Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 1178 - 564: Gift of Thanks (Part 2)

"But I really don't want to appear in 'Taste' anymore."

"To be honest, I'm about to inherit a 10-figure fortune."

Jiang Yong: ??? How many figures?

Qin Huai's face was full of 'I'm not pretending anymore, I admit it, I'm an heir': "I don't lack money, our Yunzhong Restaurant doesn't lack business either. I'm not planning to sell snacks at sky-high prices to make a fortune from them."

"Making snacks is my hobby. I watched the early issues of 'Taste.' At that time, it didn't just feature chefs from big hotels, but also many little-known small shops and street vendors from various countries."

"Those small shops became famous because they appeared in 'Taste,' attracting a flood of customers. Some store owners felt so overwhelmed that they decided to close the shop for a few months and wait for the popularity to pass before reopening. There were also chefs who refused to appear on 'Taste' a second time because business was too good, and they didn't want to be that busy. Actually, I'm like that too."

Xu Cheng was taken aback by what Qin Huai said.

What Qin Huai described had indeed happened, but that was many years ago, when Xu Cheng wasn't yet recognized as the most authoritative food critic. He was still engrossed in exploring the world with a backpack, tasting cuisines from various places. When 'Taste' was first launched, it wasn't very famous, and the chefs and shop owners featured were mostly ordinary chefs and small shops.

It can be said that 'Taste' back then was far less prestigious than it is now.

Xu Cheng wanted to ask Qin Huai if he knew that the situation back then was different from now.

Do you know what it means to have made pastries that featured on the cover of 'Taste's' New Year special for two consecutive years?

If it weren't because you are a young chef, if it weren't because you are an exceptionally rare 'sun' in the bai'an world, how could such a precious opportunity…

But Xu Cheng didn't say it.

Because Qin Huai is about to inherit a fortune of 10 figures, too wealthy, what Qin Huai said, Xu Cheng understood, and could even relate to.

He himself was able to do whatever he wanted back then because his family was too wealthy, traveling the world with a backpack.

Like-minded individuals.

Xu Cheng looked at Qin Huai with a newfound understanding in his eyes. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Since you don't want to, Master Qin, then forget it." Xu Cheng sighed. He wasn't someone who liked to force others either, and after all, it's not like he couldn't get to taste the food; he knew where Yunzhong Restaurant was.

If Qin Huai doesn't want to be on 'Taste,' would Qin Huai still not host if Xu Cheng went to Yunzhong Restaurant?

"I need to run some errands in Beiping tomorrow. Can you pack me half of those pastries you made today for me to take to Beiping? I see you made quite a few raw ones."

Jiang Yong: ??? Boss, isn't crashing things already enough, but now you want to take something too?

Chief Editor Jiang, who understood workplace dynamics, chose to stay silent.

"Of course, you can." Qin Huai smiled and looked at Jiang Yong, "Chief Editor Jiang, would you mind if I come to your house tomorrow to make some more pastries? I want to make more so it's convenient for Sister Juan to take some to the nursing home for Mr. Lin every day."

Jiang Yong:!

Despite being overjoyed in his heart, Jiang Yong composed himself on the surface and said steadily, "Of course you can, thank you so much, Master Qin."

The next day, Qin Huai went to Jiang Yong's house as usual to make pastries. Lin Juan asked if Qin Huai could stay a few more days in Shanghai. The Lin family discussed it all night in their family group chat and decided to accept the three gold bars but wanted to give An Youyou a thank-you gift, which would take a few days to prepare.

Qin Huai didn't mind staying a few more days in Shanghai; it just gave An Youyou and Shi Dadan more time to prepare. Meeting with Xu Chenggang was a significant event, and Youyou hadn't revealed her spirit identity in front of Lin Qi. Qin Huai thought unless the circumstances allowed like with Xia Mubing, it would be best not to reveal this truth to Xu Chenggang.

Lin Qi had Alzheimer's, and his logic was self-contained, often speaking incoherently and not taken seriously, so letting him know that An Youyou was the real boss wasn't a big deal.

Xu Chenggang, on the other hand, was not suffering from Alzheimer's. According to Gong Liang and the private detective's information, Xu Chenggang was still in good health. Although both his sons and spouse were no longer around, his grandchildren were fairly filial, and he maintained good relationships in the nursing home, playing chess with the other residents and occasionally having friends visit him.

His life was quite comfortable and fulfilling, better than most elderly with children.

Qin Huai preferred to play it by ear when the time came.

To better adapt to the circumstances, Qin Huai even contacted Gong Liang to have him return to Gusu (Gong Baozhu's competition hadn't ended yet) and accompany them.

So Qin Huai stayed in Shanghai for three more days.

Three days later, Qin Huai saw the gift that the Lin family spent three days preparing for An Youyou—a grand gift.

A solid gold Three legged Golden Toad weighing a whole pound.

The craftsmanship was very exquisite, and Qin Huai even suspected that the three gold bars, along with their processing fees, were roughly equivalent to the price of the Three legged Golden Toad.

Had the gold bars returned to An Youyou in another form, as if returning to their rightful owner?

An Youyou was stunned when she saw the solid gold rendition of herself, absolutely delighted, unable to take her eyes off the Three legged Golden Toad. The fat, round toad in front of her made her eyes gleam with a golden glow of money.

The gift-givers were Lin Yi and Lin Er.

"Miss An, we recently visited the nursing home to see my dad. Thank you so much for coming to Shanghai just because of a bit of news about him; after your last visit, my dad's condition has improved."

"He hadn't recognized anyone for months; we weren't hopeful anymore. But this time, he actually recognized me and Lin Er."

"We told him about the gold bars, and he said those gold bars were originally meant for you, and the Lin family must not accept them. Without your grandmother, my dad wouldn't be alive today, let alone have me and my sister. We ordered this Three legged Golden Toad, meant to bring wealth and treasure. I heard you're doing business, Miss An; do you like it?"

"I love it, I love it so much, there's no gift I could love more!" An Youyou was tempted to pick up the Three legged Golden Toad and bite it to see if it was really solid gold.

Lin Yi rubbed his hands awkwardly, "I have one more unrefusable request. I don't know if you could come to Shanghai and visit my dad again before the year ends?"

"My dad keeps talking about wanting to spend New Year with you; I know it's unrealistic because during the New Year, you should be with your family. But if you have some time before the year ends..."

"No need to wait until the year ends; I can come during the New Year," An Youyou said. "I'm not that close with my family; after the New Year, I just need to visit my grandma once."

An Youyou patted her chest, "Rest assured, I'll definitely come during the New Year and won't let Mr. Lin down."

There was one more thing An Youyou didn't say.

As the boss, of course, she had to spend New Year with her junior brother.

After delivering the gift, Lin Yi and Lin Er left, feeling utterly satisfied. Lin Yi even added An Youyou on WeChat. To prevent Lin Yi from discovering that she wasn't really doing business and was just an earnest, poor working individual, the moment she added him on WeChat, An Youyou promptly blocked Lin Yi from viewing her posts.

Very adeptly.

Qin Huai and the group went to Gusu.

The high-speed train ride was just 20 minutes, very short.

On the train, An Youyou excitedly said she would place the Three legged Golden Toad in her entrance hall as soon as she returned, so she could see herself the moment she got home from work every day.

Even Qin Huai couldn't help but sigh with Shi Dadan, noting how indeed the Three legged Golden Toad deserved to be called an auspicious beast bringing wealth and prosperity. How could a gift return to its owner in such a form?

So capable of attracting wealth, yet being impoverished for three lifetimes.

"Actually, Xiao An wasn't poor in all three lifetimes," Shi Dadan said, "Her first was just a sudden death; she probably had some wealth before dying."

"Lin Qi only received a part of the inheritance but got as much as 6 silver coins; Xiao An in her first life must have saved a lot of money."

"In the second life, although she didn't explicitly say, she probably had money before dying, otherwise she wouldn't be wondering if she buried any gold bars."

"Now... if Mr. Luo gives her the house, she'd be a rich person."

Qin Huai was suddenly enlightened and sighed once more, "That seems to be the case, but why do I always feel like Youyou has always been poor?"

"Maybe it's because, despite having money, she never lived a good life."

For example, now, having received an invaluable Three legged Golden Toad, her first thought wasn't to sell it for cash but to enjoy looking at it on the entrance hall.

Shi Dadan said, "That's possibly the character of the Three legged Golden Toad."

"Wealthy, but not fond of a luxurious life."

Qin Huai: "... Old Shi."

"I find that although you always claim not to be smart, you're profoundly wise, and sometimes your words are quite difficult to hear."

Shi Dadan chuckled innocently.