He had originally planned to ask his editor to put him in touch with Jiang Jiujiu so he could add her personal ID and message her on his terminal.
Of course, he would promise that he would never stream himself making the same Braised Gugu Meat.
He never expected that before he even had the chance to reach out, heâd meet Jiang Qiuqiu in person.
"Juju, would it be alright if I added your personal ID?"
"Of course. Why doesnât everyone just add each other? Itâll make it easier to stay in touch."
And so, they all exchanged their contact info and added one another as friends.
After the friend requests were accepted, Jiang Qiuqiu was just about to close her terminal when she saw a new message from Langlibaitiao.
Langlibaitiao sent Jiang Qiuqiu a message explaining the entire story behind his attempt at making the Braised Gugu Meat.
He detailed his questions and described how his braised meat had turned out. Then, at the very end, he added with the utmost sincerity: I swear that if I learn how, I will never leak the recipe or make this dish in public.
His wording and attitude were very earnest. Jiang Qiuqiu looked up at Langlibaitiao. He was looking at her too, and he seemed quite nervous.
Jiang Qiuqiu mulled it over for a moment.
Actually...
âMany of the videos sheâd posted in the past werenât just about sharing and making good food; they were also meant to be instructional.â
âIn other words, from the very beginning, Jiang Qiuqiu never had any intention of keeping the recipe for braised meat or any other dish to herself.â
âShe wasnât afraid of others learning it. If they learned, so be it. Nor was she afraid of them learning it and then livestreaming it. If they wanted to stream it, that was fine too.â
âThis wasnât a recipe she had come up with all on her own. Besides, the only way to improve more quickly was to have stronger competitors.â
After some thought, Jiang Qiuqiu called Langlibaitiao over.
"Juju." He was a little nervous, a feeling he hadnât experienced in a long time.
Jiang Qiuqiu didnât beat around the bush, simply saying softly, "If it came out too oily, the meat you chose was probably too fatty. If it had a strange flavor, you need to check if you crisped the skin enough when you seared it. Gugu Beasts have sweat glands in their skin, and that flavor will only dissipate if you sear the skin over high heat until itâs crisp."
"As for the different aroma, you might have cooked it for too long or not long enough. It could also be the spices. This is a rather difficult dish, and I wasnât planning on teaching it in the video, so there are a few spices I didnât mentionâ"
Jiang Qiuqiu meticulously explained some of the key points for cooking Braised Gugu Meat.
Anyone who made it here had at least some talent for cooking.
While not all of them could produce a peerless delicacy, most of them were quick on the uptake.
And since Jiang Qiuqiuâs explanation was so detailed, Langlibaitiao paused for a moment, then immediately opened his terminal and began taking notes.
"Thatâs about it," Jiang Qiuqiu said after a momentâs thought. "If it still turns out very different, you can film yourself making it and send me the video."
"Thank you!" Langlibaitiao now understood why Jiang Qiuqiu was so popular.
Who wouldnât like someone who treated people this way?
After he finished taking notes, he quickly assured Jiang Qiuqiu, "Iâll just use this method for myself. I wonât streamâ"
"Actually, itâs fine if you do."
"?" Langlibaitiao was taken aback.
Jiang Qiuqiu said with a smile, "The recipe isnât my own original creation. Besides, I posted it so everyone could try making it. Itâs fine if you stream it."
"But thisâ"
"I remember you all just saying you want the Food Zone to grow. For the entire section to develop, donât we need more diverse and more appealing dishes?" Jiang Qiuqiu said. "Iâm not against people making the dishes Iâve made, and Iâm not against people improving on my recipes either."
"Sometimes, honing a craft requires constant exchange, you know?"
At that moment, in Langlibaitiaoâs eyes, Jiang Qiuqiu seemed to be glowing.
It wasnât the light reflecting off the golden threads and crystals on her dress, but a light that bloomed from her face, her eyes, and her heart.