Chapter 208: Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Bun

Gong Liang looked as if he were about to rush in from outside the kitchen in excitement, but in reality, he stood firmly outside the kitchen, not even the corner of his clothes crossing the boundary.

When Qin Huai wandered to the doorway holding a teacup, he discovered that Gong Liang hadn't come alone; he was followed by an assistant dragging a large suitcase.

The assistant had dark circles under his eyes, and one look told you he hadn't slept well.

When Gong Liang saw Qin Huai holding a teacup, he was delighted. He had only stayed in Beiping for a few extra days, and Qin Huai's status in the Huang Ji back kitchen had improved significantly.

He was even drinking tea now.

In another month, he'd probably be setting up a small table with melon seeds and tea snacks.

At this moment, Gong Liang felt very fortunate that he had plenty of tea leaves at home that he'd bought for Huang Shengli. Indeed, opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared; he would have his wife bring two cans of tea leaves when she went to visit Qin Huai's home this evening.

"Mr. Gong, you are being too polite. A six-figure kitchen knife—what kind of kitchen knife sells for six figures?" Qin Huai asked sincerely.

Aside from one made of gold, Qin Huai truly couldn't imagine what kind of kitchen knife could sell for six figures.

A legendary kitchen tool?

That was possible, after all, this was a limited edition.

"It's not expensive, not expensive. I happened to come across them while shopping at the mall, so I bought three sets. The three sets of knives together only cost six figures. One set for you, Assistant Xiao Qin, one for Huang Shengli, and one for Zheng Da—it's just right."

Very good, three sets of knives for three masters, two of whom were pastry chefs.

These two sets of knives meeting Qin Huai and Zheng Da could be considered pearls cast before swine.

One a rookie, one a slacker.

"Can kitchen knives be checked as luggage?" Qin Huai asked, a bit curious.

"I'm not sure. I had Xiao Liu set off yesterday and drive them back." Gong Liang gestured toward the assistant behind him.

The assistant gave Qin Huai a smile indicative of fatigued driving.

At this moment, Qin Huai deeply felt that being a CEO's assistant was truly not an easy job.

Qin Huai hadn't come out with his teacup specifically to greet Gong Liang; he mainly wanted to walk to the tea cabinet at the door to put down his cup, and then use the "toilet escape" to see what his newly acquired task was.

Although Qin Huai had been in the Huang Ji back kitchen for a while, and everyone in the back kitchen had heard rumors about him often imagining he had a system-based training method, it wasn't impossible for Qin Huai to simply tap into the void to check his task panel, but...

He had outside help today, didn't he?

Qin Huai felt it was better not to perform such a stimulating act on the first day people came for study and exchange, lest he scare the peers from Zhi Wei Ju. He would do it once Dong Shi and these six people got familiar and started sharing gossip, and the topic turned to his part.

It would be easier to accept with some groundwork.

Qin Huai exchanged a few more pleasantries with Gong Liang, put down his teacup, and slipped away using the "toilet escape," leaving Gong Liang stretching his neck to look inside, where he saw Huang Shengli, who had just finished stir-frying a dish.

"Assistant Xiao Qin is truly dedicated; he has to wait until he finishes his work before going to the restroom."

"I just went to Beiping for a few days of eating, and upon returning, why is business at Huang Ji so good? I just saw a lot of people queuing at the door and some people arguing. What's the situation? Huang Ji hasn't had business this good in at least 40 years, right?" Gong Liang exclaimed.

"40 years ago, it was still a state-run restaurant; where would Huang Ji be?" Huang Shengli said irritably. "Besides, who said Huang Ji hasn't had business this good? When we were featured in *Zhi Wei*, business was even better than it is now."

"What are you doing coming over at this hour?" Huang Shengli looked at Gong Liang warily.

Gong Liang chuckled: "Of course, I heard your back is better. Shengli, you're being too unkind. You took the wedding banquet for Li Danao's son, but not mine. I saw Li Danao's social media posts; that Three-Head Banquet was definitely made by you. I can tell at a glance that it was braised whole pig head!"

Huang Shengli knew that what was meant to come would come.

Huang Shengli drew upon the experience of the past two days of being sarcastic toward Zheng Da's practical training: "That person's son was getting married for the first time."

"My fourth marriage is also to my original spouse!"

"…Can you compare the two?"

"Can the relationship between the two of us be compared?"

"This isn't a matter of relationship."

"Of course this isn't a matter of relationship. You hadn't fully recovered from your back injury before, so I didn't demand a Three-Head Banquet, did I? I was halfway through eating in Beiping, and I hadn't even finished all the dishes on the menu. I observed your social media for several days, and only returned after confirming your back should be mostly better."

"Look at the souvenirs I bought: knives, tea leaves, and the snacks from that pastry shop over there—all bought according to your tastes."

"I've only known Assistant Xiao Qin for a little over a month, and he was able to specifically practice crab roe shumai for me because he knew I loved it. Shengli, with the friendship we've had for so many years, surely I won't be unable to eat a complete Three-Head Banquet within three days of returning, right?"

Gong Liang began playing the emotional card.

Huang Shengli: "…Braised whole pig head requires advance preparation."

"I know, that's why I said within three days. You know, I haven't had a Three-Head Banquet in a while, my Mingzhu hasn't had it in a long time either, and my son has been so busy with business here lately that he's even lost weight from hunger."

If Gong Liang didn't have a grandson now, he would definitely have said: The child's greatest wish right now is to eat a bite of braised whole pig head.

Huang Shengli paused: "Tomorrow evening, it must be in the evening; there are no tables at noon."

"Understood!" Gong Liang said happily, switching to a hungry expression. "Speaking of which, I took an early morning flight today, transferred to the high-speed rail after landing, and didn't even go home before coming specifically to deliver the knives."

"I've only eaten two fried dough rings today, and they were awful. After eating in Beiping for so many days, I just want to eat some hometown food now."

"Where can I go at this hour to eat good hometown food?"

Huang Shengli:...

Huang Shengli had completely given up: "Find a small table in the lobby and wait."

"My son, daughter, and wife are coming over immediately; that makes five people including Xiao Liu!"

"A medium table!"

"Alright!"

Gong Liang happily went to find a table, the assistant stayed at the door waiting to hand over the knives, and Dong Shi retracted his stretched neck and said decisively to Dong Li: "I told you, Master can't hold out for even 5 minutes."

The next second, Huang Shengli's voice came: "Xiao Jiu, prepare the ingredients."

"Sizzling Eel Paste, Biluo Shrimp, Squirrel Mandarin Fish, Wensi Tofu, Crab Meat Lion's Head, Braised Pork Square, and Braised Dried Tofu Strips. You are well-informed; what vegetables does Qin Huai like to eat lately?"

"Celery and baby cabbage."

"You look after preparing a Ten-Perfect Vegetable dish. When Qin Huai returns, tell him that the staff meal later will be eaten outside with Gong Liang and his family. Gong Liang has moved next door to his house, so the families must be familiar with each other by now."

"Yes, Master!"

On the other side, Qin Huai opened the task panel in the toilet stall and saw the newly triggered side quest.

It could only be said that Gong Liang's side quests were all very clear, with simple and straightforward requirements.

Side Quest:

3. 【Gong Liang's Longing】: Ever since eating crab roe shumai for a month straight again, Gong Liang recalled the past, remembering the days when his parents were alive and his neighbors were well. For Gong Liang, the best moments of his life were not passing the imperial examination or his wedding night, but the birthday banquet the year he was promoted to section chief. Even knowing the hope was slim, Gong Liang wanted to eat the Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns and Four-Joy Tangyuan he had at that birthday banquet one more time, which could satisfy him.

Task Reward: 【A segment of Gong Liang's memory】, 【Gong Liang's affirmation】

The description of this side quest was even more specific than Gong Liang's previous one, directly naming the Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns and Four-Joy Tangyuan.

For Qin Huai, the only problem at the moment was that he didn't know what these two snacks were.

After reading the task details, Qin Huai took out his phone and searched for them.

Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns were actually a type of Pincer-Flower Bun. Because their shape resembled a lantern, they were also called Lantern Buns. As the name suggested, Pincer-Flower Buns had very high requirements for the chef's finger techniques; they had to be made beautifully and festively, relying heavily on the styling.

As for the filling, it was usually sweet, mainly sesame or red bean paste, so there weren't high requirements for seasoning the filling. Qin Huai knew how to make triangular sugar buns, so making this bean paste filling would be a breeze.

Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns were undoubtedly an upgraded version of Pincer-Flower Buns. The shape of Pincer-Flower Buns resembled a lantern, while the Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns resembled a palace lantern, requiring the Pincer-Flower Bun, which already had high requirements for finger techniques, to be pinched into an octagonal palace lantern style.

As for the Four-Joy Tangyuan, they were relatively much simpler; they were a type of glutinous rice ball with auspicious meanings.

The four joys are: rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night, and passing the imperial examination.

The corresponding four flavors of Tangyuan were: vegetable and meat filling, raw meat filling, bean paste filling, and sesame sugar filling.

The 4 types of Tangyuan were made into 4 shapes: the bean paste filling was made into the shape of a longevity bun, the sesame filling was made with one or two pointed ends, the vegetable and meat filling was rolled into round, plump Tangyuan, and the fresh meat filling was rolled into flat-mouthed round Tangyuan.

Relatively speaking, the difficulty of Four-Joy Tangyuan was much lower than that of Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns. Four-Joy Tangyuan only required solid ingredients and a bit more effort on the Tangyuan skin—that is, the water-glutinous rice flour—and the taste of the Four-Joy Tangyuan wouldn't be bad.

These two types of snacks, different in type and difficulty, had one common characteristic: they both had very beautiful meanings.

Four-Joy Tangyuan were snacks eaten only on happy occasions or festive days, while Pincer-Flower Buns symbolized the beginning of a beautiful new life.

When Gong Liang recalled the past, he only couldn't forget these two snacks eaten on his birthday; perhaps it wasn't because these two snacks were so delicious, but because the heart behind the person who made them made him unable to forget.

However...

Qin Huai read the method for Four-Joy Tangyuan again, confirming that the difficulty of this snack was indeed not too great.

With Zheng Da's level, there was absolutely no problem in making a Four-Joy Tangyuan that would amaze everyone.

It couldn't be that Jiang Weijin wanted him to make even Four-Joy Sweet Dumplings at an S-level, right?

If that were the requirement, how could this task be completed?

But considering how the previous task was completed...

Qin Huai felt that Gong Liang valued sentiment more than taste.

Gong Liang often cared more about the novelty of the food than its taste.

Of course, it was also possible that he didn't remember what the taste was like before. It had been decades since he'd eaten it; it would be a ghost if Gong Liang could remember.

Qin Huai boldly guessed that this task description might be hinting that he should practice these two snacks for a period of time and serve them to Gong Liang on his birthday, which had a high probability of completion.

Scene recreation, memory reinforcement, plus some touching background music—if Gong Liang was moved, the task might just be completed.

Very good, now he just needed to think of a reasonable excuse to let Gong Liang take the initiative to suggest he wanted to eat Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns and Four-Joy Tangyuan, and then Qin Huai would go to Zheng Da for help, begging Zheng Da to teach him. If Zheng Da didn't know Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns either...

Then Qin Huai could only research it and see if he could practice the finger techniques by following online pictures.

Zheng Siyuan had said that the styling of snacks was not uniform; often, the styling of snacks tested a chef's imagination and aesthetics.

Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns—as long as what was made was a Pincer-Flower Bun and it looked like it was pinched according to the idea of a palace lantern, it was a Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Bun.

Qin Huai had seen it when he searched earlier; the styling of Pincer-Flower Buns was as numerous as that of dough fruits. This kind of snack that involved styling was ultimately a test of the chef's creativity.

You could call it a Pincer-Flower Bun, or a Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Bun, fine sand Pincer-Flower Bun, bean paste Pincer-Flower Bun, custard Pincer-Flower Bun—whatever name it was called was determined by people.

Just like a Three-Ding Bun could be a Three-Ding Bun, Premium Three-Ding Bun, or Special Grade Three-Ding Bun.

Chen Pi Silver Ear Lotus Seed Soup could also be Silver Ear Soup, Lotus Seed Soup, or Chen Pi Tea.

Based on Qin Huai's understanding of Zheng Da, Zheng Da actually didn't like this kind of snack that required styling.

When he made snacks, he also avoided styling them if he could. The difficulty of Pincer-Flower Buns wasn't as high as dough fruits, nor was it as worth learning, so Qin Huai was truly a bit worried that Zheng Da might really not know Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns.

Qin Huai left the toilet, thinking as he walked about how to first probe Gong Liang, then probe Zheng Da, and even thought about whether Zheng Siyuan would be interested in Pincer-Flower Buns, and whether he could persuade Zheng Siyuan to stop practicing the big flip-spoon and switch to practicing Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns.

Qin Huai felt that Zheng Siyuan still had a future in finger techniques.

He had both aesthetics and imagination; Zheng Siyuan said he didn't, that was him being modest.

Every time Zheng Siyuan watched Qin Huai make dough fruits, that expression of doubting life and feeling sorry for his ancestors told Qin Huai that Zheng Siyuan was a person who insisted on his own aesthetics.

Qin Huai returned to the back kitchen and found that everyone had basically rested, with only Huang Shengli and Huang Jia still struggling by the stove.

Qin Huai was startled.

Could it be that Huang Ji was rewarding the staff today, and Huang Shengli and Huang Jia were jointly cooking a staff meal for everyone?

The new and old head chefs joining forces—this was too much of a reward!

Qin Huai was still stunned when Dong Shi stood behind him and patted him, whispering: "Master wants you to go to medium table No. 18 and have lunch with Mr. Gong."

"This… wouldn't be very good."

"Master has already told Mr. Gong. Look, two portions of dishes have already been stir-fried over there, and you haven't returned yet, so the Sizzling Eel Paste hasn't even been put in the pot. If you don't go over, the dishes won't be able to be served."

Qin Huai:?

The way this was said made it seem as if he were some kind of number one bully at Huang Ji Restaurant.

Gong Liang still had some shares in Huang Ji; for a shareholder to be unable to eat, it sounded truly desolate.

"What exactly is the situation?" Qin Huai asked in a low voice, his intuition telling him there was definitely gossip.

"Nothing, it's just that we all know Master's back is better now. Mr. Gong returning will definitely strongly demand that Master make him a Three-Head Banquet, and Master will definitely make it for him."

"But Master and Uncle have been arguing quite a bit lately, and Master feels his level has improved, so he thought he might be able to just make the Three-Head Banquet and not make lunch today."

"As a result, he didn't even hold out for 5 minutes, and he promised both the 5-person meal and the Three-Head Banquet."

"Master plans to make 8 dishes; if you don't go to eat with him, he won't be happy."

Qin Huai indicated that sometimes he really didn't understand the play between you decades-long good brothers.

"Then I'll eat a bit more later." Qin Huai said solemnly.

Two minutes later, Qin Huai sat at medium table No. 18.

This was Qin Huai's first time eating in the lobby on the first floor of Huang Ji; usually, he cooked small meals in the kitchen, but today he was eating a small meal directly in the lobby.

The table was full of acquaintances.

Gong Liang naturally went without saying, and Qin Huai also often saw Gong Liang's wife, Guo Mingzhu.

Qin Huai had seen the daughter, Gong Baozhu, several times; sometimes when the mother and daughter were out shopping late, Guo Mingzhu would drag her daughter to visit Qin Huai to see if they could mooch some snacks.

When Qin Huai was at his craziest practicing crab roe shumai, he would practice more after getting home from work.

Qin Huai had also seen the assistant Xiao Liu several times; he ordered all the smart home appliances, very professional.

On the contrary, Qin Huai rarely saw Gong Liang's son, Gong Liye; it was said that he was very busy with work, and Gong Liang planned to hand over the business to his son within a few years, tiring this young master out like an ox or horse.

Qin Huai glanced at Gong Liye's dark circles and felt he looked much more exhausted than Assistant Xiao Liu.

Guo Mingzhu and Gong Baozhu both knew Qin Huai's skills and enthusiastically poured tea for Qin Huai, faster than Xiao Liu.

"Assistant Xiao Qin, I saw news of Huang Ji's business booming while I was traveling in Beiping these past few days, saying that snacks were in short supply. What did I say last time? With your skills, you would be famous sooner or later, and now it's come true." Guo Mingzhu said with a smile. "Did you see the kitchen knives Old Gong bought for you? If you ask me, he's truly boring; going out traveling and bringing back a set of kitchen knives as a gift for a friend—even if you are a chef, you shouldn't give this kind of thing."

"Exactly, I also think he shouldn't have given this. When my mom and I were shopping, we saw a set of bowls that were particularly suitable for you, Assistant Xiao Qin, so we bought them and had the merchant mail them over. They won't arrive until tomorrow." Gong Baozhu echoed. "Here is a picture, I'll show you."

Qin Huai took a look—good fellow, a custom set from *Chūka Ichiban! *.

When Qin Luo came, he would let her use this set of bowls to eat.

"You are truly too polite. It's enough that you eat and have fun; you even brought me gifts, making me feel a bit embarrassed if I don't give something in return." Qin Huai said with a smile.

Facing three pairs of burning gazes, Qin Huai said word for word the words he had deleted three times in his heart: "However, I am busy with work and don't have time to travel outside, so buying souvenirs to give in return is definitely unrealistic."

"How about this: did you eat any particularly delicious snacks on this trip to Beiping? Or is there any snack you particularly want to eat? Tell me, and I'll see if I can make it. If I can, I'll try my best to make it for you; if I can't, I'll go learn it first."

Qin Huai originally thought he would have to wait until work ended today and go home to wait for Guo Mingzhu and Gong Liang to visit in the evening to say this, but he didn't expect to say it at noon.

Gong Baozhu opened her mouth excitedly, but before the first sound could come out, Guo Mingzhu quietly nudged her daughter with her elbow, signaling with her eyes that it wasn't her turn to speak.

How many snacks have you eaten? When it comes to eating snacks, your dad is the one with the most say in our family!

Gong Baozhu understood instantly, thinking that ginger is indeed still spicy when old, and hurriedly closed her mouth, pretending she had just let out a very unrefined yawn.

Guo Mingzhu looked at Gong Liang.

Gong Liang was rarely hesitant.

It was truly hesitant.

This expression appearing on Gong Liang's face was truly rare; most of his hesitation was faked, a tactical hesitation.

"Actually, there are two types of snacks I've been very eager to eat lately." Gong Liang thought for a while and said it after all.

He wasn't the type to not speak when he had the chance.

"Please tell me." Qin Huai was ready.

"Assistant Xiao Qin, do you know what kind of snack Pincer-Flower Buns are?"

"I've heard of them." Qin Huai nodded reservedly.

"Then have you heard of Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns, Assistant Xiao Qin?"

"I truly haven't, but if you really want to eat them, Mr. Gong, describe them to me, and I can try to learn."

"Dad, what are Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns?" Gong Liye was already confused.

When did his dad eat snacks with such high-end names behind his back?

"Is it just Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns? You just said there were two types of snacks; what is the other one?" Qin Huai hinted strongly.

"Four-Joy Tangyuan; this is relatively common, but the Four-Joy Tangyuan I want to eat is..."

"Hello, excuse me, here are the Sizzling Eel Paste, Wensi Tofu, Biluo Shrimp, Braised Pork Square, and Ten-Perfect Vegetable dish for you all. There are a few more dishes that will take a while to serve, please wait a moment."

"Master Qin, Master Huang asked me to tell you that your set of knives is placed on the second shelf, third row of the warehouse."

"Oh, oh."

Gong Baozhu's surprised voice drowned out the sizzling sound of the Sizzling Eel Paste: "Wow, Dad, you ordered so many dishes today! Does Uncle Huang particularly like that set of knives? Why don't we buy two more sets!"

Gong Liang had no heart to recall his daughter's words, because while Gong Baozhu was speaking, Qin Huai also spoke.

"Pincer-Flower Palace Lantern Buns and Four-Joy Tangyuan, right? I know. Don't worry, Mr. Gong, I'll start learning tomorrow and will definitely make dishes that satisfy you. I'll trouble you to help me taste them when you have time and tell me where I'm lacking."

"If it weren't for your help in tasting the crab roe shumai before, I wouldn't have been able to improve so quickly. In the future, tell me whenever you want to eat any snack. With you helping me taste snacks, sometimes I even feel like I've hired an extra tutor to stand by and help me."

Gong Liang was truly moved.

Such a sincere pastry chef—Gong Liang felt that sometimes he truly couldn't keep up the act.

Although sometimes Gong Liang felt Qin Huai was also acting, Gong Liang could see that Qin Huai wanted to make snacks for him from the bottom of his heart.

Later, he would go back and find those cans of tea leaves he had treasured and hadn't been willing to give to Huang Shengli, and send them to Assistant Xiao Qin in the evening.

Send them all!

Took the cat to the hospital for emergency treatment; the doctor said the situation was okay, not urinary obstruction, prescribed medicine, and after reminding to feed more water, brought the cat home.

As soon as he got home, he found that the other ancestor in the house had taken the opportunity to eat two cats' worth of cat food and vomited from overeating, vomiting everywhere around the cat bowl.

(The two cats were eating before the emergency treatment)

While I sent my parents to hold down one ancestor to feed water and medicine, I mopped the floor and incidentally gave the other ancestor a beating.

After getting all this done, I fed the ancestor who hadn't eaten the prescription food again.

It wouldn't eat what was in the bowl, but insisted on eating what the other one had left scattered on the floor.

The other one had clearly eaten two portions of cat food and vomited, but still wanted to steal what was in the bowl.

Looking at everything before me, I sighed in my heart: what a truly wonderful day.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 209 =====