Chef Hua
Chapter 352: Episode 200 Fight Kitchen (Part 1)

Chapter 352: Episode 200 Fight Kitchen (Part 1)

The newcomer was dressed in white robes, appearing to be just over twenty, slim yet strikingly tall and straight. His face was remarkably handsome, his features as refined as jade, elegant and tranquil. Even his slight smile, as he stood there quietly, exuded a charismatic aura.

At that moment, she suddenly felt a bit nervous. It was strange, really—considering she hadn’t done anything blameworthy, yet why did she feel so guilty?

While she was still dazed, the man took another step forward and chuckled lightly, "So, Miss, you remember me? Last July at the Eight Treasures Conference at Huayin Pond, you really stood out. I didn’t expect to see you here today. Are you... also here for the preliminary selection of the Moon Banquet?"

Hua Xiaomai snapped back to reality and nodded slightly at him, "Han’s Biyue Pavilion is famous throughout Tong’an Prefecture—how could I forget? As for the Moon Banquet, it’s currently the biggest event in Fuzhe County. Naturally, I wouldn’t want to miss it; I had to join in the fun."

As she spoke, she glanced at the man’s face and ventured, "The business of your Biyue Pavilion is booming in Tong’an City. Don’t tell me you’re also planning to show off your skills in our little county?"

This Mr. Han was the owner of Biyue Pavilion in the Provincial City, who had also participated in the Eight Treasures Conference last year. At that time, Song Jingxi of the Taoyuan House had considered him his strongest rival. To ensure the hosting rights of the Mid-Autumn Moon Banquet fell into his hands, he had sabotaged Han’s ingredients, which ruined his dish featuring abalone and conch called "Incorporating All."

At the Eight Treasures Conference, when the dishes were sent for judgment by the gourmets, Hua Xiaomai had a brief encounter with Mr. Han, and to this day, she still vividly remembered the expression on his face. The mix of disappointment, anger, surprise, and disbelief was startling at just one glance. She had thought she would never meet Mr. Han again, but unexpectedly, encountered him today at the venue for the preliminary selection of the Moon Banquet.

"We’re all young here, no need for such formal titles. Just call me Han Fengzhi," the man said with a gentle smile to Hua Xiaomai. "There are many masters here to participate in the Moon Banquet, and I really wanted to test my own depth, but unfortunately, I am not from Fuzhe County, so I don’t qualify."

"Then you..." Hua Xiaomai grew even more puzzled and furrowed her brows slightly.

"The Moon Banquet has attracted many great chefs, and Magistrate Tao’s side is understaffed and a bit chaotic. Fortunately, my family and he are old friends. Knowing that I make my living in the culinary industry, he called me in to lend a hand," Han Fengzhi continued calmly.

Hua Xiaomai suddenly opened her eyes wide, "You are a judge for the Moon Banquet preliminaries?!"

Just her luck! No wonder she felt uncomfortable as soon as she entered the venue and even more uneasy seeing Mr. Han—it turned out there was a mess waiting for her here!

Last year’s schemes by Song Jingxi at the Eight Treasures Conference, although ultimately unrelated to her, made it hard for her to justify her innocence in front of someone who had been affected by them.

Off to a bad start... Hua Xiaomai shook her head inwardly, hopeless about her chances of securing the hosting rights for the Moon Banquet...

"This isn’t a competition, so why mention a ’judge’?" Han Fengzhi appeared carefree and unrushed, "I’m simply here out of courtesy to help oversee things. It’s indeed a coincidence to run into you—by the way, I don’t know your esteemed surname?"

Hua Xiaomai thought, overseeing or judging, what’s the real difference? She replied lacklusterly, "My married name is Meng."

Han Fengzhi nodded understandingly, "It hasn’t even been a year since you got married... Although I don’t know your husband’s family and I am older than you, calling you sister-in-law might seem odd. Shall I address you as Miss, as before?"

Hua Xiaomai was utterly disheartened and had no interest in nitpicking with him. She grunted affirmatively but remained silent, just waiting to get through this hopeless preliminary round so she could go to Lianshun Escort Agency and cry on Meng Yuhuai’s shoulder.

Perhaps sensing her low spirits, Han Fengzhi did not continue the conversation. He casually took from someone beside him the menu Hua Xiaomai had submitted upon entering the venue, glanced over it briefly, waved the person away, and looked down at Hua Xiaomai’s face, appearing contemplative. Yet his gaze held a profound meaning.