AGN -Chapter 383 The Side Quest Is Completed

As expected by Qin Huai, when he sent the message to Shi Dadan, Shi Dadan and Wang Gensheng were already on the way. Qin Huai had told them they could come for dinner around 6 p.m., and the two of them timed it perfectly—stepping into Huang Ji at exactly 5:59.

Qin Huai had already arranged a private room: Room 111.

As soon as Shi Dadan arrived at Huang Ji, he messaged Qin Huai to say they were here and heading to the private room. At that time, Qin Huai had just come out of the changing room, and Gong Liang was waiting for him at the door.

When Qin Huai and Gong Liang reached the stairway, they saw Shi Dadan and Wang Gensheng’s backs—one of them walking with obvious enthusiasm, the other slightly unsteady.

It was clear that Huang Ji’s messy accounts had left an indelible psychological impact on the forty-year veteran accountant.

Hopefully Wang Gensheng hadn’t eaten too much while auditing the books today, so he’d still have enough appetite for a big dinner tonight.

Qin Huai introduced them to Gong Liang:

“The two in front are Mr. Shi and Accountant Wang. Mr. Shi is a bit slow in speaking and reacting, so please go easy on him when you talk to him later.”

Don’t let our ‘at-home immortal beast’ get tricked into confusion.

Although Shi Dadan was definitely smarter now than in his first life, he still likely wouldn’t be a match for Gong Liang.

Gong Liang immediately understood Qin Huai’s implication and smiled: “Don’t worry, you still don’t know what kind of person I am? As a shareholder of Huang Ji, I will definitely make sure Mr. Shi and Accountant Wang enjoy themselves and feel completely at home.”

In just two sentences, he turned a free meal into a shareholder hospitality event—his skill was evident.

“Just looking at his back, I already feel like I have a connection with Mr. Shi. There’s even a sense of familiarity. I remember you said he lives downstairs, right? I’ll bring him some fruit later. The fruit shops around here are all pretty shady; you can’t get the best quality ones.”

While speaking, Qin Huai and Gong Liang arrived at Room 111 and pushed the door open.

Wang Gensheng was complaining to Shi Dadan about how chaotic today’s bookkeeping was:

“I’ve never seen such a messy set of accounts. Entries everywhere, mistakes all over the place. No major errors, but constant small ones. How did accountants become like this nowadays? If this level showed up in our factory back then, they wouldn’t even pass probation. If not for the fact that the spreadsheets were at least decent, my brain and eyes would’ve both given out.”

Wang Gensheng stopped mid-complaint when he noticed Qin Huai and Gong Liang entering.

He had met Gong Liang before—when Qin Huai was practicing Four-Happiness Tangyuan, they often ran into each other at Qin Huai’s home holding bowls of tangyuan.

Wang Gensheng respected Gong Liang quite a bit; Gong Liang’s food reviews were always among the best, even better than Xu Tuqiang’s.

“G-Gong… Mr. Gong,” Wang Gensheng stammered.

Gong Liang immediately stepped forward warmly: “Accountant Wang, I’ve long admired your reputation. I didn’t even know you were Accountant Wang when we ate tangyuan together before. I used to work at a silk factory as a sales department head—just call me Xiao Gong. I’ve really long respected your name. Your accounting skills are unmatched in several state-owned factories in Suzhou!”

Wang Gensheng was caught off guard by the sudden praise and took a moment to respond:

“Gong… Section Chief Gong, I’ve heard of your name too. Exhibition records, right?”

It was almost a legendary meeting between two well-known figures from different factories.

Shi Dadan, a semi-famous figure from Wang Gensheng’s past life, smiled while watching them, still holding a half-eaten apple: “What a coincidence. This is basically an old colleagues’ reunion.”

Gong Liang continued smoothly: “Yes, that’s why when I heard Qin Huai invited Accountant Wang and Mr. Shi for dinner, I came uninvited. Let me introduce myself properly—Gong Liang, shareholder of Huang Ji, and I also do a bit of silk business. If you have any feedback on today’s dishes, feel free to tell me anytime.”

“I wonder what you’d like to drink—alcohol or…”

“Just some hot drinks is fine,” Wang Gensheng quickly replied.

Gong Liang called the waiter and ordered two pots of hot drinks.

When Qin Huai had previously introduced Gong Liang’s identity as a spirit entity to Shi Dadan, Shi Dadan already knew Gong Liang was a yào shòu (a mythical deceiver beast). And Qin Huai had also told Shi Dadan in advance that Gong Liang would be joining dinner today, so Shi Dadan wasn’t surprised.

As for why Wang Gensheng wasn’t surprised either…

One could only say Gong Liang’s “gold medal salesman” aura was simply too strong. Not only did Wang Gensheng not find it strange, even Qin Huai felt that if anyone should leave this room, it would probably be him.

He looked the most unnecessary person in the room.

Qin Huai also knew today’s main event wasn’t him—or even Gong Liang.

It was Shi Dadan.

He gave Shi Dadan a “your turn to perform” look.

Shi Dadan was already prepared. He took a bite of his apple, straightened his posture, and after pretending to think for a moment—as if he had just remembered something—asked Wang Gensheng naturally: “Brother Wang, I remember you mentioned this restaurant used to be a state-run canteen?”

“Yes!” Wang Gensheng immediately got excited.

He loved nothing more than reminiscing about the past.

Unfortunately, due to his aging memory, he only ever repeated the same few stories, and his audience had grown tired of them over time. But Shi Dadan was different—he listened attentively and was genuinely interested.

Wang Gensheng immediately launched into his nostalgic storytelling: “Back when I worked at the cotton mill as an accountant, I had just graduated and was assigned here. During my probation period I earned very little—just enough for two decent meals and I was broke again. When I didn’t have money, I’d deliberately take a detour just to smell the food from the state-run canteen…”

Once he started, he couldn’t stop.

Gong Liang was slightly stunned, not understanding how the conversation had suddenly shifted this way.

Shi Dadan listened intently, then interrupted at the right moment: “Was the old state-run canteen the same as Huang Ji now?”

That question stumped Wang Gensheng.

He stopped reminiscing and carefully looked around the room: “It seems… not really…”

Gong Liang quickly explained: “Huang Ji was expanded from the original state-run canteen. The first floor and second floor were both extended. The original second floor only had two private rooms and a storage room.”

“This Room 111 is actually formed by merging those two old private rooms and renovating them. Only this room retains the original structure; the others are newly built.”

“At first I even suggested to Old Huang—Master Huang Shengli—that we demolish and rebuild entirely. It would’ve been cheaper than expansion.”

“But he refused. He said if you’re opening a new restaurant, you can do it anywhere. There’s no need to tear down the old canteen. Since it was already taken over, we should expand on the original site and leave something familiar for the neighborhood—so people wouldn’t forget it used to be a state-run canteen.”

Originally, this speech belonged to Qin Huai—but Gong Liang was faster and took it over.

Qin Huai had specifically reserved Room 111 for this reason: it was the only surviving “original site” room.

Even though visually it no longer looked like anything special, and Wang Gensheng likely had never actually eaten inside it before (due to cost and status), the symbolic value still mattered.

After hearing this, Wang Gensheng was deeply moved: “Master Huang… truly thoughtful.”

Seeing that the atmosphere was working, Shi Dadan pressed on: “I remember you said those steamed buns and pastries back then were amazing. I love steamed buns too. It’s a pity I missed that era.”

Wang Gensheng immediately continued: “Yes, Chef Jing’s craftsmanship was unbeatable. Back when I just got my salary, the first thing I did was queue up to buy…”

And once again, he went deep into nostalgia.

As he spoke, Shi Dadan asked another question: “Sounds great, but you mentioned you usually only bought them to take home. Did you ever actually sit inside the canteen to eat?”

At this point, the question had become noticeably deliberate. Even Gong Liang felt something was off.

The focus on the canteen was too persistent—almost unnaturally so.

Qin Huai had already prepared for this. He had given Gong Liang a heads-up in advance, telling him that Shi Dadan might not be very smart, so any kind of question he asked would be “reasonable.”

Gong Liang didn’t think much of it, only silently felt that Qin Huai’s friend seemed a bit… unusual. When engaging in conversation later, he’d need to choose “unusual topics” as well.

As for Wang Gensheng, he was already completely immersed in the joy of reminiscing. No matter what Shi Dadan asked, he would answer.

“I’ve eaten stir-fried dishes a few times, but only once was it cooked by Chef Jing, and that was thanks to a friend’s connection.”

“Back then, the state-run canteen wasn’t as big as it is now. The main hall only had seven or eight tables, and seats were hard to get. I didn’t even know there were two private rooms upstairs. I always thought there was only one on the first floor.”

“In those days…”

“Ah, those really were…”

“That time…”

Wang Gensheng continued rambling on about the past. The content wasn’t much different from his usual reminiscing, except that because Shi Dadan kept asking about the state-run canteen, he focused more on it, especially mentioning pastries.

But he never mentioned the double crab buns.

That was normal.

Under ordinary circumstances, Wang Gensheng wouldn’t think of the double crab buns first. The very first thing he would remember was the fermented rice buns, because they were cheaper and he had eaten them the most.

At this moment, Shi Dadan stepped in.

“Oh right, the double crab buns Xiao Qin has been researching recently—weren’t those originally a pastry from the old state-run canteen?”

Qin Huai knew the conversation had reached the critical point. He quickly messaged Huang Anyao to have the waiters start serving the dishes.

Faced with such a sudden question, Wang Gensheng froze for a long time, then slowly nodded.

“Yes.”

Just one word.

Shi Dadan continued with emotion: “If that’s the case, then what a coincidence today. You said you never sat in the upstairs private rooms of the state-run canteen, but the room we’re in now is exactly the renovated space formed by combining those two original private rooms.”

“And Xiao Qin came here specifically to make double crab buns. So we’ll definitely have them today, right?”

“Yes, yes,” Qin Huai quickly replied.

“Old Wang, wouldn’t you say this kind of makes up for your regret of never sitting in the old canteen’s private rooms or having a proper meal there?”

Shi Dadan asked.

Gong Liang was completely confused now. The question in his mind was practically written on his face:

When did Wang accountant ever say he regretted not eating double crab buns in the canteen?

Wang Gensheng first froze again, then seemed to recall something. His expression suddenly became complex—mixed emotions all at once.

Qin Huai heard him murmur softly: “Yes… there is a bit of regret.”

Qin Huai knew it—this side quest was done.

Although Shi Dadan’s support was awkwardly delivered, it didn’t matter. Effective support was good support.

The dishes hadn’t even been served yet, and Qin Huai already felt Wang Gensheng’s task was nearly complete.

Just then, a knock came from outside the door.

A waiter politely asked, “Hello, may we start serving the dishes now?”

“Come in,” Qin Huai said loudly.

The waiters filed in one after another.

The dishes were already prepared:

Braised Lion’s Head meatballs, stewed carp head, braised whole pig head, tofu soup (Wensi tofu), pine nut corn, stir-fried greens, Three-Set Duck, Eight-Treasure Chicken, dry-shredded bamboo shoots in broth, soft-fried eel strips, braised pork with preserved vegetables, fermented rice buns, fresh meat mooncakes, and—double crab buns.

Shi Dadan’s eyes widened. For a moment he didn’t even know which dish to smell first. Every dish was fragrant, blending together into an aroma so rich he almost wanted to start eating immediately.

But he held back.

After all, he had seen the world—he had once been Cao Guixiang’s boss for many years.

From the moment the dishes were served, Qin Huai’s gaze stayed fixed on Wang Gensheng, watching which dish he looked at.

And Wang Gensheng only looked at one dish from beginning to end.

The double crab buns.

It was stable.

Absolutely stable.

“Old Wang, you’ve worked hard settling the accounts today. You get the first bite,” Qin Huai said with a smile.

Wang Gensheng, still focused on the double crab buns, nodded absentmindedly. He picked one up and took a big bite without hesitation, as if the buns were the most important dish on the table—completely outclassing all the steaming delicacies around it.

Gong Liang: “?”

Is Accountant Wang trying to flatter Xiao Qin, or does he just have a very unique taste? Normally, the first thing anyone would grab would be dumplings or buns.

The next second, Gong Liang understood.

There were only four people at this table. With so many dishes, they wouldn’t finish them anyway. There was no need to compete for food—flattering Xiao Qin was actually the optimal strategy.

As expected of a forty-year veteran accountant—truly calculating.

Thinking this, Gong Liang’s chopsticks landed decisively on the braised whole pig head.

Shi Dadan, seeing his “support role” complete, immediately switched into full eating mode and waved to the waiter to bring a large bowl of rice first.

Gong Liang: “?”

Now he was truly confused.

Qin Huai, however, paid no attention to Gong Liang at all. His focus remained entirely on Wang Gensheng.

He watched as Wang Gensheng swallowed the first bite, then slowly took a second—transitioning from ravenous eating to slow, deliberate chewing.

At the same time, a system notification sounded in Qin Huai’s mind:

“Ding. Congratulations on completing side quest: [Wang Gensheng’s Desire]. Reward obtained: [Wang Gensheng’s Approval], [A Fragment of Wang Gensheng’s Memory].”