Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 987 - 484: Return to Shan City

On the second day, Qin Huai's banana dumplings and orange dumplings visibly improved.

They continued to improve on the third day.

Improvements were sustained on the fourth day.

On the fifth day, progress was still evident.

Zhao Cheng'an was stunned, though during working hours Qin Huai was taught by Master Zhou, and after hours he received one-on-one theoretical knowledge guidance from Zhao Cheng'an. Given his talent, improvement was only natural, but the pace of progress was extremely consistent.

Consistent progress, seriously, does that even sound like human speech?

At this point, someone might ask why Qin Huai was able to make progress every day. It's because he has a lot of space to improve. Even after seven days of continuous progress, he still has ample room for improvement.

But Qin Huai can only improve to this extent for now, not because the progress bar is stuck but because he's about to conclude his exchange at Zhiwei Restaurant and return to Huishan City.

It's August 20th, Cheng Gong is on his annual leave, and everyone is gathering at Luo Jun's house for a tea party with full attendance. Zhao Cheng'an's condition still flares up occasionally, and he's eager to go to Shan City to seek advice from awakened seniors about effectively blending past and present experiences, ideally to extract the essence and discard the dross.

Just thinking about boarding the plane to Shan City makes Zhao Cheng'an excited. His face is full of enthusiasm and joy, which, in Master Zhou's eyes, appears as excitement over a leisurely lifestyle about to start by his less ambitious apprentice.

Master Zhou looked at Zhao Cheng'an with disapproval, shook his head and ignored him, turning instead to Qin Huai with heartfelt advice: "Xiao Qin, while you've been at Zhiwei Restaurant for a few months, you haven't truly learned much. Hard-earned progress only came recently, and you're already going back. Ah."

"You have businesses in Shan City, and I can't hold you back from making money. You are always welcome at Zhiwei Restaurant for exchanges whenever you have time. Little Su said his apartment will be left empty for you, so come and stay whenever you're free."

Boss Su quickly chimed in: "Yes, yes, it's not only for Master Qin; Xiao An can come to Zhiwei Restaurant whenever she has time. We need fresh blood to inspire ordinary apprentices. But why isn't Xiao An flying back with you and instead taking the high-speed train?"

Qin Huai replied: "An Youyou has too much luggage. Her checked baggage would be overweight on a plane, and she's reluctant to pay for it, nor does she want to incur extra costs by mailing her luggage back. I booked a high-speed train ticket for her, so she's taking that back."

"On her way here, she borrowed three or four suitcases from colleagues. Mailing them risks damaging the luggage, and since she brought so many suitcases from Shan City to Hangzhou alone, returning with them shouldn't be a big issue. I've arranged for someone to pick her up at the high-speed train station."

Boss Su realized this and remarked: "Xiao An really knows how to endure hardships."

She truly is a remarkable trooper to have by your side for exchanges!

When Qin Huai first exchanged at Zhiwei Restaurant, Boss Su didn't go to the high-speed train station to welcome him due to a meeting. Now, as Qin Huai leaves, Boss Su didn't even hold a meeting and insisted on seeing him off at the airport, volunteering to drive everyone there.

While Zhao Cheng'an waited for Qin Huai to pick him up at the community entrance, he was startled to find Boss Su driving, fearing Su had revoked his leave and had personally come to inform him to stay at Zhiwei Restaurant and keep working.

"Xiao Qin, about what you mentioned last time…" Boss Su started to speak but was stopped by Master Zhou's disapproving gaze, and he silently swallowed his words, gesturing for Master Zhou to speak first.

Master Zhou cleared his throat and continued: "You're interested in practicing dumplings and want to develop in this direction, which pleases me. Few chefs are willing to spend time honing dumpling skills nowadays. Making a simple Three Meat Bun or Five Fillings Bun can easily sell for dozens, while you could have a few stacks of buns ready by the time you finish a dumpling. Even if dumplings are delightful and luxurious, they can't really fetch thousands apiece."

"Without genuine passion in this area, very few are willing to invest time in this craft."

"But dumpling practice isn't about achieving mastery overnight. Even once you've mastered bananas and oranges, there are peaches next, and just among fruits, there are many types. Not to mention nuts like walnuts and red dates. Beyond that, there are artistic dumplings like golden pheasants, phoenixes, pandas, dragons, cranes for birthdays, which test both technical skill and imagination, along with a chef's personal taste and artistic sense, and are limitless with no upper limits. At that level, the objective isn't merely accuracy, as pastry can never truly taste like meat."

"Previously in Zhiwei Restaurant, I felt there wasn't much urgency. But now that you're leaving, I feel anxious, thinking there's still much to teach you. Although travel isn't as perilous as before, Shan City and Hangzhou are quite far apart. I think Xiao Tan's suggestion is good too. A community cafeteria can open anywhere. What if it opens by Zhiwei Restaurant? Little Su definitely wouldn't mind, right Little Su?" Master Zhou turned to Boss Su.

Boss Su, who was already lost in thought: Huh?

"No, no." Boss Su quickly stated, "Even if you open a community cafeteria across from Zhiwei Restaurant, or a Bai'an Restaurant, what of it? We would be friendly competitors, mutually pushing each other for progress."