Chapter 392: Cloud Pattern

The arrival of the people in Does Zhi Wei Ju greatly enriched the breakfast variety of Huang Ji.

Early the next morning, when Qin Huai stepped into Huang Ji's kitchen, he smelled the fragrant breakfast of various colors.

Even without looking, just by smelling, Qin Huai knew that there must be mutton braised noodles, pan-fried buns, and golden silk shumai.

Well, golden silk shumai was not smelled out at all. It was mainly because Guli would definitely make golden silk shumai when he came. This belongs to the bottom-line snack.

As soon as Qin Huai came, all the chefs in Does Zhi Wei Ju surrounded him.

"Master Qin, good morning. This tea might be a bit cold, I will pour you a new cup. May I ask what you want to eat first this morning? Soup-filled small steamed buns, mutton braised noodles, beef rice noodles, sesame balls, or..."

"Master Qin, you said last time that the red bean paste filling I made was too sweet. This is the red bean paste bun I made today. Do you have an appetite to taste it?"

"Master Qin, this is what I made..."

"Master Qin..."

Qin Huai, who was surrounded by breakfast, adhered to the principle of rain and dew, tasted a bite of each, commented one by one, and finally walked to Guli's side to eat golden silk shumai.

Everyone was used to it, because Qin Huai had always had a soft spot for the snacks made by Guli, whether it was golden silk shumai or ruyi rolls, he often took the initiative to taste them.

In addition, although Guli has been famous for his poor talent over the years, he is a personal disciple of a famous teacher after all. His cooking level is definitely much better than ordinary apprentices. The snacks he makes are indeed more worth eating than others, and it is reasonable to be favored by Qin Huai.

Even Su Gan didn't pay much attention.

When Qin Huai walked to Guli's side to eat golden silk shumai, Guli was still making snacks. He was always like this. Even when eating melon, Guli was the one who silently pricked up his ears behind the melon-eating crowd and listened while making snacks.

"Master Qin, good morning." Guli greeted Qin Huai, which was his highest respect for Qin Huai.

Qin Huai was chewing golden silk shumai.

From the perspective of Master Qin, Qin Huai actually liked Guli very much.

No teacher would not like diligent students, even if this student's talent is indeed not very good, but he is diligent enough. Qin Huai could taste from Guli's snacks that he was indeed working hard in the right direction and making progress, but the speed of progress was really slow, far behind his relatively lazy senior brother.

Guli was making ruyi rolls.

Qin Huai was watching how he made cloud patterns.

In all fairness, Guli's cloud patterns were really not good.

The most important thing about ruyi rolls is that you can see beautiful cloud patterns after cutting them open. Having cloud patterns represents the success of this snack, and cloud patterns not only represent the shape of this snack, but also represent success in heat and shaping, which is the key point to see most intuitively whether the chef who makes this snack has a high level.

Guli's level is not high enough.

His cloud patterns cannot be said to have none at all, but it is also very difficult to say that there really are, in a wonderful state of seeming to have but indeed not having.

Just like his cooking level and the snacks with relatively high difficulty he makes at this stage, you cannot say he doesn't know how to make this snack, but it is also very difficult for you to say he knows how to make this snack, but at the same time the taste of the snacks he makes is not bad.

Qin Huai felt that Guli knew how to make ruyi rolls in his thinking, and also knew the methods and skills of cloud patterns, but his hardware conditions didn't keep up, and his internal strength was still a bit short, so the things he made were very awkward.

"How long have you practiced your cloud patterns?" Qin Huai asked.

Guli didn't expect Qin Huai not to comment on golden silk shumai, but asked about the cloud patterns of ruyi rolls, stunned for a moment and told the truth: "Less than three years."

Studying for three years and still being able to make it like this, the talent is indeed not very good.

"Ruyi rolls are the master's signature snack. My cooking level was far from enough to make ruyi rolls when the master was alive, so the master didn't teach me very systematically, just taught me the method roughly, and didn't require me to practice cloud patterns hard."

"Including several senior brothers, it is the same."

"This directly led to the master's poor health, and finally died of illness, and none of us could make authentic ruyi rolls."

"I know that I try to make ruyi rolls every day is a bit whimsical, and senior brothers also advised me not to die on these two snacks, ruyi rolls and golden silk shumai, because with my current cooking level, it is impossible to make these two snacks well."

"But I feel that not being able to do it well now doesn't mean I won't be able to do it well in the future. Stupid birds fly first. My talent is not good, so I have to spend more time laying the foundation. I will lay the foundation for these two snacks first, so that one day when my cooking

Gu Li did not finish the rest of his sentence.

This was the first time Qin Huai had heard Gu Li say so much to him; Gu Li was usually a man of few words, silent and reticent. Back at Huang's, no matter how explosive or exciting the gossip Dong Shi shared was, Gu Li would never interject a single word.

Qin Huai knew Gu Li must have misunderstood, which was why he explained so much, so he hurriedly stated his true intention: "Are the cloud patterns on the Ruyi Roll considered very difficult?"

Gu Li was stunned again, but his hands didn't stop moving as he nodded affirmatively: "They are considered to have a very high degree of difficulty."

"Then, for the cloud patterns on ordinary pastries, how long do you think it takes to get the hang of it?" Qin Huai asked again.

This question stumped Gu Li. Gu Li stopped what he was doing and thought for a full two minutes: "Master Qin, I don't know what you mean by 'ordinary pastries,' but pastries involving cloud patterns are usually quite difficult."

"When my master taught me, he said that the Ruyi-shaped cloud pattern itself is a display of skill. Most of these pastries are imperial pastries, and imperial pastries involve many things that are flashy but impractical; imperial cuisine is the same."

"They make the pastries and dishes very complicated, but in reality, it doesn't improve the product itself much. Yet, these things happen to be the most critical elements, which is the fundamental reason why many ancient pastry recipes have been lost."

"It's the reason why many pastry chefs are unwilling to spend time restoring ancient recipes, because the restored pastry isn't necessarily delicious or stunning, but it is definitely troublesome."

"So, if one wants to get the hang of it, an ordinary apprentice... must at least build a foundation for two years."

"Then what about someone like me?" Qin Huai asked directly.

Gu Li looked at Qin Huai, clearly conflicted. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't dare say them. After hesitating for a long time, he stammered out a question: "One... eighteen months?"

Seeing Qin Huai didn't speak, Gu Li shortened the time a little: "Six months?"

Qin Huai could imagine that the cloud patterns of the Four-Joy Roll might be very complex, but he didn't expect them to be this difficult.

Six months? If he stayed at Huang's for six months, wouldn't the old and new customers of the Yunzhong Canteen go crazy?

"Do you know the Four-Joy Roll?" Qin Huai asked.

Gu Li shook his head very honestly.

It was clear that the Four-Joy Roll was likely a niche, limited-edition pastry from the state-run restaurant.

Qin Huai didn't expect Xu Nuo's culinary skills to be even higher than he had imagined. The guy was truly hiding his light under a bushel; he had actually been making such high-difficulty pastries casually and secretly at home.

Qin Huai roughly described the appearance and production process of the Four-Joy Roll (Shi Dadan had seen Xu Nuo make them), and asked Gu Li how the difficulty of the Four-Joy Roll's cloud patterns compared to the Ruyi Roll. Gu Li's answer was that it was much simpler than the Ruyi Roll.

"So... the Four-Joy Roll is an imperial pastry from some ancient recipe? Master Qin, are you researching this ancient recipe recently?" Gu Li asked tentatively.

"Ancient recipe? Imperial pastry? Why would you think that?" Qin Huai was curious.

Gu Li answered honestly: "Because this is a very standard imperial pastry method. Just as I told you earlier, it makes a pastry that could have been simple become especially complicated. But the complicated parts don't improve the taste of the pastry much, yet they are the most crucial."

"The Four-Joy Roll you described earlier is actually just a flower roll, but the method is very 'imperial,' and I have never heard of it at all, so I assumed it was a pastry you saw in some ancient recipe that you wanted to restore."

"My master likes to study ancient recipes, and I have had a lot of contact with them before, so I have this feeling."

Qin Huai trusted Gu Li's judgment. Tan Tan Weian had told Qin Huai before that Gu Li was very interested in this area, and in this matter, Gu Li was definitely much more professional than Qin Huai.

Gu Li did provide a brand-new direction and line of thought for the Four-Joy Roll that Qin Huai had never thought of.

Qin Huai decided to come and ask Gu Li about the cloud patterns because Huang Huang Shengli had analyzed yesterday that Zheng Da would be gone for at least 6 days.

Qin Huai would be idle during these 6 days. Originally, he had planned to make Double Crab Buns and practice Lotus Root Starch Balls on the side, but plans couldn't keep up with changes; the Does Zhi Wei Ju crowd had arrived at light speed.

Qin Huai thought that since Gu Li made Ruyi Rolls every day, he must know more about cloud patterns than he did. "In a group of three, there must be a teacher for me." Usually, Master Qin pointed out Xiao Gu's cooking, and now it was Master Gu's turn to point out Xiao Qin's cloud patterns.

As it turned out, they discovered something new before even getting to the main topic; it was truly an unexpected joy.

Qin Huai stared at Gu Li, looking at him with expectant eyes, and asked: "I have a small favor to ask."

"Do you have time recently to guide... no, teach me how to make cloud patterns for the Four-Joy Roll?"

Gu Li had originally continued making pastries, but he was so startled by Qin Huai's words that he couldn't hold the chopsticks he was using to mix the filling steady, and they stuck directly into the filling in the basin.

Gu Li was already stunned. It took him a long time to open his mouth, emitting a voice that was almost ethereal: "Me... me?"

"Yes!" Qin Huai nodded affirmatively, "It's you!"

As a man of action, Qin Huai said he wanted to learn cloud patterns from Gu Li, and he wanted to start that very day.

During the lunch break, Qin Huai attempted to make the Four-Joy Roll for the first time.

Admittedly, Qin Huai hadn't figured out the recipe for the Four-Joy Roll and couldn't see the video tutorial. Zheng Da wasn't there, so he couldn't teach Qin Huai how to make it, and Zheng Zheng Siyuan didn't know how to make this pastry at all.

But that didn't hinder Qin Huai's first attempt.

Because Shi Dadan's description was actually quite clear.

As Xu Nuo's good friend, Shi Dadan had seen Xu Nuo make Four-Joy Rolls many times. When he was telling Qin Huai about the process of making them, he was able to clearly explain everything he had seen and understood.

Therefore, Qin Huai knew the general process and the prototype of the Four-Joy Roll. In a way, this was a bit like restoring an ancient recipe—knowing the general process but not the specific techniques, which required contemplation.

Qin Huai tried his best to replicate it according to Shi Dadan's description.

Making a flower roll is simple, making a flower roll with filling is also simple, and making a flower roll with filling divided into upper and lower layers is also simple. But making a flower roll with filling divided into upper and lower layers that reveals cloud patterns with a single cut is very difficult.

This cloud pattern directly made the process of spreading the filling, pressing it firm, rolling, and reverse-rolling very difficult.

Qin Huai let Gu Li stand on the side and point out any problems with his cloud patterns at any time.

Gu Li was under extreme pressure, but he was a man of few words and usually had no expression, so it was hard for others to tell.

It didn't matter; Tan Tan Weian could tell.

Tan Tan Weian not only could tell, but he was also very excited, and he stood directly beside Gu Li, excited.

"Wow, isn't this the scene of my dreams? I rarely even dream that I can stand beside Qin Huai and guide him in making pastries. At most, I dream that Qin Huai respectfully calls me 'Master Tan,' then asks me for advice, praises how delicious my pastries are, and says he admires me so much."

"Junior brother, you have something to brag about when you go back this time. If this happened to me, I would brag about it for at least 10 years."

"If it weren't for Qin Huai forbidding it, I would really love to take a camera and record this historic lesson."

To Tan Tan Weian's words, Gu Li very rarely stammered: "Se... senior brother, stop talking."

When he said this, Gu Li even tugged on Tan Tan Weian's sleeve, signaling him not to get so excited that he started dancing around.

Tan Tan Weian didn't care about his junior brother's life or death at all and continued to be excited: "If I had known Qin Huai would have a day where he wanted to learn cloud-patterned pastries, I would have practiced diligently a few years ago. No, that's not right, I didn't even know Qin Huai a few years ago. Never mind, it's not important. Junior brother, hurry up and see if there are any problems with the Four-Joy Roll Qin Huai is making. If there are, point them out quickly; you won't get another chance like this."

Gu Li almost wanted to dig a hole and bury himself. While staring at Qin Huai making the Four-Joy Roll, he said: "Senior brother, Master Qin is still mixing the filling, I can't tell yet. I don't even know how to make this Four-Joy Roll."

Tan Tan Weian was already immersed in his own fantasies and couldn't extricate himself, the corners of his mouth rising wildly and unable to be pressed down: "If it were me, I would at least call Qin Huai 'Xiao Qin' a few times just to satisfy my craving."

Gu Li looked at Tan Tan Weian in despair, feeling that his senior brother had gone crazy.

He wanted to guide Qin Huai and was crazy about usurping the position of the leader of the 'Feeling' school.

Gu Li could only stare at Qin Huai making the pastry. He really didn't understand the Four-Joy Roll, but Gu Li had studied the Ruyi Roll for so many years that he still knew a lot about cloud patterns.

When Qin Huai was spreading the filling layer by layer on the dough, Gu Li spoke up for the first time to stop him: "Master Qin, your filling might be a little too thick. Your method for this Four-Joy Roll is to roll it forward and then reverse-roll it. If the filling is this thick, the cloud patterns won't come out."

Qin Huai hurriedly corrected it.

When it came time to roll forward, Gu Li spoke again: "Master Qin, your arc is too rigid. It needs to be a bit more exaggerated, otherwise, it will be very troublesome when reverse-rolling."

Qin Huai hurriedly corrected it.

Soon, Gu Li spoke again: "Master Qin, your..."

Qin Huai hurriedly corrected it.

Huang Huang Shengli stood in the distance and silently took a photo to send to Zheng Da.

Huang Huang Shengli: Is your neighbor's dog's gastroenteritis better? If it's better, come over when you have time. If you don't teach Xiao Qin the Four-Joy Roll, there are plenty of others who will; Gu Li is already teaching him.

Zheng Da, who was at home thinking about life and avoiding reality:???

Who?

Gu Li???

He's teaching Qin Huai the Four-Joy Roll???

(End of chapter)