The first thing I did was to find out

Chapter 492 The Most Loyal Customer of the Cloud Canteen

Chen An's loyalty to the Cloud Canteen, or more accurately, to Chef Qin, reached its peak the moment he tasted the rice cake.

At this moment, the idea of ​​seizing power or regaining control seemed absurd to Chen An.

Only what is lost needs to be regained. When has our Master Qin ever lost any of this?
Have you ever eaten rice cake? What? You have? No, you've never eaten it! You have no idea what real rice cake is, you don't understand what the word "rice cake" represents, you don't understand what kind of energy, what kind of ultimate deliciousness, and what kind of simple, rustic yet top-notch taste can be contained in a small piece of rice cake.

For most of the canteen staff, rice cakes were far more impactful than yam cakes. This might be because yam cakes were still considered pastries in their minds, while rice cakes were just an ordinary, inexpensive breakfast.

Of course, that was just the definition of rice cake back then.

At this moment, in the hearts of all the employees of the Cloud Canteen who ate rice cake and yam cake, rice cake is the epitome of the most delicious breakfast in the world!
As for Qin Luo...

The child was still leaning against the window, wolfing down his food.

Although the scene was strange, the expressions were exaggerated, and the location was wrong, the child was happy. Even though table number 9, where Xu Tuqiang and his friends sat every morning, was not far away, Qin Luo refused to sit down and insisted on eating by leaning against the window.

It was as if only by eating it this way could she express the utmost respect for yam cake and rice cake.

After Qin Luo finished eating two plates of yam cake and two plates of rice cake, Qin Huai estimated that the child was about 6% full and could not eat anymore. He reminded her, "Luo Luo, eat less. There will be steamed buns later."

"Brother, I don't like steamed buns. I'll just eat a couple to try the taste," Qin Luo said while stuffing rice cakes into his mouth.

That's the truth. Of all the breakfast options, Qin Luo's least favorite is plain steamed buns. In her words, plain steamed buns are a very boring breakfast, just like apples. Of course, she can eat them if she has no other choice, but if she had a choice, Qin Luo would prefer something else.

"After steamed buns, there will be meat buns, big meat buns, and I should also be able to make three-ingredient buns. As for sesame seed cakes, it depends on the situation. Do you remember Zhao Cheng'an who came back with me yesterday? Although his sesame seed cakes are just average, his meat filling is better than mine. When he comes to work around 8 o'clock, if he's willing, he can make the meat filling and I can make the sesame seed cakes. Luo Luo, you can also eat dream-fulfilling sesame seed cakes, beef sesame seed cakes, pork sesame seed cakes, and chicken sesame seed cakes."

Qin Luo immediately stopped stuffing rice cakes into her mouth, modestly indicating that it wasn't appropriate for her to eat while leaning against the window. Although there wasn't a single customer at Yunzhong Cafeteria at this hour, as Qin Huai's good sister, she couldn't affect the environment of her brother's shop.

Qin Luo obediently put down the empty plate, holding the last rice cake in her hand. She then went to the soy milk bucket to get a bowl of soy milk, found a seat by the window, and carefully ate the last rice cake.

Taking small bites and then sipping soy milk after each bite shows great restraint.

Qin Huai glanced at the time and realized it was already 6:6. At this time before, the Yunzhong Cafeteria would have been packed, though not completely full, and most of the elderly people who were jogging in the morning would already be seated.

The fact that Qin Luo is the only one seated in the Cloud Cafeteria speaks volumes.

This shows that Chen An's breakfast was indeed unpopular, and everyone wanted to grab Zheng Siyuan's 7 o'clock slot.

This also illustrates another point—Zheng Siyuan arrived early today.

Although Qin Huai hadn't been to the Yunzhong Cafeteria for several months, he still managed to hear some firsthand news. For example, Zheng Siyuan's work hours had been getting earlier and earlier, but never earlier than 6 a.m. However, today he arrived before 6 a.m. for the first time ever, indicating that he had come early on purpose.

"Why are you here so early today?" Qin Huai asked.

Zheng Siyuan was still tasting the yam cake. Compared to rice cake, Zheng Siyuan clearly preferred the yam cake. The yam cake was more difficult to make and tasted more delicate. It could be eaten slowly in small bites, making it very suitable for careful appreciation.

"You're back. I came over early for breakfast," Zheng Siyuan said, pointing to the soup pot not far away. "That's the chicken soup I made yesterday. When are we having chicken noodle soup?"

Qin Huai: ...

Even after eating A-grade rice cakes and yam cakes, Zheng Siyuan was still thinking about chicken noodle soup. No wonder he's such a loyal supporter of chicken noodle soup.

"After I finish making this batch of steamed buns, if you're hungry, you can have a couple of pieces of yam cake to tide you over. Making hand-kneaded dough is quick."

Zheng Siyuan nodded and asked, "Do you want to eat wontons?"

"I'm not really interested today."

Zheng Siyuan nodded again: "Then I won't make it. Now that you're back, the Yunzhong Canteen doesn't need the wontons I made this morning. Later, could you try my fresh meat mooncakes for me? I've actually had some insights lately, but I always feel like something's missing."

"Row."

After blatantly eavesdropping on Qin Huai and Zheng Siyuan's latest conversation, Chen An had only four words left in his mind:

Shake hands and make peace.

Hey, why is it a handshake and reconciliation? Master Qin and Master Zheng clearly didn't become enemies. Right, their relationship has always been good. How could he feel that their relationship suddenly deteriorated?

Tan Weian hadn't replied to Chen An's message yet, so Chen An thought for a moment and edited another message before sending it:

The situation at Yunzhong Canteen is currently harmonious, with Chef Qin back in charge of the breakfast stall. The canteen's breakfast business is poised to return to its peak soon!
At 6:15 a.m., Xu Tuqiang, panting heavily, walked into the Yunzhong Canteen after finishing his morning run.

Xu Tuqiang knew that he would probably be one of the earliest customers to arrive at Yunzhong Cafeteria again today. The customers at Yunzhong Cafeteria for breakfast were mainly residents of the community and office workers from nearby office buildings. Yunzhong Community was a community with a relatively high proportion of elderly people, with very few students and office workers, and especially few high school students who needed to get up early.

The number of customers who come to the cafeteria for breakfast at 6 o'clock is very small.

Previously, the morning running group would be the first to arrive at the Cloud Cafeteria at 6 a.m., but now they've changed. Whenever Xu Tuqiang thinks of these traitors, he can't help but despise them in his heart.

Hmph, a traitor with an indecisive will.

Although Xu Tuqiang would sit in the Yunzhong Canteen until 7 o'clock to wait for Chef Zheng's first batch of breakfast to go on sale before eating, he would come to his loyal table number 9 at 6 o'clock to sit and reminisce about the past.

Unlike those traitors who wait and then stop going for their morning run, or who run and then stop coming to the Cloud Cafeteria to sit down, but instead go home to shower, change clothes, and wait to checkpoint at 7 o'clock.

That's right, Chef Qin is no longer at Yunzhong Canteen. He's gone and won't be coming back. It's as if he's vanished from the face of the earth, lingering in Hangzhou. It's as if he's forgotten that there's a group of elderly folks at Yunzhong Canteen eagerly waiting for his return.

But is that your reason for not sitting in the Cloud Cafeteria at 6 o'clock?

What kind of morning is it if you don't sit in the cafeteria and chat for an hour after your morning run, and only give up your seat to customers who need it when the morning rush hour starts?
Although rumors circulated last night that Master Qin had returned and that someone thought they had seen him in the neighborhood, Xu Tuqiang knew that it was most likely just a rumor.

Qin Huai didn't post on WeChat Moments.

We've heard too many rumors lately; basically, every two weeks someone spreads a rumor that Master Qin has returned.

Thinking of this, Xu Tuqiang straightened his chest and strode confidently into the Cloud Canteen. Regardless of any rumors, Xu Tuqiang would always be the most loyal customer of the Cloud Canteen. Whether Chef Qin was there or not, he would always be the first customer sitting in the canteen waiting for breakfast!

Almost the instant Xu Tuqiang pushed open the door, he saw Qin Luo sitting by the window, looking somewhat melancholy, sipping rice cake and soy milk.

Seeing Qin Luo's expression, Xu Tuqiang instantly empathized, feeling that Qin Luo, like him, was sitting by the window reminiscing about Master Qin.

"Luo Luo, you're here so early today." Xu Tuqiang greeted Qin Luo with a smile.

"Good morning, Uncle Xu." Qin Luo responded politely, and reminded Xu Tuqiang, "The rice cakes and yam cakes my brother made are ready, and they're especially delicious! But there should be steamed buns, meat buns, and sesame cakes coming up later. Uncle Xu, please eat in moderation, or you won't be able to eat the rest."

Xu Tuqiang was stunned by Qin Luo's words. He stood there, almost in a daze, and turned to look at the window. Through the window next to the familiar table number 9, he saw his beloved Master Qin.

Qin Huai was kneading dough at the kitchen counter, preparing to make hand-pulled noodles for Zheng Siyuan. He was focused and his movements were skillful. He was wearing the work uniform of Yunzhong Canteen, and there were assistants beside him.

Xu Tuqiang's eyes welled up with tears.

This is the scene, this is the familiar setup, wow, this isn't a dream!
Xu Tuqiang excitedly strode forward, walked to the window, stared intently at Qin Huai, his lips trembling. He wanted to say a lot, but couldn't utter a single word.

Qin Huai also saw Xu Tuqiang and greeted him with a smile, "Good morning, Uncle Xu. Chef Zheng was just telling me that you've changed your breakfast time. You won't be coming at 6 a.m. anymore; you'll be coming at 7 a.m. Instead. The cafeteria staff have also adjusted their work hours, with the early shift starting at 6:30 a.m. I didn't expect you to be here so early."

"I haven't made much here, just rice cakes and yam cakes. Would you like to try some to tide you over? I've been practicing my dim sum skills at Zhiweiju for the past few months, and they're especially worth trying. They're very popular in Hangzhou."

Xu Tuqiang suppressed his excitement and tried to keep his voice calm, but his tone couldn't help but rise: "Then... give me two of each!"

Xu Tuqiang remembered Qin Luo's words: there would be more delicious food later.

Qin Huai hadn't expected Xu Tuqiang to be so reserved, only eating two yam cakes, but then thought it was understandable. Given Xu's age, he probably didn't really like pastries, and Xu Tuqiang's favorite was glutinous rice cake; he probably wasn't really interested in yam cake.

The helpers along the Qinhuai River deftly served Xu Tuqiang rice cakes and yam cakes, passing them to him through the window. Xu Tuqiang took a deep breath, accepted the small plate, and solemnly walked to table number 9, where he sat down.

He stared at the rice cakes and yam cakes on the plate, speechless for a long time.

He thought the two pastries on the plate looked ordinary, yet they were so tempting.

Especially rice cakes. Since he became obsessed with eating at the Yunzhong Canteen, Xu Tuqiang hadn't eaten rice cakes for a long time. He remembered that there was a breakfast shop at the entrance of a community 2 kilometers away from Yunzhong Community that sold rice cakes. The rice cakes there were made fresh every day and were not expensive. Because they were made fresh, the rice cakes were not very white, but a mixed white between off-white and pure white.

The surface of the rice cake was not as smooth and delicate as the rice cake on the plate. The air holes in the rice cake were visible to the naked eye, and the aroma of rice was not as strong as that of the rice cake on the plate. However, when the owner lifted the steamer to give the customers rice cakes, the aroma that rose with the steam was very tempting.

The rice cakes on the plate seemed a little better than those from that other shop, but there weren't many of them.

Xu Tuqiang really liked the rice cakes from that breakfast shop. He used to buy a few to tide him over when he passed by during his morning run. Unlike steamed buns, Xu Tuqiang always felt that rice cakes weren't filling at all. Even after eating five or six, he felt they were just so-so, and he could still eat something else. It was as if rice cakes were just a small appetizer before a meal, neither adding to the meal nor providing a welcome addition, but they could still serve as a little garnish.

Xu Tuqiang could already recall the taste of that rice cake from before; even though he didn't remember it very clearly, it tasted delicious in his imagination.

Xu Tuqiang picked up the rice cake and took a bite.

The rice has a rich aroma, a slightly sweet taste, a smooth texture, a soft and glutinous texture, a subtle flavor, and a unique taste that meets and exceeds expectations.

Full score!

What garnish? What supporting role? Sorry, rice cake, I, Xu Tuqiang, underestimated you. You are the true king of breakfast, the most dazzling protagonist!
Xu Tuqiang finally understood why Qin Luo had specifically reminded him not to eat too much, because at times like this, it was really hard for people not to rush to the window and shout, "Give me another 20 rice cakes!"

I can eat just 20 rice cakes!
I can really eat it!
Xu Tuqiang ate a rice cake in two bites and couldn't stop... Well, he did manage to stop, he only ordered two in total.

After finishing the rice cake with lingering enjoyment, Xu Tuqiang took another bite of the yam cake.

!

The taste, the sweetness, the delicate texture—this yam cake melts on your tongue!
Oh my god, I'm sorry, I misspoke earlier. Rice cake isn't the only king of breakfast, you are too!
You two are simply neck and neck, equally matched, complementing each other perfectly, a natural and seamless combination!
Who says yam cake can't be breakfast? At Yunzhong Canteen, yam cake is one of the best breakfast options!

Xu Tuqiang said that he has been writing a lot of food reviews lately and has run out of ideas. In order to fill up the word count, he has been reading books to enrich his vocabulary. Whenever he describes food, he can't help but pile up idioms.

At this moment, Xu Tuqiang felt that his early arrival every morning was worthwhile. His early arrival today must have given Chef Qin a boost of confidence, letting Chef Qin know that there are still customers in Yunzhong Canteen who come to stick to the place as early as 6 o'clock every day.

Before today, there might have been some debate about who the most loyal customer of the Cloud Canteen was.

After today, Xu Tuqiang wanted to ask who would dare to bark like a dog again, especially that guy surnamed Qian, who always made an excuse to go home and take a shower after his morning run.

Is there such a rush? It makes it sound like you exercise a lot. At your age, how much running can you do? You just jog casually every morning.

Sure enough, hard work pays off, and perseverance always brings rewards. Xu Tuqiang has been arriving at the Yunzhong Canteen earliest every day for the past few months, and this morning he reaped the most delicious freshly baked rice cakes and yam cakes.

It would be even better if Chef Qin could make glutinous rice cakes today.

Xu Tuqiang thought.

Master Zheng is also very nice. He occasionally makes rice cakes, but he doesn't like to make glutinous rice cakes. He usually makes rice cakes with lard.

In the kitchen, Qin Huai watched Xu Tuqiang almost burst into tears while eating breakfast and sighed to Zheng Siyuan, "I always thought that Grandpa Xu was the one who disliked morning runs the most, liked to be lazy, and didn't have OCD. It turns out that Grandpa Xu is the one with the most severe OCD."

“All the other elderly men have changed to coming for breakfast at 7 o’clock, but he still has to arrive at 6 o’clock every day and wait until 7 o’clock to eat breakfast.”

"Zheng Siyuan, why didn't you think of coming earlier to make breakfast?"

Zheng Siyuan said expressionlessly, "Because I am a pastry chef."

"Coming here at 6 a.m. is already the limit; I really can't get up any earlier."

“If you don’t come back soon, I’m already thinking of calling my dad to come and help. As long as he doesn’t sleep in, he can get up earlier than me in the morning.”

(End of this chapter)