Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 775 - 393: Four Happiness Roll Research Task Force
No matter how absurd things got, Qin Huai indeed started learning the cloud pattern technique from Guli.
Qin Huai discovered that although Guli appeared silent and not very articulate, he was actually quite communicative.
His language was very concise and clear.
He would point out exactly where there was a problem.
If Guli thought Qin Huai’s cloud pattern roll was too wide, he would directly comment on the width. If he felt the filling was too thick, he’d say so. If he thought the reverse roll action was incorrect, he’d demonstrate directly. Although his demonstration wasn’t perfect, it generally allowed Qin Huai to see what was wrong.
He was a good teacher because he himself was like a collection of errors.
Qin Huai genuinely learned something.
Tan Wei’an was dumbfounded.
Tan Wei’an came with the intention to enjoy the show, thinking Qin Huai was just acting on a whim, getting excited, and pulling a stunt.
Who would have thought that he wanted to learn the cloud pattern technique from Guli.
What level was Guli at? How could Tan Wei’an, as his senior brother, not know? His dear junior brother had many strengths: mature, steady, never talks too much, hardworking, diligent — extremely diligent.
But his weaknesses were also obvious.
His skills.
What could Qin Huai learn from Guli when even Guli couldn’t make a good cloud pattern?
Yet, one dared to learn, the other dared to teach, and they started learning just like that.
Once again, Tan Wei’an felt he didn’t understand the world. He desperately wanted to find someone who could understand him and vent his feelings. He looked towards Zheng Siyuan and found Zheng Siyuan also listening to Guli, seemingly interested in studying the Four Happiness Rolls’ cloud pattern.
He looked at his good brother Zang Liang, only to find that Zang Liang was immersed in the communication of a meat chef and was completely unconcerned with what was happening here.
Tan Wei’an could only remain puzzled as he watched, and as he watched, he too got engrossed in the learning.
Hey, how did he not notice before that his dear junior brother seems to have genuinely put in a lot of work and research into the cloud pattern technique?
What Tan Wei’an didn’t know was that Guli teaching Qin Huai the cloud pattern technique not only shocked him but also deeply shocked everyone at Zhiwei Restaurant.
How should I put it, Guli and teaching people really don’t go together in a sentence.
Yet this absurd thing happened, and moreover, Guli was teaching Qin Huai, and seemingly teaching well. Because not only was Qin Huai learning, but even Tan Wei’an and Zheng Siyuan were picking it up.
Su Qian was so shocked that he did something against the rules of the master. He uncharacteristically went to the locker room during work hours, took out his phone, and messaged Boss Su about it.
Boss Su replied with a string of question marks and exclamation marks, expressing his shock.
No matter how shocked everyone was, the fact remained that this is what happened, and Guli’s teaching seemed rather effective.
At least that’s what Qin Huai thought.
Qin Huai looked at the first batch of pastries fresh out of the oven. They were severely botched, neither resembling the cloud pattern nor the Four Happiness Rolls, nor even anything recognizable, but somehow seemed like a new type of flower roll. He bit into one silently.
Hmm, keeping aside the fact that the pastry he made was actually meant to be Four Happiness Rolls, it tasted alright.
The ham bits were indeed the key ingredient.
Qin Huai ate silently and noticed that Guli, Zheng Siyuan, and Tan Wei’an didn’t budge, just watching him eat, seemingly waiting for his comments. He pointed to the other Four Happiness Rolls.
"Why don’t you guys try it? Although this Four Happiness Roll lacks the cloud pattern and the shape isn’t right, it doesn’t look like Four Happiness Rolls, but it tastes quite good."
The three of them: ?
They didn’t understand, but Tan Wei’an obediently picked up a Four Happiness Roll, stuffed it into his mouth, bit into it, chewed carefully, and his eyes lit up.
Tan Wei’an: !
"This thing looks so messed up, yet it’s so delicious!"
"How did you make it? When it came out of the pot, I thought it would taste terrible and didn’t even dare approach it." Saying this, Tan Wei’an chewed a few more times, "Isn’t it just some green onions and ham bits? Why is it so good?"
"Maybe it’s because the ham bits, green onions, and sesame oil are paired very well," Qin Huai said. "And what’s with ’just some green onions and ham bits’? Ham in pastries is already considered a very upscale ingredient. You don’t usually use ham bits for ordinary pastries."
"The complexity and luxury of the ingredients don’t determine the taste of pastries. Often, the simpler a pastry looks, the more reasonable and better tasting the combination, which is a very basic principle in pastry making, isn’t it? Tan Wei’an, how could you forget even this?"
Tan Wei’an: ...
Tan Wei’an looked at Qin Huai, full of ’how dare you ask me how I could forget this, have you ever considered the things we’ve been practicing recently.’
Do you think everyone can seamlessly switch from making high-end complex pastries back to simpler ingredient combinations like you? My brain hasn’t quite adjusted yet.
Tan Wei’an asked, "So, in some sense, could this be considered a successful Four Happiness Roll? Although the shape is so-so, and I didn’t see the cloud pattern, it tastes good. The dough and the filling inside are really something."
Qin Huai shook his head, "It’s still early."
"When I was chatting with Guli this morning, you weren’t there. The cloud pattern of the Four Happiness Rolls, although it doesn’t change the taste of the pastry much, maybe just a slight enhancement, it’s the soul of the pastry. Because with the cloud pattern, it’s a Four Happiness Roll; without it... it should be another kind of pastry."
"Maybe that’s what imperial snacks are — where meaning and shape are more important than taste," Qin Huai sighed, "If Guli hadn’t told me this morning, I wouldn’t have understood this reasoning."
Tan Wei’an: ???
What, does his dear junior brother have such profound knowledge in imperial snacks?
Junior brother, what have you been secretly studying all these years without me knowing? Haven’t I been watching all your hard work daily? What did I miss seeing?
Guli, seeing Qin Huai praising him like that, got a bit embarrassed and quietly took a Four Happiness Roll, retreating to the back, refusing to participate in the high-level discussion Qin Huai was having.
Zheng Siyuan, after eating half a Four Happiness Roll, commented, "Guli indeed has a deep understanding of the cloud pattern."
Then, Zheng Siyuan looked at Qin Huai, "So are we starting to study the Four Happiness Rolls right now? We don’t have to wait for my dad to come back?"
Qin Huai thought for a moment, "Master Zheng is probably still adjusting his mindset. We don’t need to bother him with this initial learning. I think Guli is teaching well. Let’s consult Master Zheng after we’ve initially grasped the cloud pattern."
Zheng Siyuan nodded, "That works."
"Is Guli available, though? Will the Four Happiness Rolls affect Guli’s regular snack-making progress? I see he’s always busy, making Ruyi Rolls, Golden Thread Shaomai, and other snacks every day."
After saying this, Zheng Siyuan looked at Guli, and Qin Huai also looked at Guli.
Guli, who just wanted to be a background character: ...
Guli could only nod emphatically, nervously saying, "I... I have time."
Seeing this situation, Tan Wei’an only wanted to rush over to Zang Liang, shake his shoulders, and roar:
Zang Liang, oh Zang Liang, what exactly have you been doing all this time? How could you forget your initial purpose for coming to Yunzhong Restaurant after joining Huang Ji? How did you get so engrossed in the meat cooking aspect that you left the small team, letting my junior brother take your spot!
Though it seems the Four Happiness Roll study team shouldn’t have a spot for Zang Liang anyway; this is purely a pastry task, unrelated to meat cooking.
Tan Wei’an took a look at Zang Liang, still immersed in meat cooking, and took a forlorn bite of a Four Happiness Roll.
Sigh, how did things end up like this?
