Chapter 44: The Power of Money Speaks for Itself

“Are you saying… you went and smashed Pang Long’s place?”

“That’s right.”

“And then you told him that the dim sum I taught you helped you pass the Food Critic assessment?”

“Exactly.”

“And then… all the students from the culinary training class came looking for you to ask about me?”

“That’s right, just like that.” On the other end of the phone, Cao Dongdong’s voice carried a hint of pride. “So, how do you think I did?”

Qin Lang rubbed his temples helplessly. “But I’m not planning to open a culinary training class.”

If it weren’t for the Traveler’s Book, he might have actually considered it.

But with the Traveler’s Book, he was destined to seek out the scenery on every page. The current scenery was still in Dongxia City, but what about later?

If he opened a culinary training class, and later the scenery outside the city appeared, would he just abandon a mess and run?

“It’s not about opening a culinary training class,” Cao Dongdong chuckled. “I just want you to privately teach them a few tricks, like you did with me.”

“That’s still not very appropriate.” Qin Lang frowned slightly. “Everyone has different culinary talents and specialties.”

“Besides, teaching one or two dishes is ultimately just a shortcut.”

“You have a point.” Cao Dongdong was silent for a moment, then sighed regretfully. “Teaching shortcuts isn’t really right.”

“Even though each of them offered a million, I think I’ll refuse.”

“Wait a minute!!!” Qin Lang’s mouth twitched sharply. “Did you just say… each person offered a million?”

“Yeah, I told them I paid you a million before you agreed to teach me,” Cao Dongdong laughed. “That way, they wouldn’t feel bad about paying.”

Qin Lang was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “But on the other hand, culinary skills can improve gradually; activating the star vein, however, should be done early.”

“How about this? You help me screen some suitable candidates,” Qin Lang paused slightly, “and I’ll find time to give them some guidance.”

“Alright!” Cao Dongdong’s laughter faintly came through the phone. “By the way, how about we go to the Flower Expo together tomorrow?”

“Ms. Song Hui kindly gave us tickets after all.”

“Tomorrow?” Qin Lang thought for a moment, then agreed.

After hanging up, Qin Lang took a deep breath and then picked up Danbao, spinning around twice on the spot.

“Danbao, we’re going to have lots and lots of money!”

“Gulu?”

“From now on, we can buy any ingredients we want!”

“Gulu!!”

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“Qin Lang, Zhao Qian, over here!”

Outside the Daisy Garden, Cao Dongdong, who had arrived earlier, waved at Qin Lang and Zhao Qian. When they approached, a smile spread across his face. “Why are you two coming together?”

“We happened to meet Zhao Qian on the way out.” Qin Lang smiled and glanced at the girl beside him. “We all got tickets, so I asked her, and she happened to be free, so we came together.”

“Even if you hadn’t said anything, I was planning to come take a look these days.” Zhao Qian looked around at the bustling scene and smiled. “It seems there are even more people today than yesterday. It’s really lively.”

“Yes.” Qin Lang nodded in agreement as he watched the long line outside Daisy Garden. Then his gaze fell beside Cao Dongdong.

A food spirit he had never seen before shyly looked around.

Just one glance told Qin Lang this had to be Cao Dongdong’s food spirit.

Because it looked so much like a salted egg yolk pastry.

“This is my food spirit, Tuan Tuan.” Cao Dongdong chuckled. “It’s a bit timid.”

“La...Laffy!”

Tuan Tuan softly greeted, and Danbao and Bubu exchanged glances before quietly approaching to chat with Tuan Tuan.

Qin Lang and Zhao Qian almost simultaneously took out their phones.

“Beep—”

【Type: Food Spirit】

【Level: Lv1】

【Flavor Attribute: Sweet】

【Element Attribute: Earth】

【Food Skill: Blade Stability】

【Combat Skill (excluding self-learned): (Earth) Scale Stone Shield】

【Experience Points: 1/100】

After reading the scan results, surprise crossed Qin Lang’s face.

Tuan Tuan’s origin dish was salted egg yolk pastry, so the sweet attribute was expected, but the earth element attribute was somewhat unexpected.

“The first combat skill is a defensive-type Scale Stone Shield?” Zhao Qian couldn’t help but comment. “If it doesn’t learn any self-learned combat skills, your food spirit won’t have much fighting power before reaching one star.”

“No big deal.” Cao Dongdong was indifferent. “My dad already prepared combat skill learning tools for Tuan Tuan.”

Qin Lang and Zhao Qian then noticed the scroll mark on Tuan Tuan’s forehead, indicating it was currently learning combat skills.

“This is the second optional combat skill, ‘Earth Rock Charge.’ Before this, Tuan Tuan already learned ‘Flying Sand and Rolling Stones.’” Cao Dongdong explained.

Hearing this, Qin Lang and Zhao Qian exchanged a silent look.

Scale Stone Shield is an earth-element defensive combat skill; Flying Sand and Rolling Stones is a supportive skill that temporarily causes the opponent to lose their target and strengthens earth attributes.

Earth Rock Charge, previously used by Bubu, is an offensive combat skill.

A Lv1 food spirit is already about to learn two self-learned combat skills, possessing a complete set of offensive capabilities.

Such overwhelming power needs no further comment.

“Enough about that.” Seeing their mates’ gloom, Cao Dongdong quickly changed the subject and took out two lunch boxes from his bag.

“These are for you guys, want to try?”

“This is…” Qin Lang casually took one and opened it, showing a look of surprise upon seeing the contents. “Lotus Flower Pastry?”

He suddenly looked up at Cao Dongdong, his eyes filled with inquiry.

“Didn’t I try the lotus flower pastry you made the day before yesterday?” Cao Dongdong scratched his head. “You explained the difference between lotus flower pastry and salted egg yolk pastry in terms of layering.”

“So yesterday at home, I tried making it myself.”

“This is the best version I’ve made so far.” He looked at Qin Lang expectantly. “Any advice?”

Qin Lang couldn’t help but give Cao Dongdong a thumbs-up.

This guy was almost a prodigy in baking who had narrowly avoided going astray.

Tasting once, hearing a few tips, and then managing to figure out a version that looked ninety percent similar to lotus flower pastry.

“Crunch—”

Taking a bite, savoring the rich flaky fragrance and the sweet red bean filling, Qin Lang nodded approvingly. “Although the method is somewhat different, it’s already at about sixty to seventy percent of the level.”

“You probably used the oven like with the salted egg yolk pastry.”

“But the best way to make lotus flower pastry is to fry it with shortening…” Qin Lang shared details openly, explaining the technique of brushing oil on the knife edge and other nuances.

After listening, Cao Dongdong felt enlightened and clapped his hands. “I knew something was off with my method; it doesn’t have the same feel as yours.”

“Frying, huh… I’ll try that next time!”

Saying that, he smiled and put away his notebook.

“Let’s go, we should line up to enter the park now.”