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Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 369 - 217 Xiezhi (Thanks to the alliance leader reward from True_Summer Dragon!)_2
Chapter 369: Chapter 217 Xiezhi (Thanks to the alliance leader reward from True_Summer Dragon!)_2
Master Qin is working hard openly, so how can other chefs at Zhiwei Restaurant slack off? Tan Wei’an, who originally wanted to take a break, immediately decided not to rest and started practicing snacks directly.
Then, with muscle memory, he began making Mixed Fruit Filling.
Qin Huai was a bit surprised to see Tan Wei’an making Mixed Fruit Filling. He didn’t expect Tan Wei’an to always have it on his mind. A few days ago, seeing his expression of hopelessness whenever he made the filling, Qin Huai thought Tan Wei’an didn’t want to make it at all.
"Have you been making Mixed Fruit Filling these days? How’s your research going? Any progress?" Qin Huai asked curiously.
"No," Tan Wei’an replied.
What progress could he have? All the Mixed Fruit Filling he made tasted bad, and his was even a bit worse than Qin Huai’s. All the fruit pieces looked ugly, and his were just slightly less ugly than Qin Huai’s.
Sometimes, Tan Wei’an was amused out of frustration with himself.
When you need talent, you don’t have it, and when you don’t want that much talent, you can’t control it.
"Why don’t you start by making the syrup?" Tan Wei’an asked.
Previously, when practicing Mixed Fruit Filling in the afternoon, they always started by making syrup.
Making Mixed Fruit Filling requires a lot of winter melon candy and preserves, and also pulling sugar. The steps aren’t very complicated, but they take a long time.
Making the glutinous rice skin for the dumplings is relatively simpler and takes less time. Plus, everyone’s main focus is on the Mixed Fruit Filling, so it’s always made first, then the dumpling skins.
"No syrup today, I’m not making Mixed Fruit Filling today," Qin Huai said.
Tan Wei’an: ?
"I’m just relaxing and making some dumplings for my friends. See those fruit pieces over there? Four are for Mr. Gong, two for Huang An Yao, two for Ouyang, and the remaining five are for my friends."
Since Gong Liang returned from Beiping, he no longer sat at the entrance of Huang’s Kitchen eating. With too many guests, it wasn’t a good look.
He wanted to eat inside the kitchen, but Huang Shengli wouldn’t allow it.
Gong Liang scorned Huang Shengli’s behavior, using others when he needed them and discarding them once the need passed, especially since he could now return to work normally. Despite his strong protest, it was to no avail.
Helpless, Gong Liang chose to take food home, since he lived just across the street, and could easily go back for more if needed.
"Has Sister Hong arrived?" Zheng Siyuan asked, nibbling on a fruit piece as he passed by.
"Not yet, the remaining pieces are for Dr. Qu," Qin Huai said, "Lately, Huang Ji has too many guests, Dr. Qu is embarrassed to ask me to reserve a spot. Later, when Ouyang comes to pick up the snacks, I’ll have him deliver some to Dr. Qu."
Zheng Siyuan didn’t think much of it; back at Yunzhong Restaurant, Qu Jing always got first dibs on special treats, so it was normal for her to enjoy some.
"I remember Dr. Qu loves sticky rice cake and prefers sweet snacks. She should like the Four Happiness glutinous rice," said Qin Huai.
Qin Huai nodded, "I think so too, so I’m planning to make more with sesame and red bean filling. Even though the Mixed Fruit Filling turned out okay last time, I only made it that once. I fear messing it up since I’m not familiar with it, so I decided not to make it at all."
Tan Wei’an: ?
So, you actually knew that the last batch of Mixed Fruit Filling was normal, and the ones we’ve been working on aren’t?
Tan Wei’an looked at the not-so-normal Mixed Fruit Filling he was making, feeling he wasn’t normal either.
Master Zhou, I apologize for letting down your Mixed Fruit Filling and your recipe given to me.
At 2 PM, everyone at Huang’s Kitchen gathered for a meal.
The cost of booming business was that although the lunchtime hours didn’t change, the high customer flow extended the closing time. The intense work level left the chefs responsible for staff meals without the mood to cook anything fancy, so they just made two simple dishes. Dong Shi ate while quietly grumbling to Dong Li, saying it would’ve been better to order takeaway like last time.
Dong Li ignored his brother, thinking that Dong Shi would behave after eating Qin Huai’s stir-fried meat for a couple more days.
Qin Huai, Huang Shengli, Huang Jia, Huang An Yao, and Zheng Siyuan sat together enjoying the special dishes made by Huang Jia. Huang Shengli critiqued as he ate, finding faults in each dish.
As for Zheng Da, as soon as he got off work, he dashed to the Bone Setting Shop next door for a respite, avoiding further engagement.
"I’ve told you many times, keep a steady hand when holding the pan, don’t use your waist too much when applying force. You’re young now and don’t care, but when you reach my age, you’ll know that having good health is more important than anything," Huang Shengli rambled on to Huang Jia.
"You can train skills, but if your body breaks down, what will you train with?" he continued.
"Master, isn’t it time for your therapy at the hospital in a few days?" Huang Jia asked.
"The day after tomorrow. An Yao arranged for some specialist at a private hospital and said their therapy is excellent. I’ll try it the day after tomorrow," said Huang Shengli. novelbuddy-cσ๓
Huang An Yao quickly swallowed his food and said, "I asked Dr. Qu for help in arranging it. From what I heard, the specialist is really good at treating my dad’s condition. Dr. Qu helped arrange the appointment for the day after tomorrow’s morning and recommended some excellent therapy programs; she’s super professional. I almost thought Dr. Qu worked in the rehabilitation department."
Qin Huai agreed, saying that Qu Jing had been persuading Luo Jun to go for regular therapy, making home visit checkups, and knew all about the rehabilitation projects.
Thanks to Luo Jun’s wealth, he indulged in every available project.
"What time is your appointment the day after tomorrow?" Qin Huai asked.
"1:30 PM the day after tomorrow. I wanted to take my dad in the morning, but he worried it might disrupt lunchtime business if we go too early. Dr. Qu spoke with the rehab doctors, and they agreed to try and finish by 5 PM if he goes at noon," explained Huang An Yao.
That’s the good thing about private hospitals; as long as you can pay, they cater to all patient needs.
Even demanding patrons like Luo Jun can be satisfied.
"I’ll make some extra fruit pieces for you to take and share with the hospital doctors and nurses. Dr. Qu’s hospital staff loves coming to Huang Ji for group meals," Qin Huai said.
"I’ll make some Dingsheng Cakes too," added Zheng Siyuan.
Huang An Yao quickly jotted it down and asked, "Should I bring some for Dr. Qu?"
"Of course," replied Huang Shengli, feeling a bit helpless. "No wonder you never manage to negotiate a good deal with suppliers or get the best goods."
"Dr. Qu was the one who helped contact the doctor, made the appointment, arranged the time, and it was her negotiation. She’s Xiao Qin’s friend, not yours. Please ask Dr. Qu when her next day off is, and invite her to Huang Ji. I’ll cook a feast to properly thank her."
Huang An Yao quickly pulled out his phone to send a message.
"Xiao Qin, does Dr. Qu have any dietary restrictions? Any favorite dishes?" enquired Huang Shengli, already planning the menu.
"I’m not sure about dishes, I just know Dr. Qu likes sweets and prefers sticky rice cakes, which are soft and glutinous," Qin Huai said. "She’s previously eaten very light fare, but that’s because making light dishes is simpler. I believe with your skills, whatever you make, Dr. Qu will like. As for dietary restrictions, she doesn’t eat cilantro."
Huang Shengli got a pretty good idea of things.
Huang An Yao finished sending his message and whispered, "Dr. Qu said she’s off on January 7 and asked if she could bring colleagues since their department hasn’t booked a Huang Ji private room in a long time. Her department head put in a lot of effort for the appointment, and she feels it would be unfair to eat alone."
"Of course, Dr. Qu is just too gracious. I’ll whip up some special dishes for the occasion. Xiao Cao, check if there are any unbooked private rooms on the 7th and reserve one. An Yao, you’re in charge of entertaining them."
"But you... Xiao Qin, if the timing is a bit late, would you be available? An Yao’s mouth might only manage two words throughout the meal," noted Qin Huai.
Although Qin Huai thought it wouldn’t be that bad, since while Huang An Yao wasn’t great at socializing or sweet-talking, he was fantastic at introducing dishes.
Before the food was served, Huang An Yao would sit in the private room detailing each dish, continuing as they were served.
If a photographer was placed in the room, capturing and editing the scenes a bit, it would essentially become a promotional video for Huang Ji.
The essence of Huang Ji.
"Of course," Qin Huai responded firmly.
"There’s one more thing," murmured Huang An Yao to Qin Huai, as he handed his phone over.
The screen displayed a chat between Huang An Yao and Qu Jing.
Dr. Qu: I know your restaurant has been really busy lately, and the kitchen must be swamped. So, I feel a bit shy to ask, but can you discreetly find out from Qin Huai if he’ll have time to make sticky rice cake soon?
Dr. Qu: There’s a dessert shop behind our hospital making pretty good fried sticky rice cake, but the owner recently went back to his hometown for some matters and closed up.
Dr. Qu: Do you know anywhere else in Gusu with good sticky rice cake?
Qin Huai gave an okay sign, indicating it was no problem, and assured that Qu Jing would get to eat sticky rice cake the day after tomorrow.
As expected of the Young Master, his way of probing was indeed subtle.
Huang An Yao has mastered the art of inquiring.
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