Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 342 Zhang Ruonan's "All the Way North"

The sunlight lazily moved across the windowsill of the wooden house, casting long, slanted shadows on the clean wooden floor of the dining room.

In the afternoon, everyone at the Chinese restaurant got busy again, preparing for the upcoming dinner rush.

"Nan Nan, help me wash that basket of green peppers!"

Yin Zheng's voice came from the kitchen, carrying a hint of urgency from the clatter of pots and pans.

"I'm coming!"

Zhang Ruonan quickly put down the cup she was wiping, jogged over, carried a large basket of bright green peppers to the sink, and turned on the tap.

Amidst the rushing water, she carefully scrubbed and washed, her braided hair swaying gently with each movement, very neatly.

Huang Xiaoming and Yin Tao were checking the inventory and verifying the menu and beverage list.

Chen Linong meticulously wiped down each table and chair to ensure the dining area was clean and bright.

Chef Zhan oversaw the entire operation in the kitchen, checking the various sauces and broths to be used that evening. The air was filled with the busy atmosphere of food preparation.

Jiang Qing sat on a lounge chair in the corner of the restaurant, looking out at the vast grassland, pondering what to do that evening.

Since he was already on the show, and in such a lively and down-to-earth environment, he thought he might as well make something that tasted like his hometown.

Huizhou... a classic family banquet dish comes to mind.

How about... we make a hot pot?

This dish uses carefully selected ingredients and has distinct layers. Winter bamboo shoots, braised pork, egg dumplings, and abalone slices are layered and simmered over charcoal. It best reflects the characteristics of Anhui cuisine: "heavy oil, heavy color, and heavy fire control." Moreover, it takes a long time to make, so now is the perfect time to start preparing it.

Having made up her mind, Jiang Qing got up and found Huang Xiaoming, who was communicating with the on-site director.

"Brother Xiaoming, I'd like to cook a Huizhou dish tonight, a hot pot, which requires some specific ingredients. Could the production team help prepare them?"

Huang Xiaoming's eyes lit up when he heard this.

"Huizhou cuisine? One-pot hot pot? Sounds exquisite! No problem, just tell me what you want, and I'll have the production crew buy it right away!"

Jiang Qing handed him a list.

"Fresh winter bamboo shoots are the soul of the dish, and the tender tips are essential. The best pork belly should have distinct layers of fat and lean meat. Add some fresh shrimp meat for filling egg dumplings, soak dried shiitake mushrooms, a few slices of fresh abalone, and finally, a sturdy earthenware pot that can be used on a charcoal stove."

"Okay! Leave it to me!"

Huang Xiaoming patted his chest and assured them that he would immediately take the list to the program's logistics manager.

The afternoon slipped away quietly amidst the busyness.

The sunset over the grassland was exceptionally magnificent, with the sky filled with a beautiful evening glow, bathing the entire Chinese restaurant in a warm, pale gold hue.

Dinner guests arrived one after another, and the wooden cabin was soon filled with people. The sounds of ordering, serving food, clinking cups and plates, and guests' laughter mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Zhang Ruonan moved between the tables, taking orders and serving dishes deftly, always with a sweet smile on her face, patiently answering the guests' inquiries.

Despite being busy, she moved swiftly and methodically, displaying remarkable competence.

After serving dessert to a table of guests, she had a brief moment of free time and curiously glanced into the kitchen.

Chef Zhan and Yin Zheng were busy at the stove, their spatulas flying.

In another corner of the kitchen, she saw a familiar figure.

Jiang Qing, wearing a clean dark blue apron, stood with her back to the door in front of a food preparation counter.

He stood tall and straight, and his movements were steady and focused.

Zhang Ruonan couldn't help but tiptoe a few steps closer.

He was looking down, his fingers deftly wrapping an egg dumpling.

A small spoonful of golden egg liquid is poured onto a heated round iron spoon, and with a light twist of the wrist, a thin and even egg crepe is instantly formed.

He quickly scooped up a spoonful of tender pink shrimp filling and placed it in the center of the egg crepe. With a gentle lift of his chopsticks, he quickly closed the edges, and a plump, golden egg dumpling was completed. He neatly arranged it on the plate next to him.

The whole process was smooth and rhythmic, a stark contrast to his confident and authoritative demeanor on the podium or his formal attire at summits.

The braised pork belly simmering on the stove emits a rich aroma of soy sauce, while soaked shiitake mushrooms and sliced ​​winter bamboo shoots are neatly arranged beside it.

He occasionally raised his hand to adjust the stove fire, his profile appearing serene under the soft kitchen light, exuding the genuine warmth and life of everyday existence.

Zhang Ruonan was somewhat lost in thought as she watched.

This was the first time she had ever seen Jiang Qing cook.

The AI ​​genius who spoke eloquently at the technology summit, the crossover actress who brought her character to life in the drama, and the tech upstart who helped her out on the red carpet, are now focused on preparing ingredients, just like any ordinary person who loves life, exuding a reassuring and heartwarming charm.

A wonderful feeling spread through her heart, more concrete and closer than simple worship.

Noticing her gaze, Jiang Qing turned her head slightly and saw her standing at the door. She smiled and nodded at her, but her hands continued to wrap egg dumplings without stopping.

Zhang Ruonan returned a big smile, pointed outside to indicate that she had to get back to work, and then, filled with curiosity and indescribable excitement, turned around and continued her work in the front hall.

Time flies by in the midst of busyness.

As the clock struck eight in the evening, the Chinese restaurant, which had been bustling all night, finally quieted down after seeing off the last table of guests who were still reluctant to leave.

Everyone was starving, and though exhausted, they were also satisfied with having finally completed their mission.

"Dinner's ready! We're starving!"

Yin Zheng rubbed his stomach and complained.

Chef Zhan immediately began preparing meals for everyone, all of which were quick and delicious home-style dishes.

At this moment, Jiang Qing carefully lifted the thick casserole from the charcoal stove in the corner.

The charcoal fire had gone out, but the clay pot was still scalding hot. The moment the lid was lifted, a delicious, rich, and complex aroma burst forth, instantly overpowering all other smells in the kitchen and forcefully entering everyone's nostrils.

Wow! What smells so good?!

Yin Tao was the first to be attracted and looked over following the scent.

"President Jiang's hot pot is ready!"

Huang Xiaoming smiled and explained.

Inside the casserole, the ingredients were layered and stacked like a pagoda.

At the bottom are slices of winter bamboo shoots, soaked in broth and glistening with a golden sheen. On top of these are thick layers of glistening, translucent braised pork belly, the fat translucent and the lean meat tender and tempting.

Above that are golden, round egg dumplings, plump and adorable.

The top layer consists of several tender slices of abalone, dark brown shiitake mushrooms, and garnished with bright green scallions.

The thick, rich sauce simmers gently among the ingredients, glistening with an enticing sheen.

The combined visual and olfactory impact made everyone, who had been busy all night, instantly forget their fatigue, their eyes fixed on the clay pot.

"Quickly! Bring it to the table! Let's taste President Jiang's cooking!"

Chef Zhan couldn't help but urge them on, his eyes filled with anticipation.

With Huang Xiaoming's help, the casserole was carefully placed in the center of the long table, immediately becoming the absolute focus of attention.

Chef Zhan's quick and easy dishes were also served one after another.

"Come on, everyone, try Mr. Jiang's cooking!"

Huang Xiaoming invited everyone to sit down.

Everyone eagerly reached for the hot pot with their chopsticks.

Chef Zhan was very serious; he first picked up a piece of winter bamboo shoot.

The bamboo shoots absorbed the essence of the meat juice and abalone sauce, making them soft, tender, and sweet, with a fresh mountain flavor and a rich meaty aroma. The layers of flavor were so complex that he squinted his eyes and savored them carefully.

"Wonderful! These winter bamboo shoots are excellent, and the cooking time is even better! They absorb the flavor perfectly, retaining their freshness, sweetness, crispness, and tenderness. It's a rare find!"

He exclaimed in genuine admiration. Yin Zheng went straight to the trembling braised pork, picked up a piece with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and put it in his mouth.

With a gentle touch of the teeth, the fatty parts melt instantly, while the lean meat is tender and juicy. The rich aroma of the sauce blends with a hint of wine, and a touch of sweetness spreads in the mouth. It's fatty but not greasy, fragrant and delicious.

"My God! Mr. Jiang, this meat is amazing! It's even more flavorful than the meat my mom stewed all afternoon!"

He praised it loudly but indistinctly, and then quickly picked up another piece.

Huang Xiaoming tried an egg dumpling.

The golden egg crepe is thin and chewy, and the shrimp filling inside is sweet and bouncy. With one bite, the aroma of eggs, meat and seafood blend perfectly.

"The egg dumplings have thin wrappers and generous fillings, are cooked to perfection, and are incredibly delicious!"

He gave a thumbs up.

Seeing everyone praising it so highly, Zhang Ruonan couldn't contain herself any longer.

She carefully avoided the abalone slices on the top layer, picked up a piece of braised pork and an egg dumpling and put them in her bowl.

She took a bite of the braised pork, and the melt-in-your-mouth richness and mellow flavor instantly captivated her taste buds, causing her eyes to involuntarily squint.

She tried the egg dumplings again; the delicious filling and the aroma of the egg skin made her unable to resist picking up another one.

She looked up at Jiang Qing, who was smiling and watching everyone's reactions, and gave him two big thumbs up sincerely, her smile radiant as she nodded vigorously.

"President Jiang! It's so delicious! Really! It's even better than I imagined!"

Her voice was clear and crisp, and she emphasized her approval.

Looking at everyone's satisfied expressions, especially Zhang Ruonan's bright eyes and thumbs-up, Jiang Qing felt a small sense of accomplishment.

That's how cooks are; they're happier to receive recognition from others than to eat the food themselves.

He smiled and nodded.

"I'm glad everyone likes it. Thank you for your help, Chef Zhan."

"Not at all, it's all thanks to Mr. Jiang's excellent cooking skills! This hot pot is cooked to perfection in terms of heat, seasoning, and ingredient combination. He really put a lot of effort into it!"

Chef Zhan waved his hands repeatedly, his tone full of praise.

The dinner ended amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.

After clearing away the dishes, Huang Xiaoming looked out the window at the night view of the grassland and made a suggestion with great interest.

"It's still early, and everyone's tired. How about we relax in the lounge area? How about we sing some songs? I'll start!"

As he spoke, he walked towards a lounge area set up in a corner of the restaurant, where there were comfortable sofas and simple karaoke equipment.

Everyone responded enthusiastically and moved to the relaxation area.

Huang Xiaoming was indeed the first to pick up the microphone and chose a classic old song that he was good at. His deep voice filled the quiet grassland night, drawing applause and cheers from everyone.

Although her English wasn't perfect, her voice was quite good.

Then Yin Zheng and Yin Tao each showcased their singing talents, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Jiang Qing then realized that Yin Zheng was actually a graduate of a music academy, no wonder he sang so well.

When it was Zhang Ruonan's turn, Huang Xiaoming and Yin Zheng exchanged a glance, both with a hint of anticipation on their lips.

Jiang Qing didn't notice their little actions; she simply leaned back on the sofa, relaxing as a spectator.

Zhang Ruonan confidently took the microphone and scrolled through the song list on the song selection screen.

"Hmm... let's sing 'All the Way North'! I really like this song!"

She cleared her throat, stood up straight, and looked serious, ready to start singing.

Looking at her confident demeanor, Jiang Qing felt a surge of anticipation.

As the intro began, Zhang Ruonan took a deep breath and sang the first line.

"I travel north, leaving behind the season that held you..."

Jiang Qing's relaxed expression froze instantly.

He sat up slightly, his eyes showing surprise, and he subconsciously frowned.

This singing... it's not that it's bad, but it's completely off-key!
Each note seemed to stubbornly choose its own unique path, creating an unexpected contrast with the accompaniment.

More importantly, Zhang Ruonan sang with extreme passion, as if she were completely immersed in her own world, oblivious to her shocking off-key singing.

The last time he encountered such a player was back in Peach Blossom Village, with Sister Meng and her budding pair of hidden dragons and phoenixes.

Tsk... There really are still experts!
Yin Zheng, standing to the side, was already flushed red, covering his mouth tightly, his shoulders shaking with each tremor.

Yin Tao also lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Huang Xiaoming tried his best to maintain the composure of a store manager, but the upward curve of his lips that he forcibly suppressed betrayed him.

Even the guys carrying the camera next to them started shaking noticeably, clearly trying hard to suppress their laughter.

As Zhang Ruonan sang the chorus, she became even more engrossed, raising her voice slightly.

She inadvertently caught a glimpse of Jiang Qing's expression, which seemed to be choked by something, his eyes filled with complex shock. She couldn't help but burst out laughing, and the singing stopped abruptly.

She held the microphone, looking at Jiang Qing with curiosity, her eyes blinking.

"President Jiang? What's wrong? Did I sing... really sound that bad?"

She herself found it a little funny and tried hard to control her facial expressions while speaking.

Jiang Qing looked at the sweet and innocent face in front of her, and then thought about the powerful singing voice she had just heard, and was speechless for a moment.

He raised his hand to rub his temples and shook his head with a strange expression.

"It's not that it sounds bad... it's just..."

He paused, searching for the right words.

"It's just a bit amazing. You have such a face, but when you sing, it's... well... so unique, quite a contrast."

He was too embarrassed to say directly, "You're completely off-key."

"Hahahaha!"

As soon as Jiang Qing finished speaking, Yin Zheng, who had been holding back for a long time, burst out laughing first, followed by Huang Xiaoming, Yin Tao, Chen Linong, and even Chef Zhan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The entire relaxation area was immediately filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Zhang Ruonan realized what was happening and, instead of getting angry, was amused by Jiang Qing's tactful yet precise retort, which made her giggle and bend over.

"No way! I think I sang pretty well!"

She laughed and glared at Jiang Qing playfully, but her face was flushed with a bright blush. Then she readily admitted it.

"Okay, okay, I know I'm not good at singing! It's all about participating! As long as you're having fun!"

She handed the microphone to Yin Tao, who was standing next to her.

"Sis, you do it! Save everyone's ears!"

The atmosphere reached its climax amidst laughter.

The night breeze on the grassland, carrying the scent of fresh grass, blew in through the open window, carrying away the songs and the weariness of the day, leaving only laughter and joy in the room.

Jiang Qing looked at the crowd laughing so hard they were doubled over, then at Zhang Ruonan's bright smile, which showed no gloom and accepted her singing openly, and then her eyebrows curved slightly.

This girl is very outgoing and quite interesting.

Moreover, she has a very beautiful smile.

(End of this chapter)