The first thing I did was to find out

Chapter 481 Never eaten pork but have seen pigs run
"When kneading dough, you first need to learn how to apply force, that is, to use skillful force. It's not simply about kneading from the inside out with the heels of your palms and then pulling back. During the kneading process, you need to judge the state of the dough by the feel of your hands. Take steamed buns as an example. Whether you want to make chewy steamed buns or fluffy and soft steamed buns depends on the state of the dough. This state needs to be felt. You need to be able to feel it. You understand what I'm saying..."

Qin Huai didn't finish his classic sentimental statement because he had already seen the confusion in An Youyou's eyes.

Seeing that Qin Huai and An Youyou had turned a simple steamed bun teaching session into a muddle-headed and unhappy one, Zhao Cheng'an was speechless and said, "What Qin Huai meant by 'feeling' is the final effect the dough should have. How close you are to the final result is how close you are to it. If you are close, you have a feeling; if you are not, you don't have a feeling. If the dough is too hard, knead it to be softer; if it is too soft, try to make it harder. If there are many air holes, it means there is a problem with your technique. You need to knead out the air. If you feel that everything is about the same, but it is just a little off, it means there is a problem with the fermentation of the dough. Control the time well and try a few more times. When you try, have someone watching you."

An Youyou:!

Qin Huai: !
"I understand, thank you, Master Qin. I'll go back and knead the dough now," An Youyou said excitedly.

"Don't go back to kneading yet. Watch Qin Huai knead the dough more. Qin Huai's kneading movements are quite standard. As long as he slows down a bit, you'll definitely learn something with your current skill level. Theoretical knowledge of making pastries is secondary. Don't be fooled by those fancy recipes that say things like 'apply force here, knead twice there, and then turn it back here.' That's all fluff. The most important thing is practice. Everyone's movements and habits are different. A hundred or a thousand words from a master can't compare to seeing it done in front of you. Qin Huai has been making these basic pastries lately, so don't miss this opportunity. These days, what pastry master is so engrossed in making these ordinary breakfast items, like plain steamed buns?"

"When Qin Huai first came to Zhiweiju and was determined to learn finger techniques seriously, he obediently watched me and my master make basic pastries for two days. Do you want to be an exception? It's not shameful to imitate, and it's not shameful to imitate unclearly. Guess why a master and apprentice or fellow disciples from the same school can be recognized at a glance? Because their techniques and movement habits are the same, taught by the same master."

"Guess why someone who's unorthodox can be recognized at a glance? Because if someone learns a lot and a wide variety of things, they'll develop a lot of messy habits. These are things that are formed during the learning process and can't be changed, nor do they need to be changed. Of course, there are exceptions. Qin Huai and I are exceptions. Our movements and techniques are very standard, and we basically don't have any personal habits."

"But that's precisely why you need to watch Qin Huai make pastries even more. Where can you find such standard techniques? You're originally self-taught, and now you're gradually getting on the right track and developing professionally. It's easy to feel out of place at this time. The very textbook-like techniques that Qin Huai and I use are the most suitable teaching direction for you, allowing for a smooth transition."

Once Zhao Cheng'an started talking, he couldn't stop, rattling off a long string of words, which An Youyou listened to with repeated nods. Seeing An Youyou nodding continuously, Zhao Cheng'an suddenly adopted the persona of a lecturer and asked:

"Tell me what you just understood?"

An Youyou blurted out, "My job now is to watch you and Chef Qin make steamed buns. Your skills are both excellent. I can't just go back and try to practice on my own. I'll just watch you and learn from you."

Zhao Cheng'an nodded in satisfaction, revealing an expression that showed he was a promising student, and then asked, "Do you have any questions now?"

"I have a small problem," An Youyou said. "What if I don't understand it when I watch it, and I can't imitate it well enough when I try?"

“I used to watch Chef Pei and Chef Li make pastries at the Cloud Cafeteria, but I often couldn’t understand their techniques.”

"If you don't understand, ask. If you can't explain exactly what you don't understand, ask about everything. Ask with gestures and words. The role of a master is not to teach, but to demonstrate and answer. If you really want to teach, no one can guarantee that they can teach well. They're not professional teachers who graduated from teachers' colleges. There are plenty of masters who can't teach."

"But anyone can provide answers. If you encounter a problem and there is no professional to answer it, you will go astray and make mistakes. But if someone answers your questions, you can get on the right path. This is the role of a master."

An Youyou understood.

Qin Huai also understood.

At this moment, Zhao Cheng'an radiated the golden light of a top-notch teacher.

Qin Huai instantly knew what he should do; this was perfect for him.

According to Zhao Cheng'an's method, Qin Huai could improve his proficiency level normally while teaching An Youyou how to make pastries, helping her truly become an excellent breakfast shop chef, all without revealing that he himself didn't know how to teach.

Qin Huai continued to grind for basic proficiency.

An Youyou watched Qin Huai make various basic breakfast pastries until 3 pm, after which it was Chef Zhou's teaching time. Since Qin Huai started frantically practicing her skills, she had less time to practice finger techniques and puff pastry, but Chef Zhou still taught her.

The two teachers take turns teaching, and what they teach depends on their mood, how long they teach, and the teaching method is also random.

Sometimes Master Zhou would demonstrate, teaching step by step, explaining as he did it.

Sometimes Master Zhou would simply observe Qin Huai making various dim sum dishes, occasionally offering a few pointers. These pointers would come randomly at other times, but the chances were relatively small. This was because Qin Huai had been making very basic breakfast items lately, so there wasn't much to offer in terms of suggestions.

An Youyou has to go to Zhiweiju at 3:30 every morning to help Qin Huai prepare ingredients, and she also gets off work early, usually around 4 pm. Occasionally she will get off work overtime until 4:30 to 5 pm, which is in line with the normal working hours of an apprentice at Zhiweiju.

Before An Youyou went back to make steamed buns, Qin Huai specifically asked Tan Weian to keep an eye on things so that he wouldn't miss any problems that might arise while An Youyou was making them, and instead make things worse.

Tan Weian loved doing this kind of supervisory work the most. As a supervisor, he didn't have to make snacks, so he could slack off and had a legitimate reason to do it. He immediately agreed.

Then, after Qin Huai got off work and returned home on time at around 4 o'clock, Tan Weian sent Qin Huai a barrage of messages, using countless exclamation marks in WeChat to express her shock, asking Qin Huai what kind of magic pill he had given An Youyou, and how she had made such amazing progress.

Qin Huai asked Tan Weian how astonishing An Youyou's progress was. Tan Weian replied that it was an earth-shattering breakthrough, going from the first level of Qi Refining to the third level overnight—the kind of treatment you'd expect from a protagonist in a cultivation novel.

Qin Huai then asked Tan Weian how he and Zhao Cheng'an would define their levels, and Tan Weian replied that they were at least Nascent Soul cultivators.

Hearing Tan Weian's description, Qin Huai felt relieved and thought that Tan Weian wasn't suited to writing wish-fulfillment novels. According to Tan Weian's definition, Qin Huai would be at the ninth level of Qi Refining, almost at Foundation Establishment, when he started inducing Qi into his body. A true genius reading his wish-fulfillment novel would find it unsatisfying; it would be more like an inspirational story.

More than An Youyou's breakthrough to the third level of Qi Refining, Qin Huai was more concerned about how Zhao Cheng'an was so knowledgeable about teaching and why he left work so early today.

"Didn't you stay up past 7 p.m. every day lately making desserts? Why are you leaving get off work with me today and coming to my house to eat fruit?" Qin Huai looked at Zhao Cheng'an sitting across from him, eating his favorite banana. "There are two dragon fruits in the fridge that no one has eaten. Can you eat them?"

"I don't like dragon fruit." Zhao Cheng'an said, munching on a banana. "Just invite Tan Weian over to your house to eat it before it goes bad."

“I was allowed to leave work early today by my master. He said he was pleased to see how hard I’ve been working lately, even though my efforts haven’t been very effective and I’ve actually regressed. But he thinks I’ve changed a bit and am not as lazy as before. I know how to be ashamed and then strive to improve.”

Qin Huai stared at him, expressionless, and said, "Tell the truth."

"After you left, I cried to my master, saying that I really couldn't go on like this. I didn't get off work until 7 pm every night. Even if I haven't made any progress these days, I've still worked hard. I've contributed to Zhiweiju, I've worked overtime for Zhiweiju, and I want to leave work early!"

"My master scolded me and told me to go home."

Qin Huai: ...

Alright, as expected of you.

"Then why haven't I heard you say those things to An Youyou today?" Qin Huai asked again.

Zhao Cheng'an started eating his second banana: "Did I say that before? I didn't even think of it before. Even if you asked me to say it, I couldn't."

“Although I only worked as a pastry chef for a few short years in my previous seven lives, my skills were taught by Master Chen himself, with occasional pointers from Master Jiang. You've seen my memories and even found Master Jiang's recipes; you know Master Jiang's skills.” “Back then, everyone treated me like a fool, and my teaching was truly idiotic. Even if I haven't eaten pork, I've seen pigs run, right? Qin Huai, let me tell you, if I were to open a pastry training class now, I'd definitely make a fortune. Don't say I lack talent; even if I'm not smart, I can teach!" Zhao Cheng'an was extremely confident, and his voice became much louder; confidence really makes a difference.

For some reason, when Qin Huai heard Zhao Cheng'an say this, he felt that Chen Qiusheng and Jiang Chengde had really suffered in those years.

Although Zhao Cheng'an didn't learn well and his skills weren't great without diligent practice, teaching him was still a lot of work.

Seeing Zhao Cheng'an start eating his third banana, Qin Huai suddenly felt a sense of crisis and also started eating a banana. The two sat facing each other, eating bananas and chatting casually.

As they were chatting, their phones suddenly vibrated. Qin Huai looked closely and realized that his phone was in Zhao Cheng'an's pocket.

Qin Huai: ?
Zhao Cheng'an naturally handed the phone back to Qin Huai: "I just picked it up when I came in. It was something I did casually. I just wanted to practice my skills so I wouldn't get rusty."

"Can't you choose something else to go with?"

"It's your own fault for not using your phone more. You didn't even notice it was lost right away."

Qin Huai: ...

Qin Huai glanced at his phone and saw that Chen Huihong had initiated a video call in the group. Since he had nothing else to do, Qin Huai joined in.

As soon as he joined the video call, Qin Huai realized that today's call was no ordinary call; everyone was here today!

Chen Gong was present.

This is quite a rare occurrence. As President Han's right-hand man, Wen Yaoyu is always either working overtime, in meetings, or writing materials, reports, spreadsheets, or making phone calls. He is often absent from video calls in the group chat, and it is difficult to see him unless there is an important event, such as Zhao Cheng'an waking up.

Shi Dadan is still on vacation. Judging from the background of his video, he seems to have run into a toilet stall in a restaurant, which shows that he has learned Qin Huai's special skill.

"Old Shi, remember to wear headphones and talk less," Qin Huai reminded him.

“I know, I’m wearing it.” Shi Dadan tilted his head slightly and pointed to the Bluetooth earphone in his ear.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Chen Huihong cleared her throat and excitedly announced some exciting news: "Everyone, great news! Assistant Chen has secured his annual leave!"

Qin Huai: ? What kind of good news is this? Is Chen Gong's vacation so important that we need to initiate a video call?
However, Qin Huai realized the next second that this was indeed important good news. Chen Gong's request for annual leave meant that Luo Jun's tea party was about to begin.

A tea party where all the spirits and monsters gather.

"Assistant Chen, when do you wish to take your annual leave?" Qu Jing asked.

Chen Gong said unhurriedly, "It's a long time. When President Han heard that I wanted to take a break, he approved a full 35 days of annual leave for me. I can take it from August 20th to September 23rd. Anyway, I don't have any other friends. Because I'm too busy with work, I don't have much contact with my family. So I plan to stay in Shanshi for these 35 days and get to know everyone better."

"Therefore, there is no need for everyone to rush. We will have plenty of time and opportunities to get together, so there is no need to adjust our rest time specifically for me."

Chen Huihong chimed in, “Yes, yes, I just talked to Chen Gong. I don’t have any suitable houses for him to live in right now. Those houses are full of stuff and can’t be cleared out in a short time. But Luo Jun seems to have a few houses of two or three hundred square meters. I didn’t know he had so many houses in our community. He doesn’t rent them out, they’re just empty. I always thought those houses were bought by someone else to speculate on real estate.”

Luo Jun rolled his eyes: "I'm one of the developers of this community. Is it wrong for me to have a few apartments that I like in this community?"

Chen Huihong completely ignored Luo Jun: "So when the time comes, Chen Gong can just come and stay in whichever apartment he likes. If he doesn't like any of them, I'll help him contact others to see if there are any other vacant rooms for rent."

"Old Shi, you should spare some time to come over again. Let me tell you, Jingjing and I have picked out a really good burial plot for Luo Jun. You must come and see it. You'll think we made a really good choice."

Shi Dadan nodded happily: "I'll have time when my child starts school, and I can go anytime. I'll definitely visit Mr. Luo's grave then."

"Hey, Mr. Luo, you clearly have several vacant apartments in the complex. Why didn't you mention it when Lao Shi came to stay last time? In the end, he stayed at your place?" Qu Jing asked curiously.

Luo Jun raised his head slightly, even during a video call he had to use his chin to look at people: "Too many houses, I forgot."

Everyone:...

Chen Huihong continued to chair the meeting: "Today, I mainly want to share this good news with everyone. Qin Huai, you and Xiao Zhao must come back by August 20th. I will arrange accommodation for Xiao Zhao, Lao Shi, and Chen Gong. It would be best if we could have a tea party at Luo Jun's house on the evening of August 20th. It's the first time we've had a tea party with so many people together. I'm really excited just thinking about it."

Qin Huai spoke up: "Then, Sister Hong, could you also help me find a one-bedroom apartment in this complex, facing south, with a large sofa? I'm renting it for An Youyou. The details are as follows..."

Qin Huai succinctly reported on today's breakthrough progress, eliciting gasps of amazement from everyone, who never expected the mayfly to have such a skill.

Chen Huihong listened intently to An Youyou's past and was almost moved to tears: "I never imagined that Youyou had lived such a life before. She had never even been to an amusement park. I remember that my brother should have an annual pass for an amusement park. If he doesn't have one, I'll have him buy one for Youyou when she comes back!"

Qin Huai: ...Sister Hong, why don't you spend some of your own money?

"Now that everything is settled, I won't bother you any longer. I'm really looking forward to meeting you all in person on August 20th," Chen Gong said with a smile. "Of course, I'm also looking forward to new friends joining the group before August 20th. It'll be more lively with more people."

Qin Huai: ...

No wonder he's a top-notch worker; he can push for KPIs with such nonchalance.

But August 20th...

It's the end of July now, and there are still more than 20 days left. If the basic panel can make a big breakthrough and directly complete the main quest to unlock An Youyou's memories, then it's really hard to say.

After all, Qin Huai hadn't expected Zhao Cheng'an to wake up so quickly, since the memories were viewed sequentially.

"I'll try my best," Qin Huai said.

(End of this chapter)