Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle
Chapter 151 - 129: Finding the Feeling

Chapter 151: Chapter 129: Finding the Feeling

On the morning of the second day, the older folks gearing up for a big afternoon shopping spree and feast received the bad news that Qin Huai and Zheng Siyuan would be going on a business trip in the afternoon.

Mr. Xu and Mr. Cao were so angry that they wanted to go volunteer at the orphanage.

Mr. Xu and Mr. Cao were frustrated. So many older folks who do morning jogs, chat in the mornings, and stake out places in the afternoons, only a few are known by name.

The man surnamed Ding was no good, always carrying fermented rice with steamed buns through the streets, wandering around the district in the hot weather.

The man surnamed Wang was also no good, having private meals every few days, with the frequency of Crab Shell Cake falling almost becoming a routine. It was already annoying listening to him reminisce all the time, plus having to watch him eat while he reminisced.

Clearly, they both had names as well, but they didn’t get any private meals!

Even without private meals, Xu Tuqiang claimed that being from Yunzhong District means the cafeteria is right at his doorstep, giving him an advantage in staking out.

But Master Qin didn’t even give them a chance to stake out; he went on strike and went on a business trip!

What’s so special about the orphanage that it warrants Master Qin and Master Xiao Zheng going there together to make snacks? Could we wealthy gentlemen not raise funds for the orphanage?

Qin Huai couldn’t hear Xu Tuqiang’s complaints, but even if he did, he would only say:

Uncle Xu, let me push the WeChat of our Sanmalu Children’s Welfare Institute Director Qin to you!

Director Qin loves enthusiastic folks like you!

In order to make as many snacks as possible for the afternoon volunteering activity, Qin Huai and Zheng Siyuan sped up their snack-making, finished work early, had a quick and ordinary cafeteria meal, and drove to the orphanage.

"Why are we going to the orphanage specifically to make snacks?" This time it was Zheng Siyuan’s turn to sit in the passenger seat.

Qin Huai upheld the principle that every drive should yield something and thought that perhaps today, with Zheng Siyuan in the passenger seat, a side quest might unexpectedly appear, so he seriously began to make up a story.

"Making snacks at the orphanage has a certain vibe," said Qin Huai.

Zheng Siyuan: ?

"It’s like this, I mentioned before, didn’t I grow up in an orphanage?" Qin Huai began his performance.

Unaware, Zheng Siyuan nodded and agreed, "You’ve mentioned it, I remember your family’s breakfast shop was right across from the orphanage."

"My skills were taught by the orphanage director. With a shortage of staff, the kids all had to work. At that time, besides farming, my job was making buns."

"Since the day I made my first batch of buns, all the buns at the orphanage were made by me."

"It might sound like Director Qin was mistreating children, but you can’t entirely blame her. Mainly, her skills were just too bad. Back then, conditions weren’t as good as now; having a meat bun was considered a treat. To save money, Director Qin always made them herself."

"I’m not badmouthing her, but her skills were such that it was better to eat leftover food. Back then, I was the hope of the entire orphanage; everyone relied on me for buns, even after I was adopted, they counted on me for buns."

"After all, even though I was adopted, it was just moving across the street."

"All the big chubby kids at our Sanmalu Children’s Welfare Institute were fed buns I made."

Zheng Siyuan listened for a long time, feeling that Qin Huai was imitating Uncle Wang’s reminiscing, without catching any key points.

"So why are we going to the orphanage to make snacks?"

"To find the vibe," Qin Huai stated matter-of-factly, "Making snacks at the orphanage feels like returning to my alma mater where I grew up, very dear, very much a vibe."

"I’ve felt recently that I’ve hit a bottleneck in Fire Control, unlike before where there were daily improvements and new insights every day. Though I’ve been mainly practicing Finger Skill recently, I haven’t stopped practicing Fire Control, and I’ve kept up the broth-making minus yesterday afternoon, but I did fry the filling yesterday."

"With no progress for so long, I think it’s because I haven’t found the vibe, so I want to seize the chance while helping Mr. Luo check accounts to find the vibe at the orphanage."

Zheng Siyuan remained silent.

He really wanted to tell Qin Huai that he felt a daily improvement before because there was so much room for improvement, it was hard not to improve.

Now thinking he’s hit a bottleneck might also be an illusion, because at Qin Huai’s current level, hitting a bottleneck is unlikely.

But Zheng Siyuan kept those thoughts to himself.

He was a supporter of Huang Shengli’s encouraging teaching style, and mostly refrained from criticism, choosing instead to point out issues.

Zheng Siyuan started to point out issues: "I thought about it after I got back last night, called my dad to chat, and both my dad and uncle looked at the recipe. They feel the difficulty of the vibe is quite high, especially for you, it might be a bit challenging."

"The difficulty in Fire Control isn’t just seen in frying the filling, the slow-cooked part might be even harder than you imagine."

"I know." Qin Huai nodded.

It’s not like he hadn’t watched video tutorials; Jiang Weiming’s skill was evident, frying the filling was showy-high skill, slow-cooking was understated-masterful, one outward, one hidden, both extremely good.

As a pastry chef, Zheng Siyuan’s Fire Control level was quite good; the filling he made could only make a C-grade guo’er.

Thus, it highlights the skill of Jiang Weiming’s filling.

"I know that reaching the level required in the recipe is something I can’t achieve in the short term, maybe not even in a year or two. But practice needs to happen, if the vibe is lacking, I’ll look for the vibe; if the technique is lacking, I’ll practice the technique, today I’ll start by looking for the vibe."

Hearing Qin Huai say this, Zheng Siyuan confirmed that Qin Huai had a good mindset, and was reassured.

"I thought a lot last night, considering slightly modifying the recipe to match the level I can achieve. Later, we’ll fry the filling together, I want to try my method to see if it works."

"No." Qin Huai sternly refused, "I’m frying the filling this afternoon, you can try tomorrow."

"You’re almost becoming Brother Luoluo, while I’m Brother Two. If we both fry the filling this afternoon, then the kids at the orphanage might call you Brother Bao Bao, and I become Bao Bao Brother Two, absolutely not!"

Zheng Siyuan: ...

He really didn’t understand Qin Huai’s mysterious competitive spirit, couldn’t he be competitive about something else?

And is Brother Bao Bao a strange nickname?

On the road, Zheng Siyuan and Qin Huai chatted further about insights he had discussed with Zheng Da over the phone last night. Since Qin Huai wouldn’t let him fry the filling for a live lesson this afternoon, he could only teach orally, sharing little tips they worked out to prevent any mishaps in the afternoon.

Can’t let Bao Bao Brother’s reputation be tarnished.

At 1:17 PM, Qin Huai and Zheng Siyuan arrived at the orphanage.

The security guard at the gate still recognized Qin Huai and let them in without waiting for him to contact Director Qu. In the courtyard of the orphanage, kids gathered around playing, and upon seeing visitors, they craned their necks. Upon recognizing Qin Huai, the kids erupted in cheers.

"Brother Bao Bao!"

"Brother Bao Bao is here!"

"Time to eat baozi!"

Director Qu, hearing the commotion, hurriedly came out to greet them, and upon seeing Qin Huai, wore a smile identical to when welcoming Luo Jun last time, her voice beaming with warmth.

"Master Qin, we’ve been looking forward to your visit! Been eagerly waiting for you to come at long last!"

"The detailed accounts are ready and in my office, along with the receipts and documents. Would you like some tea? What kind of tea would you like? Black, green, oolong, or chrysanthemum tea? How’s Mr. Luo’s health? Is he still robust? I have several thank-you letters the kids wrote, could you kindly pass them along to Mr. Luo when you get back? We’re so grateful for Mr. Luo’s sponsorship!"

"Oh, by the way, who’s this?" After a round of smooth small talk, Director Qu turned her attention to Zheng Siyuan, her eyes lighting up upon seeing his Dior outfit.

"He’s our cafeteria’s Master Xiao Zheng, and upon hearing that I was coming to audit accounts and volunteer, he wanted to come help make snacks."

Upon hearing Zheng Siyuan had come to volunteer, Director Qu quickly said, "Thank you so much, Master Xiao Zheng, the orphanage needs kind young people like you. Last time, the baozi Master Qin made lasted the children five whole days, they loved them, I’ve never seen the kids so enthusiastic about meals!"

"It’s wonderful that you’re here to help, Master Xiao Zheng. Everything on the list Master Qin gave me has been bought, and it’s all in the kitchen. Would you like to come to my office for a cup of tea first, or...?"

"I’ll just go knead the dough in the cafeteria," Zheng Siyuan said sensibly, avoiding getting involved in the auditing.

Director Qu let a slightly older, seemingly smarter kid lead Zheng Siyuan to the kitchen and then accompanied Qin Huai to her office.

It was Qin Huai’s first time going to Director Qu’s office, trailing behind her.

Director Qu’s office was at the sunny but not very breezy corner on the south side of the first floor, and there was a faint moldy smell inside.

The room was small, with a desk, several bookshelves, and some scattered trinkets making it feel cluttered. On the desk were two file folders and a partially knitted colorful mitt, presumably files containing the meticulously organized receipts and bills by Director Qu.

Director Qu handed the file folders to Qin Huai and went outside to make tea.

Qin Huai glanced over them briefly.

He wasn’t actually skilled at auditing and could only do a rough comparison to see if any amounts were off. However, the orphanage’s education and medical expenses were areas Qin Huai was quite familiar with professionally; having grown up in an orphanage, even if he hadn’t eaten pork, he had seen pigs run, and he was roughly aware of the tuition fees for special schools.

After comparing it all, Qin Huai felt there were no issues with the accounts, everything was clear and straightforward.

"I’ve looked it over roughly, and there are no issues," Qin Huai said. "It’s currently rest and game time for the kids; I’ll visit them a bit later."

"Alright," Director Qu said with a smile, offering tea, "And the subsequent matters..."

"Since there are no issues with the accounts, and if the kids are alright, Mr. Luo will, of course, make the subsequent donations on schedule," Qin Huai stated.

Director Qu was relieved and smiled even more brightly: "Master Qin, please don’t mind. I’ve never received such a large donation in all these years. When have our orphanage kids ever been so well-off that they can all attend suitable special schools, let alone afford treatment? Your delay in coming to audit made me anxious, fearing the duck at hand...I mean, worried about issues with the follow-up donations."

Qin Huai smiled lightly without commenting, sipped the hot tea twice, and set the cup down.

"Then I’ll go to the kitchen to make snacks, today’s batch is quite large. Director Qu, why don’t you help out as well?"

"Of course, it’s not like we’d let you and Master Xiao Zheng work while the rest of us lounge around. Everyone in the orphanage who can work is in the kitchen, and later I’ll let the kids come over to help make baozi. I’ll accompany you to the kitchen, Master Qin."

Qin Huai and Director Qu walked toward the kitchen.

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