Chapter 395: Opportunity Knocks

That evening, Gong Liang's wife, Guo Mingzhu, tasted the meat-filled flower roll. Regarding this somewhat strangely shaped meat-filled flower roll, Guo Mingzhu gave it a high evaluation, stating that it was the most delicious flower roll she had ever eaten. She remarked that it was worthy of Master Xiao Qin, as he could even make a meat-filled flower roll taste this good.

Gong Liang truthfully relayed his wife's praise. While Qin Huai felt warm inside, he also felt a chill.

In her youth, Guo Mingzhu had likely eaten Four-Joy Rolls, but she hadn't recognized it at all.

Fortunately, he had been prepared. Don't ask; if you ask, it's just a flower roll.

That night, Qin Huai spent the entire night in his dreams reviewing the Four-Joy Roll.

The specific method of review was dreaming that he was making Four-Joy Rolls, making them exceptionally well and delicious, so much so that Zheng Da was stunned upon tasting them, weeping and lamenting that if he had been able to make Four-Joy Rolls like this back in the day, he wouldn't have been crazily dissed by his neighbors, and his reputation for making dim sum in his earlier years wouldn't have been so bad.

Qin Huai was finally woken up by the crying of the Zheng Da in his dream, to the point that when he woke up, Zheng Da's words of repentance in the dream still lingered in his ears.

"I was so foolish, truly. I only knew that the cloud patterns were important when making Four-Joy Rolls, and that the shape was important, but I didn't think the shape was *this* important. I started secretly practicing Four-Joy Rolls six months before the New Year, sinking half a year's wages into it, only for the finished product to be cursed by the neighbors from the first year to the second. I didn't do well the second year either, and they cursed me from the second year to the third."

The above words were all Gong Liang's description from last night. One could only say that Gong Liang's description was so vivid that Qin Huai had a mental image while listening, and he ended up dreaming about it that night.

Qin Huai was still ruminating on last night's dream while brushing his teeth.

Oh, it was truly spectacular—Master Zheng, broken and weeping.

After washing up, Qin Huai glanced at the time: 7:18 AM. It was neither early nor late. It took about 5 to 8 minutes to walk from his home to Huang Ji. Arriving at Huang Ji around 7:25 AM would be just in time to catch the first batch of breakfast.

Now that Huang Ji had Su Gan—a deputy team leader who was very good at guessing the master chef's thoughts and observing routines—as long as Qin Huai didn't arrive late or early due to unexpected circumstances, he could drink tea at the perfect temperature and eat the breakfast he wanted most the moment he stepped into the back kitchen.

Qin Huai smacked his lips, wondering what he wanted to eat today.

Should the first bite of breakfast be rice noodle rolls, soup-filled xiaolongbao, pan-fried buns, or hot dry noodles?

Wonton seemed good too, and red oil braised noodles were also worth a try.

Forget it, don't think about it. I'll see when I walk into the kitchen; Su Gan will definitely have it arranged.

Qin Huai had confidence in Su Gan.

Before leaving, Qin Huai took a cheese stick from the refrigerator and headed out to work.

On the way to Huang Ji, Qin Huai ran into quite a few regulars of Huang Ji who recognized him in the residential complex. There were office workers rushing to work, full-time housewives who had just returned from grocery shopping and were preparing to go home to do chores, and of course, even more elderly men and women.

This was an old residential complex; basically, no new residents moved in. Most young people with the ability had moved away, and the proportion of retired elderly people was even higher than in the Yunzhong complex.

Everyone greeted Qin Huai enthusiastically when they saw him.

Qin Huai didn't know if the news of Master Xiao Qin's limited-time return had spread throughout the entire Huang Ji dining circle, but at least it had spread throughout this complex, and everyone had tasted Qin Huai's new products.

Compared to the previous fermented rice steamed buns and premium San Ding Bao, the sales of the Double Crab Bun were not as good as those two.

It was understandable; the price of the Double Crab Bun was simply too expensive. Gritting one's teeth to buy one for a taste was fine, but eating it every day was really not something the average working class could afford.

Plus, Zheng Da had been stimulated that day and had fiercely made Double Crab Buns for a whole day, basically satisfying the demand from both new and old customers. Therefore, there was no rush-buying frenzy that the Huang Ji team leader had worried about. Huang Ji's business had indeed improved over the past two days due to Qin Huai's limited-time return, but it wasn't exaggerated, and it certainly hadn't reached the level of popularity seen during the New Year's Day "Zhi Wei" publication.

Qin Huai, while reviewing the method of rolling cloud patterns in his mind, walked with light steps to the Huang Ji back kitchen, changed his clothes, and walked in, only to see a scene he had never imagined.

He saw Zheng Da in the back kitchen.

The living Zheng Da.

Zheng Da, who had changed into the back kitchen staff uniform, and at a glance, one could tell he intended to work in the kitchen.

Qin Huai suspected he hadn't woken up from his dream yet, that he was still dreaming. Otherwise, it was hard to explain why Zheng Da would appear in the Huang Ji back kitchen before him at 7:24 AM, standing next to Gu Li, muttering as if giving pointers on something.

Qin Huai scanned the kitchen and found that Tan Weian hadn't arrived yet.

That's right, Tan Weian hadn't even arrived at this hour, so how did Zheng Da get here?!

Is this reasonable?

Am I really not dreaming?

"Master Qin, your tea. This cup is Phoenix Dancong. If you don't like it, there is also Lu'an Melon Seed and Longjing."

Qin Huai took the teacup and nodded, indicating that anything was fine; as long as it was tea brewed by the apprentices of Zhi Wei Ju, he was satisfied. Because he actually couldn't tell exactly what kind of tea it was; he could only tell that the flavors between different teas indeed seemed a bit different.

Qin Huai held the teacup and stretched his neck to look toward Zheng Da. Zheng Da didn't notice Qin Huai had arrived at all; all his attention was focused on Gu Li.

Qin Huai could tell from far away that the dim sum Gu Li was making was the Ruyi Roll, which Gu Li made every morning during this period.

Qin Huai walked toward Zheng Da with very light footsteps. A Zhi Wei Ju apprentice who lacked social awareness wanted to bring breakfast for Qin Huai to taste, but was directly blocked by Su Gan, who signaled with his eyes not to make a sound now, so as not to disturb Master Xiao Qin's important business.

Qin Huai's important business was eavesdropping.

He saw Zheng Da frowning. In that frown, there was 30% confusion, 50% contempt, and 20% "is that it?". Basically, all of Zheng Da's emotions and expressions were concentrated in this frown.

Gu Li didn't notice at all, because he didn't look up at Zheng Da; he was focused on lowering his head to roll the cloud patterns of the Ruyi Roll.

When Gu Li was teaching Qin Huai to roll the cloud patterns of the Four-Joy Roll yesterday, he had told Qin Huai that the cloud patterns of the Four-Joy Roll were slightly harder to make than ordinary cloud patterns because they required forward rolling and reverse rolling. However, they were much simpler than the Ruyi Roll, because the Ruyi Roll was fried, while the Four-Joy Roll was steamed.

No matter what kind of dim sum it was, steamed dim sum was relatively simpler because steamed dim sum didn't have high requirements for heat control.

With Gu Li's current level, he couldn't make an authentic Ruyi Roll at all, nor could he make the cloud patterns of the Ruyi Roll well. Therefore, Qin Huai could understand the 50% contempt and 20% "is that it?" in Zheng Da's eyes, but where did that 30% confusion come from?

Confused about how Gu Li could make the Ruyi Roll like this?

That's understandable; the Ruyi Roll had already been lost, and with Gu Li's current level, being able to make the Ruyi Roll like this could already be considered very hardworking.

Qin Huai held the teacup and stared at Zheng Da. Finally, after frowning for seventeen seconds, Zheng Da couldn't hold back and said, "How can you roll it like this?"

"I also ate Master Tan's Ruyi Roll back in the day. That needs to be fried. How can the cloud patterns set by high-temperature frying and the cloud patterns of steamed dim sum be the same rolling method?" This was the clearest time Zheng Da had expressed himself.

But it soon became unclear.

"You can't roll it like this; you have to roll it like that. Your arc is too exaggerated, and this egg skin, how can you spread it like that just now? Rolling cloud patterns also requires finesse. Do you know what finesse is? With your rolling method, you have to cut it after frying and setting it. How can you see the cloud patterns?"

Gu Li stopped his movements and humbly asked for advice: "Master Zheng, what should I do? I know there is a problem with what I made, but... I really don't know where my problem lies."

"It's just... didn't I tell you just now? You have problems everywhere!"

Gu Li continued to humbly ask for advice: "I understood everything you said just now, so where is the problem in this step?"

"It's just where I was talking just now. Your movement is too exaggerated. Making dim sum requires flexibility, not rigidity. You already had a problem when you were spreading the egg skin earlier. When there is a problem at that step, you have to correct it and fix the problem at this step. As a result, not only did you not correct it, but you also followed the old method. This old method is still the wrong method. How can the finished product not have problems?" Zheng Da was so anxious he wished he could do it for Gu Li himself, but he didn't know how to make Ruyi Rolls, so he couldn't.

"With your level of making cloud patterns, how did you teach Qin Huai and the others yesterday?" Zheng Da finally asked the question he had been holding in his heart, almost saying, "You really dare to teach, and they really dare to learn." "Did you teach like that just now?" "Is that right?"

"Is that how cloud patterns are made?"

"Do you know how to make Four-Joy Rolls?"

"I don't." Gu Li said honestly. As soon as he looked up and saw Qin Huai, he wanted to speak, but was stopped by Qin Huai's eyes, signaling Gu Li to pretend he didn't see him and continue talking.

Although Gu Li's acting skills weren't great, he excelled in having no expression, so his poor acting couldn't be seen.

Gu Li continued: "Master Qin knows how to make Four-Joy Rolls. He knows the general process and the recipe, just not the cloud patterns."

"My level of making cloud patterns is indeed not good, but I know what good cloud patterns look like. After all, I saw my master make many Ruyi Rolls in the past few years, and my master also taught me hand-in-hand, so that's how I taught yesterday."

Zheng Da muttered in a low voice: "Isn't this just messing around?"

"Cloud patterns are considered a very difficult technique in any dim sum. If you practice like this and develop a habit, you won't be able to change it later. How can you mess around like this? Siyuan doesn't stop you either, and even follows you to learn. How did I give birth to such a son?"

Hearing Zheng Da's muttering, Gu Li didn't dare to speak. Qin Huai knew it was time for his shining entrance, so he could only pretend to have just walked over and asked: "Master Zheng, you came so early today!"

"I just heard you say something about cloud patterns, messing around. Do you know about us studying cloud patterns together yesterday? I originally wanted to ask for your advice, but didn't you have to take care of the dog at home yesterday? I was afraid of disturbing you, so I thought I'd let Gu Li lead us to practice simply first, so we could build a foundation ourselves, so as not to trouble you to teach from scratch later."

Qin Huai's sudden voice startled Zheng Da. Zheng Da jumped, his mouth faster than his brain: "It's not the dog at home, it's my neighbor's. I just didn't want to come yesterday."

Qin Huai:...

Zheng Da:...

Gu Li:?

For a moment, the scene became somewhat awkward.

Zheng Da hurriedly explained: "It's not that I didn't want to come, it's mainly because I wasn't feeling well yesterday. Yes, not feeling well! Ouch, this shoulder pain. I'm too old, and suddenly making dim sum for so long, my body couldn't take it. I lay at home all day yesterday to rest."

"I was thinking that Xiao Qin, you were still waiting to learn Four-Joy Rolls, so I came early this morning, even earlier than Siyuan, right Siyuan?" Zheng Da said loudly.

Zheng Siyuan gave Zheng Da a look, nodded very reluctantly, and said: "Yes, my dad came early in the morning, but he didn't have the key, so he waited at the door for me to come and open it."

Zheng Da straightened his back proudly.

Qin Huai knew what Zheng Da wanted to hear most at this time, so he cooperated and said what Zheng Da wanted to hear most: "Wow, Master Zheng, you actually came so early today, that's really hard work!"

"I didn't expect you to still remember the Four-Joy Roll. It would be great if you have time today. We are all waiting for when you are free to come and give us pointers on making Four-Joy Rolls."

Zheng Da was called "Master Zheng" by Qin Huai and felt refreshed. Just as he was about to say that he happened to be free today and would give some pointers, he suddenly realized: "You all?"

"Several?"

"Yes, me, Siyuan, Tan Weian, and Gu Li. We are all very interested in Four-Joy Rolls, especially Gu Li. He is the one who knows the most about cloud patterns among us. We are all counting on him to learn first and then teach us."

Gu Li:?

Is there such a thing? How come he didn't know?

Zheng Da didn't expect the development of things to exceed his expectations. He was a bit flustered, but still pretended to be calm and said: "Small matter. Cloud patterns are difficult if you say they are difficult, and simple if you say they are simple. What your Master Zheng is best at is cloud patterns. When I learned Four-Joy Rolls back then, I could make very beautiful Four-Joy Rolls as soon as I started. My master, who is Siyuan's grandmaster, couldn't stop praising my Four-Joy Rolls. If you don't believe me, ask your Master Huang."

Qin Huai nodded frantically in agreement.

Zheng Da rejoiced in his heart. Fortunately, he had been prepared. He only slept for three hours last night, and spent the rest of the time temporarily practicing Four-Joy Rolls. He finally made a batch that was decent enough to bluff people.

Oh, these damn cloud patterns, they really aren't made by humans!

Thinking this, Zheng Da yawned.

Qin Huai hurriedly asked with concern: "Master Zheng, did you not rest well? Or are you hungry?"

Seemingly two options, but in reality, there was only one answer. Zheng Da said without hesitation: "Hungry."

Qin Huai began to look for Su Gan, eyes meeting, asking with his eyes if there was breakfast.

Su Gan signaled to everyone, and the Zhi Wei Ju apprentices swarmed over with various breakfasts, each saying something different.

"Master Qin, this is red date steamed cake, which you praised last time."

"Master Zheng, eat some hot dry noodles to pad your stomach first!"

"Master Zheng, are you interested in fresh shrimp wontons?"

"Master Qin, xiaolongbao!"

Zheng Da was a bit overwhelmed by the breakfast. Qin Huai very skillfully tasted them one by one, then took away the soup-filled xiaolongbao he wanted to eat most this morning, and went to his own cooking station to start making lotus root starch balls.

Four-Joy Rolls had to be learned, and lotus root starch balls could not be neglected either.

Qin Huai could already tell from Zheng Siyuan's eyes just now that Zheng Siyuan hadn't made wontons this morning and was waiting to eat chicken soup noodles and lotus root starch balls.

After all, if Master Xiao Zheng had any interest in tasting breakfast, as long as he showed a little bit, with one look from Su Gan, Master Xiao Zheng would already be hiccuping now.

Qin Huai planned to make lotus root starch balls first, then chicken soup noodles.

Zheng Siyuan had already helped Qin Huai knead the dough, and Qin Huai could see it.

Sure enough, when Qin Huai started shaking the balls, Zheng Siyuan walked over directly holding the dough.

"What stimulated Master Zheng? Why did he come today?" Qin Huai asked directly.

"It seems that yesterday, the senior fellow apprentice told my dad that Gu Li was teaching us how to make cloud patterns, and my dad broke down." Zheng Siyuan explained concisely, "He arrived at the Huang Ji door at 6:30 this morning and kept calling me to come and open the door."

"Gu Li came at 6:47. From the moment Gu Li started making Ruyi Rolls, my dad stood by his side and stared at him, picking faults, telling him this was wrong, that was wrong, this wouldn't work, that wouldn't work."

"It scared Gu Li so much that he came to ask me while my dad was in the bathroom if it was because he taught us how to make cloud patterns yesterday, and we two wanted to express our gratitude, so we specially invited my dad over today to give him pointers on making Ruyi Rolls."

Qin Huai:...

That's quite good. With this mindset, Gu Li will succeed in whatever he does.

"Then how long do you think Master Zheng's breakdown, arriving after 6 o'clock every morning, can last?"

"Today." Zheng Siyuan said decisively, "Opportunity knocks, don't let it pass. Seize the time today."

"Starting tomorrow, it will be good if you can see him before 12 o'clock noon."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 396 =====