AGN -Chapter 194 Calling Reinforcements

Qin Huai practically fled back to the kitchen like he was escaping for his life.

After standing at his workstation and thinking for a few seconds, he realized—since Qu Jing’s hospital was so far away yet she still came during lunch break for a gathering, there was no escaping this situation.

Just how much does that hospital pay its doctors? Why are they all so rich?!

He glanced at the prepared Guo’er pastries.

Because he knew Ou Yang was coming, he had made extra:

• Ou Yang: 6
• Chen Gong: 6
• Huang Jia: 2
• Huang Anyao: 2
• Dong Shi: 1

Total: 17 pieces.

Not a small amount.

But now…

Qu Jing’s new colleagues had arrived. As her friend, shouldn’t he contribute something to help her build relationships?

After all, Chen Huihong had already set a great example.

If even a plant spirit can do it, why can’t I—a system-novel protagonist—do the same?

Since it was already impossible to hide, he might as well help Qu Jing become a superstar at her Suzhou branch.

Qin Huai nodded to himself and called Qu Jing.

“Hello,” her voice came through, along with a sharp female voice in the background:

“What?! Jingjing knows Chef Qin? That’s amazing! Our neurology department will dominate the hospital now!”

Qin Huai: …

“How many people are at your gathering?”

“Sixteen in total, including cardiology.”

“…Alright.”

“Soon there’ll be a batch of crab shell pastries coming out. I’ll have the waiter send 32 pieces to your table. Don’t make a big deal out of it—it’s not even on today’s menu.”

Then he asked, “Are there any colleagues you’re closer to?”

“Director Liu takes good care of me. Doctor Lou is also very nice.”

Qin Huai relaxed.

“After you finish eating, call me. I’ll give you some pastries to take back and share with them.”

“Remember what Sister Hong said—sharing snacks is the first step to building relationships.”

“That… really was what Chen Huihong said,” Qu Jing replied seriously.

After hanging up, Qin Huai mentally praised himself.

Good thing I asked how many people there were first.

Otherwise, even one Guo’er per person wouldn’t be enough—he’d have to make more.

Crab shell pastries were much more low-key. Two per person was perfect.

“Brother Jia,” Qin Huai called to Huang Jia, who had just finished resting.

“I’ve got friends in rooms 111 and 777. Can you send extra pastries to those rooms?”

“Got it,” Huang Jia replied easily. “Leave the main dishes to me.”

Then he glanced at the pastries.

“So that’s why you made so many today.”

Qin Huai continued working, wondering—

Was it really a good idea to put Ou Yang and Chen Gong in the same private room?

Would Chen Gong even be okay with sharing?

In reality—

Chen Gong was very willing.

As a personal assistant, he had a clear rule:

If you want to get close to someone, start with their friends.

He had been worried about how to build rapport with Qin Huai—

And now Ou Yang had practically delivered himself.

But what Qin Huai didn’t realize—

The real person he should be paying attention to wasn’t in rooms 111 or 777.

It was in Room 888.

Inside, Xu Cheng was calmly browsing the menu.

“Is Chef Huang Shengli here today?” he asked.

“No, he’s off at noon,” the waiter replied.

“So Huang Jia is the head chef?”

“Yes.”

Xu Cheng looked slightly uninterested.

“Huang Jia… not much worth eating.”

“Eel dish—not quite there.”

“Well, I’ll just try some local specialties.”

He ordered:

• Eel in hot oil
• Squirrel-shaped fish
• Stir-fried seasonal vegetables
• San Ding Bao
• Fermented rice buns
• And…

“Anything special from your new Chef Qin?”

The waiter replied, “His tangerine peel tea sells very well—over a thousand servings daily.”

“Tangerine peel tea?” Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow. “Bring two.”

After confirming the order, the waiter left—but hesitated.

Something felt familiar.

She went downstairs to the floor manager.

“Manager Cao… the guest in Room 888 looks like someone famous.”

The manager went upstairs, knocked, and entered.

“Would you like your pastries served now?”

“Yes.”

She smiled and left—

But the moment she stepped outside, her expression changed completely.

Shock.

She rushed back to the kitchen.

“Xu Cheng is here.”

Huang Jia froze.

“…What?”

“He’s in Room 888. And he didn’t come for Chef Huang.”

Both of them said at the same time:

“He came for Qin Huai.”

Huang Jia felt complicated.

As Qin Huai’s friend—he was happy.

As a fellow chef—he was deeply jealous.

The manager continued, growing excited: “Do you think… just maybe… this could be like what happened at Jubaolou back then?”

Huang Jia knew exactly what she meant.

Years ago, Xu Cheng had written a review that revived a declining restaurant, making it famous again.

Since then, every unknown chef dreamed of this moment—

Xu Cheng walking into the kitchen and saying: “Who made this dish? I want to write about it.”

Huang Jia took a deep breath.

“Treat him normally. Don’t make a scene.”

He glanced at Qin Huai—

Still completely unaware, kneading dough.

Being self-taught really is nice…

Huang Jia walked over gently.

“How do you think the latest batch of buns turned out?”

Qin Huai: ?

Why was he suddenly so gentle?

“No problem,” Qin Huai said.

Huang Jia smiled kindly.

“You’ve been working hard all morning. Maybe… save some of your special pastries?”

Qin Huai: ???

Something was definitely wrong today.

“Are you… hungry?” Qin Huai asked.

“I saved two apple Guo’er for you.”

Huang Jia nodded seriously.

“I want Guo’er.”

“And crab roe siu mai.”

Qin Huai was stunned.

Crabs aren’t even in season anymore!

“Just make Guo’er,” Huang Jia insisted.

“Focus on it.”

Qin Huai hesitated—but agreed.

As soon as Qin Huai started making them—

Huang Jia quietly stepped aside and called Huang Shengli.

“Master, are you done with treatment?”

“Good. Come to Huang Ji immediately—Xu Cheng is here!”

“I tricked Qin Huai into making Guo’er, but my filling isn’t good enough. You have to come help.”

“Don’t rush too much—actually… okay, come quickly!”

The moment hung in the air—

Something big…

Was about to happen.