She recalls the time she went to Beijing to learn from a French baker who has over four decades' experience. She was shocked to see that the dough in his hands was so submissive and practically came alive.

"He was friends with the dough, but the dough in my hands was like a sticky, wet monster," she recounts.

Now she has become a bread master herself, and indulges in spending a great time with "her friend" all day long.

After putting the dough into the oven, Xu likes to sit there and observe the process as the bread is transformed.