CHAPTER 544: CHAPTER 294: WHO WOULDN’T WANT SUCH AN OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE?_2

As the Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns began its second fermentation, another master of hot dishes for tomorrow’s birthday feast, Tong De Yan, arrived. Unlike Zang Mu, who seemed more reserved and taciturn, Tong De Yan practically wore a "don’t bother me without reason" sign on his face.

Tong De Yan didn’t bring an assistant; he came alone. After entering the kitchen, he didn’t waste words, nor did he exchange pleasantries with Han Guishan and Cheng Gong, he just summoned a few helpers and got straight to work.

Tong De Yan is a standard Shandong cuisine chef, and the first thing he handled was meat dishes—chicken, duck, fish, and pork knuckles. He worked quickly, with bold, sweeping knife skills, completely different from Zang Mu’s style.

Qin Huai figured it out. It seemed that Cheng Gong casually contacted two renowned masters of hot dishes, and then, due to Xu Cheng’s recommendation, selected him from the pastry chefs. But in reality, it was a well-thought-out decision.

Tong De Yan was responsible for the hearty meat dishes, Zang Mu for the delicate vegetarian dishes, while Qin Huai handled snacks that seemed ordinary but concealed mysteries within.

In the Jiangnan region, there are many famous chefs of Huaiyang cuisine, and Cheng Gong only chose Zang Mu, introduced by Pei Shenghua, for a reason.

Zang Mu is one of the few famous Huaiyang chefs whose specialty is not top-tier dishes like Braised Pig’s Head, Three Course Duck, or Braised Silver Carp Head, but more straightforward dishes like Pingqiao Tofu.

The value of a star assistant is still rising.

While Zang Mu and Tong De Yan were still busy, Qin Huai’s snacks were the first to be served.

Han Guishan was ready.

President Han even stood up on his initiative.

Seeing Han Guishan’s face, which clearly showed his eagerness to eat, but with the Four Happiness glutinous rice just cooled for 1 minute and 30 seconds, with 2 minutes to go, Qin Huai silently handed over the slightly hot but still edible Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, letting the patron taste a bun first.

[Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns Level B]

B-level buns were not bad.

The Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns was one of the few snacks Qin Huai made relying solely on the skill of yeast fermentation; without upgrading his yeast skill, the bun’s level was hard to rise.

But it’s not a big deal; the B-level Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns was the eternal nostalgia for many long-time patrons of Huang Ji.

Han Guishan didn’t mind the seemingly unremarkable Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns at all because he already smelled the rich aroma of rice wine.

A very pleasant aroma of rice wine.

Han Guishan took a big bite, eating half of the bun in one go; his eating style was very hearty as he chewed.

Nodding while eating.

With a second bite, he ate a small half of the bun, chewed a few times before swallowing, then stuffed the last piece into his mouth and took another one to start eating.

Qin Huai wanted to remind President Han not to eat two buns since next were the Three Meat Buns and Four Happiness glutinous rice, both quite filling.

Following these snacks, there was the pickled vegetable dumpling that Han Guishan specifically wanted to eat, while on the side, Zang Mu and Tong De Yan were still cooking.

President Han, you’re not a young lad of 18 anymore. Be cautious with your eating!

Just as Qin Huai was about to speak, Cheng Gong stopped him with a look.

Qin Huai: ?

Could it be that Cheng Gong is not loyal to Han Guishan? Is he just pretending to be loyal while actually plotting against the boss, wanting to stuff him to death?

Han Guishan swallowed two or three mouthfuls of the second Fermented Rice with Steamed Bun, enthusiastically looking at Qin Huai: "Master Qin, what’s next to eat?"

"Your bun is really good, chewy with a hint of rice wine, but without the unpleasant taste of lees. I’ve had Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns elsewhere, but none better than yours. No wonder Xu Cheng recommended your buns to me."

Finishing, Han Guishan smacked his lips: "Pity, I should have taken the time to go to Huang Ji and eat guo’er."

Qin Huai was almost amused by Han Guishan’s genuinely regretful expression, thinking President Han truly was a person of character. The first reaction after eating the buns was regretting not having guo’er.

"No need to regret; I should be going to Huang Ji for communication this September. You’ll have a chance to have guo’er there then." Qin Huai said, handing over the Four Happiness glutinuous rice.

The Four Happiness glutinuous rice was the main event, and President Han must try it first. If he ate the Three Meat Buns first and got full, unable to eat the Four Happiness glutinuous rice, the tasting session would be a failure.

Qin Huai always remembered the core of Cheng Gong’s sub-mission—to let Han Guishan shine at tomorrow’s birthday feast.

If President Han was satisfied today, half the battle was won.

Upon hearing that he could still have guo’er in September, Han Guishan was delighted, happily taking the Four Happiness glutinuous rice to eat.

"President Han, start with this one." Qin Huai pointed to the red bean filling.

Han Guishan complied.

With one bite, Han Guishan’s eyes widened, filled with the thought, is this rice dumpling?

If this is rice dumpling, then what had he been eating a few days ago?

Such delicious rice dumplings in this world, and Xu Cheng never told him!

Without any hesitation, Han Guishan started devouring, chewing, and in almost a blink of an eye, finished a bowl of Four Happiness glutinuous rice.

Qin Huai: ...

Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns are buns, eating fast is one thing, but this Four Happiness glutinuous rice is glutinous rice-based, eating it so quickly too...

President Han sure has something remarkable.

Entering an eating contest, he should do well; whether the appetite is large is another matter, but the speed of eating is impressively fast!

Han Guishan, still wanting more, had two sips of soup, put down the bowl, with his face saying he wished for another bowl.

How could Qin Huai dare let him have another bowl; if during the tasting session, he stuffed the client into the hospital, Qin Huai would not be sure whether it was a dark mark or a great achievement.

"President Han, it’s time for the Three Meat Buns." Qin Huai handed over a Three Meat Bun, silently hiding the rest of the already steamed buns.