AGN -Chapter 221 Task Completed

Qin Huai made another batch of rice cakes right in front of Gu Li.

From mixing to steaming, he didn’t say a word the entire time. He didn’t directly tell Gu Li how long to mix or steam at each stage—he simply let him observe and feel it for himself.

By the time Tan Weian returned after changing clothes, Qin Huai had already entered the second round of mixing.

Tan Weian arrived just in time—because Huang Shengli had wandered back in. Seeing Qin Huai in such a good mood, even making rice cakes leisurely, he figured it would be a great opportunity for Qin Huai to practice heat control by stir-frying some pork.

So Qin Huai went to the stove to stir-fry meat, and Tan Weian took over mixing the rice cakes.

Tan Weian: “……”

With Tan Weian’s help, the second batch of rice cakes didn’t fail.

If there was any issue, it was that Tan Weian wasn’t as strong as Ou Yang, so it took longer, and the final texture wasn’t as good.

Sometimes, brute force really does create miracles.

Even Zheng Siyuan had praised the rice cakes mixed by Ou Yang.

That night, Huang Ji’s business was as booming as ever.

The main hall was completely full, and every private room was occupied.

At one point, Qin Huai got tired of making guo’er and went to peek through the small warehouse window. He noticed that customers were eating at unprecedented speed.

It was like they were eating with a sense of self-sacrifice.

As if chatting two extra minutes, dawdling three minutes, spacing out four minutes, or editing photos for five minutes would mean one more person freezing outside wouldn’t get to eat.

Even the waitstaff were moving faster—practically speed-walking with dishes in hand.

Of course, dishes were served quickly too.

After the guo’er was served and mostly eaten, the rest of the dishes followed in quick succession. Then the customers would eat like they were settling scores.

Once finished, they’d lean back, let out a long burp, and immediately call for the bill—no hesitation.

A waiter would lead them to the cashier, while others rushed in with carts to clear the table. At the same time, new numbers were called, and excited customers rushed in—some practically wanting to help clear tables themselves.

The coordination, speed, and efficiency made Qin Huai feel like Manager Cao had not only trained the staff but secretly trained the customers too.

At this rate, it might evolve into a cafeteria system where customers queue at a window to collect food.

“Huang Ji Cafeteria!”

Even Qin Huai was amused by his own imagination.

Like yesterday, Qin Huai finished the last batch of guo’er and got off work an hour earlier than his colleagues.

“Xiao Qin, are you tired?” Huang Shengli asked with concern.

He genuinely worried about Qin Huai.

These past two days, Huang Shengli had been asking everyone the same thing: “Are you tired? Rest if you are. No need to rush the dishes.”

“I’m really fine,” Qin Huai replied. “Making guo’er is easier than making buns or steamed bread. It’s not tiring—just a bit monotonous. Makes me want to cook something else or practice heat control.”

Huang Shengli laughed. “Looks like our Master Qin still isn’t satisfied with his heat control and wants to keep improving!”

Qin Huai smiled. “Of course I do. But reaching your level… who knows how long that’ll take?”

Huang Shengli looked a bit embarrassed. “That’s on me. You came here to train heat control, but now you’re stuck making pastries. With your talent, a few months of focused practice would’ve taken you much further.”

“I’m the one who can’t sit still,” Qin Huai said. “Zheng Siyuan even complains I’m too fickle—falling in love with every pastry I see and wanting to learn them all. No wonder I don’t have time to practice heat control.”

“Wanting to learn is a good thing,” Huang Shengli nodded. “A hardworking student is a blessing for any master.”

Then he added, “It’s just that your Master Zheng is too lazy. Disappears every afternoon. He’s actually decent at making rice cakes—he could help guide you.”

“We’ll have to give him more work starting tomorrow.”

Qin Huai: “……”

Zheng Da, sorry—but sacrifices must be made.

They agreed to start daily one-hour heat control practice in the afternoons starting the day after tomorrow.

Qin Huai happily agreed.

That night, Qin Huai returned home with a box of pastries for Ou Yang.

The pastries were practice pieces from the chefs of Zhiwei Residence. When they heard Qin Huai might eat them on the way home, they were so excited they almost made fresh batches on the spot.

Even Gu Li, who had messed up rice cakes earlier, had received personal guidance.

So what if Qin Huai’s own rice cakes weren’t perfect?

Everyone knew he had the skill—it was just not his specialty.

When Qin Huai got home, Ou Yang was playing with the robot vacuum.

Switching between full cleaning, spot cleaning, mopping, different power levels—having the time of his life.

“If it could talk, it’d probably be cursing by now,” Qin Huai thought.

“I brought pastries,” Qin Huai said, placing them on the table.

“Also, starting tomorrow, you can come to Huang Ji morning and afternoon for pastries. If you can give feedback, do it. If not, no pressure.”

“O benefactor!” Ou Yang was so moved he nearly cried. “Once my hand-pounded lemon tea shop opens, you’ll have free drinks every day!”

Qin Huai: “…Just give me the basic version.”

That night, Qin Huai had a nightmare.

Ou Yang’s lemon tea shop had opened—and he was presenting dozens of bizarre flavors:

West Lake vinegar fish flavor, spicy hotpot flavor, frozen pear flavor, strawberry cheese peach, banana kiwi pudding…

Even “seven-herb dampness-removal tea” flavor.

They were all lined up, waiting for Qin Huai to taste.

He woke up in shock.

The next morning, Qin Huai skipped breakfast and went straight to Huang Ji to eat Zheng Siyuan’s wontons.

They were excellent—so good that even a street vendor grandma might secretly eat them while cursing him for stealing business.

Later, Gu Li brought out two rice cakes.

One was clearly a failure—hard and unpleasant.

Qin Huai smiled and said: “Failure isn’t always bad.”

“If something tastes wrong, that’s where the problem is.”

“If you can’t fix it the first time, try again. If you don’t know where to start, experiment.”

“You have strong fundamentals—you have room to make mistakes.”

“Be bold. Even if it turns out like this rice cake, at least you’ll see the problem clearly.”

Gu Li nodded seriously.

Qin Huai felt proud of his teaching.

As he started making noodles for lunch, a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind:

“Ding! Congratulations, you have completed side quest [Taste of Memory 2].
Reward obtained: [A Fragment of Qu Jing’s Dream].”

Qin Huai: !!!

The strangest task was finally completed!

“What did Qu Jing just eat… the failed rice cake?!”

If he’d known she liked failed versions, he could’ve made plenty!

He almost rushed to the restroom immediately to view the dream.

This was Qu Jing’s only dream fragment.

Once he saw it… she might finally wake up.

And when that happens—

Luo Jun’s tea party would gain a new “spirit.”

And Qu Jing would no longer need to sneak fruit—she could eat openly.