Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle
Chapter 352 - 210: Overtime

Chapter 352: Chapter 210: Overtime

Qin Huai found that he might have underestimated "Taste".

Or rather, it’s not really underestimating; Qin Huai knew "Taste" was impressive, he also knew Xu Cheng was amazing. Just like every other chef, he recognized the high value of the Chef Record.

But he didn’t expect everyone’s reaction to be so exaggerated.

The brothers Dong Shi and Dong Li had already grabbed a new magazine, trying to use a magnifying glass on the only three photos in the article to see if they could spot a corner of their clothes.

According to Dong Shi, when the photographer from "Taste" came to take photos, he deliberately squeezed toward the lens. There’s a good chance they captured a glimpse of his clothes/shoes.

If he appeared in the photo, rounding it up means he, Dong Shi, is featured in "Taste".

Haha, mom, I’m going to bring honor to the family!

Qin Huai thought these brothers might be a bit crazy.

Then he turned his head and found that Huang Jia was no better. The usually mature and steady senior brother was now smiling with such kindness, his eyes scrunching up from the smile.

Huang Jia had arrived before Qin Huai. When Qin Huai got to the store, Huang Jia was already looking at page three of "Taste". Now, after Qin Huai finished reading Xu Cheng’s article, Huang Jia was still on page three.

If you knew, he was reading a magazine. If you didn’t, you’d think he was memorizing it.

Looking at Qi Tian, who didn’t appear too often, he was chuckling while holding the magazine in a corner.

He’s better off; Wang Jun burst into laughter, letting out a hearty and honest laugh.

As for Team leader Cao, who kept saying they needed a meeting—such an important event called for a meeting.

She was pacing around, counting steps on WeChat.

Qin Huai really wanted to ask, is making it into "Taste" that exciting? It’s just a magazine, so why is everyone acting as if they’ve won five million in the lottery?

But he knew he didn’t need to ask. Everyone’s reaction clearly told Qin Huai that making it into "Taste" was more thrilling to them than winning five million.

They’re this happy even before making it in. If they actually do, they’d probably have a three-day feast, buy a thousand copies, and hand one to everyone passing by the gate of Huang Ji.

Zheng Da energetically called out, interrupting the group’s artistic behavior.

"Breakfast is ready! Four Happiness dumplings are out of the pot!"

Hearing it’s time to eat, the chuckling group quickly lined up to get bowls and have breakfast.

Joy can be savored slowly in your heart, but if breakfast goes cold, it’s hard to be happy.

The six people from Zhiwei Restaurant didn’t join in the outside antics; they wanted to, but it really had nothing to do with them. Instead, they silently took a few copies of "Taste" from Zheng Da, stored them in their lockers in the changing room, and continued working.

Because of this, they were at the front when it was time to eat the Four Happiness dumplings.

When Qin Huai went into the kitchen to grab a bowl and join the line, Guli was already at the storeroom door, holding a steaming bowl of Four Happiness dumplings.

All four dumplings looked the same, the simplest round shape.

"Master Qin, I’m not quite sure about your appetite. When Master Zheng made the Four Happiness dumplings, he didn’t separate the shapes. All flavors look the same. I’ve scooped four for you. Whenever you’re finished, just call me, and I’ll get you more." Guli said courteously.

Qin Huai didn’t expect someone to scoop dumplings for him and took the bowl a bit surprised: "Thanks, but you serve..."

Before he could finish, Guli had already gone to the back of the line.

Qin Huai: All right then, your Zhiwei Restaurant chefs are quite professional as apprentices.

Qin Huai said if he ever wanted to take apprentices, he’d definitely choose from Zhiwei Restaurant.

Hmm, why does this statement sound a bit odd?

Nevermind, it’s not important.

Qin Huai looked at the four dumplings in the bowl.

Very standard dumplings; round, sizeable, with a beautiful, slightly glistening porcelain white color. It’s a bowl that doesn’t need adjustments or filters; a photo straight from the original camera would make these dumplings appear very advanced and delicious.

To make such beautiful Four Happiness dumplings, good pastry skills are not enough. They need to be cooked well.

Qin Huai glanced at the large pot used for boiling dumplings; it’s the custom pot usually filled with broth. Zheng Da probably took the biggest pot available for convenience, cooking them all in one go.

This method of making them all the same shape and cooking them in one pot is just like the blind box experience Gong Liang described.

Could it be that Zheng Da intentionally recreated the situation from that joyous day?

Qin Huai held a spoon and started the blind box opening.

First bite.

Sesame filling.

Hot.

Very hot.

Hot enough for Qin Huai to feel like tap dancing.

Qin Huai had a normal tolerance for heat. He used to start with the meat-filled ones when eating Four Happiness dumplings to buffer before having the sweet ones. Today, he didn’t get lucky with the blind box, going straight for the sesame filling—almost making Ouyang tap dance from the heat.

"Hiss—"

Qin Huai inhaled sharply several times from being burned.

Hot, but delicious.

With Zheng Da’s skills, making ordinary dumplings is a low-level challenge. He could dominate school gates with his eyes closed in three days.

Qin Huai slowly finished the sesame-filled dumpling, cautiously picked up the second one, and took a small bite.

Meat filling.

Qin Huai ate without reservations; the meat-filled one was also delicious.

Opened the third blind box.

Sesame filling.

Fourth one.

Red bean filling.

Blind box opening was a big failure.

At that moment, Qin Huai somewhat understood why back then, when eating dumplings, Gong Liang and others ate until they were stuffed with their eyes rolling back.

It’s unsatisfying.

After eating so many huge dumplings, not having tasted the flavor he wanted, it’s genuinely dissatisfying without eating one more!