He placed the dough on the workbench and continuously slapped it with both palms.
The slapping was not random; it involved many techniques and required a certain level of skill.
The professional term for it was Pai Mian.
Pai Mian was an extremely crucial step in the entire Ice Crystal Cake-making process.
Only when the dough was properly slapped could the Ice Crystal Cakes turn out transparent and bubble-free.
This method of Pai Mian was similar to pounding rice cakes.
However, rice cakes were pounded after steaming in order to make them sticky.
Pai Mian, on the other hand, was meant to allow the dough to fully absorb the oil.
The next step was to add a certain proportion of heated peanut oil.
After pouring in the peanut oil, there was no need for manual stirring. As long as the Pai Mian was done well enough, the dough and peanut oil would completely blend into one within minutes, without leaving any trace behind.
Lu Qin waited for a while. Sure enough, the dough and peanut oil merged together into one, which was truly remarkable.
Next, Lu Qin laid out the washed four-centimeter square molds, poured the dough into them, and steamed the cakes.
The charcoal used for steaming the cakes had to be fruitwood charcoal. These details were crucial; overlooking them would affect the final flavor of the Ice Crystal Cakes.
Next came heat control.
Without more than five years of experience making Ice Crystal Cakes, it was difficult to control the heat properly.
But Lu Qin possessed the Mastered Iced Crystal Cake Making Skill, so heat control was no problem for him.
Thirty minutes later, Lu Qin lifted the steamer lid.
Piece after piece of crystal-clear Ice Crystal Cake appeared before him.
Perfect.
Flawless.
These were authentic, traditional Ice Crystal Cakes.
A three-tier steamer could steam sixty jin of Ice Crystal Cakes at once.
The pieces of Ice Crystal Cake were neatly arranged on bamboo boards.
They were pleasing to the eye.
Finally, Lu Qin dotted the surfaces of the Ice Crystal Cakes with a little Osmanthus Honey and marigold petals.
Once they had cooled, the Ice Crystal Cakes were complete.
Lu Qin picked up a piece and took a bite.
The flavor was remarkably unique. At first bite, it was cool and sweet; after a little chewing, a distinct rich fragrance emerged.
The Ice Crystal Cakes had a unique flavor and distinct layers, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth and an endless aftertaste.
They were enough to crush any Western pastry or dessert.
Lu Qin packed the Ice Crystal Cakes into transparent plastic boxes, with five liang in each box.
They were priced at 25 yuan per box.
Lu Qin wrote the price on a whiteboard.
He also noted: Limit two per person.
Lu Qin then filled cups with Mung Bean Paste, sealed them, and placed them in a foam cooler.
He sold the Mung Bean Paste hot in the morning, since chilled drinks were not kind to the stomach.
Lu Qin loaded the ingredients onto the food cart one by one. After checking the time, he went to wake Lu Xiyao.
"Yao Yao, get up. It's almost nine. Mommy will send someone to pick you up today, and you'll spend the weekend with Grandpa and Grandma."
"Mmm... Papa~! I was eating ice cream in my dream. When you called me, the ice cream disappeared."
"So?"
"So, Papa, you have to compensate your little cutie with an ice cream. I want a chocolate Cornetto."
"That depends on how you behave. Be good at Grandpa and Grandma's today. No making trouble."
Lu Qin pinched the little girl's nose.
"Papa, can I come back early? I'll miss you."
"You can. I'll pick you up at three tomorrow afternoon."
"Okay~!"
Lu Xiyao jumped up and hugged Lu Qin. After rubbing her little face against his, she started brushing her teeth and washing her face.
Breakfast was fried eggs, ham, and oatmeal.
The little girl ate and drank her fill.
A few minutes later.
A Bentley sedan pulled up outside.
Lu Qin took out three boxes of Ice Crystal Cakes and had the little girl bring them along.
"Papa~! What are these?"
"Ice Crystal Cakes. One box is for you to keep and eat, and the other two are for Grandpa and Grandma."
"Ice Crystal Cakes?"
The little girl looked at the crystal-clear Ice Crystal Cakes inside the boxes, her excitement obvious.
"Papa, can I try one now? They must be delicious!"
Lu Qin pressed down her hand. "You just finished breakfast, so you can't eat them now. Have some later."
"Okay."
The little girl nodded obediently.
If he let her open the plastic box, she definitely would not be able to resist eating one.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Qin took out another box.
"This one is for your mother."
"Oh."
The driver accepted the boxes of Ice Crystal Cake, then protected Lu Xiyao's head as she climbed into the car.
He respectfully said to Lu Qin:
"Mr. Lu, I'll be taking Miss Yao Yao now. The chairman and his wife haven't gotten off the plane yet, so I'll take Miss to President Shen's place first."
"Mm, alright."
Lu Qin nodded at the driver.
"Bye-bye, Papa~! Remember to miss me~!"
"Mm, I will. Goodbye, Yao Yao."
After watching the Bentley drive away, Lu Qin turned and went inside. He got on his three-wheeler and headed toward Sunshine Elementary School.
Fifteen minutes later.
The three-wheeler food cart arrived at the entrance of the elementary school.
The school gates were tightly shut, and the campus was empty.
With no students attending school, more than half the breakfast stalls were gone.
It was the weekend, and the nearby residents had only just woken up.
Those walking dogs walked dogs, and those buying breakfast bought breakfast.
Without work, people's pace of life slowed down.
Lu Qin had barely set up his stall when customers came over.
"Morning, Boss. I've been waiting for your fried noodles. Give me three portions, with egg, ham, and lean meat."
"Alright, I'll fry them up for you now."
"Boss, do you have Mung Bean Paste today?"
"Yes, it's in the foam cooler on the right. Please help yourself."
"Okay! Three cups of Mung Bean Paste too!"
While frying the noodles, Lu Qin hung up the small whiteboard displaying the price list.
The customer glanced at the board and saw that it also listed Ice Crystal Cakes at 25 yuan per box—and they were even limited purchase.
"Boss, you've got something new today? Ice Crystal Cakes? Where are they?"
"In the big box on the left. They were made this morning, nice and fresh."
"Twenty-five yuan a box is a little pricey."
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