Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 1059 - 516: Master Qin Would Never Fool Anyone

"So Uncle Wang, you feel that the potato dumplings have too rich of an ingredient mix, unlike what you had before."

"But this direction is correct. The potato dumplings you love are just potatoes diced, mixed with sesame oil and stir-fried; this type of filling is more flavorful. It doesn't have the hard texture of shredded potatoes and is a bit floury, but because it's sautéed in oil, it's aromatic. It doesn't feel like eating vegetables; it's similar to baby food, right?"

"The ingredients weren't that rich, but the flavor wasn't bland, indicating there are some strong-flavored ingredients inside."

"Did not dip in vinegar, indicating..."

"Didn't dip in vinegar because I didn't have vinegar at the time," Wang Gen Sheng quickly interrupted Qin Huai's comprehension, "I was living in the employee dormitory of the cotton mill, a 4-person room, and I was the only non-local; the other three roommates went home for the New Year."

"I didn't have vinegar; the only bottle of vinegar in the dorm belonged to a roommate and was locked in the cupboard, so I didn't dip it in vinegar. At the time, it tasted good without vinegar, and later, to save vinegar, I just didn't use it."

Wang Gen Sheng's words gave Qin Huai another thought: "To save vinegar... It seems the ingredients in the potato dumplings you ate before were relatively cheap, and the affordable ingredients from Gusu are..."

Wang Gen Sheng: ?

Can you even comprehend that?

Qin Huai continued his analysis while Zhao Cheng'an beside him was dumbfounded, forgetting to slack off.

"Uncle Wang just said it's roughly right but the taste is a bit off, and the ingredients seem a bit much, pretty fragrant, right? How could Qin Huai deduce so much from that? How did he analyze it?!"

Qin Huai retorted, "You don't get it. Although Uncle Wang says little, each sentence is a point of information; you need to listen carefully. I understand Uncle Wang's way of expressing; for us who aren't good at expressing, each sentence is crucial."

Gong Liang laughed and agreed, "That's right, Xiao Zhao. If you want to learn to communicate with people, you need to learn to understand the meaning beyond the literal words, which is more important."

"But with your current level, maybe start with the literal meaning first."

Zhao Cheng'an: ? You're personally attacking me!

Shi Dadan was completely focused away from Zhao Cheng'an. Wang Gen Sheng had been eating potato dumplings all afternoon because he had limited capacity for true tasting; what he couldn't finish went into Shi Dadan's plate, and Shi Dadan would clean it up.

Normally, if Ouyang were there, he'd also be responsible for some of the cleanup, but Ouyang went home to eat with his parents today and left early.

As Ouyang was leaving, Qin Huai packed up all the poorly-made morning potato dumplings for him. Ouyang was deeply touched, considering Qin Huai truly his good brother, giving him all of these limited-edition snacks instead of sharing them.

Qin Huai was also touched, not expecting that Ouyang genuinely liked them.

According to Ouyang, although these potato dumplings can get a bit greasy if you eat too many, when eaten alone they have a distinct charm. Anyway, dumplings can be kept in the freezer for a long time, boiling two dumplings for a snack every night is simply a perfect day.

Qin Huai didn't understand but made Ouyang another tray of Elm Bark Steamed Buns, advising him to pair them with dumplings in the evening and reminding him not to share such delicacies with his parents, to eat alone.

He suggested letting his uncle and aunt enjoy more of the Four Happiness glutinous rice, Five Fillings Bun, Yam Cake, Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, Four Happiness Dumplings, and Crab Shell Cake—ordinary snacks without special flavors.

Qin Huai hoped Ouyang takes his advice, wanting to see a complete Ouyang tomorrow.

Otherwise, Ouyang could squander the exclusive recipe shared by a good brother with employees, bringing home unpleasant snacks to harm his biological parents...

Thinking his buddy wouldn't survive the night, hence the public outcry.

Shi Dadan opened his mouth, stuffed a dumpling in, chewed, and swallowed.

"The common and cheap winter ingredients in Gusu... are probably only water celery, winter bamboo shoots, and small fish and shrimp from the river."

"Winter bamboo can be dug in the countryside, a large bag with no cost. The small fish and shrimp can be caught in the river without cost; then there's radish and cabbage, both common and inexpensive winter ingredients," said Shi Dadan.

Wang Gen Sheng was somewhat surprised: "Old Shi, aren't you from Guangdong Province? How are you so clear about Gusu back then? During that time, indeed, only these foods were cheap in winter; for winter bamboo shoots, even a trip to the suburbs or countryside was necessary; the back-and-forth was quite troublesome. Small fish and shrimp were just casually caught in the river; they didn't have much meat and were fishy without heavy seasoning and oil."

"Condiments were more expensive than fish and shrimp back then, so instead of going to that trouble, it was better to put together a few more cardboard boxes."

Shi Dadan lied with open eyes: "Because I work in the seafood business, so I'm quite knowledgeable."

Wang Gen Sheng: ? Is there any connection between this? But Old Shi said it, so there must be a connection.

Only then did Qin Huai realize that Shi Dadan was quite suited for lying too; his honest and straightforward image was deeply rooted. As long as he acts convincingly while lying, without getting nervous first, the person deceived won't delve deeply and will subconsciously believe him.

This is the advantage of the famous honest person.

Wang Gen Sheng's focus was on Qin Huai, seeing him using his phone memo to record just what he had said earlier, feeling quite embarrassed: "Master Qin, I just ate it, not particularly knowledgeable. And those potato dumplings, really... they're just ordinary dumplings, nothing special."

"Potato dumplings aren't like Double Crab Bun; I don't have the recipe, so you don't really have to research it..."

"Of course it's necessary!" Qin Huai interrupted Wang Gen Sheng with determination, "The information you provide is very important, and I think potato dumplings are worth exploring and researching."

"Double Crab Bun has its value, potato dumplings have their value too; food cannot be defined by taste to determine value."

"You know the level I make Double Crab Bun is only fair enough, pretty mediocre. That's because my current skills are just right for researching snacks like potato dumplings."

"I was worried I didn't know what to do before. If you hadn't mentioned potato dumplings, I'd be at a loss now. Your thoughts and suggestions are like sweet rain after a long drought, or meeting a friend in a foreign land, more than a timely rain, it's a gift in a snowstorm; I don't even know how to thank you."

Wang Gen Sheng's lips trembled with guilt, wishing he could engrave "undeserved reward" on his face: "No... not really."

"Really, very much so!" Qin Huai affirmed, "So please help me sincerely with the trial tasting of potato dumplings!"

"Your opinion is really important!"

Uncle Wang, this is your side quest; you need to nod and agree to pass!

Deeply moved by Qin Huai's words, Wang Gen Sheng nodded heavily: "Okay!"

"I will definitely taste carefully and write down food reviews!"

"...No need to write food reviews, it's better to recount instead."

Not far, holding a plate of potato dumplings and devouring them herself, An Youyou watched the changes in Wang Gen Sheng's expression before and after, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

An Youyou felt today's Uncle Wang somewhat resembled herself a while back.

How did she feel that Master Qin was fooling Uncle Wang?

Quickly shaking her head, An Youyou pushed the awful thought out of her mind.

How could Master Qin fool her? Master Qin is such a good boss, not only providing the employee dormitory in Yunzhong District but also allowing her to stay by his side daily to watch and learn the art of making snacks, furthermore training her as the successor of Yunzhong Restaurant.

Though Master Qin doesn't like to talk much and often lets Master Xiao Zhao do the explaining, An Youyou knows it's because Master Qin is too tired.

Master Qin would never fool people!

An Youyou thought it's just her overthinking and continued to bury her head in the potato dumplings.

Hehe, these dumplings are delicious. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

If only the filling had some cabbage, they'd be even better.