QQ Candy (Three shifts, asking for votes)

Jiang Lan had some reservations about Huang Ze Jun. She wasn't someone who lacked practicality; she could see that Tang Zhi Chu's culinary skills were genuine and she truly wanted to learn something from this opportunity.

Strictly speaking, it was still working hours (filming the dating reality show), so learning skills during work hours was a win-win.

Huang Ze Jun might not be happy about it, but their relationship hadn't reached that level, and Jiang Lan had her own principles.

I can tolerate your impropriety once or twice, but why should I tolerate it continuously?

Everyone is an adult here, not your mother.

So, after Jiang Lan and Huang Ze Jun left the kitchen, she made an excuse to go to the restroom.

"Running? If I follow you for a run and neglect the kitchen, wouldn't the viewers curse me to death?"

When Jiang Lan returned to the kitchen, Tang Zhi Chu was standing by the stove, stirring something in a small round pot with a small spatula.

As Jiang Lan walked closer, she noticed the fruits from before were gone.

In their place were several bowls of fruit juice.

"What is this?" Jiang Lan asked curiously.

Tang Zhi Chu pointed to something resembling a plastic mold on the side and said, "I'm making some candy."

"Candy?"

"Yes, jelly candy."

Jiang Lan suddenly understood. No wonder he bought so many fruits. But he could make jelly candy too?

Jelly candy was essentially Tang Zhi Chu's QQ candy from his past life. However, this world didn't have the term "QQ candy"; instead, it was called jelly candy, sold in large bags and quite expensive.

"That looks amazing. Is it complicated?" Jiang Lan asked, curious.

Tang Zhi Chu shook his head. "It's very simple and healthy, no additives needed."

"Can I learn it then?"

Jiang Lan had a certain interest in cooking itself, but she was too busy. However, this type of candy was outside the scope of main dishes and fell into the category of snacks, which was Jiang Lan's main business. She was genuinely very interested.

"Of course, it's not complicated. Just like you saw earlier, you juice the fruits, but you can't choose fruits that are too acidic, or they won't have the right chewiness. Then, you add rock sugar and maltose like this, and this powder. I'm using lotus root starch, but other powders work too."

Tang Zhi Chu began to explain to Jiang Lan. After simmering until the fruit syrup was thick and fragrant, he used a dropper to suck up the cooked fruit syrup and then squeezed it bit by bit into the molds to set.

This was a method Tang Zhi Chu learned in his past life for making QQ candy to impress girls. There were several ways to make it; you could also steam it instead of simmering, but the texture wasn't as good as simmering.

Looking at the small, various-shaped fruit candies in the molds gradually solidifying, Jiang Lan found it somewhat magical.

Her own business was in meat snacks, and she only focused on meat. She had planned to perfect that first. But after Tang Zhi Chu's demonstration, she realized that the popular fruit candies were this easy to make?

Jiang Lan suddenly felt she had spotted a business opportunity and thought about it further.

If this dating reality show aired, wouldn't this scene right now be perfect advertising?

Jiang Lan's business acumen kicked in. She asked Tang Zhi Chu, "Can I take pictures?"

"Of course."

"Why did you suddenly decide to make this candy?"

Jiang Lan was genuinely puzzled by this question. Why make candy out of the blue? Were all chefs this versatile?

Tang Zhi Chu replied in a low voice, "Yang Yang seems to really like candy."

Tang Zhi Chu had a sudden inspiration to make the candy. He remembered the candy, similar to a Snickers bar, that Chen Si Yang had pulled out of her pocket at the cinema that day.

So, he thought he'd make some candy.

After Tang Zhi Chu dripped the fruit-simmered syrup into the molds, he put them in the refrigerator to chill.

Then, he cleaned the small pot and poured the juice of another fruit into it.

Tang Zhi Chu's answer left Jiang Lan stunned.

For some reason, Jiang Lan let out a soft sigh. Initially, she thought it would be difficult for Tang Zhi Chu to be with Chen Si Yang, that Tang Zhi Chu wouldn't be able to handle Chen Si Yang.

Chen Si Yang was beautiful, with a top-tier appearance in the industry. She had also just signed with a major company. If Tianhe had already focused on promoting her, her achievements wouldn't be low.

How could an ordinary person possibly have a girl like that? Even if Tang Zhi Chu managed to win Chen Si Yang over, in Jiang Lan's previous view, Tang Zhi Chu would have hit the jackpot.

But that thought was wavering in Jiang Lan's mind at this moment. What was wrong with Tang Zhi Chu? Wasn't he excellent?

Jiang Lan picked up her phone and took a picture of Tang Zhi Chu.

In the photo, the man wearing an apron was intently simmering his fruit syrup. It was a side profile shot, and his prominent Adam's apple was visible.

"However, this candy can't be called jelly candy anymore," Tang Zhi Chu suddenly said.

"Then what should it be called?"

A mischievous impulse came over Tang Zhi Chu. "QQ candy. Small and bouncy, cute and lovely."

"QQ candy?" Jiang Lan repeated the name and committed it to memory.

Chen Si Yang returned a little later today because she had gone to see a friend she hadn't seen in a while.

He Jin, like her, was currently under the Tianhe umbrella.

The difference was that He Jin was already an artist signed with Tianhe, whereas Chen Si Yang had only signed after her girl group disbanded.

Pushing the door open, Chen Si Yang caught a whiff of delicious smells.

She first greeted Yang Jia Xing and Zhou Yun, who were sitting in the living room, then tilted her head towards the kitchen.

She happened to make eye contact with Tang Zhi Chu.

They shared a smile, and Chen Si Yang naturally walked over.

However, she first called out to Sister Lan.

Jiang Lan waved, "Yang Yang is back! Are you tired? If not, come help!"

Chen Si Yang shook her head, "I'm not tired. What are you guys making?"

Jiang Lan didn't answer the question, instead exchanging a knowing glance with Tang Zhi Chu.

Tang Zhi Chu picked up the conversation, "Spicy Pepper Chicken, Steamed Mandarin Fish, Spicy Crayfish, Pickled Pepper Chicken Feet. These are all my dishes. The rest are Sister Lan's."

With each dish Tang Zhi Chu named, Chen Si Yang's eyes lit up a little brighter. She really did like strong flavors. Otherwise, her limited cooking skills wouldn't be focused on Sichuan cuisine. Especially the crayfish; she could eat three pounds by herself.

Chen Si Yang knew Tang Zhi Chu must have done his homework again. This guy always played outside the box, even infiltrating her fan group.

"Then what are these?" Chen Si Yang pointed to some mesh-like things, on which were placed small, yellow and blue candies?

A fan was blowing towards them.

Tang Zhi Chu smiled mysteriously, "You'll know in a bit."

"Okay then, Sister Lan, I'll help you." With that, Chen Si Yang rolled up her sleeves.

Jiang Lan looked around and smiled, "Perfect timing, since you're back. Let's start stir-frying. I'm worried we don't have enough garlic. Could you peel some for me?"

"Sure, I can do that."

After one date, a certain chemistry had developed between Tang Zhi Chu and Chen Si Yang.

Chen Si Yang could now approach Tang Zhi Chu in front of everyone, and Tang Zhi Chu seemed very at ease.

From Jiang Lan's perspective, this pair was really worth rooting for.

However, there were some things that Tang Zhi Chu and Chen Si Yang chose to ignore.

For example, Chen Si Yang felt Tang Zhi Chu didn't like career-driven women.

Little did she know, Tang Zhi Chu also felt that career was more important than relationships.

These two career-focused individuals had a tacit understanding and ignored this aspect.

Or perhaps they were both fueling this aspect in their own ways.