"A thief, why would I dream about being a thief? How skilled?"

"The kind who can sneak out of the city at night to steal food from human traffickers' camps, from pig head meat to pig offal, and won't leave behind rice bran, black beans, flatbreads, or white steamed buns, finally picking a bag full of loot to carry back to the city, spending a whole night at it," Qin Huai said.

Zhao Cheng'an was dumbfounded, unable to hold back his retort: "Is this thief out of his mind? This sounds ancient. Why would he steal from traffickers outside the city? And steal only worthless things. If he's going to steal, he should target wealthy households for gold, silver, and jewels or valuable jewelry and retire with just one or two items."

Look, the spirit couldn't even empathize with its past self from another lifetime.

"Then do you dream of having a master who treated you very well, teaching you meticulously, with skills comparable to Master Zhou? But you didn't appreciate him, preferring to have a master whose skills are at least twice as good as Master Zhou's."

Zhao Cheng'an continued to retort, "Where did you hear this story? It's way too exaggerated, isn't it? Is this guy crazy? Getting meticulous teaching from a skilled master and not being satisfied, aiming high to follow someone else, has he lost his mind?"

"Did you go to Babaozhai this afternoon to hear gossip? Where did you hear this gossip from? Which restaurant? Such explosive stuff, how come I haven't heard a peep?" Zhao Cheng'an asked curiously.

"Things from many years ago, I heard it secondhand," Qin Huai said.

Once knowing it was gossip from long ago, Zhao Cheng'an lost interest immediately. He began laying out everything he brought back on the table, tasting each snack he bought, and disdainfully noted that the snacks from sidewalk stalls really were lacking in skill.

"What's our itinerary for tomorrow?" Qin Huai asked.

"Climbing the Great Wall. I did hear that everyone seems unwilling to go, so it should be free activities." Zhao Cheng'an sipped his sour plum soup and said, "This sour plum soup is pretty good, probably made from smoked dark plums. Want to try some, Qin Huai?"

Qin Huai waved it off: "If it's free activities, can I borrow Babaozhai's kitchen to make snacks?"

Zhao Cheng'an: ??

Zhao Cheng'an was truly shocked this time, his face full of disbelief: dude, I thought your previous comments were just your usual madness, but this is a bit alarming.

Are you okay? Aren't we here to play and relax, to enjoy a company-funded vacation? Why are you thinking about making snacks?

"I saw an old recipe online today for making yam cake, and it seemed interesting. I want to try making some yam cake."

"Do you have any places you want to visit tomorrow? If not, come with me to Babaozhai to make snacks."

Zhao Cheng'an: ???

.

At 10 the next morning, Tong Dayan looked at Qin Huai, Zhao Cheng'an, and Ling Guangzhao, all appearing simultaneously in Babaozhai's back kitchen, feeling the world was turned on its head.

Tong Dayan wasn't surprised to see Qin Huai appearing in Babaozhai's back kitchen. He thought of Qin Huai as a very diligent snack master, not lacking money, purely passionate about snacks, elevated to a spiritual level like a lotus that emerges unsullied from the mud, high emotional intelligence, sweet-talking, with no significant flaws except a slightly odd mind.

No one is perfect, it's normal to have some shortcomings.

Tong Dayan could barely accept Zhao Cheng'an appearing in Babaozhai's back kitchen. As Master Zhou's direct disciple, Zhao Cheng'an also had some fame in the culinary circle, given that his master was undoubtedly the number one pastry chef.

Adhering to the principle of not airing family dirty laundry, Zhao Cheng'an's lazy nature hadn't spread much. Tong Dayan had heard some rumors but wasn't clear on the specifics. With Zhao Cheng'an arriving with Qin Huai, Tong Dayan assumed Zhao Cheng'an was influenced by Qin Huai to skip today's boring field trip in favor of making snacks at Babaozhai.

Yes, a boring field trip.

In Tong Dayan's view, conceiving of a field trip for the next day was a clear sign of a mental lapse on Ling Guangzhao's part. Since when do good family chefs need a field trip? Just take everyone to enjoy themselves, no need to concoct grandiose reasons. If you like spending money, just say it outright.

Yet the event was organized by Ling Guangzhao, who didn't attend and instead came to the kitchen to watch everyone cook.

Tong Dayan stared straight at Ling Guangzhao, his face filled with displeasure and confusion: what's wrong with you, boss?

Ling Guangzhao puffed out his chest, raised his chin slightly, and addressed Qin Huai with his most confident demeanor: "Master Qin, what snacks would you like to prepare today?"

"Yam cake," Qin Huai replied, already getting to work.

Ling Guangzhao continued: "Yam cake, good choice, especially suited for this season, nourishing. Master Qin, is it because you aren't too fond of today's field trip event and aren't interested in climbing the Great Wall? Well, actually, I think climbing the Great Wall isn't all that interesting either. No idea who arranged it."

"Master Qin, how long will you be staying in Beiping? How about I arrange a travel agency to get you a one-on-one guide to show you around Beiping for a few extra days? The Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven are well worth visiting, and the best cultural experiences can be found in the alleyways."

"We also have many old snack shops in Beiping; when the time comes, I can join the guide to show you around, Master Qin, to experience it, very distinctive."

"No need for that trouble, Boss Ling. I'll be in Beiping until the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, Zhao Cheng'an and I have plans to eat at Fen Garden, so I won't have time to tour or enjoy other places," replied Qin Huai with a smile.

Hearing Qin Huai mention Fen Garden, Ling Guangzhao perked up: "Master Qin, you're eating at Fen Garden tomorrow? What a coincidence! I know Fen Garden's menu inside out. Before going abroad, I often dined at Fen Garden and am well acquainted with Master Xia."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huai's eyes lit up: "I didn't expect Boss Ling to know Master Xia well. Could you tell me about Master Xia's temperament? This is the first time for both Zhao Cheng'an and me visiting Fen Garden, and we don't want to accidentally offend Master Xia by not knowing the rules."

"I've heard that Fen Garden is the top private dining restaurant in Beiping, and private dining places often have many rules."

Ling Guangzhao waved it off: "That's other private dining places. In Fen Garden, there are no rules; paying the bill is the biggest rule."

"Master Qin, let me tell you, about Fen Garden…"