Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 754 - 382: Side Quest Completed

Qin Huai guessed correctly; when he sent the message to Shi Dadan, Shi Dadan and Wang Gen Sheng were already on their way. Qin Huai told them they could come for dinner around six. The timing was impeccable, for they arrived at Huang Ji at exactly 5:59. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Qin Huai had already arranged a private room, 111.

As soon as Shi Dadan arrived at Huang Ji, he messaged Qin Huai that they were heading to the private room. At that moment, Qin Huai had just stepped out of the changing room, where Gong Liang was waiting for him at the door. When Qin Huai and Gong Liang reached the staircase, they saw the backs of Shi Dadan and Wang Gen Sheng—one exuberant, the other slightly unsteady.

It was clear that the poor state of Huang Ji’s accounts had caused irreparable damage to the 40-year veteran accountant.

Hopefully, Wang Gen Sheng hadn’t snacked too much while balancing the books today and still had the appetite for the dinner feast.

Qin Huai introduced Gong Liang: "The two gentlemen ahead are Mr. Shi and Accountant Wang. Mr. Shi doesn’t react very quickly in conversation or actions, so please be patient when you speak with him."

Don’t let our Dang Kang be fooled into a daze.

Though Shi Dadan is certainly smarter now than in his first life, he’s still likely no match for Gong Liang.

Gong Liang immediately caught the implied meaning in Qin Huai’s words, smiling: "Rest assured, Master Qin. Don’t you know what kind of person I am? As a shareholder of Huang Ji, I’ll ensure Mr. Shi and Accountant Wang have a delightful and homely experience tonight."

In just two sentences, Gong Liang had turned a free meal into a shareholder’s treat, a testament to his prowess.

"Simply by looking at his back, I felt a connection with Mr. Shi—it looks so familiar and even a bit endearing. I remember you said, Master Qin, that Mr. Shi lives downstairs, right? Later, I’ll bring him some fruit. The stores around here aren’t great, and it’s hard to find top-quality produce."

As they spoke, Qin Huai and Gong Liang arrived at the door of Room 111 and entered.

Wang Gen Sheng was complaining to Shi Dadan about how chaotic the accounts were today: "I’ve never seen such messy books—discrepancies everywhere. There are no major errors, but small mistakes constantly. How did accountants come to this? In our factory back in the day, they wouldn’t even pass probation. If the spreadsheets weren’t decent, my brain couldn’t handle it; even my eyes couldn’t compete."

Wang Gen Sheng stopped complaining upon noticing Qin Huai and Gong Liang come in. He had met Gong Liang before because when Qin Huai was practicing making Four Happiness rice balls, they often encountered one another at Qin Huai’s house.

Wang Gen Sheng admired Gong Liang because Gong Liang’s videos were always the best-written ones, even better than Xu Tuqiang’s.

"Gong... Mr. Gong," Wang Gen Sheng still remembered Gong Liang’s surname.

Gong Liang warmly approached him: "Accountant Wang, I’ve heard a lot about you. When we were eating rice balls together before, I didn’t know you were Accountant Wang. I used to work at the Silk Factory as a sales director, Xiao Gong. I wonder if you’ve heard of me. I’ve admired your reputation for a long time; your accounting skills are unparalleled among the state-owned factories in Gusu."

Caught off guard by Gong Liang’s flattery, Wang Gen Sheng took a moment to respond, suddenly realizing: "Director Gong, I’ve heard of your name, from the trade fair records."

It was a legendary meeting of the well-known figures from the two major factories.

In his previous life, Shi Dadan, half a celebrity sharing the stage with Wang Gen Sheng, watched them with a cheerful demeanor, holding an apple, half-eaten: "That’s quite a coincidence—seems like a reunion for colleagues."

Following Shi Dadan’s lead, Gong Liang added: "Indeed, so when I heard Xiao Qin is treating Accountant Wang and Mr. Shi to dinner, I had to invite myself. Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Gong Liang, a shareholder of Huang Ji, and I dabble a bit in the silk business. If you have any concerns or suggestions about the dishes tonight, feel free to let me know, and I’ll address them immediately."

"I wonder what you two would like to drink, perhaps alcohol or..."

"Some hot drinks will do," Wang Gen Sheng quickly responded.

Gong Liang called for the waiter and ordered two pots of hot drinks.

When Qin Huai was introducing the spirit situation he discovered to Shi Dadan, he mentioned Gong Liang, so Shi Dadan actually knew that Gong Liang was the scammer. Moreover, when Qin Huai messaged Shi Dadan, he said that Gong Liang would join them tonight, so Shi Dadan was somewhat expecting his presence and wasn’t surprised.

As for why Wang Gen Sheng wasn’t surprised either...

It can only be said that the reputation of a top salesman is incredibly significant. Not to mention that Wang Gen Sheng wasn’t surprised—even Qin Huai felt that if someone had to leave this room, it probably should be him.

He seemed a bit superfluous in this room.

Qin Huai knew the focus of the evening wasn’t on him, certainly, not on Gong Liang either.

It was on Shi Dadan.

Qin Huai gave Shi Dadan a look that said, "Please begin your performance," to which Shi Dadan, ready as ever, took a bite of his apple, sat up straight, thought hard, and naturally acted as if he had just remembered something and asked Wang Gen Sheng:

"Brother Wang, I remember you mentioned this restaurant was a state-owned establishment this afternoon."

"Yes!" As soon as Shi Dadan raised the topic, Wang Gen Sheng became enthusiastic.

What does Wang Gen Sheng love more than anything?

The good old days, of course.

But because Uncle Wang’s memory has been unreliable these past few years, the nostalgias he recounts cycle over the same few events, with the audience usually unchanged, who have heard his stories so often that they can recite them, rendering them less willing to listen.