To Qin Huai, Huang Xi’s words were like a wake-up call for someone lost in a dream.
When Qin Huai was watching video tutorials, he noticed that the most crucial factor for Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns was the temperature. So he meticulously controlled the temperature throughout the entire process—mixing, kneading, fermenting, even steaming. He thought he had done everything thoroughly, but Huang Xi just made him realize there was actually one area he hadn’t managed well.
For fermented rice, temperature is the key factor in yeast reproduction.
Without using a juicer, there are many ways to mash fermented rice. In the video tutorial, Qin Wan chose the slowest and least efficient method. Qin Huai initially thought it was because Qin Wan, being a woman, might lack strength, so she had to use a mallet to slowly mash.
Looking back now, it might have been intentional on Qin Wan’s part.
Because slowly mashing doesn’t change the temperature of the fermented rice.
Whereas, the high-speed rotation of a juicer would heat up the fermented rice.
Modern technology does make cooking simpler, but sometimes it may introduce small errors in the cooking process.
Qin Huai found the complete set of tools for grinding spices on the kitchen counter: a mallet, a small container, and a plastic splash guard.
Huang Xi’s bought fermented rice was opened.
The fermented rice had been refrigerated overnight, well-preserved, and its temperature was not too high in the morning. Huang Xi’s journey to bring it over allowed it to return to room temperature just right.
Qin Huai poured the fermented rice into the container and slowly mashed it.
Gently, one stroke at a time.
"Dad, keep an eye on the oven for me. Once the flaky pastries are done, just take them out." Qin Huai didn’t bother with the pastries in the oven.
Just as Qin Huai finished mashing the fermented rice, Uncle Wang finally arrived, though he had a reason for being late today; he brought his wife along.
"Juan’er, didn’t I tell you? Today, Master Qin is definitely making fresh shrimp Crab Shell Cake. Smell this aroma; it’s definitely fresh out of the oven!" Master Wang bragged in a booming voice as soon as he entered the restaurant.
Master Wang’s wife, Chen Juan, nodded with slight impatience and quickened her pace toward the window. When she reached table nine, she saw her regular partners, Mr. Cao and Xu Tuqiang, and smiled, greeting them.
"Sister Chen, you’re here too," Mr. Cao responded warmly.
Chen Juan said, "I didn’t want to go out on a rainy day, but it’s all because of my old Wang. He insisted that if he bought a five-dollar Crab Shell Cake and brought it home, it would only be worth three dollars. So stingy. If not for our Jianhua needing to go to work later, he would’ve packed me, Jianhua, Jianhua’s wife, and even Lele all over here."
Mr. Cao laughed heartily, "Wang Laogen, when are you ever going to change this habit?"
Uncle Wang defended, "The Crab Shell Cake is meant to be eaten hot, fresh from the oven. With today’s rain, it would get cold by the time I brought it back. You just don’t appreciate it."
With that, Uncle Wang approached the window, thinking he would say to Qin Huai: Master Qin, let’s start with 10 Crab Shell Cakes to taste. When he looked towards the window, he saw Qin Huai was kneading dough nearby with great concentration and felt embarrassed to disrupt him loudly.
Seeing this, Huang Xi swiftly stepped forward and grabbed some Crab Shell Cakes for Uncle Wang.
Uncle Wang took the plate of Crab Shell Cakes to table nine, squeezed away another anonymous elder, and let his wife sit down, whispering, "Why is Master Qin making the buns so late today?"
Xu Tuqiang snorted, whispering as well, "Isn’t it because of you? I heard that yesterday morning, you said something to discourage Master Qin, claiming his Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns weren’t as good as Gusu’s, which stimulated him. Yesterday, he made buns for 12 hours straight, giving them away for free all day."
"Go ask around—every household that came to dine at the cafeteria last night had buns with pickles for dinner."
Uncle Wang was stunned. He hadn’t expected that his simple statement of truth would cause such immense emotional damage to a young mind.
Feeling somewhat guilty, Uncle Wang scratched his head and took a bite of the Crab Shell Cake; it was fresh, fragrant, and crispy, which made him feel even guiltier.
"I was just... carelessly speaking some truth, that’s all. Really, Master Jing’s Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns are better than Master Qin’s; Master Qin can’t compete with him at all," Uncle Wang whispered extremely quietly.
You still dare say that!
Uncle Wang glanced at Qin Huai behind the window, completely overtaken by guilt.
Perhaps he should ask former colleagues from the factory to find out if Master Jing is still around, and if so, where he lives? Maybe let him call and comfort Master Qin?
Master Jing, who likes younger people so much, probably wouldn’t mind making this call, right?
Qin Huai hadn’t noticed Uncle Wang’s arrival at all; his entire attention was focused on the dough in his hands.
Ever since the fermented rice was mashed, filtered, and the dough kneaded, he felt he was on the right track.
It was a feeling of having found the correct answer.
Even though the dough was still fermenting and looked no different from before, even if Qin Congwen came to observe, he might not see any difference, yet Qin Huai had an intuition.
This intuition told him he had it steady this time.
The advantage is mine!
Guided by this positive intuition, Qin Huai felt everything went smoothly while kneading. It was like a doctor seeing a textbook-standard case and thinking he was brilliant while being joyous, even wanting to share the good news with colleagues via WeChat.
Qin Huai stayed by the dough, not moving even during the steaming. He didn’t even notice when the morning rush had quietly begun.
The morning rush is the busiest time for Yunzhong Restaurant. Commuters rush from the subway to the restaurant, grab a bun, and eat as they dash to work, without stopping.
The only difference is that those with money eat Three Meat Buns, Five Fillings Bun, while the less fortunate eat dishes or big meat buns made by Qin Congwen. Now, every staff member in Yunzhong Restaurant is adept at packing buns, moving at a speed where only afterimages seem visible.
Customers who also visited the restaurant yesterday morning know that the star, Master Qin, was making Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns.
Buy a Five Fillings Bun and get one free.
Rumor has it that they tasted good.
Many customers, who had already rewarded themselves with a Five Fillings Bun yesterday, decided they would reward themselves again today because of the Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns.
Early-arriving customers, realizing the Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns were not being given away today and hadn’t been steamed yet, left either fortunately or regrettably with a 1.5-yuan meat bun in hand.
Great, saved 35 yuan by not buying! / Damn, no giveaway today; I would’ve bought two yesterday if I’d known.
Disappointed, the artist Xiao Zhang turned away, deciding the month’s rewards had come to an end, resolving to reward himself again after next month’s paycheck.
Suddenly, Xiao Zhang smelled a rich yet subtle aroma of alcohol.
Subtle described the aroma of this alcoholic scent; rich described its status in his heart.
How to put this flavor?
Xiao Zhang already had a chance to eat the Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns yesterday and found them indeed good, worth buying a 35-yuan Five Fillings Bun for a buy-one-get-one-free deal.
But this scent was different.
This aroma made Xiao Zhang feel like he could spend 35 yuan to reward himself with a Fermented Rice with Steamed Bun.
The salary might have to wait until next month, but that doesn’t mean the bun can’t be eaten today!
Resolute, Xiao Zhang turned back with a firm expression, decisive action, and a strong voice, full of vigor.
"Miss, are the buns from your store out of the steamer? Give me one!"
He didn’t even ask the price—that’s how confident he was!