This peculiar life of students acting as apprentices, masters quarreling, and onlookers bringing their own small stools continued for 6 days.
It’s not that on the 7th day Qin Huai stopped being an assistant.
He still had to continue being an assistant, although he had already started trying to prepare the filling for the Crab Dumplings, but he was fully responsible for handling the ingredients.
The main thing was that something very important happened on the 7th day.
Something not much to do with Crab Dumplings, but having a huge relation to many other snacks.
Qin Huai’s dough skills leveled up.
Advanced dough fermentation!
After traveling far to Gusu, diligently practicing fire control for a while, and then diligently practicing seasoning for another while, he finally reaped the rewards of hard work— the heavens do not forsake those who try. Through his efforts, his dough skills successfully advanced from Intermediate to Advanced level.
Isn’t this a form of progress?
Qin Huai realized his dough skills had leveled up while kneading the last batch of Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns dough.
The feeling of this upgrade was quite mysterious.
The feeling of advancing from Intermediate to Advanced was more noticeable than from Basic to Intermediate; it wasn’t exaggerated to the point of feeling like one’s governor and conception vessels were instantly cleared and mastering some extraordinary skills, but it did feel more intuitive while kneading.
The dough in his hands was more obedient and easier to handle.
With a major breakthrough in dough skills, Qin Huai felt he should celebrate a bit.
But how to celebrate?
He was now practicing Crab Dumplings every afternoon, but the least important thing in Crab Dumplings was the dough fermentation.
Kneading the dough with advanced dough fermentation for Crab Dumplings skin could even bring about a feeling of a hero without a place to showcase skills.
Maybe do something else?
But what to make? And for whom?
The chicken broth Huang Jia brewed today seemed quite good.
It smelled particularly fragrant; Qin Huai couldn’t resist having half a bowl when he passed by just to taste it. Huang Jia even thought Qin Huai didn’t eat enough in the morning and got hungry, and asked if Qin Huai wanted him to whip up a couple of dishes temporarily to fill him up.
Qin Huai thought Huang Ji serving the same big pot employee meal every day was a bit too monotonous.
Come to think of it, the servers in the hall and private rooms hadn’t tasted his breakfast yet.
Qin Huai made breakfast every day according to the number of back kitchen staff; occasionally when the shift leader has something early, they might have a taste, but ordinary servers certainly hadn’t tasted it.
It’s really not right; everyone has been colleagues for so long, yet they haven’t tried his craft.
Although Qin Huai couldn’t remember what the servers looked like, and he couldn’t even remember the names of his own canteen’s servers, nonetheless.
He wanted to showcase his advanced dough fermentation.
Not showcasing the newly upgraded dough would be like wearing fine clothes in the night unnoticed.
If you don’t try it, how can I modestly flaunt my improved skills?
Qin Huai quickly finished the last batch of Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, quietly moved to Huang Jia’s side, who had just finished a stir-fry of shredded stir fry, and asked:
"Brother Jia, who’s in charge of today’s lunch employee meal?"
"Dong Li is in charge. So, you’re hungry? Tell me what you want to eat, I still have a few dishes here; when I have a free moment, I’ll make it for you."
"No, no." Qin Huai waved his hands repeatedly, "I want to be in charge."
Huang Jia paused while looking at the list: "You?"
"Yes!" Qin Huai said sincerely, "To be honest, Brother Jia, I’ve been handling too many shrimps and crabs lately, I really want to make some snacks, the fixed daily snack amount is simply not enough for me."
"And I especially want to make noodles; the morning portion wasn’t enough to enjoy, I want to continue kneading by noon."
"Everyone shouldn’t mind having Chicken Soup Noodles for lunch, right?"
Are all you pastry chefs somewhat eccentric?
He always thought that Zheng Siyuan going back to make snacks after a matchmaking session was already absurd enough, only to find Qin Huai was exactly the same.
What could Huang Jia say? He also wanted to eat Chicken Soup Noodles.
Who could refuse a bowl of Qin Huai’s hand-made, steaming hot, bouncy, fragrant Chicken Soup Noodles, topped with shiitake mushrooms and greens?
If only Qin Huai wouldn’t make the noodles himself and let him make them instead, it would be even better.
"I’ll let Dong Shi know," Huang Jia said, and watching Qin Huai excitedly turn to leave, couldn’t help but call out to him.
"Um..." Huang Jia was momentarily at a loss for words, "Qin Huai, don’t put too much pressure on yourself."
"The first two Crab Dumplings didn’t count for much, your skills are still recognized by everyone."
Qin Huai still didn’t understand why Huang Jia suddenly, inexplicably, started comforting him, but since it was meant to be comforting, it was kindly meant, so he nodded to accept it.
"I don’t have much pressure," Qin Huai said, "I just suddenly really want to make some noodle-heavy snacks."
"Those kinds of snacks with a high proportion of noodles."