Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 753 - 381: There’s No Time Like the Present (Part 2)

Chapter 753: Chapter 381: There’s No Time Like the Present (Part 2)

"What’s up with Uncle Zheng today?" Huang An Yao was stunned, staring at the timer on the phone in shock, "He only rested for an hour at noon, and he’s been making double crab buns for exactly 6 hours, 39 minutes, and 41 seconds since the morning."

Yes, Huang An Yao had set a timer for Zheng Da ever since he started making double crab buns, indicating that the Young Master was indeed quite idle.

"Maybe it’s because..." Qin Huai took a bite of the double crab bun, guessing uncertainly, "Master Zheng thinks the double crab buns we’ve come up with are just amateur and far inferior to his original version. Perhaps he wants to gently remind us to practice more by doing this?"

Qin Huai truly believed that Zheng Da’s skill at making double crab buns was far superior to theirs, a complete dominance in terms of pure ability.

The difficulty of the double crab bun is quite high, unlike regular snacks like fermented rice with steamed buns or big meat buns that seem very ordinary. While ordinary snack masters can make them, a highly skilled master makes them particularly delicious and impressive.

This is a high-difficulty snack with a high threshold for preparation. If one’s skill is a bit lacking, noticeable problems can arise. Therefore, the quality of a snack master’s skill can be more directly reflected in the double crab buns; just one bite reveals it.

With just one bite, Qin Huai could tell that Master Zheng’s skill was truly impressive.

He finally understood why Zheng Siyuan went into seclusion and didn’t dare to attempt the buns again after Master Zheng first demonstrated them.

The difference was indeed quite significant.

Qin Huai ate so many of Zheng Da’s buns that he was somewhat reluctant to eat his own. He even considered secretly swapping Zheng Da’s double crab buns with his tonight.

It wasn’t entirely Gong Liang’s fault for preparing 500 top-quality crabs for Zheng Da to make the double crab buns four years ago. Given Master Zheng’s skill in making them and Gong Liang’s means and opportunity, who could resist?

Huang An Yao was skeptical of Qin Huai’s conjecture: "Does Uncle Zheng really have such convoluted teaching methods?"

"Could it be that Brother Siyuan said something to Uncle Zheng that provoked him, just like when you guys made the Four Happiness Glutinous Rice balls? Brother Siyuan often said Uncle Zheng’s philosophy was flawed, lazy, and opportunistic, which made Uncle Zheng angry enough to make many Four Happiness Rice balls." Huang An Yao boldly speculated.

Gong Liang nodded repeatedly: "That’s possible. Zheng Da has had this problem since he was young, and he can’t be provoked. Especially when he’s upset or in a bad mood, being provoked is effective. The more you tell him not to do something, the more he wants to do it."

"Every year before the New Year’s cleaning, his mother used this method to get him to clean the whole house."

"About a decade ago, when Old Huang thought Zheng Da’s culinary skills still had hope for salvation, he often used this method to motivate him or set him up with me to encourage him. But it’s been ineffective in recent years."

"These past years, he mostly treats my and Old Huang’s words like hot air, and only Siyuan can really provoke him. But Siyuan sometimes doesn’t follow the usual rules, and I think, at times, Siyuan is even more stubborn than his dad. Most of the time, it’s not even Siyuan provoking him deliberately; those two just butt heads."

Qin Huai: ...

The Zheng family tradition is truly hard to fathom.

"So, Mr. Gong, how long do you think Master Zheng’s current state can last?" Qin Huai asked.

"Today is probably as far as it goes; it’s almost been 7 hours already. I reckon he might ’wake up’ in another hour at most."

"Whether he’ll come to Huang Ji tomorrow is another matter."

"Oh, right, An Yao, have the raw buns over there not been steamed yet? Quickly, go help your Uncle Gong pack two bags. Zheng Da hasn’t made double crab buns for four years, and who knows what year he’ll make them next." Gong Liang quietly pointed at the place where the raw buns were kept.

Huang An Yao was a bit hesitant: "Isn’t this a bit not right? Should I ask Uncle Zheng or my dad first?"

With a look of frustration, Gong Liang glanced at Huang An Yao, his face full of despair at having a Young Master like him managing Huang Ji: "Three bags, two for me, one for you. These are extras. We’ll pack them quietly first, and the leftover divisions today are what we deserve."

Huang An Yao suddenly understood and quickly tiptoed off to pack the raw buns. Little did he know, his actions were a bit too obvious; everyone could actually see, but no one said anything because he’s the Young Master.

Even Huang Shengli, who was preparing dinner, saw it and shook his head helplessly at this unfortunate son before continuing to cook.

Gold salesman Gong Liang watched Huang An Yao’s actions and behavior, holding his head with his hand and sighing, "How did this child turn out like this when he seemed fine as a kid?"

"Even in school, he didn’t seem like a fool."

Qin Huai could only say that maybe it’s just a kind of talent. Before he knew Huang An Yao, he had heard about the Young Master’s various efforts managing Huang Ji and thought of him as a squanderer, wondering why Huang Shengli didn’t intervene. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

After getting to know Huang An Yao and understanding him, Qin Huai could only say that sometimes there’s nothing others can do.

The Young Master’s capability ends here, and often his inaction is the best help to Huang Ji.

However, Huang An Yao isn’t without his merits. At least when packing, he chose the largest boxes and filled them to the brim.

Qin Huai glanced at the time, realizing it was almost lunchtime. He glanced over at Huang Shunli’s side and thought most of the dishes had reached the final stages. Since dishes are usually served in sequence, it’s normal that many are still simmering on the stove.

Qin Huai sent a message asking Shi Dadan how Accountant Wang was doing with the accounts and if everything was on track, signaling they could prepare for the feast on their side.

Shi Dadan hadn’t replied yet, and Qin Huai guessed the two were likely on their way.

Gong Liang also craned his neck for a look at Huang Shengli’s side, then, in a casual chat tone, asked Qin Huai, "Master Qin, I heard from Old Huang that you’re hosting a dinner for friends today. Which friend might that be?"

At that moment, Qin Huai finally understood why Gong Liang brought a small chair and sat at Huang Ji’s since now.

Turns out he was waiting for dinner here, with watching Zheng Da’s snack-making effort as just an excuse. Sneaking in a feast was the real goal.

No wonder, a gold salesperson indeed.

Tonight’s dinner already has Dang Kang and Xiezhi, so Qin Huai didn’t mind adding another scammer.

Huang Shengli himself also knew quite well that Huang Ji Restaurant’s accounts weren’t great. In family businesses, even at high-end restaurants, this was quite common. Lacking professional accountants, the accounts were often unclear and even chaotic, so Huang Shengli knew going through the accounts was definitely a laborious task.

Wang Gen Sheng was here to help Qin Huai organize the books. But realistically, he’d also be tidying up Huang Ji’s accounts on the side.

To return the favor for Wang Gen Sheng taking on this laborious task, Huang Shengli made today’s meal even more lavish than planned.

It was even more sumptuous than the welcome banquet when Qin Huai came to Huang Ji. Huang Shengli prepared the complete Three Heads Banquet plus a few of his specialty dishes.

This level of banquet was rare even for Gong Liang, who wouldn’t have many opportunities to enjoy it in a year. Observing what dishes Huang Shengli was preparing in the afternoon at the kitchen’s door, he was almost drooling.

He had already been scheming this plan all afternoon.

Qin Huai gave a standard well-behaved smile and said, "Mr. Gong, you should know him; it’s Wang Gen Sheng, Uncle Wang. I’m not sure if I mentioned him before. He was an accountant at the textile factory. Not the same one as yours, but it seems the textile factory was also nearby."

Gong Liang pondered briefly and then realized, "I thought the name sounded familiar before; Accountant Wang, quite a celebrity. As a college graduate, I heard of him before becoming sales section chief. Apparently, he’s never made an accounting error. When the textile factory fell, our silk factory even considered recruiting him, but he refused to leave. After the textile factory closed, he returned to his hometown’s factory. I didn’t know he was from Shan City."

As he spoke, Gong Liang’s smile deepened: "Although I didn’t know him before, I indeed heard of the famous Accountant Wang. If there’s a chance, I’d really love to have a meal with him."

Qin Huai could hear the undertones of Gong Liang’s comments and directly continued: "If you don’t mind, maybe join us for a casual meal tonight. Another friend of mine will be there too, and it’d be a good chance for you to meet him."

"That would be impolite of me." Gong Liang laughed so hard that his mouth almost didn’t close, "I didn’t bring anything, just myself to crash the meal."

"I’ll call the massage place next door now to send over some fruit. What does Accountant Wang and your friend like to eat, Master Qin?"

Qin Huai thought for a moment: "Uncle Wang might not eat fruit, and my friend..."

"He’s not picky."