The first thing I did was to find out

Chapter 273 Cao Guixiang

(A book friend reminded me that Cao Guixiang has not died in this timeline. I also discovered it and modified part of the plot in the first two chapters)

Seeing Qin Huai coming, Qin Luo seemed to have found a savior, as if he had found evidence. He held his head high, chest puffed out, back straightened, and ran to Qin Huai with the bowl in hand. He hugged Qin Huai's arm and said loudly with great pride:
"Look, my brother is here. My brother must be the best! Brother, don't you think so?"

Qin Huai:?
Qin Luo is already this old, and he still has to go through this kind of plot where my brother can also eat shit?

I originally thought that two days of dumplings would be enough for the child, but now it seems that he needs to eat them for two more days.

"Luoluo, have you finished the test paper that the math teacher left for you?" Qin Huai asked.

Qin Luo's back suddenly couldn't stand straight.

Zhang Zhiyun looked Qin Huai up and down while holding the bowl, and snorted in dissatisfaction, but said politely: "Although the big dumplings made by your brother are delicious, the best I have ever eaten, they are definitely not as delicious as those made by my grandmother."

"My grandma has never made big glutinous rice balls before. If she makes them, they will definitely taste better than your brother's!"

After saying that, a gentle voice came from behind Zhang Zhiyun.

"Yunyun, what are you talking about?"

Following the direction of the voice, I saw an old lady wearing a red flowered cotton jacket. She was not very tall, a little plump, had a very ordinary appearance, and looked very kind with a smile in her eyes walking towards me.

Cao Guixiang.

"Grandma!" Zhang Zhiyun saw Cao Guixiang, as if she saw her own confidence. She rushed over with a large bowl in her hand, pointing at Qin Luo unconvinced, "She said that the big glutinous rice balls her brother made are better than yours!"

Cao Guixiang: ...

Cao Guixiang didn't say anything. She first looked down at the large bowl in Zhang Zhiyun's hand and said in surprise: "Four Happiness Dumplings."

Then Cao Guixiang looked in the direction Zhang Zhiyun pointed, towards Qin Huai and Qin Luo. She looked at Qin Huai a few more times, then very naturally took the bowl from her grandson, picked up the spoon, and scooped up a goblin.

Take a small sip.

The expression on Cao Guixiang's face gradually became one of surprise. While eating, she held the bowl and looked at Qin Huai, as if she was looking at someone very rare. She finished the whole glutinous rice ball in this way.

She ate the one filled with sesame candy.

"When it comes to four-happiness dumplings, grandma is indeed not as good as his brother." Cao Guixiang said with a smile, returning the bowl to her grandson.

Zhang Zhiyun was overwhelmed and said, "I wanted to fight to the death, Your Majesty, why did you surrender first?"

Grandma, how could you surrender first?
I, your grandson, just started fighting with the other side!

Cao Guixiang patiently explained: "Si Xi Tang Tuan is a snack from Changzhou, which belongs to the Jiangnan area. Your grandma doesn't know many snacks. She is a bit good at noodles, and she can also make steamed buns, pea yellow, and donkey rolls. When has your grandma ever made snacks from the Jiangnan area?"

"It's OK to make something that looks good, but I can't make something that really matches the taste."

"The glutinous rice balls we eat on the Lantern Festival are all bought in the supermarket."

Zhang Zhiyun understood, and he was fine again.

"You heard me, my grandma doesn't know how to make these big dumplings. If we compare noodles, my grandma's is definitely better than your brother's!"

Qin Luo didn't care about the math test at this time. He let go of Qin Huai's arm and rushed forward: "Impossible, the chicken noodle soup made by my brother is super delicious!"

“My grandma’s is better!”

“My brother’s is better!”

Everyone:...

The Zhang family looked silently into the distance, pretending not to see this unfortunate child.

Qin Huai also looked up at the sky silently, pretending that this unlucky sister did not exist.

Zhang Chu stepped forward quickly and explained to his wife in a low voice what had just happened and Qin Huai's identity, hoping that his wife would persuade Qin Huai not to be obsessed with the mold like his father was.

The most important thing in life is to give up. You have to give up when it is time to give up and have self-knowledge.

After listening to this, Cao Guixiang said, "If that's the case, you can make a few more molds for Master Qin that he likes. With his level, it won't be a problem as long as he knows the steps."

Zhang Chu:?!

At this moment, Qin Huai brought two bowls of four-happiness dumplings, one for Cao Guixiang and one for Zhang Chu.

"Grandpa Zhang, Grandma Cao, please eat some dumplings first."

Zhang Chu took the dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth subconsciously. He was shocked after taking the first bite. He swallowed the dumpling and looked at Qin Huai and blurted out: "Are you Qin Guisheng's grandson?!"

Qin Huai:?
Who is Qin Guisheng? There are already 98 words in this book. Are there any characters that he doesn't know about?

Cao Guixiang nudged Zhang Chu lightly with her elbow in annoyance, trying hard not to roll her eyes: "This is Qinjia Village. Isn't it normal for Master Qin to have the last name Qin? My second senior brother has been abroad for many years. How can his grandson be here?"

"If we could meet his grandson, why couldn't we contact my second and first brothers for so many years?"

Zhang Chu quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was quick-witted and I said nonsense, Master Qin, please don't mind it."

Then he turned around and apologized to his wife: "I lost my mind today. Just now, Master Xiao Qin told me about that mold. I thought his father was cheated more than 20 years ago and came to settle the score with me today. My mind is still dizzy now."

"You didn't understand the situation and you rashly ran to someone else's house to eat glutinous rice balls today. I still don't know why we came here to eat glutinous rice balls." Cao Guixiang shook her head helplessly, "Can you change your rash behavior? It's up to you if your son is rash."

Zhang Chu protested: "I don't know the situation either. Secretary Qin asked us to come here, so I came. I thought Qinjia Village was holding an event this year, or there was some festival celebration, and everyone passing by could share a bowl of tangyuan to share in the festive atmosphere."

As he spoke, Zhang Chu pointed at the person next to him and said, "Look, doesn't this look like it?"

Cao Guixiang: ...

Don't tell me, it's quite similar.

When she came, she thought Qinjia Village was holding an event this year, so she took out her cell phone on the way here, ready to take some pictures of the dragon and lion dances.

Qin Huai standing by: ...

Are you two always talking to each other without avoiding others? At least lower your voices.

Then Zhang Chu pointed at Qin Huai and asked without avoiding anyone: "Gui Xiang, are you sure that Master Qin can use the molds I made? Didn't you say that only professional pastry chefs can use those molds?"

"Yes." Cao Guixiang nodded affirmatively. "After you took a bite of the glutinous rice dumpling, you called him Master Qin. Do you think it's okay?"

Qin Huai felt that it was time to show off a little.

Qin Huai coughed to attract their attention, then introduced himself sincerely: "Grandpa Zhang, I'm a professional pastry chef. I've been on the "Taste" magazine, and my pastry is on the cover of this year's "Taste" magazine's opening issue."

As soon as these words came out, Qin Huai felt relieved. Ever since he knew the value of "Taste", he had never had such an opportunity to pretend to be cool.

Then Qin Huai saw Zhang Chu looking at him blankly. After a pause, he turned around and asked Cao Guixiang, "Guixiang, what is "Knowing the Taste"?"

Cao Guixiang was also a little confused: "It seems to be a magazine. I have been retired for many years. It may be a more famous magazine." Zhang Chu suddenly realized: "I see, Master Qin really has a successor. Master Qin is indeed better than his master. Don't worry, I, your Grandpa Zhang, keep my word. Just tell me how many sets of molds you want. Grandpa Zhang will make them for you for free, using the best wood!"

Qin Huai, who failed to show off, looked up at the sky silently.

Qin Huai chatted with Zhang Chu and Cao Guixiang for a while at the kitchen door, and then chatted with their son and daughter for a while, then Qin Huai went back to work.

The helpers in the kitchen are still waiting for Master Qin to come back and take charge of the situation.

Qin Huai didn't know the Zhang Chu family before and had no contact with them. Except for the fact that Qin Congwen paid a large amount of IQ tax a few years ago, it can be said that they had zero contact.

The main reason for today's meeting was because of the old branch secretary's introduction. Qin Huai didn't have any other purpose. He just wanted to ask Zhang Chu to make another batch of molds. Just add WeChat, and the rest can be discussed in detail later.

Zhang Zhiyun and Qin Luo had already run outside the yard to argue about whether grandma or brother was more powerful. The other members of the Zhang family held their bowls and listened to some gossip. After eating the four-happiness dumplings, they shared the three-diced buns and fermented glutinous rice cakes.

"Mom, try this bun, it's so delicious!" Zhang Chiyuan excitedly stuffed buns into his mother's hands, two in Cao Guixiang's hand and one in Zhang Chu's hand.

Cao Guixiang was almost full after eating a bowl of four-happiness dumplings. She had just cooked two dishes at the home of the village chief where she worked as an educated youth, and ate a few bites before coming here. Now she didn't have any extra appetite for the buns, so she just took a light bite.

After just one bite, Cao Guixiang was shocked again.

When it comes to eating dim sum, amateurs enjoy the excitement while experts understand the techniques.

When eating the Four Happiness Glutinous Rice Balls, Cao Guixiang tasted the excellent seasoning ability of Qinhuai. The fillings of the glutinous rice balls with red bean paste and sesame candy were particularly outstanding, the meat filling was slightly inferior, and the fruit filling was too rich and unique, and the overall combination was acceptable.

From a single serving of Four Happiness Tangtuan, Cao Guixiang could tell that Qin Huai was no ordinary pastry chef. He must have been taught by a famous chef, had a very good pastry recipe, and practiced hard for many years to have the skills he has now at this age.

After taking a bite of the three-diced bun, Cao Guixiang could taste Qinhuai's excellent dough kneading skills.

These two dim sums alone are enough to prove that he is a mature dim sum chef who can become a master.

Cao Guixiang, who has been retired for many years, suddenly became curious about what kind of master could teach such an outstanding disciple.

Cao Guixiang was chewing a bun when she noticed that the old branch secretary was staring at the bun in her hand. She was stunned for a moment and subconsciously handed over the other bun that she had not chewed.

The old branch secretary didn't expect that he could have employee meals even if he didn't have to go to work. He was overjoyed and took the bun and started to eat it.

"Secretary Qin, I want to ask you something." Cao Guixiang said, "Do you know who Master Qin's master is?"

"Master?" The old Party Secretary asked vaguely, and after thinking for two seconds, he shook his head decisively, "Where did Huai Huai get his master? I heard from his grandfather that he learned this skill by himself."

Then these two days he became addicted to gossip. As long as someone started talking, he couldn't help but switch back to work mode and continue telling what he knew. He subconsciously reached to his right to touch the teacup, but couldn't find it. He could only tell everything he knew dryly.

It's nothing more than a story about someone who was born in an orphanage, was born with a younger brother and sister, had a maxed-out talent for case crimes, became a village sensation in his freshman year, inherited an estate some time ago and went to a big city to develop for half a year, and then returned after completing his studies.

Laymen think it is a cool story, while experts think it is a myth.

Cao Guixiang was stunned by what she heard.

Self-study?

You're telling me you learned this skill by yourself?

When Cao Guixiang was learning her craft, she was considered a genius, but it was impossible for her to be so awesome as to learn to this level by self-study.

After hearing the last part, Cao Guixiang asked blankly, holding the half-eaten Sanding Bun that she had forgotten to eat:

"Can I go in and watch Chef Qin making dim sum?"
.
The old branch secretary went into the kitchen to negotiate.

The Qin family's kitchen is an important area and no outsiders are allowed to enter.

But it can be accommodated.

When the old branch secretary was talking about the gossip about Zhang Chu's family these past two days, he used 40% of his words to describe how superb Zhang Chu's carpentry skills were, which amazed people in the surrounding area. All the major production teams were very jealous that Zhang Chu's production team had such a precious educated youth with natural skills, and they were so jealous that they gritted their teeth.

The remaining 60% of the text was all used to describe how delicious the dishes Cao Guixiang cooked were. The stir-fried vegetables were delicious, the cold wild vegetables were delicious, the stewed mixed fish were delicious, and the pork dishes made from the pigs slaughtered in the village were so delicious that they would make your tongue fall off.

The fact that the old branch secretary, who was always cautious in choosing words, could associate the word "fresh" with pork shows that Cao Guixiang's cooking skills must be very superb.

After all, Zhang Chu's carpentry skills are here, and Qin Huai has seen the molds Zhang Chu made more than 20 years ago. By analogy, Qin Huai thinks Cao Guixiang's cooking skills should be comparable to Huang Shengli's.

He is a master who has retired for many years.

Qin Huai welcomes all kinds of experts to come and give him guidance, and it would be even better if they could give him some online lessons.

Master Xiao Qin said that he had so many things to practice, including mixing the filling, fingering, and controlling the heat.

Qin Huai used to think that he was good at making snacks. After activating the game system, he could see the data panel. Now he feels that he is not good at anything and needs to practice everything.

When Cao Guixiang entered the kitchen, Qin Huai was seasoning the meat filling.

Qinhuai has not yet mastered the meat filling of the Four Happiness Rice Dumplings.

He knew it was a level issue.

The quality is not up to par, the meat filling did not keep up with the development of the other three fillings and it lagged behind.

It's a question of proficiency.

After a few days of crazy making of glutinous rice balls, Qin Huai's proficiency in preparing stuffing has greatly improved, and now it is (82314/100000).

At this rate of improvement, it is possible to reach master level in making the stuffing before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Qin Huai now hopes to reach the master level in stuffing preparation first, and then the four-happiness glutinous rice balls will follow suit, making it his first truly A-level dim sum.

Therefore, every time when it came to the step of preparing the filling, Qin Huai was extremely serious and focused.

The filling is ready!

Qin Huai began to stir the meat filling.

"Have you ever tried soaking the meat filling in starch water twice?" A gentle female voice sounded in Qin Huai's ears.

"Eh?" Qin Huai turned around and saw Cao Guixiang.

Cao Guixiang was staring at the meat filling in the basin, and said without raising her head: "I discovered this when I was eating the Four Joys Glutinous Rice Balls. The meat filling is obviously inferior to the other three sweet fillings. But your seasoning skills are very high, and you have a good tongue. With your level of making Sanding Buns, there shouldn't be such a big difference."

"So I guess you must have some secret recipes for the other three sweet fillings."

"I'm not very good at making pastries, especially pastries with sweet fillings, but I happen to have some secret recipes for salty fillings and meat fillings."

"Soaking the meat filling twice in starch water will have a very different effect. Do you want to try it?"

Cao Guixiang looked at Qin Huai with a smile, as if what she was talking about was not some secret recipe but just some practical kitchen tips.

She smiled with her eyebrows and eyes curved, looking like a very kind and easy-to-talk elder.

(End of this chapter)