In the afternoon, Qin Feng took out a bag of flour, poured it into a basin, and started kneading it.

“Shifu, are you preparing noodles for tomorrow? Don’t we have some ready-made ones?”

Qiao Lu watched attentively from the side.

“This is different. Come here, let me teach you how to knead dough.”

Qin Feng grabbed her over and positioned her in front of the basin.

Hearing that she’d get to knead the dough, Qiao Lu felt a little excited.

Standing next to her, Qin Feng explained, “Tomorrow, I’m planning to make Knife-Cut noodles. For that, the ratio is half kilogram of flour to three tael of water. Remember this proportion. First, knead it evenly, then soft, and finally smooth. If your kneading technique isn’t up to par, it’ll stick to the knife and ruin the strips. Try kneading it evenly first.”

Qiao Lu plunged her hands into the basin and began kneading wildly.

“Pay attention to the rhythm, and your method is wrong. Let me show you. When kneading dough, you must go in one direction. That way, the texture will be clear, and the strands will align perfectly.”

Seeing her random movements, Qin Feng immediately stepped up, grabbing her hands to guide her.

“I got it.”

Qiao Lu didn’t expect him to hold her hands, and her heart started pounding uncontrollably, unsure of what to do.

After teaching her, Qin Feng realized her face was flushed. He quickly let go of her hands and said, “Don’t overthink it. It was purely unintentional.”

“I wasn’t overthinking. You’re a man with a wife and child,” Qiao Lu said with a smile and resumed kneading the dough.

Qin Feng didn’t disturb her further. He grabbed another basin and started preparing the dough himself. After all, they’d need enough for sixty to seventy people tomorrow, which was quite a lot.

Half an hour later, Qiao Lu brought the dough she had kneaded to Qin Feng. “Shifu, how’s my kneading?”

Qin Feng picked up a kitchen knife and sliced into the dough. When he lifted the knife, it was covered in sticky dough. He glanced at her and said, “The dough’s sticking to the knife. Watch mine.”

With that, he sliced into his dough. When he lifted the knife, not a speck of dough clung to it.

“Shifu, you’re amazing!”

Qiao Lu immediately threw out a compliment.

“Stop with the flattery. These are just basic skills. Keep practicing.”

Qin Feng returned to his work.

That evening, when Qiao Lu went home, she told Xiao Wen about how Qin Feng had scolded her earlier. She still felt a bit intimidated.

While removing her makeup, Xiao Wen said, “Boss Qin usually seems so easygoing. He doesn’t look like the type to lose his temper.”

“That’s because you haven’t seen it. When he gets mad, I get so scared till I cry. You can’t imagine how awkward it was.”

Even now, Qiao Lu dared not revisit the moment in her mind.

“Strict teachers produce great disciples! I believe you, the rising star of the culinary world, will soon shine brightly.”

Xiao Wen gave her some encouragement.

At that moment, Qiao Lu applied a face mask and said, “When he taught me to knead dough, he held my hands. I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my chest.”

Hearing this, Xiao Wen became intrigued and leaned closer. “He held your hands? What’s the story there? Don’t tell me he’s trying to take advantage of you!”

“What nonsense! Shifu isn’t that kind of person. Plus, his wife is a celebrity, way prettier than me. Why would he bother with me?”

Qiao Lu shot her a glance, thinking her friend’s mind was way too out there.

“See, you don’t get it. The allure of the ‘wildflower’ is stronger than the ‘garden flower.’ These married men are all into this kind of thing these days.”

Xiao Wen had an all-knowing expression.

Qiao Lu chose to ignore her and lay down on the bed. “Enough, I’m going to sleep.”

“Running away because you can’t argue back? Remember to save me a bowl of noodles tomorrow, a big one. Got it?”

After giving a reminder, Xiao Wen went back to her room.

The next morning, Jiang Long arrived at Yi Shao Jian early. Seeing people already lining up, he quickly joined the queue, afraid of falling behind.

An elderly lady spotted Jiang Long and said, “Xiao Jiang, up so early for work? You’re dedicated! You’re not trying to stop us from getting noodles again, are you?”

“Aunty Liang, how could that be? This shop isn’t breaking any rules. I’m just here to get a bowl of noodles myself. After yesterday’s meal, I wish I could eat it every day.”

Jiang Long smiled faintly, explaining himself.

Soon, everyone saw Qin Feng leisurely approaching. They all swarmed around him.

“Boss Qin, you’re here! We’ve been waiting for your noodles!”

“What kind of noodles are you making today?”

“Boss Qin, hurry up and start cooking!”

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, Qin Feng began preparations, moving a large pot out from the kitchen. Knife-cut noodles were not only delicious but also a visual treat.

He instructed Qiao Lu, “Once the water boils, add the noodles. After one minute, they’re ready. Serve them in bowls with the topping, okay?”

Qiao Lu nodded, ready to go.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Qin Feng picked up a ball of dough and began slicing it with a special knife. The noodles flew into the pot like snowflakes, one after another, resembling meteors chasing the moon. As the noodles fell into the boiling soup, they danced like silver fish in the water—a mesmerizing sight.

“Wow!”

The onlookers gasped in awe. They didn’t expect noodles to be made this way.

On the side, Qiao Lu quickly ladled the noodles into bowls and handed them to the customers.

At one table, Shen Yuanshan and Feng Dong were slurping their bowls of Knife-cut noodles nonstop, their chopsticks never pausing.

Shen Yuanshan picked up a noodle, observing its thick middle and thin edges, sharp and distinct like willow leaves. Each noodle was precisely six inches long, no more, no less, further admiring Qin Feng’s knife skills.

“Even though the same zhajiang topping is used, the flavor is entirely different. These noodles are incredibly chewy, smooth on the outside and firm inside, soft but not sticky. The more I chew, the better it tastes. Absolutely delicious!”

Feng Dong commented while eating.

“Indeed, this soup is exceptional too. Clearly not something simple, right, Little Qin?”

Shen Yuanshan asked Qin Feng.

After finishing a batch of noodles, Qin Feng replied, “It’s a special bone broth. A good noodle soup must be made with properly simmered bones.”

Shen Yuanshan wiped his mouth and said, “Having eaten your cooking, all other food tastes bland. I almost want to kidnap you and have you cook for me every day.”

His comment drew immediate protests from the crowd.

“Old man, that’s not fair! If you take Boss Qin away, we won’t get to eat his food anymore!”

“Yeah! Eating alone like that is just wrong!”

“Boss Qin, don’t be tempted! We believe you’re not someone who would bow to mere bribes.”

“Exactly! Boss Qin is clearly above such trivial temptations.”

Hearing the commotion, Shen Yuanshan laughed and clasped his hands in apology to the crowd.

Listening to everyone praising him to the skies, Qin Feng muttered under his breath, “What a bunch of lovable people.”