The first thing I did was to find out

Chapter 565 Thanks
"belch."

This is Xu Cheng's hiccup.

"belch."

This is Jiang Yong's burp.

"belch."

This is Lin Yi's hiccup.

'Hungry.'

This is the heartfelt sentiment of Lin Yi's son.

Lin Yi read his son's thoughts from his expression. With a sweet rice wine bun in his left hand and a three-ingredient bun in his right, he took a bite in front of his son with a blank expression, insisting on chewing it properly and swallowing it even though he was full.

This is respect for food!

Lin Yi's son received the same treatment as Lin Er's daughter. Lin Er's son arrived later than Xu Cheng and Jiang Yong. By the time he arrived, the fermented rice buns were almost ready. He didn't participate much in the discussion about dividing the gold bars and didn't express his opinion. As a result, he benefited from the situation and started eating right away.

Qin Huai came here today simply to make some snacks. The seventh chapter of An Youyou's search for her little brother has come to an end. If nothing unexpected happens, Qin Huai and the other two will head to Suzhou tomorrow to start the Xu Chenggang chapter.

Then the accident happened.

Xu Cheng, clinging to the kitchen door, asked Qin Huai incredulously while munching on a steamed bun with fermented rice wine, "Are you really not planning to appear on 'Zhiwei'? When you were a newcomer and hadn't seen much of the world, it was understandable that you didn't know my name, Xu Cheng, or 'Zhiwei'. But now that you're quite famous, practically a rising sun in the world of pastry, why are you still like this?"
No, it's even worse than before!
You used to be on "Taste of China," but now you don't even appear on it!
Isn't this fermented rice bun even better than the Guo'er from the big magazine at the beginning of the year?
Xu Cheng was amazed by his first bite of the fermented rice bun, amazed by his second bite, amazed by his third bite, his fourth bite... and so on until now, every bite is amazing, purely amazing.

While S-grade steamed buns might not be the only ones of their kind, Xu Cheng had certainly never eaten one before.

Even Xu Cheng wasn't particularly impressed when he took his first bite, because he doesn't eat steamed buns very often, and without comparison, it wasn't as amazing as he expected. It wasn't until he tried several other snacks that Xu Cheng gradually began to appreciate the amazing qualities of the fermented rice steamed bun.

Of course, it's also possible that eating too many buff dishes at once made the fermented rice steamed buns seem even more awesome.

Sometimes, you have to layer steamed buns with other flavorful foods to really appreciate their taste.

Xu Cheng felt that Qin Huai was being treated unfairly. Last time, Guo'er was on the cover of the opening issue of the year, but this time, Jiu Niang Mantou was only given the cover of a regular issue, which seemed a bit unreasonable.

Xu Cheng turned to Jiang Yong and asked, "Editor-in-Chief Jiang, do we have enough articles for the next issue of 'Taste of Life'?"

Jiang Yong: "...President Xu, what you wrote is enough."

By the way, Zhiwei used to be a monthly magazine, but this year, for some reason, maybe because Xu Cheng was too busy to write articles, it changed from a monthly magazine to a February issue.

Xu Cheng: ...

Xu Cheng turned his gaze to Qin Huai, who was still kneading dough in the kitchen. He looked at the fermented rice buns in his hands and made up his mind: "How about this, we won't publish it next month. We'll stop for a few months and say the magazine is being adjusted. We'll make a thicker version of the opening issue, and Master Qin, your fermented rice buns will still be on the cover of the opening issue, and it will still be the thicker version."

"However, I can't write a column about fermented rice buns. I'll have to write about a few more desserts. What do you think?"

"Zhiwei can specially tag Yunzhong Canteen for you. Last time, Guo'er wrote Huangji to thank Chef Huang for his guidance, and Guo'er also focused on Chef Huang. You are also quite low-key and never promote your own store. Even now, many people in the industry think you are Huangji's pastry chef. Some time ago, someone sent me a WeChat message asking if you had changed jobs, and why Huangji hasn't been serving pastries for a long time."

Xu Cheng felt he was incredibly thoughtful. He wouldn't have been so considerate if Qin Huai hadn't been a rising star in the world of pastry making. As a renowned food critic, Xu Cheng felt he had a lot of prestige.

Often, renowned chefs develop new dishes and specifically message him to invite him to taste them, hoping to get the opportunity to appear on the show "Taste of China".

Although Qin Huai was a bit ungrateful, Xu Cheng still forgave him. Young people are prone to arrogance, Xu Cheng said, adding that he'd been young once too, and he understood.

A young man who isn't arrogant is wasting his youth, especially a young prodigy. Xu Cheng couldn't wait for the culinary world to produce more ambitious geniuses like Qin Huai, so he could have more restaurants to eat at in the future.

Qin Huai's hand trembled in fright at Xu Cheng's words.

The Cloud Canteen was already doing good business, so good that Qin Huai was a little scared every time he completed the task of getting popularity and traffic rewards. He secretly begged the game system countless times not to give him the reward anymore.

We really can't attract any more visitors. Our Cloud Cafeteria isn't even listed on review apps yet!

If we get drawn in by "Taste of Life"...

Qin Huai thought he might be reincarnated earlier than Luo Jun, working himself to death.

In a sense, Qin Huai and Huang Shengli are actually quite similar in personality. Huang Shengli's back injury is a result of overworking when he was young. Huang's restaurant was so popular that there were too many customers, and Huang Shengli couldn't bear to let customers wait in line for so long without getting their food, so he always extended the opening hours and worked overtime.

The Qinhuai River is the same.

If the Cloud Canteen is really so popular that customers line up at one or two in the morning just to buy two steamed buns, Qin Huai would really be tempted to extend the opening hours and sleep in the kitchen with his blanket when he sees the customers queuing outside.

To avoid this happening, Qin Huai chose to ensure that the Cloud Canteen would never have such good business.

Or he can't see it.

“Mr. Xu, really, there’s no need.” Qin Huai firmly refused. “I love reading ‘Zhiwei’, and even my neighbors love it. I haven’t missed a single issue of ‘Zhiwei’ this year, and I really enjoy your articles.”

"But I really don't want to be on 'Taste of China' again."

"To be honest, I am about to inherit a 10-figure fortune."

Jiang Yong: ? ? ? How many digits?
Qin Huai's face clearly said, "I'm not pretending anymore, I admit it, I am the heir: I don't lack money, and our Yunzhong Canteen doesn't lack business. I have no intention of selling pastries at exorbitant prices to make a fortune by making pastries."

“Making desserts is my hobby. I watched the first few episodes of ‘Taste of China’. Back then, ‘Taste of China’ featured not only chefs from big hotels, but also many little-known shops and vendors from all over the world.”

"Those small shops became famous after being featured on 'Taste of China,' and customers flocked to them. Some shop owners were so tired that they simply closed their shops for a few months and waited for the hype to die down before reopening. There were also chefs who, after appearing on 'Taste of China' once, refused to appear a second time because their business was so good and they didn't want to be too tired. Actually, I was like that too."

Xu Cheng was taken aback by what Qin Huai said.

The situation Qin Huai described did indeed occur, but that was many years ago. Back then, Xu Cheng wasn't yet recognized as the most authoritative food critic. He was still engrossed in backpacking around the world, sampling local delicacies. When "Zhiwei" magazine was first launched, it wasn't very famous, and many of the chefs and restaurant owners featured in "Zhiwei" were ordinary chefs and small shops.

It's fair to say that the "Taste of China" magazine back then was far less sophisticated than it is now.

Xu Cheng really wanted to ask Qin Huai, "Do you know that the situation back then is different from now?"

Do you know what it means when your pastries are featured on the cover of the annual magazine for two consecutive years?
If you weren't a young chef, if you weren't such a rare rising star in the world of pastry making, how could such a precious opportunity have come about...?

But Xu Cheng didn't say anything.

Because Qin Huai is about to inherit a ten-figure fortune, he's incredibly wealthy. Xu Cheng understands what Qin Huai is saying, and can even quite comprehend it.

He was able to do whatever he wanted without restraint back then because his family was so wealthy, traveling the world with just a backpack. A kindred spirit.

Xu Cheng looked at Qin Huai with a newfound understanding.

"Since you're unwilling, Master Qin, then forget it." Xu Cheng sighed. He wasn't one to force people to do things against their will. Anyway, it wasn't like he couldn't get a meal; he knew where the Cloud Canteen was.

Qin Huai is unwilling to appear on "Zhiwei," but if Xu Cheng goes to Yunzhong Restaurant, would Qin Huai refuse to receive him?
"I have some business to attend to in Beiping tomorrow. Master Qin, could you share half of the pastries you made today with me so I can pack them up and take them to Beiping? I see you made quite a few raw pastries as well."

Jiang Yong: ? ? ? Hey boss, it's one thing to freeload, but why are you taking more than just food?

Editor-in-Chief Jiang, well-versed in workplace dynamics, chose to remain silent.

"Of course," Qin Huai said with a smile, looking at Jiang Yong. "Editor-in-Chief Jiang, would you mind if I came to your house again tomorrow to make some snacks? I'd like to make more so that it's convenient for Sister Juan to deliver snacks to Grandpa Lin at the nursing home every day."

Jiang Yong: !
Jiang Yong was overjoyed, but he didn't show it on his face. He said calmly, "Of course, thank you so much, Master Qin."

The next day, Qin Huai went to Jiang Yong's house to make pastries as usual. Lin Juan asked Qin Huai if he could stay in Shanghai for a few more days. The Lin family had discussed it all night in the family group chat and decided to accept the three gold bars, but they would have to give An Youyou a thank-you gift in return. That gift would take a few days to prepare.

Qin Huai didn't care. Staying in Shanghai for a few more days would give An Youyou and Shi Dadan more time to prepare. Meeting Xu Chenggang was a big deal. Since Youyou hadn't revealed her true nature as a spirit to Lin Qi, Qin Huai felt that unless the circumstances were as permissible as they were with Xia Murui, it was best not to reveal this fact when meeting Xu Chenggang.

Lin Qi suffers from Alzheimer's disease and has his own set of logic, so his words are inherently illogical and no one believes them. It's not a big deal for him to know directly that An Youyou is the boss.

Xu Chenggang doesn't have dementia. According to Gong Liang and the private investigator, Xu Chenggang is in good health. Although his two sons and wife have passed away, his grandchildren are quite filial and get along well with him in the nursing home. They play chess with him every day, and friends occasionally visit him at the nursing home.

They live a very comfortable and fulfilling life, better than most elderly people with children.

Qin Huai prefers to act according to the circumstances.

In order to better adapt to the situation, Qin Huai also contacted Gong Liang and asked him to return to Suzhou (Gong Baozhu's competition was not yet over) to accompany them.

And so, Qin Huai stayed in Shanghai for three more days.

Three days later, Qin Huai saw the gift that the Lin family had spent three days preparing for An Youyou—a very generous gift.

A three-legged toad made of pure gold, weighing a full pound.

The craftsmanship was so exquisite that Qin Huai even suspected that if the three gold bars were melted down and the processing fee was added, they would probably only be worth the price of this three-legged toad.

This means... the gold bars have returned to An Youyou's side in another form, back to their rightful owner?

An Youyou was stunned when she saw her pure gold replica. She was completely captivated by it, her eyes glued to the three-legged golden toad. Looking at the plump toad before her, An Youyou's eyes gleamed with the golden light of money.

The gift was given by Lin Yi and Lin Er.

“Ms. An, we visited my father at the nursing home these past two days. I am so grateful that you made a special trip to Shanghai to see him after hearing just a little bit of news. His condition had improved since your last visit.”

“He hadn’t recognized anyone for several months, and we had given up hope. But when we went to the nursing home this time, he actually recognized me and Lin Er.”

“We told my dad about the gold bars, and he said they were originally meant for you, and the Lin family absolutely cannot accept them. Without your grandmother, my dad wouldn't be alive today, and my sister and I wouldn't exist. This three-legged toad is something my sister and I ordered; it's for bringing wealth and good fortune. I heard you're in business, Miss An, I wonder if you'd like it?”

"I love it, I love it so much! There's no gift I could love more!" An Youyou wished she could pick up the three-legged toad in front of her and take a bite to see if it was pure gold.

Lin Yi rubbed his hands awkwardly: "I have another favor to ask. I wonder if you could come to Shanghai again before the New Year to visit my father at the nursing home."

“My dad keeps saying he wants to spend the New Year with you. I know that’s not realistic. The New Year is definitely a time to spend with family, but I don’t know if you’ll have time before the New Year.”

“No need before the New Year, I can come during the New Year,” An Youyou said. “I’m not familiar with my family, so I can just go to my maternal grandmother’s house to visit her after the New Year.”

An Youyou patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely come during the New Year. I won't let... Grandpa Lin down."

There was one more thing An Youyou didn't say.

As the eldest, she naturally has to spend the New Year with her younger brothers.

Lin Yi and Lin Er left satisfied after delivering the gifts. Lin Yi even added An Youyou on WeChat. To prevent Lin Yi from discovering that she wasn't actually running a business and was just a hardworking but poor laborer when she checked her WeChat Moments, An Youyou blocked Lin Yi immediately after adding him.

Very skilled.

Qin Huai and his two companions traveled to Suzhou.

The high-speed train journey takes only 20 minutes; it's a very short time.

On the high-speed train, An Youyou excitedly said that she would put the three-legged toad in the entryway when she got back, so that she could see herself at home as soon as she got home from get off work every day.

Qin Huai and Shi Dadan couldn't help but marvel at how the three-legged toad truly lived up to its reputation as an auspicious beast that brings wealth and treasures. The gift they had given away had actually returned to them in this way.

Despite being so lucky in terms of wealth and fortune, he died poor for three generations.

“Xiao An was never poor in any of her three lifetimes,” Shi Dadan said. “She just died suddenly in her first life, and she must have been quite wealthy before she died.”

"Lin Qi only received a small share of the inheritance, but he still received a full six silver dollars. Xiao An must have saved up a lot of money in his first life."

"Although she didn't say it explicitly in her second life, she should still have money before she died, otherwise she wouldn't have wondered if she had buried any gold bars."

"Now... as long as Mr. Luo gives her the house, she will be a rich person."

Qin Huai was instantly enlightened and sighed again, "That seems to be the case, but why do I always feel that Youyou is always poor?"

"It might be because although she has money, she has never experienced a good life."

For example, right now, An Youyou has acquired a priceless three-legged toad, but her first reaction is not to sell it for cash, but to place it in the entryway and look at it.

Shi Dadan said, "Perhaps this is the three-legged toad."

"He has money, but he doesn't like living a good life."

Qin Huai: "...Old Shi."

"I've noticed that although you keep saying you're not smart, you're actually quite wise in a seemingly foolish way, and sometimes you say really harsh things."

Shi Dadan gave a simple, honest smile.

(End of this chapter)