Qin Huai suddenly understood Huang Shengli’s feeling of powerlessness when watching Huang An Yao negotiate with suppliers.
If the Young Master could transfer just half of his talent in explaining dishes to his interpersonal skills, he wouldn’t have made such a marketing plan.
Only after the meal was completely finished did Huang An Yao belatedly realize and ask Qin Huai, "Did I say something wrong earlier? Did something happen to Mr. Xu’s young son? Should I not have brought it up?"
Qin Huai reassured him, "It’s fine. After a few more words, everyone will know you didn’t mean it."
This meal started at 2:45 and didn’t end until after 4:00. Ouyang suggested in the group chat that since so many of them rarely gather, why not go to Guanhe Building for dinner as well, as he had coupons that would expire the next day.
The group chat was full of enthusiastic responses, with Director Liu even suggesting that since it was still early, they could go cycling to aid digestion. She knew a great cycling spot near her home which was just a half-hour ride on a shared bike from here, then an hour of cycling, followed by another half-hour ride to Guanhe Building, which was perfect.
She also happened to need to take her daughter home to do her homework, then cycle.
Xu Tuqiang and Grandpa Qian from the morning running group agreed.
Dr. Zhou, who was practising his cycling speed every day when he couldn’t eat Huang Ji’s food, responded enthusiastically.
Qu Jing said post-meal exercise was great too.
Ouyang realized he might have shot himself in the foot a bit.
Grandma Ding politely declined due to her age and leg issues but was up for the dinner.
Chen Huihong used the excuse of taking her daughter home to sleep to slip away, but also supported the dinner activity.
Chen Juan was very interested, while Uncle Wang made an excuse that he had something to do and would come later.
Qin Huai sat by the kitchen door, checking messages in the group chat while listening to Dong Shi gossip about the latest news. From the corner of his eye, he could also see Huang An Yao talking with Huang Shengli, enviously recounting that one of the elders they had lunch with had actually eaten Master Qin’s Long Fish Banquet.
During break times, Huang Ji’s was always very lively.
Dong Shi spoke rapidly, needing to finish his gossip in the ten minutes he had before starting work again.
Even if the gossip wasn’t verified.
It seemed Wang Jun was dating again, with the Sixth Brother’s springtime returning.
Just as Dong Shi was passionately describing how Wang Jun’s new girlfriend didn’t seem to mind appearances—at least she wasn’t insistent about his hair—a waiter poked their head in and crisply said:
"Master Qin, an elder is looking for you."
Dong Shi’s gossip came to an abrupt stop.
"I’ll listen to the rest later." Qin Huai said, walking outside, not noticing Dong Shi’s sad expression.
Dong Shi thought, "By then I’ll be working, the Sixth Brother will be back, how could I gossip about dating in front of him? My head isn’t that hard, is it?"
Qin Huai walked out of the kitchen and was surprised to find it was Wang Gen Sheng looking for him.
This was quite rare; the last time Wang Gen Sheng sought out Qin Huai was back at Yunzhong Restaurant. Qin Huai hadn’t prepared any special individual meals for Wang Gen Sheng lately, fearing it would be too abrupt. Although Qin Huai understood Wang Gen Sheng fairly well, their contact wasn’t extensive.
"Uncle Wang, what can I do for you? Did Ouyang take all the packed dishes home without leaving any for you? I’ll definitely talk to him about that, dining alone like that is really not respectable. I’ll call him right now to have him spare you a couple of packed meals."
"No, no," Uncle Wang waved his hand quickly, indicating that Xiao Ou was a good comrade and shouldn’t be wronged, "I got mine. The packed dishes are divided per head, one per person, no kids."
"My family, with two people, actually benefited by getting two packs."
"I have something... No, I actually have a favor to ask from Master Qin."
A favor is great, favors often trigger side quests!
"For so many years, I had almost forgotten it, but recently, when Old Qian suddenly brought up the Double Crab Bun, I’ve been thinking about it ever since."
"Earlier, during the meal, I couldn’t stop myself from bringing up Xiao Xu again. I know you don’t know who Xiao Xu is. Just think of it as an old man reminiscing about the past, chattering away, so don’t mind it too much."
"Here’s the thing, I have a recipe for snacks here. It should be pretty hard to make. Many years ago, a friend of mine paid a high price for it from a snack master. Later, my father broke his leg and needed money for treatment. I didn’t have money, he didn’t have money; he gave me the recipe, told me to sell it to get some cash."
"All these years, I’ve never sold it, kept it with me. Later I was transferred, Master Jing passed away, I asked my former colleagues to find out, and it seems the snack written on this recipe has been lost, Master Jing’s apprentice Little Zheng didn’t learn it."
"I know learning snacks should be taught hand-in-hand by a master. I only have the recipe and no one to teach; asking you, Master Qin, to make the snacks could be too much. It’s not that the elder wants to trouble you on purpose, it’s just being back in Gusu reminded me of old times and the moment I remembered, I wanted to eat Double Crab Bun."
Uncle Wang’s words were a bit jumbled, and as Qin Huai listened and sorted them out, he was gobsmacked when Uncle Wang mentioned the Double Crab Bun, surprised, and his voice involuntarily rose.
"Are you saying the recipe is for the Double Crab Bun?!"
Uncle Wang was startled by Qin Huai’s suddenly raised voice and nodded, "Master Qin, you know about the Double Crab Bun."