Chapter 31: A Sudden Inspiration

Yun Xuan opened the door, surprised to see who was standing outside.

“Can I...can I talk to you?” Qin Yue stood there in a white bunny pajama set, her head lowered, stammering.

“Of course,” Yun Xuan hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside to let Qin Yue in, closing the door behind her.

Qin Yue entered, her black hair covering one eye, looking visibly nervous.

“Would you like a cola?” Yun Xuan poured a glass and handed it to her.

Qin Yue took the cola, sipped twice, and set it on the table.

“Thank you,” she murmured, biting her lip, unsure what else to say.

“No need for thanks. We’re friends, after all. If you don’t mind, I’d like to see your face properly,” Yun Xuan sat across from her, smiling gently.

“My...my face is ugly. I was hurt before.” Qin Yue’s expression changed, and she covered her eye.

“It’s all right. I’m not afraid. I promise, no matter what you look like, I won’t mind,” Yun Xuan moved to sit beside her, sincerity clear in his eyes.

Qin Yue, still covering her eye, gazed at Yun Xuan’s earnest face. Slowly, she lowered her hand.

She parted her hair with her fingers, revealing a scar on her forehead.

The mark, about three centimeters long and faint, hinted at some childhood ordeal.

“Does it...look awful?” There was a trace of melancholy in Qin Yue’s eyes.

“No, your face is beautiful. I was rude, forgive me,” Yun Xuan shook his head, suddenly realizing the roots of Qin Yue’s insecurities.

“Really?” she asked, surprise and hope mingling in her voice.

“Yes. The scar is shallow, it doesn’t affect your looks at all,” Yun Xuan nodded, speaking the truth.

“Thank you, Yun Xuan,” Qin Yue said softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“Ahem, it’s getting late. Why not come watch my match with the others tomorrow?” Yun Xuan sensed the subtle tension in the air and cleared his throat.

“All right, I’ll head back now.” Qin Yue stood.

They walked to the door, and Yun Xuan opened it.

Immediately outside stood Nan Gong Xiaomeng, hand raised as though about to knock.

“You two...could it be...” Nan Gong Xiaomeng looked startled. But seeing them together, recalling something, she stepped back a few paces, her gaze lingering on Qin Yue’s pajamas and flushed cheeks, her own face growing redder.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. Qin Yue and I were just talking,” Yun Xuan said with a slight smile, utterly at ease.

“I’m going to bed, Yun Xuan. Good night.” Qin Yue stepped out.

“Good night. You should get some rest too, Nan Gong,” Yun Xuan yawned and closed the door.

As Qin Yue walked past Nan Gong Xiaomeng, she lowered her voice and said coldly, “Don’t try to take Yun Xuan from me, or...I’ll kill you.”

Nan Gong Xiaomeng shuddered, then, anger rising, glanced at the closed door and at the departing Qin Yue, and returned to her own room.

“Yun Xuan... you’re so gentle. I knew I was right about you. Let this trip become our world for two. Anyone who stands in our way...can go to hell,” Qin Yue muttered, a twisted smile on her lips, a glint of madness in her eyes.

—

The next morning.

Yun Xuan woke early, roused by a call from Yun Xue before six.

Six of them made their way to the Culinary Academy, having breakfast at a small shop run by Ye Shan Yuanting.

“You treat my place like a breakfast shop, huh?” Ye Shan Yuanting shot Yun Xuan a look.

“Pretty much. Did you get what I asked for?” Yun Xuan asked while eating a bun—Chinese cuisine was common at the Culinary Academy.

“It’s ready. But what do you plan to make with only that one type of meat? Barbecue?” Ye Shan Yuanting was puzzled.

“Of course not. There’s more than three hours until ten o’clock—enough for me to try five times,” Yun Xuan swallowed the last bun, got up, and went into the kitchen.

“I really don’t get him,” Ye Shan Yuanting thought better of following and turned to chat with the other five. Chefs seldom allow others to watch their trial dishes.

—

Inside the kitchen.

Yun Xuan began his first attempt. In less than half an hour, the initial version of the dish was ready.

“Good thing it’s a small portion, or I’d already be full,” Yun Xuan congratulated himself.

He tasted the plain version and frowned—the gaminess was too strong, and the dish too simple.

“Second batch—remove the gaminess, add spices.” He set down the bowl and continued.

Half an hour later—

“The aroma is good, the gaminess is gone, the broth is tastier. But something’s missing...that spark to catch the eye...” Yun Xuan set down the bowl, thinking.

He didn’t feel rushed—there were still two hours to experiment.

“How’s it going? Finished?” Ye Shan Yuanting entered, holding a small bowl, and seeing Yun Xuan pause, asked.

“Ye Shan, is there an ingredient that can make a dish instantly dazzling?” Yun Xuan asked offhand.

“In cooking? Maybe something glittering? Or an incredibly rich aroma?” Ye Shan Yuanting paused, puzzled.

“Glittering? That’s impossible. An aroma, though...wait! The aroma! I’ve got it!” Yun Xuan’s eyes lit up—he’d forgotten that technique, how foolish of him.

“Looks like you’ve thought of something. I’ll go greet the others. Don’t forget to get to the Food Spirit arena by nine-thirty,” Ye Shan Yuanting said with a knowing smile at Yun Xuan’s excitement.

—

Half an hour later.

Yun Xuan looked at the small bowl before him, finished the last mouthful, and smiled with satisfaction.

If this dish couldn’t get him into the top five, he might as well hit his head against a wall.

—

Before nine-thirty, Yun Xuan and the group of six, plus Ye Shan Yuanting, arrived at the Food Spirit arena.

Dressed simply in casual clothes, Yun Xuan went to his cooking station.

The theme for the second round had been announced the day before, and all ingredients were prepared.

The other fifty-three chefs arrived one after another, taking their places at their stations—the space far more open than yesterday.

At ten o’clock sharp, five judges and the hostess made their entrance.

Today’s panel was made up entirely of young faces—all graduates of the Culinary Academy.

“Hello everyone, I’m your hostess, Chishima Naruoto. Welcome to the second round of the Food Spirit Battle, where we’ll determine the top five in the qualifiers. Before we begin, let me introduce our five judges,” the hostess, with her long black hair and adorable demeanor, smiled charmingly.

The crowd quieted. Yun Xuan glanced around—all five elements’ seats were filled, and the VIP section held Dongfang Aoxue and Mitora Kamikawa.

“Our first judge is Senior Yu Ping from Huaxia, a four-star chef. With ten branches in Japan, Chuanhua House owes its success to his mastery of Chinese cuisine,” Chishima Naruoto introduced with a grin.

A young man with short hair stood up and smiled, exuding composure.

“Our second judge, Senior Saionji Koguo, owns a third of all maid cafés in Japan! I wish I could work in one too,” Chishima Naruoto said playfully, making the audience chuckle.

Saionji Koguo looked like a porcelain doll in her black-and-white maid outfit—her cute face hardly suited to a business owner.

“The third judge, Senior Yukikawa Ichika, runs a famous French restaurant abroad.”

A serious-looking young man with black hair stood up.

“The fourth judge, Senior Christa, owns a fast-food chain that spans Japan and even has outlets in Huaxia.”

A blonde beauty with blue eyes stood and blew a kiss, causing many young men to blush.

“And finally, our last judge, renowned worldwide, undefeated in a hundred Food War battles, and three-time Food Spirit champion during her school years...” Chishima Naruoto’s face glowed with excitement.

(P.S. Happy Children’s Day! Please vote for recommendations.)