Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle
Chapter 189 - 153: The Taste of Memory 3 (Thanks to the Sect Leader of the Wealthy Gu for the reward!)

Chapter 189: Chapter 153: The Taste of Memory 3 (Thanks to the Sect Leader of the Wealthy Gu for the reward!)

"Ding, congratulations on obtaining the new side quest [Taste of Memory 3], please check on the task panel."

Qin Huai was zoning out kneading dough at the culinary station when the game prompt suddenly echoed in his mind.

[Taste of Memory 3]?

This side quest series is getting out of hand!

Haven’t even completed 1 and 2 yet, and 3 is already popping up. This game doesn’t even consider whether players can finish the tasks, does it?

Qin Huai placed the kneaded dough aside, and the helper swiftly took it to a designated table, placing a timer in front of it.

Qin Huai shook his hands, pondering for a moment. Boldly checking the task panel in such an unfamiliar environment seemed too brash; better to discreetly check it in the bathroom.

Under too much pressure, he often fantasized about having a system that would assign tasks to complete, a behavior that sounded quite like something a mental patient would do. It was fine to circulate such things within the small confines of Yunzhong Restaurant, but it would be rude for it to reach Huang Ji Restaurant.

"I’m going to the bathroom." Qin Huai threw this line before heading towards the kitchen door.

Huang Ji Restaurant has a dedicated staff bathroom, right on the first floor.

As he reached the door, Qin Huai seemed to hear a dispute outside the hall. Though to say it was a dispute didn’t quite fit either, as it hadn’t escalated into an argument, just that one side was speaking louder.

Qin Huai vaguely heard something about Zheng Da, dough.

Zheng Da’s gossip?

Gotta hear this.

Qin Huai moved closer to that side.

The parties in dispute were Gong Liang and Huang Jia, though it couldn’t really be called a dispute in public, as they chose a corner away from the guest seating, which coincidentally was by the back kitchen door, making it convenient for Qin Huai to squat by the door and listen in.

"Mr. Gong, Junior Master Zheng just called you via video to explain everything clearly. Indeed, Huang Ji has recently brought in a new pastry chef with the surname Qin, not Junior Master Zheng. That dough ball earlier today is truly not for sale. It was specially made by Master Qin to entertain his friends privately, which you surely understand."

"Really not for sale, and the Three Heads Banquet can’t be prepared either. Even if my master’s waist recovers, it’s impossible to prepare a complete Three Heads Banquet in the short term. If you were genuinely celebrating your 60th birthday, Huang Ji would make every effort to arrange this banquet for you, even inviting more professional chefs from Zhiwei Restaurant to make boat-shaped pastry."

"But celebrating your 60th birthday five years early, what kind of birthday banquet is that? You’re being somewhat unreasonable." Huang Jia explained the situation calmly.

Gong Liang argued forcefully, "Celebrating in advance is still celebrating. Isn’t your master’s waist never recovering because he stubbornly refuses to listen, gets slightly better, and then gets carried away cooking? We told him to rest, we’re not in a hurry, yet he doesn’t listen, and now this keeps repeating."

"I’ve known your master since we were children, neighbors for years, I truly want to have a Three Heads Banquet. If it really can’t be done, then just prepare it for my table. Is that okay? I’ll pay for 20 tables!"

"Mr. Gong, there’s really no precedent, and it makes no sense to sell it like that." Huang Jia attempted to stop Gong Liang’s excessive spending, "We understand your support for Huang Ji, but those three previous wedding banquets already caused us quite a headache."

Feeling slightly guilty, Gong Liang lowered his voice, "So I changed it to a birthday banquet."

Huang Jia:...

Does it make a difference???

Huang Jia sighed, feeling exhausted.

Turning his head, Huang Jia saw Qin Huai in the corner.

Huang Jia:!

Qin Huai:?

Huang Jia quickly pointed to Qin Huai, enthusiastically introducing, "Mr. Gong, this is our new pastry chef at the restaurant, Master Qin Huai. The fermented rice buns, Five Fillings Bun, and those new snacks you bought yesterday were all made by Master Qin."

Gong Liang eagerly approached, shaking Qin Huai’s hand excitedly, "Master Qin, I’ve heard so much about you, finally, I get to meet you! I specifically came yesterday to buy lots of your snacks, worried that you’d only be here for a day, and we wouldn’t get to taste them again. Didn’t expect you actually joined Huang Ji Restaurant, what a pleasant surprise. Just thinking of enjoying such delightful snacks every day makes me laugh in my dreams!"

"I love all the snacks you’ve crafted, especially the fermented rice buns, I’ve lost count of the years since I last tasted such phenomenal fermented rice buns!"

"I just saw the apple dough ball you made with those hands, the craftsmanship, the shape, it’s literally a master’s work of art!"

"If I hadn’t seen you in person, I couldn’t believe you’re such a young and talented pastry chef."

"Truth be told, I have a favor to ask. My goddaughter is engaged soon. Her fiancé is from out of town, and her in-laws are very interested in the pastries here in Gusu. Naturally, they’ll need a great reception."

"My goddaughter doesn’t have many connections, so she turned to me. I’d long heard of your exceptional dough ball skills, and seeing it today, I’ve realized your reputation is well-deserved. I wonder if you have some time to help make a batch of dough balls. If possible, a few samples would give us a better assessment."

"The engagement is next month, do you have time during this period?"

Faced with Gong Liang’s sudden and lavish flattery, Qin Huai paused slightly, quickly discerning the likely one bona fide compliment amidst the flowery, almost entirely insubstantial praises.