Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 822 - 412: Vacation (Part 2)

"Of course, the share of snacks will be given to you as usual. I also checked with Huang Ji about the share they give you, and we’ll settle it monthly at the same rate."

"Regarding the menu you just sent me for tomorrow, I’ve contacted the restaurant. These dishes were recommended to you by Xiao Tan, right? You can try these dishes on the first day, but that restaurant has many other signature dishes. I recommend that starting the day after tomorrow, you try more of their other dishes. Or if there’s any restaurant you like, like today’s dumpling restaurant, feel free to let me know, and I can help with the arrangements."

"Is there anything else you’d like to ask?"

"No," replied Qin Huai.

His only question was whether the masters who came to Zhiwei Restaurant for exchange were all reluctant to leave, wishing to stay forever as the Master.

Being a Master at Zhiwei Restaurant was just too comfortable; no wonder everyone seemed so relaxed. It’s hard not to be relaxed here.

"Then I’ll look forward to meeting you at Zhiwei Restaurant at 9 AM tomorrow morning." Boss Su ended the call with the standard courteous customer service tone and response, as if handling a customer inquiry.

After hanging up the phone, Qin Huai sat on the sofa in a daze for a long time.

The exchange at Zhiwei Restaurant was actually like this; Qin Huai really hadn’t expected it.

What kind of place was Zhiwei Restaurant? The most famous pastry restaurant, the gathering place of the greatest, whether they succeeded outside or not, they were undoubtedly the best, with competition getting more intense all the time.

Saying you’ve come out from Zhiwei Restaurant would always make people look at you with respect and compliment you: "You must be able to endure hardships."

Qin Huai always thought his days at Zhiwei Restaurant would be filled with endless snack-making, day and night, turning him into the image of Guli.

He had mentally prepared himself for this.

For the Finger Skill, for the Four Happiness Rolls, for the task of Shi Dadan, Qin Huai had prepared to work tirelessly at Zhiwei Restaurant.

But then Su Qi told him there was no need, just come to work every day at 9 in the morning.

What was the concept of a 9 AM start? Qin Huai never started work at 9 in his life. After all, he came from a breakfast shop background.

On days when Qin Huai overslept, he would start work at around 8:30. Starting at 9 was really beyond his imagination.

What kind of heavenly days are these?

Qin Huai began to ponder, could this be his destiny?

Trying to improve Skill Levels and ending up improving the Filling technique, wanting to improve thickening and instead improving Knife Skills, and despite always speaking the truth, his proficiency in Lie skyrocketed. Thinking he came for a grueling boot camp only to be told to relax because it’s a resort for rest.

Qin Huai didn’t understand. He chose to initiate a video conference in the "Loving Family" group to discuss this issue with everyone.

Luo Jun scoffed at this, thinking Qin Huai’s brain was broken. He, an experienced individual, had limited time and felt his precious TV-watching time was being wasted by such nonsense.

Qu Jing thought it was nice for Qin Huai to relax and unwind at Zhiwei Restaurant as she recently couldn’t find time to rest. The hospital was unusually busy lately. Despite the professional troublemaker Luo Jun no longer causing trouble, there were now at least 20 more troublemakers. Qu Jing was overwhelmed with complaints daily.

Luo Jun was infuriated upon hearing this, feeling it intolerable that someone took over his role, and immediately declared he would visit the hospital the next day to confront those troublemakers and see what they’re made of.

Chen Huihong became curious about how Luo Jun used to make trouble as she hadn’t seen it firsthand.

Luo Jun began to narrate.

Qu Jing added her input.

Chen An joined the chat.

Shi Dadan was eating wontons, listening while eating, unable to speak and remained silent throughout.

No one was concerned about Qin Huai, and neither was Qin Huai very concerned himself. He was completely absorbed in Luo Jun’s troublemaking stories and sincerely thought Qu Jing was indeed the backbone of their hospital. No wonder the hospital leadership valued her so much; managing Luo Jun was no ordinary feat, even if she were a spirit, she was no ordinary spirit.

Toward the end of the chat, Shi Dadan suddenly asked, "Qin Huai, when you’re at Zhiwei Restaurant, will you be working directly under Master Zhou or just conversing with him?"

Hearing this, Qin Huai was almost moved to tears. He had forgotten who initiated the call, but Shi Dadan, who had been eating wontons, actually remembered.

Is this the Dang Kang? Is this the auspicious beast?

So touching, family!

"I’m not really sure; probably I’ll mainly be exchanging with Master Zhou. I came to Zhiwei Restaurant primarily for Master Zhou," replied Qin Huai. "I’ll know more specifics tomorrow."

"Old Shi, how many more days will you be eating in Gusu? When are you coming to Hangzhou?"

"Probably another seven or eight more days," said Shi Dadan. "I haven’t been to Hangzhou before, so I’m not familiar with the restaurants there. I’ll need to inquire and plan what to eat before heading over."

Qin Huai: 6

After ending the enjoyable video call, Qin Huai briefly washed up and then lay in bed blissfully playing on his phone for hours, staying up unusually late until midnight, fully experiencing what holiday happiness means, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day at 8:55, Qin Huai arrived punctually at the side entrance of Zhiwei Restaurant.

Qin Huai pushed open the door, headed straight for the changing room to get dressed, and at 8:59, he made a grand entrance.

Yesterday, Su Qi had told Qin Huai that Zhiwei Restaurant’s operating hours started at 9 AM. This schedule meant most employees were already at the restaurant by around 7 AM starting their work, and when Qin Huai entered the kitchen, it was bustling with activity, a hive of busyness and action.

"Hello, Master Qin." A familiar-looking apprentice, whose name Qin Huai still couldn’t recall, greeted him instinctively when he saw Qin Huai, realizing this wasn’t the custom at Zhiwei Restaurant, he quickly closed his mouth.

Though Qin Huai couldn’t remember his name, he remembered the snacks he made and asked, "How’s your sugar cake? Did you make any today?"

This question almost brought tears to the apprentice’s eyes.

Master Qin remembered him; he remembered his sugar cake!

Nearby apprentices busily working were stunned, looking up to Qin Huai and then glaring at the sugar cake apprentice with faces saying, "So you were living such good days at Yunzhong Restaurant behind our backs?"

"I did, I did!" The apprentice hurriedly replied.

"Then bring a piece over for me to try later," Qin Huai said casually.

He really did want to try the sugar cake.

"Did the one who usually makes the soup dumplings make them today? If he did, please tell him to bring half a basket over for me to try as well later."

"Alright, Master Qin!" The sugar cake apprentice’s voice was choked with emotion.

Qin Huai began to search for Master Zhou, but before he could, Master Zhou had already spotted him. Master Zhou strode toward Qin Huai, with a warm, kindly smile that was twice as kind as yesterday, though still not as kind as Master Hua’s.

"How did you sleep last night?" Master Zhou asked gently.

Qin Huai replied respectfully, "Slept well. What should I do now, Master Zhou? Should I make some of the snacks I’m good at for you to see, or would you like to assign me something specific?"

Seeing Qin Huai’s eagerness to make snacks, Master Zhou’s smile broadened, and he waved his hand, "No rush, this morning you’ll follow me and observe how Su Qian and the others make snacks."

"Eh?" Qin Huai wasn’t expecting this setup.

"Many things can be learned by observing, without needing to do them yourself. Your basic skills are fine, but your Finger Skill is lacking because no one has taught you hands-on."

"For you, practicing isn’t the main thing; it’s more about learning to observe."

"I have the fewest direct disciples here at Zhiwei Restaurant, just three of them, and Su Qian who hasn’t taken on any disciples yet. Before the morning meeting, your job is to watch how they make snacks, and if you have questions, feel free to ask anytime."

"Have you had breakfast? I came early today and wrapped some soup dumplings; they should be ready in two or three minutes. I heard from Xiao Tan that you like them for breakfast."

Qin Huai: !

Starting the day with soup dumplings made by Master Zhou, what a divine day, was he dreaming?

Suddenly, Qin Huai didn’t feel like eating the sugar cake or the other apprentice’s soup dumplings anymore.

Is this what vacation feels like? It’s so delightful!