CHAPTER 563: CHAPTER 302: THE MOST SOPHISTICATED VERSAILLES IS ACHIEVED IN THE SIMPLEST WAY

Zang Mu sighed, "Although sometimes Qin Huai’s actions over the past two days seem random, he’s reliable when it comes to the important stuff."

Tong De Yan didn’t say anything; he just kept an eye on Qin Huai and Xu Cheng out of the corner of his eye.

Qin Huai calmly returned to the culinary counter and continued wrapping the Four Happiness glutinous rice, showcasing his speed and skill level.

Xu Cheng, probably not used to seeing a pastry master making snacks right before his eyes, watched intrigued as Qin Huai worked on the Four Happiness glutinous rice after admiring the four different fillings. He then pulled out a notebook and pen, intending to conduct a live interview right there.

"Mr. Xu," Qin Huai spoke directly, "I’m truly honored you wish to interview me again in such a short time, but I have to be honest with you, I don’t want to be on ’Taste’ anymore."

Tong De Yan, not far away, was visibly shocked.

Xu Cheng: ?

Xu Cheng didn’t get angry. At the inception of ’Taste’, when it wasn’t that famous, he had been turned down by many chefs for various odd reasons. But as his influence in the culinary world grew, refusals became rare, with even those who previously declined reaching out to accept interviews for ’Taste’.

Xu Cheng was rather curious, "Can I know why?"

Xu Cheng believed that today’s Qin Huai couldn’t possibly be ignorant of what being featured in ’Taste’ symbolized.

"’Taste’ is too famous, ten times more influential than I imagined," Qin Huai sighed deeply, troubled, "Ever since Guo’er was featured in ’Taste’, I felt trapped in Huang Ji’s kitchen, never getting out."

"Guo’er is fine; that snack requires cooperation with Master Huang Shengli and can only be sold at Huang Ji. But the Four Happiness glutinous rice is different; I can sell it at my own restaurant. If Yunzhong Restaurant’s name appears in ’Taste’, I fear I’ll have to..."

Qin Huai didn’t finish his sentence and sighed again.

Xu Cheng wanted to burst into laughter but managed to control himself as they were in the kitchen.

"You’re the second chef I’ve met who refuses an interview or to be featured in ’Taste’ out of sheer laziness," Xu Cheng said with a smile.

"Who’s the first?" Qin Huai asked, a bit curious.

"A namesake of yours, Master Qin Guisheng, who’s far away in America," Xu Cheng replied. "When I went to the U.S. to do a special feature on his senior brother, Master Peng Changping, the plan was to interview both, making a series collection to add luster to ’Taste’."

"But this Master Qin was unwilling, stating that since his senior brother was retired and didn’t fear guests coming to him, he, who hadn’t retired yet, preferred to enjoy his upcoming retirement without the hustle reminiscent of his youth."

Qin Huai was greatly moved to find someone sharing his thoughts, feeling admirable kinship with his family’s legacy.

"If any chef declines a special interview, I never insist. But this opportunity will remain open for you. Whenever you decide you’re ready, just reach out, and I’ll be more than happy to visit Yunzhong Restaurant for an interview and some fresh, hot snacks."

"By the way, Master Qin, I assume your refusal to be in ’Taste’ doesn’t mean you’ll reject my future requests for a special treat of delicious snacks, should I pull some strings?" Xu Cheng joked.

"Of course not," Qin Huai replied. "If you visit the restaurant, I’ll definitely post it on my social media."

"But for now, getting on ’Taste’ will have to wait."

Xu Cheng chuckled again.

Zang Liang, seeing Qin Huai and Xu Cheng chatting happily and Xu Cheng’s genuine laughter, was extremely curious and couldn’t resist asking, "Master, what is Qin Huai saying that’s making Mr. Xu so pleased?"

Zang Mu: ... Good disciple, you’re wonderful in every way, but if you could learn to zip it sometimes, that’d be even better.

Tong De Yan couldn’t hold back, "He said he’s refusing the interview."

Zang Liang: ???

"Why?!" Zang Liang almost shouted.

"Because he’s lazy; he’s afraid that if he gets on ’Taste’, the business will boom, and he won’t be able to handle it," Tong De Yan’s face showed disbelief, but there was also a touch of approval for Qin Huai’s emotional intelligence, "But it’s clever."

Zang Liang: ...

Without hesitation, Zang Liang grabbed his phone and messaged his good friend Tan Wei’an.

Zang Liang: I get you, I finally get you, now I totally get you!

Zang Liang: I want to kill him!

Zang Liang: Jealousy has corrupted my soul!

Zang Liang: Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it,!!!

Tan Wei’an at Zhiwei Restaurant seeing Zang Liang’s message: ...

What did Qin Huai do to upset Zang Liang so badly?

Did such a huge issue arise just from taking a restroom break?

It hadn’t been that long, Qin Huai couldn’t have made snacks so fast.

Tan Wei’an thought about it, concluded that whatever Zang Liang hadn’t said was likely unspeakable, and chose not to ask, simply responding.

Tan Wei’an: Brother, I understand you.

.

Since Xu Cheng couldn’t interview Qin Huai, he didn’t stay long in the kitchen; he packed two bags of Four Happiness glutinous rice and left.

With Xu Cheng taking two bags, Han Guishan indicated he wanted to set aside two more bags for his sisters. Plus, Chen Gong unexpectedly woke up, completing his task sooner than expected, so Qin Huai spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen making the Four Happiness glutinous rice, creating enough to make Han Guishan want to write a check on the spot.

It was his way of thanking Han Guishan for being a genuinely good boss, one who honored the auspicious beast buff of the Wen Yao Fish and respected Chen Gong’s spirit of dedication and self-sacrifice.