Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 777 - 395: Seize the Opportunity

That night, Gong Liang’s wife Guo Mingzhu had the meat-stuffed flower rolls. Despite the unusual appearance, Guo Mingzhu gave high praise, saying it was the best flower roll she’s ever eaten, truly worthy of Master Qin’s reputation, even making the meat-stuffed flower rolls so delicious.

Gong Liang truthfully conveyed his wife’s compliments, and Qin Huai felt warm inside yet a tinge of coolness.

Guo Mingzhu probably ate Four Happiness Rolls when she was younger, but she didn’t recognize them.

Luckily, he was prepared, don’t ask, it’s just flower rolls.

That night, Qin Huai reminisced about Four Happiness Rolls in his dreams.

He dreamt about making Four Happiness Rolls, doing it extraordinarily well and deliciously, surprising Zheng Da to the point of tears, lamenting that if he had made them like this back then, he wouldn’t have been harshly criticized by neighbors, and his reputation in making snacks wouldn’t have been so bad.

Qin Huai was finally awakened by the crying of dream-Zheng Da, and upon waking, Zheng Da’s regretful words still echoed.

"I was really foolish, truly, I only knew the cloud pattern was important in making Four Happiness Rolls, the design was important, but I didn’t realize it was so crucial. I started secretly practicing the Four Happiness Rolls 6 months before the New Year, spent half a year’s salary, yet the final product was criticized from the first year into the second, and again from the second year into the third."

This account was all from Gong Liang’s vivid description last night, which made Qin Huai dream about it directly.

Qin Huai reminisced about last night’s dream even while brushing his teeth.

Oh, it was quite a scene, Master Zheng breaking down.

After washing up, Qin Huai checked the time, 7:18 in the morning, neither early nor late. It takes about 5-8 minutes to walk from his home to Huang Ji, arriving around 7:25 would allow him to catch the first batch of breakfast.

Now, Huang Ji has Su Qian, who is good at gauging the master’s intentions and observing his routines, only if Qin Huai doesn’t arrive late or early due to unforeseen circumstances, he can have the perfect temperature tea and his desired breakfast upon entering the kitchen.

Qin Huai smacked his lips, pondering what he wanted to eat today.

Should the first bite of breakfast be rice rolls, soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, or hot dry noodles?

Wontons seem nice too, and the red oil stewed noodles are worth trying.

No need to think about it, decide when stepping into the kitchen, Su Qian will certainly arrange it well.

Qin Huai has confidence in Su Qian.

Before heading out, Qin Huai grabbed a cheese stick from the fridge and went off to work.

On the way to Huang Ji, Qin Huai met several familiar patrons from Yunzhong District heading to Huang Ji. There were hurried office workers rushing to work, homemakers just back from grocery shopping ready for chores, and, of course, many retirees.

This neighborhood is an old one, with almost no new tenants moving in, most young people with means have moved out, retiree numbers surpass those in Yunzhong District.

Everyone greeted Qin Huai warmly.

Whether the news of Master Qin’s temporary return has spread across Huang Ji’s clientele, Qin Huai doesn’t know, but at least the news spread in this neighborhood, and everyone tasted Qin Huai’s new creations.

Compared to the fermented rice buns and premium three filling buns, the Double Crab Bun’s sales weren’t as good.

Understandably, the Double Crab Bun is extremely expensive. People can grit their teeth to buy one to try, but eating it daily isn’t affordable for the average worker.

Plus, Zheng Da was impacted and made Double Crab Buns in bulk for a day, generally fulfilling both new and old customer demand, hence no buying spree that worried Huang Ji managers. Indeed, Huang Ji’s business improved slightly with Qin Huai’s physical return these two days, but not excessively, far from the New Year’s Zhiwei Restaurant magazine’s fervor.

Qin Huai, replaying the cloud pattern rolling method in his mind, walked briskly to Huang Ji’s kitchen, changed his clothes, entered the kitchen, and saw an unexpected scene.

He saw Zheng Da in the kitchen.

A living Zheng Da.

Donning the kitchen staff uniform, clearly intending to work in the kitchen.

Qin Huai wondered if he was still dreaming, otherwise, it’s hard to explain why at 7:24 in the morning, Zheng Da appeared in Huang Ji’s kitchen before him, standing beside Guli, murmuring as if guiding.

Scanning the kitchen, Qin Huai noticed Tan Wei’an hadn’t arrived yet.

Yes, Tan Wei’an isn’t here at this time, how did Zheng Da get here?!

Is this logical?

Am I really not dreaming?

"Master Qin, your tea. This is phoenix single-cluster, if you don’t like it we have Lu’an Melon Seed and Dragon Well."

Qin Huai took the cup and nodded, indicating he was fine with it, as long as it’s tea brewed by Zhiwei Restaurant’s apprentices he was satisfied. Because he couldn’t really distinguish specific teas, just perceiving subtle difference in flavors.

Qin Huai holding the tea cup extended his neck to look towards Zheng Da, who didn’t notice Qin Huai was there, entirely focused on Guli.