Chef Hua
Chapter 358: Episode 203: Shiny Silver Oh!

Chapter 358: Episode 203: Shiny Silver Oh!

The onlookers heard the conversation clearly, and one of them with a loud voice immediately started to clamor.

"Hey, why stop competing? Isn’t the winner yet to be determined? It was just getting interesting, and now you say no more competition, what a letdown!"

The others also immediately joined in, one after another.

Hua Xiaomai glanced at the person, put down the wok spatula in her hand, casually grabbed a rag to wipe her hands, and half-jokingly said to Han Fengzhi, "Are you sure you’ve thought this through? If you change your mind later and come looking to compete with me again, I might not pay you any attention."

Han Fengzhi too smiled, seemingly with a touch of helplessness, and shook his head, "Miss, as the saying goes, ’amateurs watch the excitement; professionals spot the essence.’ Here, only the two of us are professionals. The outcome of this competition is already clear as day—we both know it in our hearts. What’s the point of continuing? I will still not receive any praise. Ah, it’s quite tiring just standing by the stove here. I’d rather rest early and shamelessly ask you to cook a bowl of tea for me."

"That’s easy." Hua Xiaomai didn’t dwell on the matter with him, nodded her head, and truly went to fetch the small charcoal stove for brewing tea.

At this moment, that loud voice couldn’t help but call out again, "Both of you, if you are indeed set on not competing, could you at least tell us who won today?"

"Today, Han Boss and I competed in cooking to hone our skills, and we never deemed winning or losing to be extremely important. Everyone has tasted my cooking, and the dishes I make should not be too bad, right? As for Han Boss, he is the famous owner of the ’Biyue Pavilion’ in the Provincial City, always cooking personally. How could he be a mere mediocrity?"

After deliberating for a moment in her heart, Hua Xiaomai then turned around and declared loudly, "Don’t laugh at me for praising my melons, but both of our cooking skills are quite good. Today, Han Boss brought many fresh and fine ingredients. Instead of worrying over who is better, why don’t we join forces, cook these up, and share with everyone to taste, how about it?"

Upon hearing the beginning, the crowd still had some complaints, but when they heard that there was free food to eat, who would care to pursue further questions? They immediately started applauding and praising the idea.

It was then that Hua Xiaomai looked back at Han Fengzhi and said with a smile, "Han Boss, I’m imposing on you to take charge of cooking for my little restaurant today. You don’t have any complaints, do you?"

Han Fengzhi looked at her deeply, "I am more than happy to oblige, and I understand that your gesture is to save my face. However, since I was the one who came to challenge you, whether I win or lose should still be made clear."

Before he had even finished speaking, he had already turned to address the surrounding crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am the loser of today’s culinary competition. Whether it’s knife skills or seasoning, this Miss Hua’s talents surpass mine. Even if I refuse to admit it and continue to challenge her on seasoning, I would only lose more thoroughly in the end."

The crowd became noisy with whispers and murmurs, full of exclamations and astonishments, creating quite a tumult.

Han Fengzhi acted as if he heard nothing and continued to speak to Hua Xiaomai, "Miss, I now truly understand that even if Taoyuan House’s Boss Song had not sabotaged me last year at the Eight Treasures Conference, I would definitely not have been your match. Ultimately, the right to host the Moon Banquet would have still fallen into your hands. I am not afraid of losing, I just detest unfairness, and today my loss is fully acknowledged. I must also say that if one day you are willing to make your mark in the Provincial City’s culinary world, I would be willing to pave the way for you."

Hua Xiaomai let out a chuckle and waved her hand nonchalantly, "That can be discussed some other time. If I really do go, I will have to trouble you—listen, I’m serious. My family now runs a Sauce Garden, the sauces we produce are somewhat superior to those sold outside. Since you think my skills are passable, why not... sign a contract with me? You won’t regret it!"

Han Fengzhi was caught between laughter and tears, shaking his head, "Can’t you be less mercenary? Have a little dignity, will you?"

"Can dignity be eaten as a meal?" Hua Xiaomai set her face in a serious expression, "You run Biyue Pavilion, don’t you want to make money? I do business with a conscience. The various sauces produced in our Sauce Garden are made from fine ingredients, without any deception. Look, here are a few jars ready, if you don’t believe me, try them yourself!"

Han Fengzhi indeed opened a small jar of sauce that was nearby, dabbed a little with his little finger, and tasted it, then said with a light laugh, "It is indeed extremely tasty. Please take me to your Sauce Garden this afternoon, let me see what varieties you have, and if they’re suitable, I will sign a two-year contract with you. Are you satisfied?"