After becoming rich overnight, I handed over the system.

Chapter 286 Excellent Craftsmanship

After settling her daughter in, Qin Yue prepared for today's main event.

She wanted to steam flower-shaped steamed buns for Lin Liuyi to express her gratitude.

Flower-shaped steamed buns, also known as "flour flowers," "nest flowers," or "cake flowers," are a traditional edible sculpting art form popular in northern China.

After making a dough from flour, glutinous rice flour, glycerin or wheat starch, the dough is sculpted by hand and various special shaping tools into specific images of flowers, birds, fish, insects, scenery, objects, people, animals and so on.

It is also a folk art that is very closely related to people's lives.

In northern regions, during traditional festivals, every household makes dough figurines according to local customs and traditions.

These dough figurines come in a variety of forms and shapes, serving multiple functions such as offering, appreciation, and consumption. They can also be used as gifts for relatives and friends, becoming an important medium for social interaction among the people.

Qin Yue had thought it over. She didn't have much property, and all she had was her skill in making steamed flower buns.

Lin Liuyi saved her daughter, so he was her great benefactor, and Qin Yue couldn't be someone who didn't repay his kindness.

She has no money right now, so she can only make some flower-shaped steamed buns to express her feelings. Once she saves up enough money, she will definitely pay Lin Liuyi back slowly.

The hospital asked her for 30 yuan, but Lin Liuyi not only refused to take a single penny, but also gave her medicine and gold.

She didn't dare touch the gold; she had already taken such a big advantage from them, how could she possibly ask for more money?

Qin Yue, this rural woman, is not greedy. Anyway, she has her own hands and feet, and as long as her daughter is well, she will be able to pay back the debt one day.

As Qin Yue pondered these things, her hands continued moving without pause; she had already memorized them thoroughly.

"Mom, let me help you too!"

"Okay! Lulu will help Mommy roll the dumplings."

As Qin Yue busied herself with various tasks, the basic structure of the dragon gradually emerged.

She first kneaded the dough until it was a uniform yellow color, then chopped it into three small pieces of different sizes with a knife.

Next, knead two of the pieces into an oblong shape, and shape one piece into a dragon's head. Cut it with scissors, and the dragon opens its mouth wide.

The other part involves shaping the dragon's horns and claws, and using scissors to refine their shape to make them look more realistic.

Next, use the last section to make the dragon's body and tail, and slowly draw the scales on the dragon's body with a knife.

Then assemble the three sections together, shaping them into the winding form of a dragon's body.

Finally, use red dough to add dragon whiskers and fins to the dragon's body, and use black beans for the dragon's eyes.

The dragon is done well; the combination of red and yellow gives it a slightly festive feel, while the flowing dragon whiskers add a touch of majesty.

Qin Yue did the same for the other dragon, and then arranged the two dragons in a pose.

"Lulu, is the bead rolling finished yet?!"

"Here! Mom, look how round I rolled it!" Lulu held up her little hand and handed over the dough.

"So round! Lulu is so great!" Qin Yue took the dough ball her daughter had rolled and didn't forget to praise her.

Finally, place the pearl between the two dragons, and the "Double Dragons Playing with a Pearl" game is complete.

Once placed on the steamer, surrounded by swirling steam, the two dragons truly resembled a red pearl playing in the clouds.

Then Qin Yue started making flower-shaped steamed buns in other shapes, this time peony flowers.

She took out the yellow dough pieces, cut them little by little with scissors, and then rolled them up to form the heart of a peony flower.

"Mom, I can help!"

"Okay! How about Lulu continues to help Mom roll the flower center?"

"Okay, I will!"

Qin Yue then handed over the task of rolling the flower center to her daughter. She picked up the pink dough, cut it into petal sizes, and then used scissors to cut some thorns along the edges of the petals. Next, she used a small round tool to thin the thorny edges. Then she assembled the 24 petals and the flower center from small to large, and finally cut off the excess shape. A lifelike peony flower was thus completed.

Qin Yue made eight peonies of various colors.

After finishing the peony flowers, Qin Yue started making koi-shaped steamed buns.

Roll the red dough into an oval bun, stick some yellow patches on it, and then roll it into the shape of a fish.

"Mom, I want to come too!"

Qin Yue thought for a moment and decided that it was simple. She would let her daughter make a flower-shaped steamed koi fish for her benefactor to express her gratitude. So she pinched off a small piece of dough for her daughter.

Watching her daughter slowly knead the dough into the shape of a fish, Qin Yue then began to divide the fish's tail in half, slowly pinching out the dorsal fin. She then used a knife to draw a few lines on the tail, and kneaded the dorsal fin into a wavy shape.

Next, take out a teardrop-shaped tool and print out the fish head. Then, turn it over and cut the fins. Next, take out a scale-pricking tool and prick the scales out of the fish. Finally, use black sesame seeds to dot the fish's eyes. That's how you make a red and yellow koi fish.

Qin Yue prepared several fish and arranged them in a circle around each other, with a simple flower placed in the center.

She put the little fish her daughter had made into the steamer, and while the two waited for the flower-shaped steamed buns to cook, Qin Yue told her daughter what the flower-shaped steamed buns meant.

"The 'Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl' steamed bun is usually used as an offering to ancestors, because we are all descendants of the dragon! We must not forget our ancestors!"

"Peony flowers represent wealth and prosperity. Peonies blooming in a wealthy home is a beautiful wish!"

"And there are koi fish, which represent abundance year after year, all of which are auspicious wishes!"

"Mom, these look like things we made for Chinese New Year!"

"Lulu, Mommy told you that a fairy saved you, and Mommy did all this to thank her. Mommy doesn't have much money, but Mommy will give you everything she has!"

Qin Yue taught her daughters to always be grateful, even if they didn't have money now, they should still do their best.

After the flower-shaped steamed buns were cooked, Qin Yue carefully took them out of the steamer.

At this time, the flower-shaped steamed buns are brightly colored, resembling exquisite works of art.

Lulu clapped her hands and praised, "Mom's flower-shaped steamed buns are so pretty!"

Qin Yue nervously gave Lin Liuyi the flower-shaped steamed buns and gold as tips, and then patiently waited for a response.

"Host, you've made another donation!"

"Wow, these are so beautiful!" Lin Liu exclaimed in admiration upon seeing the flower-shaped steamed bun in his hand.

Whether it's two dragons playing with a pearl, peonies, or koi fish, they are all made to look incredibly lifelike.

Lin Liuyi had only seen these flower-shaped steamed buns online before, and she never expected that Qin Yue had this skill. Looking at the flower-shaped steamed buns, she suddenly thought of something.

"Wait a minute, Fa Cai, you didn't get half this time!"

"Host, the system has already given you two pieces of gold; the rest are yours!"

Lin Liuyi understood: Qin Yue hadn't sold the two pieces of gold; she had actually returned them to her.