Chapter 279: Master-Level Filling Preparation

When Cao Guixiang left, she was carrying a large bag of Four-Joy Tangyuan.

The kind of large bag filled to the brim with a household black trash bag.

As for whether this bag was actually a household black trash bag… Qin Huai indicated that it didn't matter; it was the largest bag he could find, and he had wanted to give Cao Guixiang a few more bags, but she refused, insisting on only one.

The quantity was so large that the moment Zhang Chu saw the bag, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Isn't it a bit much for us to be eating and taking so much?"

"How many sets of molds do I have to make for Master Xiao Qin?"

Qin Huai saw Cao Guixiang's family off to the village entrance, watched them drive away, and then returned to continue evaluating the A-grade Four-Joy Tangyuan.

In terms of taste alone, the A-grade Four-Joy Tangyuan was definitely better than the B-grade.

Yes, that was a redundant statement.

Qin Huai's mood was complicated as he evaluated the A-grade Four-Joy Tangyuan.

If one were to break down what had changed in this batch of Tangyuan, it was only the meat filling. The meat filling had been minced by Cao Guixiang, and she had also used her unique secret recipe of soaking it in starch water.

Was the Tangyuan with the meat filling made using the secret recipe delicious?

It was delicious, delicious in a way that felt like a complete transformation.

It was so delicious that the originally unremarkable, simple meat filling, which had only served as a bridge between the other flavors, had become the best of the four Tangyuan.

Its texture wasn't particularly firm, nor was it loose; it didn't burst with juice when bitten into, nor could one feel the deliciousness of the broth with a gentle chew like with Guo'er's. It had no unique chewiness, no rich flavor; it was just a simple, savory pork filling.

But it was delicious.

It was very simple, and also very delicious.

It had a kind of deliciousness that felt like "the Great Dao is simple, returning to the basics."

It was the kind of deliciousness that any child who had only ever eaten their mother's cooking at home, never having seen the flashy world outside, and unable to imagine how exquisite the dishes they saw on TV could be, could imagine—constructing the image of a delicacy in their mind through their own limited knowledge and meager imagination.

Because it wasn't flashy, it was very simple; it was just the feeling of a simple, home-cooked meat filling, but it was delicious.

This deliciousness was wonderful when eaten alone, and even more wonderful when eaten with the other three Tangyuan.

In the A-grade Four-Joy Tangyuan, the fresh meat filling Tangyuan had finally kept pace with the other three sweet-filled Tangyuan, not falling behind, not being overly mediocre, and while stunning, it also served as an excellent bridge, stunning in its simplicity, taking the already delicious Four-Joy Tangyuan to the next level.

To experience the overall taste of the fresh meat filling Tangyuan not falling behind, Qin Huai boiled another pot and forced himself to eat three bowls.

Twelve Tangyuan.

He almost stuffed himself to death in the kitchen.

Not everyone had the capacity of Qin Luo and Ouyang.

Qin Luo stood on the side, watching eagerly as Qin Huai ate three bowls of Four-Joy Tangyuan, tears of envy almost flowing from the corners of her mouth. Seeing that Qin Huai clearly couldn't eat anymore, but there were still two bowls' worth left, she wished she could take his place.

She had just eaten one bowl.

It was too delicious.

She had eaten too fast, and before she could get her fill, it was gone.

"Brother, brother, I can still eat!" Qin Luo said excitedly, raising her hand actively. "Are you going to do a taste test? Let me eat, let me eat."

Although Qin Luo hadn't started writing her papers yet, Qin Huai did indeed need a professional taster, so he nodded: "Eat!"

Qin Luo happily rushed over to take the bowl.

After Qin Luo finished the new portion, Qin Huai asked slowly: "What do you find most stunning about the Tangyuan now?"

"The meat!" Qin Luo said without hesitation. "Brother, the meat in this batch of Tangyuan is super delicious!"

"The meat flavor is especially rich, it tastes especially delicate, especially like pork!"

Qin Huai understood Qin Luo's adjectives.

"Don't eat the other portion yet; wait for brother to make another batch for you to compare," Qin Huai said.

Qin Huai wanted to know if today's meat filling Tangyuan was so delicious—delicious enough to raise the Four-Joy Tangyuan to A-grade—because the starch water soak was useful, or because Cao Guixiang's culinary skills were even higher than he had imagined.

He was going to use the meat minced by the village chief's second son-in-law, soak it in starch water, and make another batch of fresh meat filling Tangyuan.

After such a long delay, the meat filling was already prepared.

How should one describe the meat minced by the village chief's second son-in-law…

It was a portion of meat filling.

Previously, Qin Huai thought it was okay; although it was a bit worse than Aunt Wang's, it was higher than the average person's level, but now that there was a comparison, it was…

Knife skills were indeed a very important basic skill, which could well reflect the level of a savory-dish chef.

Identical steps, identical time.

Soak in starch water twice, 5 minutes each time.

Looking at the appearance, one couldn't see any very significant changes.

Wrap the Tangyuan.

Put the Tangyuan into the pot.

Very quickly, a brand-new bowl of Four-Joy Tangyuan was out of the pot.

【Four-Joy Tangyuan B+ Grade】

Although the result was the same as he had expected, Qin Huai couldn't help but be a little surprised when he saw this grade.

Holy crap, what level of knife skills does Cao Guixiang have? The effect of helping to mince the filling and the effect of soaking in starch water were actually the same.

No, to be precise, the effect of mincing the filling was greater, because there was an uncrossable chasm between B+ grade and A grade.

Is the neighboring village so full of hidden talent? Such an awesome person actually went to the countryside as an educated youth; how good must the food in the neighboring village have been in the early years?

Qin Huai was even thinking, if Cao Guixiang also knew how to do a large stir-fry flip, and he asked Cao Guixiang to help him make the filling for the Guo'er, would the grade of the Guo'er become…

Can't think, can't think anymore; thinking about it anymore would be a bit like daydreaming.

"Taste it." Qin Huai handed the B+ grade Four-Joy Tangyuan to Qin Luo.

Qin Luo understood Qin Huai's thoughts very well; the first thing she ate was the meat filling.

"How is it?" Qin Huai asked.

"Delicious, but not as delicious as the one just now." Qin Luo chewed carefully, showing a thoughtful expression. "It feels like the texture isn't as delicate, and it doesn't have as much meat flavor."

"No, it's not that it doesn't have meat flavor, it's just not as fragrant as the previous one; that one's meat flavor was especially fragrant."

Qin Luo didn't express it very clearly, but Qin Huai had already understood.

Soaking in starch water could have a very good lifting effect on the meat filling itself, but the premise of this lift was that the meat filling reached a sufficient score.

For example, if the meat filling was 60 points, a 10% increase would raise it to 66 points. But if the meat filling was 100 points, a 10% increase would be 110 points.

Cao Guixiang's masterful knife skills had set a very high foundation score for the meat filling, and after being soaked in starch water, it was directly transformed.

Summary: Opportunism is not advisable; for cooking, practice more.

Cao Guixiang's knife skills could add to the foundation score of the meat filling, and Qin Huai believed that master-level filling preparation could too.

He now already knew what the A-grade Four-Joy Tangyuan tasted like; he had a goal to strive for, the motivation to strive, and the pressure of a deadline.

March 19th was Han Youxin's birthday; it was already February 16th, and there was only one month left until the birthday banquet.

Judging by the current rapid progress of his filling preparation proficiency, Qin Huai had the confidence to get filling preparation to master level before the Lantern Festival.

Half of the remaining time would be used to continue practicing Four-Joy Tangyuan to consolidate, and the other half would be used to brush up on heat control.

Cao Guixiang was undoubtedly a master of savory dishes, and a master of savory dishes who was much more awesome than Huang Shengli; having already added the master on WeChat, Qin Huai felt he couldn't waste it.

Having studied with Master Huang for a few months, he could also take a few days of online classes with Master Cao.

It would be even better if he could take two days of offline classes.

Qin Huai indicated that he was very at ease with Li Hua and Pei Xing at the Cloud Canteen; he, the proprietor, might not be able to return to the Cloud Canteen on time on the 16th of the first lunar month, so the neighbors would have to wait for him a few more days while he improved himself further.

Master Xiao Qin was too eager to improve!

Master Xiao Qin, who was too eager to improve, felt that he couldn't waste any more time; the previous efficiency was still too slow, and he couldn't listen to gossip anymore while making Four-Joy Tangyuan.

Listening to gossip would only affect the speed at which he made Tangyuan.

Qin Huai looked at the various large and small basins on the kitchen counter with burning eyes, a fierce fighting spirit igniting in his heart.

The fire in his heart had already been ignited!

"Did Luo Luo." Qin Huai glanced at Qin Luo, who was still staring at the only A-grade Four-Joy Tangyuan, itching to try it. "Take the Tangyuan to the room to eat."

"Huh?" Qin Luo immediately had an ominous premonition.

"After eating, write your papers; it's already the sixth day of the first lunar month, and you've only written two of the papers the teachers left; at least finish one math paper today." Qin Luo's world collapsed.

She didn't understand why her brother's face changed faster than flipping a book; one second he was making snacks for her to taste, and the next second he was telling her to take the snacks back to her room to write papers.

However, Qin Luo knew the severity of the situation and also knew that procrastination was of no benefit to her; procrastination could potentially cause more serious consequences—eating Four-Joy Tangyuan for several more days.

And there was a high probability she wouldn't be able to eat one as delicious as the one just now.

Qin Luo took the Tangyuan and obediently went back to write her papers.

Qin Huai rolled up his sleeves and entered work mode, incidentally asking his cousin He Cheng to convey a personnel transfer.

Tell the old branch secretary that he was unemployed and didn't need to come to the kitchen to tell gossip anymore; Master Qin didn't have time to listen.

Correspondingly, because the old branch secretary had introduced Zhang Chu's family, who had made an indelible contribution to Master Qin's Four-Joy Tangyuan cause, the old branch secretary could still get Four-Joy Tangyuan even if he didn't come to tell gossip, 3 bags a day, all you can eat!

The old branch secretary, who was happily playing mahjong at home after taking a day off and sending off Zhang Chu's family, had his world collapse.

What use are 3 bags of Four-Joy Tangyuan? His staff meal was gone!

Qin Dali, oh Qin Dali, how could you be so negligent? After sending off Xiao Zhang and his family, you should have quickly returned to the kitchen to tell Qin Huai more exciting gossip; is mahjong really that fun? Was it absolutely necessary to play this mahjong today?

Who was it? Who was it that slandered him to Qin Huai and caused him to lose his job!

Qin Huai didn't know the thoughts of the old branch secretary and Qin Luo; he had already devoted himself heart and soul to the great cause of making Four-Joy Tangyuan.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the named relatives who came to pay New Year calls returned home fully loaded with bags of Tangyuan.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the named relatives who came to pay New Year calls returned home fully loaded with even more Tangyuan than on the seventh.

On the ninth day of the first lunar month, the relatives almost couldn't carry them all.

Qin Huai made Tangyuan in the kitchen, losing track of day and night; he stopped listening to gossip, stopped chatting, stopped drinking tea, stopped making staff meals, and even transferred his sister's studies to his parents to supervise.

When he was really tired, he would make some simple chicken noodle soup to relax.

Because he made too much chicken noodle soup, the task of boiling chicken soup was outsourced to several large chicken farmers in the village. For a time, the old hens in the village fell victim one after another, and the fragrance of chicken noodle soup wafted from every household.

Whoever could make a slurping sound at noon or in the afternoon meant that their old hen had died for a worthy cause.

If he was still tired after making chicken noodle soup, Qin Huai would click on the attribute panel to take a look at his proficiency.

Just one look and he would be energized.

Victory is in sight, family!

Friends who like playing games all know that you won't feel tired when you are on a winning streak.

No one would say when the boss is down to the last bar of health, "Oh, the game time is too long today, let's just stop here, I won't fight the last bar of health."

By the tenth day of the first lunar month, Grandma Qin felt that this couldn't go on.

It wasn't because she felt sorry for her grandson.

Can't say that; she still had to feel sorry for her grandson.

But Qin Huai himself had spoken; he had a very important big job in March. Working so hard during the New Year period was entirely for the big job in March; Grandma Qin, as a sensible grandmother, couldn't hold her grandson back at such a critical moment.

Grandma Qin was worried that as her grandson made more and more Tangyuan, the relatives coming to pay New Year calls would become less and less close. By the eleventh, the ones coming to pay New Year calls would be her group of younger brothers and sisters.

At this rate, wouldn't it be a bargain for them?

Grandma Qin felt that this couldn't go on; she had to adjust the New Year strategy and mobilize the relatives who were still free after the tenth.

Qin Huai's eldest uncle and third uncle were very free; they were still living at the Qin house and hadn't returned yet.

The children of the eldest uncle and third uncle were especially filial; knowing that their fathers wanted to improve their relationship with their younger sister, they never urged them, and even wanted to move in themselves to improve their relationship with their aunt.

Every time they saw the food their own fathers posted in the group, the children of Qin Huai's eldest uncle and third uncle really wanted to go to the Qin house to improve their relationship with their aunt.

The Qin house still had a few empty rooms.

That's the good thing about the countryside; the houses are big and there are many rooms.

After realizing that the close relatives weren't enough, Grandma Qin held a meeting overnight with Qin Xiuli, Qin Huai's eldest uncle, and third uncle, letting them take stock of the relatives who were free to come over to improve their relationship, and have them come on the eleventh.

Remember to bring your own bags when you come; the bags at home weren't enough.

It's best to have a legitimate reason, so as not to give people something to talk about.

So on the eleventh day of the first lunar month, there were many more close helpers for Qin Huai in the kitchen.

Uncles, aunts, uncles-in-law, aunts-in-law, cousins, and even nephews and nieces.

Because there were too many people and not enough positions, the peripheral dishwashing, vegetable washing, and cleaning were also replaced by trusted relatives of the family, and the villagers of Qin Village lost their jobs one after another, shouting that the world was unfair and that Grandma Qin was nepotistic.

To this, Qin Huai: …

Fine, they were all familiar faces, even relatives whose names he could call out, and they competed every year to come and pay New Year calls, so he could use them with peace of mind.

As long as it didn't delay his brushing up on proficiency, it was fine.

By the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, there was no one among the Qin family relatives who didn't know that Qin Huai had a big job in March.

It was too exaggerated.

All the relatives who had worked in the kitchen said it was really too exaggerated.

If their own children had this kind of drive in their studies, they would really dare to pat their chests and say their children could get into a 985 university.

If that didn't work, a 211 would also be fine.

At worst, it would still be a first-tier university.

There were even relatives who specifically brought their children who hadn't taken the college entrance exam yet to watch from outside the kitchen, educating them on the spot:

"Look at your brother/uncle Qin Huai."

"Do you know why he could get into a first-tier university and also make such good snacks?"

"Because he works hard!"

"Look at how hard your brother/uncle Qin Huai is working on snacks now; he worked even harder when he was studying back then! You have to learn from him, you know."

And at times like this, the children would ask strangely: "Then what about sister/aunt Did Luo Luo?"

"Your sister/aunt Did Luo Luo is also in the room writing papers. Didn't you see? How diligent!"

Qin Luo, who was frantically writing papers in the room: Clearly her brother was making snacks, not papers; why was she the one being rolled?

Looking again at He Cheng on the side, who was also looking miserable and had been dragged into the room to write papers, Qin Luo finally felt a little better.

The fourteenth day of the first lunar month, which was also 5:17 PM on February 24th.

Qin Huai felt that his brain was a bit dazed from making Four-Joy Tangyuan.

He now looked at everything like Tangyuan.

No, can't make them anymore; have to listen to some gossip to relax.

Have to take out his phone to see if Dong Shi had shared any latest gossip with him.

Qin Huai wasn't an iron man; it was impossible for him to make Tangyuan without resting; besides making chicken noodle soup, he also rested by watching gossip.

Listening took too long; watching was faster.

Dong Shi was very wordy when telling gossip, but very concise when typing.

Qin Huai finished stirring the meat filling in his hand and very casually clicked on the attribute panel to check his proficiency.

The one that had grown the fastest these days was filling preparation proficiency, but that didn't mean other proficiencies hadn't changed.

Player Name: Qin Huai

Unlocked Illustrations: 7/12

Skills:

Dough Leavening (Advanced): Your dough leavening technique has defeated 96% of snack masters in the country. (29127/100000)

Filling Preparation (Master Level): Your filling preparation technique has defeated 98% of excellent snack masters in the country. (11/1000000)

Finger Technique (Intermediate): You have finally started to shape the dim sum. (8999/10000)

Oil-Based (Intermediate): The fried dough sticks you make are not bad. (1372/10000)

Knife Skills (Primary): Household level. (671/1000)

Heat Control (Intermediate): Still need to work hard. (8977/10000)

Food Tasting (Advanced): Fine, you are quite good at eating. (Cannot be upgraded)

Management (Intermediate): Still quite good at doing business, won't lose money. (319/10000)

Lying (Master Level): Saying human words to humans, ghost words to ghosts—is that you! (416117/1000000)

…Eh!

Filling preparation, master level?!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 280 =====