Food: Senior year internship, you take over the university cafeteria

"Your three baskets of xiaolongbao, please enjoy."

Wang Sheng used a specially made bamboo steamer lined with a heat-resistant cloth to carry three steaming baskets of xiaolongbao to a simple table by the window. He also added three small dishes, poured in clear vinegar, and sprinkled a few strands of tender ginger.

The xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are white and plump in the steamer. The "golden crown" on top seems to have become more radiant after steaming. The thin, almost transparent dough allows you to vaguely see the swaying soup and tender meat filling inside.

"Be careful, it's hot. Open the window first, then drink the soup."

Wang Sheng smiled and reminded everyone of a local saying about eating xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) from his hometown.

Su Mingyuan was the first to pick up his chopsticks.

He didn't rush to grab it, but observed it carefully:

"The dough is rolled out evenly, the 'carp mouth' at the end is perfectly sealed, there are more than eighteen pleats, and that yellow at the top... is it crab roe powder?" He looked up at Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng nodded, feeling a greater sense of goodwill towards this knowledgeable uncle.

"Uncle has a good eye; a touch of crab roe powder enhances the aroma."

Su Mingyuan said no more and carefully picked up a small steamed bun with the tip of his chopsticks. The dough was extremely elastic, and when he picked it up, the soup sloshed to the bottom, but the bun did not break at all.

Dip it lightly into the vinegar dish, bring it to your mouth, and bite a small opening at the top "carp mouth" with your teeth.

The piping hot, incredibly delicious broth instantly floods your tongue!

"hiss--"

Su Mingyuan took a deep breath; it wasn't hot, it was amazing!

That broth!

The salty flavor comes first, perfectly stimulating the taste buds. Then, a rich and mellow sweetness unfolds, not the straightforward sweetness of white sugar, but the unique aftertaste of brown sugar with a caramel aroma.

The umami flavors are layered upon layered: the freshness of pork, the umami of traditional soy sauce, the concentrated gelatinous umami of pork skin jelly, and finally, that faint hint of crab roe umami that elevates the overall umami flavor to another level!

The broth is rich and sticky, with an exquisite taste.

After drinking the broth, enjoy the skin and filling. The skin is thin yet resilient, with a wheat aroma, and becomes even more delicious after absorbing some of the broth. The meat filling is distinct, springy, and juicy, with precise seasoning and an impeccable balance of salty, sweet, and savory. The scallion and ginger water perfectly removes any fishy smell and enhances the freshness, leaving no unpleasant taste.

Su Mingyuan finished one in one go and remained silent for a long time.

"Old Su? How is it?" Su's mother asked, noticing her husband's strange expression, and picked one up to try herself.

Then, she was stunned.

Seeing her parents' reaction, Su Weiwei quickly tried one as well.

The next second, her eyes, which were like ink paintings, suddenly lit up, as if they had fallen into the stars.

So delicious!!!

It tastes even better than the dim sum chef she specially hired at her restaurant, who is originally from Wuxi!

It was even more amazing than the shrimp dumplings and siu mai she had eaten in those famous old teahouses when she traveled to Guangdong!

That ultimate sweetness, that satisfying burst of flavor in your mouth, that blissful feeling that rushes straight from your taste buds to your head…

It made her instantly forget all her prejudices against the cafeteria.

"Dad..." she looked at her father, her eyes filled with light.

Su Mingyuan let out a long breath, and his gaze towards Wang Sheng completely changed; it was the look of a fellow professional looking at another professional, even with a hint of admiration.

"Young man, your skills...who did you learn from? This taste is just right! Absolutely perfect! The sweet and savory flavor is perfectly balanced, the crab roe powder is used wonderfully, it's the finishing touch. The dough, the filling, the aspic, the cooking time—everything is top-notch! Is this...a family recipe?"

Wang Sheng scratched his head and mumbled:

"Uh... I figured it out on my own and even got certified."

"Just overthinking it?"

Su Mingyuan shook his head, completely disbelieving. "This skill takes at least ten years to master! Your steamed buns would be top-notch even among the established brands in Suzhou and Wuxi! Twelve yuan a basket? Cheap! Too cheap!"

He turned to his wife and daughter and said:

"Eat quickly, eat quickly, the flavor will diminish when it gets cold."

The family of three stopped talking and focused on their work.

Su Weiwei ate until her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she ate at a pace no slower than her father.

Eight birds in a cage, gone in the blink of an eye.

"classmate!"

After finishing her basket, Su Weiwei, still wanting more, asked somewhat shyly, "Could...could I have another basket?"

"Of course!" Wang Sheng grinned from ear to ear and quickly brought out another basket.

While eating, Su Mingyuan couldn't help but continue to comment:

"The pine needles at the bottom are a good touch; they're fragrant and cut through the richness—it's an old-fashioned method. Nowadays, many shops use oiled paper or cloth to save time, but the taste is nowhere near as good. Young man, you're really particular."

[Ding! Received 3 positive review!]

[Beginner Quest 'First Steps' Progress Update: Number of People Aware (27/100), Number of Positive Reviews (3/100)]

As Wang Sheng listened to the system notification and watched the family of three completely captivated by the delicious food, his initial apprehension vanished, replaced by a surge of confidence and enthusiasm.

Products manufactured by our system are guaranteed to be of high quality! This reputation is solid!

As Su Weiwei ate her second steamer basket, she suddenly remembered something, took out her phone, and took a picture of the steamer with two small steamed buns left (deliberately avoiding her parents who were engrossed in eating). Then she opened a WeChat group on her phone called "Jinling University 202X Veterinary Medicine Freshmen Group".

The group chat is buzzing with activity, filled with various registration instructions, dormitory photos, and expressions of anticipation for the new life.

Su Weiwei thought for a moment, then typed and sent:

On my first day at the cafeteria, I discovered a treasure at window number 07 in the far corner! Freshly made and steamed Wuxi-style soup dumplings—absolutely delicious! The broth was incredibly sweet and flavorful, and the meat filling was incredibly bouncy—top-notch! I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't had breakfast yet! [Image]

She was a freshman, pretty, and active in the group, where she got to know quite a few people.

This message immediately caused a stir.

Wow! Goddess Vivi posted a food recommendation!

"This looks great! It's prettier than the breakfast shops outside!"

"The first canteen? In the far corner? I think it used to be a closed-down pancake stall?"

"12 yuan a basket? That's the price in the cafeteria?"

"My goddess said it's delicious, so I have to try it!"

"I haven't had breakfast yet, let's take a shower!"

"Wait for me, let's go together!"

Su Weiwei smiled as she watched the responses flood the screen, put down her phone, and continued to focus on finishing the last xiaolongbao in front of her.

Wang Sheng was calculating how many more baskets he could make with the prepared ingredients when suddenly—

[Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding...]

The system notification sounds rang in his mind at an unprecedented frequency!

[5 new people became aware of the information through indirect dissemination]

[8 new users became aware of this]

[12 new users became aware of this]

[23 new people have become aware of this]...

[Major update for the beginner quest "First Steps"!]

[Current number of people aware: (101/100)]

[Task Objective: To make your store known and appreciated by at least 100 people – Completed!]

[Congratulations, host, on completing the beginner mission 'First Steps'!]

[Rewards being distributed...]

[Received: 1 random breakfast skill draw chance]

Wang Sheng froze, almost dropping the half-eaten steamed bun he was holding onto the cutting board.

Is that all?