How terrifying starch water can be!
Cao Guixiang saw that Qin Huai had already discovered the secret, so she didn’t say much. She glanced at the time and thought she could go outside to catch some gossip, then head back.
The Cao family lived in the city, and it would take quite some time to return.
Seeing Cao Guixiang about to leave, Qin Huai quickly called out to her, "Grandma Cao... no, Master Cao, could you wait just a quarter of an hour more? I’ll wrap two complete servings of Four Happiness glutinous rice and cook them for you to taste before you go."
Cao Guixiang paused, "Alright."
Qin Huai swiftly wrapped the dumplings and put a pot on to boil.
There were only 8 dumplings in total, which boiled very quickly. While they were cooking, Qin Huai seized the time to wrap a few more, casting glances at the pot as he wrapped each one, feeling a bit anxious and distracted.
Cao Guixiang watched Qin Huai wrap the dumplings with great interest, performing the wrapping action in the air with her hands as if she intended to learn by watching.
The dumplings were ready.
Qin Huai was dumbfounded.
Holding the wrapped dumplings in his hand, he hesitated to put them down.
He could hardly believe his eyes.
He even wanted to imitate Qin Luo and He Cheng by hugging onto Cao Guixiang’s leg, crying out loudly, "Master Cao, Master Cao, please don’t go, Master Cao, stay for two days, I’m begging you, Master Cao, do stay for just two days!"
[Four Happiness glutinous rice A-level]
So fast, so sudden, without any warning, just like that... A-level.
Just soaking the meat filling twice in starch water made it A-level.
At this moment, there were two voices in Qin Huai’s mind. One yelled, "Are you stupid? It’s not just the starch water, it has a lot to do with the meat filling that Cao Guixiang chopped!"
The other screamed, "Are you stupid? Why are you still standing there? Is there not even a chair in the kitchen? Don’t you see that Master Cao is still standing? Quickly, get a chair for Master Cao! Where’s the tea? Quickly, serve the tea!"
"Master Qin, are the Four Happiness glutinous rice dumplings ready?" Cao Guixiang asked.
Qin Huai quickly went to scoop them out, saying as he did, "Master Cao, please don’t call me Master Qin, just call me Xiao Qin."
"He Cheng, quickly fetch a chair for Master Cao!"
Qin Huai scooped out two bowls of dumplings, let them cool, and then hurriedly went to pour some tea.
Alas, with the Old Secretary on leave today, the tea is subpar. A blunder! If only I had learned how to brew tea from the folks at Huang Ji or Zhiwei Restaurant.
At that moment, Qin Huai finally understood what it meant to hate having little skill when needed.
"Master Cao, you must be thirsty. Have some tea to soothe your throat." Qin Huai respectfully handed over a cup of tea.
Cao Guixiang was a bit startled by Qin Huai’s enthusiasm, but she was very accustomed to people’s sudden displays of kindness. She took the cup, drinking most of it out of courtesy.
Qin Huai pulled out his phone, showing a humble smile unique to Master Qin.
"Master Cao, let’s add each other on WeChat."
"Later, if I encounter any issues making snacks, can I ask you on WeChat?"
"Sure." Cao Guixiang nodded readily, "Feel free to ask me if you have any questions, I’m just an old lady with nothing much to do at home since I retired. I remember Qin Zhishu said your family lives in Qiu County."
"Qiu County is very close to the city. Come visit the city after the New Year when you have time, it’s a good opportunity for you to come to my house and discuss mold-making with Old Zhang."
"Today Xiao Qin, you’ve treated us, so when you visit the city, we’ll treat you in return. I’ll prepare a table full of my signature dishes for you to taste my culinary skills."
"Absolutely! Master Cao, I’ll definitely send you a message on WeChat before I visit the city!"