A not-so-loud but complete burp is the highest praise for carbs.
"The dishes at Mr. Han’s birthday feast today are beyond words. Those last few snacks were absolutely incredible. It’s been years since I’ve eaten so much," a guest sighed.
"Yes, yes, when they first brought them out, I thought they looked a bit plain. But now, thinking about it, flashy snacks are useless; what’s important is how good they taste."
"What’s the use of those snacks that look nice? They taste just so-so, and no one’s reaching for them on the table."
"Exactly! I’ve felt this way for a long ti. Whether dining out or attending a banquet, I never like the last snacks; they’re all similar in taste. Now thinking about it, it’s actually the pastry chef’s skills that are lacking."
"Right, having a bit of snacks after the dishes makes it perfect, though the quantity was a bit much and stuffed ."
A round of laughter ensued.
Amidst this joyous atmosphere, the last dish was served.
Four Happiness Dumplings, one bowl per person.
Shapes varied, but there were generously four equally-sized dumplings in a delicate small porcelain bowl, with a shallow broth to prevent them from sticking together.
If it were a regular ti, after being so full, guests might just take a token bite or perhaps not try it at all.
After all, dessert isn’t important when everyone’s already full.
That’s how banquets are nowadays: the dish quantities should be plentiful, and by the ti the last few dishes are served, people hardly touch them.
But today is another story.
Quite a few people first stood up to let the food settle and make room in their stomachs.
The Four Happiness Dumplings served now is the most beautiful and delicate from na to appearance.
After everything else tasted so good already, just how delicious is this Four Happiness Dumpling?
Proving that many tis, a na is significant.
If the guests knew even a little about Four Happiness Dumplings, they’d understand today’s snacks take the simple and unpretentious, filling approach: noodles, buns, stead buns, and glutinous rice balls.
Jinbiao’s vice president said nothing. Not eating the Three at Buns and Fernted Rice with Stead Buns sobered him up a bit, realizing he was being foolish. Now he just silently took a bite of the Four Happiness Dumpling.
And found himself speechless.
At Han Guishan’s table, Xu Cheng was introducing how the Two Happiness Dumplings should be eaten to Han Guishan’s two sisters.
As a professional food critic, Xu Cheng certainly knows Four Happiness Dumplings should be eaten sweet first, then salty, and return to sweet for the last one, allowing the taste to change subtly without being overly sweet, and appreciating its layers better.
Han Guishan looked like he learned sothing and asked, "Is each bowl eaten in this order?"
Xu Cheng: "... You have a big appetite, eat however you like."
Impatiently, Han Guishan’s younger sister took a bite, choosing the red bean filling.
"Mm, delicious, especially delicious!" She exclaid, covering her mouth, fearing others might see the red bean filling even dripped from the corner of her mouth.
She bit off more than she could chew, unable to fit it all in her mouth.
The Han family’s eating style is extravagant.
Xu Cheng smiled, not paying much attention, intending to try just a bit, took a bite of the red bean filling dumpling too.
Eh?!
This taste, this smoothness, he felt this red bean filling...
A very peculiar thought crossed Xu Cheng’s mind.
Could Qin Huai have secretly held back on ?
His Four Happiness Dumplings were so good, why didn’t he make them for last ti?
Such wonderful Four Happiness Dumplings should be showcased with the guo’er!
At this mont, Xu Cheng felt only regret.
If it was presented with the guo’er, it would certainly be fine. But if a column is opened just for Four Happiness Dumplings, it’s not sufficient; Qin Huai has already been featured in Taste, there’s no special treatnt for new stars.
If a piece is written along with other snacks...
Recently, there’s no snack to write on; surely, we can’t mix foreign desserts with dostic pastry snacks together?
Xu Cheng started to worry, unknowingly swallowing a dumpling.
Xu Cheng picked up another.
Mixed Fruit Filling.
Took a bite.
Xu Cheng was amazed.
Such abundant ingredients and excessive pairing, so... delicious taste.
The taste is good, but why use so many nuts and dried fruits?
Could it be Qin Huai’s house is also in the business of nuts and dried fruits, and they’re all cramd into the filling due to unsold inventory?
In disbelief, Xu Cheng finished the mixed fruit filling dumpling.
The third one should be at filling; Xu Cheng knew the at filling dumpling is actually the most crucial in traditional Four Happiness Dumplings, being the only salty filling that plays a transitional role.
With a bite.
Xu Cheng had no extra thoughts, only pure admiration.
He had tried many snacks made by Qin Huai, fully understanding his culinary skills.
Xu Cheng realized Qin Huai’s filling skill has improved.
He had this insight while tasting Three at Buns, now it’s completely confird.
A significant leap, breakthrough progress.
Given Qin Huai’s age and experience now, Xu Cheng thought these conditions are nearly perfect for Qin Huai.
It’s hard for him to imagine how much more excellent Qin Huai’s fillings could beco, coming from a pastry chef on a wild path, having made only very simple breakfasts over the last few years.
This is an excellent at filling dumpling; its excellence raised the whole Four Happiness Dumplings to another level.
Xu Cheng quickened his pace with the dumplings; he couldn’t wait to eat the last and feel the conclusion.
Two minutes later, a few months since last being this stuffed, Xu Cheng slumped back against the chair, letting out a small burp ungracefully.
He wasn’t the most prominent at the table; Han Guishan’s two sisters were burping quite a while ago.
Wang Jing suspected they ate too quickly causing it, advising them to drink so water.
Xu Cheng was carb-stunned.
After sitting quietly for a while, his consciousness returned to see him excitedly ask, "Is Master Qin Huai still in the kitchen?"
"I want to interview him again! Write another piece on Four Happiness Dumplings reviewing him!"
anwhile, a ga prompt sounded in Qin Huai’s head.
"Ding, congratulations on completing the side task [Assistant Chen’s Wish], receiving task rewards: [A clip from Cheng Gong...] task object changes detected, reward being repaired..."
"Congratulations for earning the task reward [A recipe voluntarily given by Cheng Gong], [Cheng Gong’s endorsent], popularity boost 2000."
Qin Huai: ???
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