Chapter 222: Xie Zhi (Thanks to Zhen Xia Long for the alliance leader reward!)

"Xiao Qin, going back?" Huang Shengli saw Qin Huai's slight distraction and asked.

Qin Huai was still shocked that Old Man Wang was actually not a human, and wondered if Yunzhong Residential Area could still be okay. He couldn't do it one day, while making pastries, the system told him that Did Luo Luo was also not a human, but a *Taotie*.

Of course, if Did Luo Luo was a *Taotie*, then she had suffered all these years, and this little amount of food could only be considered light intermittent fasting for a *Taotie*.

"Master Huang, you go back first, I'll go back in two minutes."

The college students' table happened to be talking about a wonderful gossip of a certain teacher.

Huang Shengli only thought that Qin Huai wanted to finish listening to the gossip, smiled: "Then I'll go back to work first. If you feel tired from making pastries in the future, come over and watch for a few minutes, it's very relaxing."

After saying that, Huang Shengli turned around and went back to work.

After Huang Shengli left, Qin Huai decisively clicked on the game panel, first looking at the illustrated book.

Sure enough, another item was unlocked.

Now Qin Huai has unlocked 7 of the 12 illustrated books.

Name: Wang Gensheng

Species: Xie Zhi

Status: Waking up soon

Dream: 0/?

Recipe: None

Gift: None

Xie Zhi?

Waking up soon?

Qin Huai, who had only briefly read a part of the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*, had no impression of the species Xie Zhi, so he could only take out his mobile phone to check, and found that it was actually one of the famous ancient ten great mythical beasts that could be as famous as *Bi Fang*.

*Song Shu · Fu Rui Zhi Zhong* records: Xie Zhi knows right and wrong, and when the lawsuit is fair, it arrives.

Legend has it that Xie Zhi understands human speech, knows human nature, can distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, loyal from treacherous, has the name of coconut sheep, and is a symbol of bravery and justice.

It is also a symbol of judicial brightness, fairness, and a bright world.

After reading the legends related to Xie Zhi, Qin Huai felt that it was very consistent with the character setting.

It is worthy of being a senior accountant who has not made fake accounts for 40 years and has never calculated wrong accounts.

But what is this state of waking up soon?

Now in the illustrated book column, the status of Qu Jing, Chen Gong, and Gong Liang is all 'awakening'. This state is easy to understand, and Luo Jun also said so. Awakening means that this life of the monster, even without human intervention and help, has the possibility of natural awakening.

But this waking up.

Waking up and awakening are only one word apart, but Qin Huai inexplicably felt that the state of waking up seemed better.

It always feels like it's just a little bit away from crossing the tribulation successfully.

Qin Huai noted this special state and decided to call Luo Jun after work to ask.

After reading the illustrated book, Qin Huai began to check the newly acquired side quest.

Side quest:

4. 【Wang Gensheng's Desire】: As a professional accountant who likes to recall the past, has a harmonious family, filial children, and has never made mistakes in accounting for 40 years, nor has he ever made fake accounts, Wang Gensheng believes that this life is happy and fulfilling, without regrets. But when he revisited the old place and gathered with old friends, Wang Gensheng suddenly remembered that he actually had a regret that had been hidden in his heart and never realized. He once thought this was the regret of this life, but when he sat in Huang Ji Restaurant eating *Guo'er*, the desire in his heart told him that he wanted to sit in Huang Ji Restaurant and eat double crab *baozi* once. Please make double crab *baozi* that satisfies Wang Gensheng and satisfy his desire.

Quest reward: 【Wang Gensheng's Affirmation】, 【A segment of Wang Gensheng's memory】

Looking at this side quest that looks complicated but is actually very clear, Qin Huai felt that the game system still likes to be a riddle-maker.

Suddenly having a desire to eat double crab *baozi* while sitting in Huang Ji eating *Guo'er*, Old Man Wang's regret is really confusing.

However, the quest itself is very clear, just make double crab *baozi*.

And this quest is not urgent.

Old Man Wang's state is very good, can eat, can sleep, can queue, family is harmonious, children are filial, maintaining the character setting, adhering to the original heart, upright and unyielding, fair and just.

One look and you know he is a good seedling who has successfully crossed the tribulation.

The most critical thing is that his mental state is also very stable. Compared with Gong Liang and Chen Gong, Old Man Wang is simply as normal as possible! Except for liking to recall the past, everything else is simply a normal person!

Qin Huai remembered this pastry, double crab *baozi*, and decided to find an opportunity to ask Zheng Siyuan if he knew how to make it.

Old Man Wang suddenly wanted to eat this pastry while eating in Huang Ji, it is likely that he had eaten it in the state-run hotel before. If there is no accident, this pastry should have been made by Master Jiang Weijin before, and Zheng Siyuan, as his grand-apprentice, must know how to do it.

After thinking clearly, Qin Huai returned to the back kitchen to continue working.

Shaping *Guo'er*.

A noon time passed, Qin Huai felt that his proficiency in dough leavening and seasoning didn't rise much, but the proficiency of finger techniques must have risen a lot.

Since the day Qin Huai got the recipe for *Guo'er*, he felt that he had never made so many *Guo'er* in one day.

However, it was not tiring. Compared with the intensity of making *San Ding Bao* and *Jiu Niang Mantou*, the intensity of *Guo'er* was nothing.

This pastry is difficult, difficult in shaping. The steps of kneading dough are not complicated, and the filling is all the responsibility of Huang Shengli. A noon time passed, except for some aesthetic fatigue, there was no big problem.

The only problem is that it is too monotonous.

Qin Huai had never made the same pastry for such a long time like today.

Before in Huang Ji, when the variety was the least, there were two kinds a day.

After making the last batch of *Guo'er*, Qin Huai didn't get off work to rest immediately for the first time, but started making *Sixi Tangyuan* as if taking revenge.

"Finally off work, make some *Sixi Tangyuan* to relax." Qin Huai said so.

Tan Weian, who was assisting Qin Huai, had his eyes turned into, I knew you were secretly working hard behind our backs, look, you can't hide it!

Master Qin is working hard openly, how can other Zhi Wei Ju chefs slack off. Tan Weian, who originally wanted to rest, decided not to rest immediately, and started practicing pastries directly.

Then he made *Bai Guo* filling with muscle memory.

Qin Huai watched Tan Weian make *Bai Guo* filling, a bit surprised. He didn't expect Tan Weian to be thinking about *Bai Guo* filling all the time. Seeing his expression of no love every time he made *Bai Guo* filling these past few days, Qin Huai thought Tan Weian didn't want to make *Bai Guo* filling at all.

"Have you made *Bai Guo* filling these two days? How is the research? Any progress?" Qin Huai asked curiously.

"No." Tan Weian said.

What progress could he have, they are all delicious *Bai Guo* fillings, his *Bai Guo* filling is made worse than Qin Huai's. They are all ugly *Guo'er*, his *Guo'er* is just not as ugly as Qin Huai's.

Sometimes Tan Weian was about to be laughed at by himself.

When he should have talent, he didn't have talent, and when he didn't want to be so talented, he couldn't control it.

"Why don't you boil the sugar first?" Tan Weian asked.

Before, when they practiced *Bai Guo* filling in the afternoon, they all boiled sugar first.

Making *Bai Guo* filling requires a large amount of winter melon sugar and candied fruit, and also pulling sugar. The steps are not complicated but take a long time. Making *Tangyuan* skin is relatively simple, and the time is also shorter. Plus everyone's focus is actually *Bai Guo* filling, so every time they make filling first, then *Tangyuan* skin.

"Not boiling sugar today, I'm not making *Bai Guo* filling today." Qin Huai said.

Tan Weian:?

"I'm just relaxing, and by the way, making some *Tangyuan* for my friends. See the *Guo'er* over there? 4 are Mr. Gong's, 2 are Huang Anyao's, 2 are Ouyang's, and the remaining 5 are for

Ever since Gong Liang returned from Beiping, he no longer sits at the entrance of the Huang Ji back kitchen to eat. There are too many customers, and it makes a bad impression.

He does want to sit inside the back kitchen to eat, but Huang Shengli won't allow it.

Gong Liang deeply despises Huang Shengli's behavior of "killing the donkey the moment it leaves the mill"—treating his tea-drinking friend this way now that his waist is better and he can work normally—and he has expressed strong protests, but to no avail.

With no other choice, Gong Liang can only choose to pack his food to take home; after all, he lives right across the street, it's close, and he can just come back if it's not enough.

"Sister Hong is here?" Zheng Siyuan asked, passing by while gnawing on a Jianbing Guozi.

"Not yet. The remaining Guozi are for Physician Qu," Qin Huai said. "Recently, there are too many customers at Huang Ji, and Physician Qu feels embarrassed to trouble me to save her a spot. When Ouyang comes later to pick up the pastries, I'll have Ouyang help run the errand and send some over to Physician Qu."

Zheng Siyuan didn't think much of it; when they were at the Yunzhong Canteen, Qu Jing was always in the first tier for special meals, so eating a little special food was normal.

"I remember Physician Qu loves eating Jiang Mi sticky rice cakes and likes sweet pastries; she should like the Four-Joy Tangyuan."

Qin Huai nodded: "I think so too, so I plan to make more sesame and red bean paste fillings. Although I made a normal batch of mixed-fruit filling last time and the taste was okay, I only made it that one time, and I'm afraid of messing it up due to lack of practice, so I plan to just skip it."

Tan Weian:?

So you actually knew that the mixed-fruit filling from last time was the normal one, and that what we've been researching this whole time is abnormal, is that right?

Tan Weian looked at the abnormal mixed-fruit filling he was currently making and felt that he was becoming abnormal too.

Master Zhou, I have failed the mixed-fruit filling, and I have also failed the recipe you gave me.

At 2:00 PM, the Huang Ji back kitchen staff started their meal.

The price of booming business is that even though the lunch operating hours remain the same, the high customer traffic means closing time is also extended. The high-intensity work left the chef in charge of the staff meal in no mood to stir-fry, so he just casually fried two dishes. Dong Shi muttered quietly to Dong Li while eating that it would be better to order takeout and eat boxed lunches like last time.

Dong Li ignored his younger brother, feeling that if Dong Shi ate two more days of the stir-fried meat Qin Huai practiced, he would settle down.

Qin Huai, Huang Shengli, Huang Jia, Huang Anyao, and Zheng Siyuan sat together eating the special meal Huang Jia made. Huang Shengli commented while eating, picking out several flaws in every dish.

As for Zheng Da, the moment he got off work, he sped off to the bone-setting shop next door for repairs and slipped away.

"I've told you many times, your hand holding the wok must be steady, and use less of your waist when exerting force. You're young now and think it doesn't matter, but when you reach my age, you'll know that having a good body is more important than anything else."

"If your technique isn't good, you can practice, but if your body collapses, what will you use to practice?" Huang Shengli nagged at Huang Jia.

"Master, aren't you supposed to go to the hospital for physical therapy in a couple of days?" Huang Jia asked.

"The day after tomorrow. Anyao contacted some expert at a private hospital who says the physical therapy results are very good, so we'll go try it the day after tomorrow," Huang Shengli said.

Huang Anyao hurriedly swallowed the food in his mouth and said: "I asked Physician Qu to help me contact them. I've inquired, and that expert is very skilled at treating my father's condition. Physician Qu helped book the appointment for the morning the day after tomorrow and also recommended several physical therapy items; it's super professional. I almost thought Physician Qu was from the rehabilitation department."

Qin Huai indicated that this was the case; Qu Jing has been trying to persuade Luo Jun to go to the hospital for physical therapy for years, regularly offering home check-ups, and she is well-versed in every item in the rehabilitation department.

Who told Luo Jun to be so wealthy and extravagant, consuming every service that could be consumed?

"What time the day after tomorrow did you book?" Qin Huai asked.

"1:30 PM the day after tomorrow. I originally wanted to take my father in the morning, but my father was worried that going in the morning would delay the lunch business. Physician Qu explained the situation to the doctor in the rehabilitation department, and they indicated we could go at noon and try to finish before 5:00 PM," Huang Anyao said.

That's the good thing about private hospitals; as long as the money is there, the patient's needs can be met.

Even professional medical troublemakers like Luo Jun can be satisfied.

"I'll make more Guozi then, and you can take them to the hospital to share with the doctors and nurses. The doctors at Qu Jing's hospital especially love coming to Huang Ji for gatherings," Qin Huai said.

"I'll make some Victory cakes too," Zheng Siyuan added.

Huang Anyao hurriedly noted it down and asked: "Should I bring some for Physician Qu?"

"Of course you should," Huang Shengli said helplessly. "No wonder you can never negotiate the price down with suppliers, and you can never get the best goods either."

"Physician Qu helped contact the doctor, she helped book the appointment, she arranged the time, and she negotiated the middle ground. She is Assistant Xiao Qin's friend, not your friend. You should ask Physician Qu when she is off and free, invite her to Huang Ji, and I will cook a table of good dishes to thank her properly."

Huang Anyao hurriedly took out his phone to send a message.

"Assistant Xiao Qin, does Physician Qu have any dietary restrictions? Are there any dishes she especially loves?" Huang Shengli was already conceiving the menu.

"As for dishes, I'm not sure. I only know that Physician Qu prefers sweet foods and likes relatively soft and glutinous foods like Jiang Mi sticky rice cakes."

"She used to eat very light food, but that's because light side dishes are easier to make. I believe that with your skills, Physician Qu will love whatever you make," Qin Huai said. "As for restrictions, Physician Qu does not eat cilantro."

Huang Shengli had a rough idea in his mind.

Huang Anyao also finished sending the WeChat message and said quietly: "Physician Qu said she is off on January 7th and asked if she could bring colleagues if they eat here. Their department hasn't been able to book a private room at Huang Ji for a long time. Their department head put in a lot of effort to help book the appointment, and she feels a bit ashamed to eat this meal alone."

"Of course she can; Physician Qu is still too polite. I'll make more good dishes then. Have Assistant Xiao Cao check if the private rooms for the 7th are all booked; if there are any left, save one, and Anyao, you are responsible for hosting."

"But you... Assistant Xiao Qin, if the time is a bit late, are you free? With Huang Anyao's mouth, I estimate he won't be able to say two sentences during the whole meal."

Qin Huai didn't think it would be that bad. Although Huang Anyao is not good at socializing and won't say anything flowery, he is very skilled at introducing dishes.

When the dishes haven't been served yet, Huang Anyao will sit in the private room and start introducing them, and after they are served, he will introduce them one by one.

If a photographer were arranged in the private room to film and edit it slightly, it would simply be a promotional video for Huang Ji.

"Tongue Tip of Huang Ji."

"Of course I can," Qin Huai agreed decisively.

"There is one more thing," Huang Anyao said to Qin Huai in a low voice, handing his phone over for him to see.

The phone interface showed the chat content between Huang Anyao and Qu Jing.

Physician Qu: I know your restaurant has been doing very well recently, and the back kitchen must be very busy. So I'm embarrassed to ask, but could I trouble you to help me subtly ask Qin Huai if he has time to make Jiang Mi sticky rice cakes recently?

Physician Qu: There is a pastry shop at the back door of our hospital that makes pretty good Jiang Mi sticky rice cakes, but the owner had something come up and went back to their hometown, so they closed.

Physician Qu: Do you know anywhere else in Gusu that makes good Jiang Mi sticky rice cakes?

Qin Huai made an OK gesture, indicating no problem, and that he would definitely let Qu Jing eat Jiang Mi sticky rice cakes the day after tomorrow.

As expected of the young proprietor, the way of inquiring is indeed very subtle.

Huang Anyao knows how to inquire.

(End of chapter)