Qin Huai thought what Zheng Da said made a lot of sense.
He even thought Zheng Da’s teaching ability was quite okay.
The teacher’s own skill is here; whether they can teach is the teacher’s matter, and whether the student can learn is the student’s ability.
Huang Shengli has detailed explanatory materials, Zheng Da has materials without explanations. As long as the students are perceptive enough, they can learn.
"Thank you, Master Zheng, for your hard work today. I’ll have to trouble you to come earlier tomorrow afternoon. I’ll go home today to integrate everything. After lunch tomorrow, I’ll start making the Crab Dumplings. If there is anything wrong during the process, please point it out promptly," Qin Huai said as his after-class comments.
"No trouble, no trouble," Zheng Da laughed cheerfully, "Feel free to ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand when you go home, and tell me anytime if there’s anything uncomfortable about the place you’re staying. Next time if you need furniture, don’t tell Gong Liang, tell me directly. I rented this place; I’ll furnish it for you."
Qin Huai happily clocked out; though he didn’t make a move all afternoon, he still managed to eat six Crab Dumplings, which was plenty of effort.
After work, Qin Huai went to the Bone Setting Shop for his routine, then went home to rest.
While Qin Huai was at the Bone Setting Shop, Gong Liang finally received the news that Zheng Da had made two batches of Crab Dumplings for teaching Qin Huai this afternoon.
Gong Liang felt as if the sky had fallen.
The Longevity Noodles in the morning had made him so happy and relaxed his guard, he thought the morning’s delight was all there was, without expecting something bigger in the afternoon.
What a miscalculation!
Zheng Da is truly devious!
Playing tactics, playing tricks with him!
Weren’t they childhood friends? Wasn’t he the angel investor? Almost everyone in Huang’s Kitchen tasted them, and as an original shareholder of Huang Ji, he hadn’t!
He hadn’t eaten Crab Dumplings for an entire year!
Zheng Da is just terrible, knowing full well how much he loves Crab Dumplings, and yet not inviting him when such a rare opportunity to cook arises.
Gong Liang thought about contacting Qin Huai, subtly hinting and openly stating that he hadn’t tasted Crab Dumplings in over a year.
Alongside, he could also brag about his glorious past record of eating Master Jing’s Crab Dumplings for an entire month, proving he is the ultimate expert on them; no one understands Crab Dumplings better than him.
If Qin Huai needs someone sitting at the kitchen door during his lessons, taste-testing Zheng Da’s Crab Dumplings, then he, Gong Liang, is surely the best choice.
Though he wouldn’t speak or write.
With just a taste, he’d know if it was good!
Gong Liang felt like messaging Qin Huai.
But thinking it over, he resisted.
As an elite salesman, Gong Liang understood the need to stop while ahead and not to press too hard; different relationships require different approaches.
He wasn’t close enough with Qin Huai to push the boundaries.
Master Qin was kind enough to let him sit at the kitchen door and enjoy the Longevity Noodles. Such a good relationship shouldn’t be ruined by his impatience; better to hold back.
Knowing Zheng Da, after making all those Crab Dumplings today, he likely wouldn’t do any tomorrow.
Not getting any this time was his own underestimation; next time, he’ll surely be at the kitchen door!
Then the next afternoon, Gong Liang received news that Qin Huai made a batch of Crab Dumplings, and Zheng Da made another one.
According to insiders, Qin Huai’s Crab Dumplings had a certain degree of failure, but this is quite normal. If Qin Huai nailed it on the first try with no mishaps, Gong Liang would consider buying the property next to Qin Huai’s rental to move in.
But Zheng Da’s Crab Dumplings turned out fine.
Everyone who tried them said they were good.
This news made Gong Liang restless.
What was this? Zheng Da not sticking to the usual way?
I don’t care who you are, just stick with Zheng Da and make Crab Dumplings for two more days, okay?
On the third day, after lunch at Huang Ji, Gong Liang didn’t leave. He waited until most guests had gone, then moved a small stool to sit voluntarily at the kitchen door.
The people at Huang Ji were puzzled: ...
The day finally came.
You don’t just sit with a small stool at the kitchen inside.
Today, first Qin Huai would make them, then Zheng Da.
After yesterday’s failure, Qin Huai had a deeper understanding of the seasoning difficulty of Crab Dumplings.
Yesterday wasn’t a normal failure.
It was a colossal mess.
To put it this way, if yesterday’s Crab Dumplings were given to Qin Luo, she’d definitely widen her eyes and loudly question who on earth made it?!
This definitely wasn’t my brother’s craft, who is smearing my brother’s reputation, stand up, Qin Luo would stick to the end!
Luckily, they weren’t made at Yunzhong Restaurant; otherwise, it would have been a massive embarrassment.
Qin Huai finally understood why most chefs would rather choose the second, much more complicated method for making Crab Dumplings, and never touch the first.
This mess was truly disastrous.
That was not edible dumplings.
While eating his own dumplings yesterday, Qin Huai even had the thought of adding some pepper to make it passable.
Though lazy and opportunistic, it would overshadow the original flavor of prawns and crab meat, but adding pepper would make it at least less unpalatable.
Spices are indeed a magnificent invention.
Qin Huai deeply realized why Zheng Da said he must have a great palate.
It really was a great palate.
One bite revealed at least ten minor issues, eight major ones.
That wasn’t eating dumplings, it was eating problems.
It was like eating a book of wrong answers.
Qin Huai sneaked a glance at the figure at the kitchen door.
Why is Gong Liang here?
Why did he show up at such a crucial moment?
If he made Crab Dumplings later and it turned out like yesterday’s disaster, would Gong Liang’s impression of him reset to zero with one bite?
Master Xiao Qin’s downfall.
Qin Huai took a deep breath.
He resolved to give it his all today.
This time, only six small problems, and five major ones, okay?