You’ve never considered Qin Huai’s situation at all, have you thought about how a chef feels having to make crab dumplings with this level of difficulty continuously for three months in a year?
Huang Shengli glanced at Qin Huai.
Forget it, Qin Huai is different.
Qin Huai really loves doing it, enjoys it wholeheartedly, looking at him, he would wish the crabs were plump for two more months so he could keep making them.
Just as he was speaking, the crab dumplings were ready.
Qin Huai uncovered the steamer lid, swiftly took out the crab dumplings inside, and placed them on a plate. Qin Huai first frowned, examining them for a while, then heaved a deep sigh. Once the crab dumplings had cooled slightly, he tasted one himself.
Even Gong Liang could tell that the crab dumplings of the past few days weren’t as good as before, of course Qin Huai could tell too.
Qin Huai also knew it wasn’t an issue with his skills, it was entirely about the crabs.
The crabs were about to go off the market.
This time of year, the crabs aren’t as plump as they were in November, the crab roe is inferior, and so is the meat quality. The making of crab dumplings not only tests the chef’s skills but also the quality of the ingredients. Otherwise, Huang Shengli wouldn’t have had Qin Huai practice picking crabs first.
There’s really no point in picking crabs now, no matter how you pick, you can’t find good ones.
Qin Huai knew that his rush of making crab dumplings this year was coming to an end, and he definitely wouldn’t be able to complete Gong Liang’s side quest this year.
Young hero, please come again next year.
Qin Huai felt a bit disheartened.
It wasn’t that he was disheartened about not completing Gong Liang’s side quest, Gong Liang wasn’t in a rush anyway. Even without Qin Huai’s involvement in this lifetime, he would most likely succeed in his tribulation.
Qin Huai was disheartened about not making crab dumplings, where else could he find such a perfect match for practicing the art of filling snacks.
The feeling of leveling up in ’Filling’ skill is really great, much better than leveling up in fire control.
When Qin Huai practiced fire control, he knew he was a rookie, he improved through practice, but even with improvement, he was just a rookie in progress.
Filling practice is different, with filling practice, I know I’m strong, and the more I practice, the stronger I become.
This feeling is simply too great.
Qin Huai held a small plate with 4 crab dumplings and walked over to Huang Shengli and Gong Liang, placing the plate on the small table.
"Master Huang, Mr. Gong, today’s crab dumplings might not be as good, even worse than yesterday’s."
Huang Shengli smiled: "It’s not your fault, this year’s crabs are really going out of season early, they weren’t this not plump in past years. The core of crab dumplings is the crab roe, without good crab roe, you can’t make good dumplings, you can’t blame the chef."
Gong Liang, showing great support, picked up a dumpling and brought it to his mouth before speaking: "Yes, yes, everyone can see your craft, Master Qin. I’ve been eating dumplings for a month, and apart from the past few days, the earlier ones just kept getting better and better, couldn’t stop at all, simply addictive."
"It’s a pity I didn’t major in aquaculture, otherwise I’d definitely research if it’s possible to breed a type of crab with rich crab roe all year round."
After saying that, Gong Liang took a big bite of half, proving his love by action.
Truly a crab dumpling fan.
"We were just saying, Gong Liang mentioned that this year wasn’t the best timing, if he had known you in September, he would have definitely pestered you to make crab dumplings for at least two months," Huang Shengli said helplessly.
Qin Huai laughed: "That wouldn’t be a problem, it’s just that time ran out this year. Next year, I’ll definitely make crab dumplings for Mr. Gong for at least two months, from mid-September to mid-November."
Gong Liang’s eyes lit up.
Huang Shengli quickly waved his hands: "Xiao Qin, don’t say that lightly, or Gong Liang might take it seriously."
"I’m serious too," Qin Huai said, "Master Huang, I really think crab dumplings are perfect for practicing. I also feel I didn’t make enough this year."
Alright, really don’t get you pastry chefs.
Gong Liang swallowed the dumpling in his mouth, showing a fairly honest smile, chuckling: "Then I’ll really have a treat next year, I won’t just say I ate crab dumplings for a month. From now on, it will be two months, or even three months of continuous crab dumplings!"
As he said that, the game’s notification sounded in Qin Huai’s mind.
"Ding, congratulations to the player for completing the side quest [Taste of Memory 3], earning the quest reward: [A Memory of Gong Liang], popularity +2000."
This task was completed so inexplicably?
Could Master Jing’s skill really be that bad? No way, today’s crab dumplings definitely weren’t B-level.
Seeing Gong Liang’s cheerful face, Qin Huai suddenly had a bold guess.
"Mr. Gong, I have a question to ask you."
"Do you remember the taste of Master Jing’s crab dumplings back then?"
Gong Liang smacked his lips, seemingly reminiscing, then shook his head: "I don’t remember, it’s been so many years, I’ve long forgotten."
"Anyway, Master Jing’s skill must be undeniable, but Master Qin, your skills are not bad either, I believe you’ll reach Master Jing’s level one day."
Huang Shengli said indignantly: "You don’t even remember the taste of the snacks my master made, yet you shamelessly tell me and Zheng Da daily that our skills are far inferior to my master’s."
"Old Huang, you can’t put it that way. Sometimes I’m just motivating you, sometimes I’m also being honest. It’s been so many years, you can’t expect me to always remember the taste of the dishes your master made. Speaking of which, isn’t it because your and Zheng Da’s skills are lacking, if you made dishes similar to Master Jing’s, I would remember them."
"As you’re asking me now, I definitely can’t recall or describe it, but if I could go back and taste the dishes Master Jing made once more, it would surely be different."
Huang Shengli knew that was reasonable, but he wasn’t in the mood to chat more gossip with Gong Liang this afternoon.
Qin Huai showed a knowing expression.
Indeed, this side quest, although designed to remind Gong Liang of the taste in his memory, the reality was that Gong Liang genuinely couldn’t remember the exact taste of the memory.
If you can’t recall the taste, recalling the feeling from back then works too.
Back then, eating crab dumplings for a month was unforgettable for Gong Liang, and now, he’d also eaten them for a month.
Even though the taste couldn’t compare to back then, it was just a barely sufficient substitute, but enough to bring back the wonderful feeling of those days for Gong Liang.
Sometimes food doesn’t need a halo of goodwill to filter through, as beautiful memories can do the same.
"Master Huang, I want to start a vacation the day after tomorrow, use up the vacation days from this month and last month. Six consecutive days, I’ll go back to Shan City and make some snacks for my sister, does the timing work?" Qin Huai asked.
"Of course, no problem. I’ll mention it to Huang Jia tonight, it won’t be an issue." Huang Shengli nodded readily, "You’ve been working without rest for over a month, take a full week off to truly unwind."
"No need, six days is enough."
Gong Liang quietly ate crab dumplings beside him, without saying anything.
He had already moved next door to Qin Huai, taking advantage of the proximity, so eating crab dumplings for a month was worth it, a break of six days with no eating also seemed fine.
The most crucial point was, during this time, he saw "Taste" had drawn in many out-of-town restaurants.
This was the perfect opportunity during Qin Huai’s six-day break to take his wife and children to try some different flavors in other places.