Chapter 39: Cuisine So Delicious It Brings Tears

“Ahem, let the cooking begin!” Chidao Myoyin adjusted her mood, a smile playing at her lips.

Yun Xuan’s words had put everyone at ease.

Yun Xuan and Long Ao stood before their respective cooking stations.

“They’re both pouring rice into the pot—so it’s porridge, right?” Kamikawa Sanjo remarked.

“Yes, but with him, there’s always something intriguing. Could this be another original recipe?” Dongfang Aoxue, well-versed in porridge, was thoughtful.

“Huh?” As they looked at the large screen showing Yun Xuan’s ingredients, both the judges and the audience were stunned, except for Kamikawa Kotogawa, who wore a puzzled expression.

“Mixed grains?” Dongfang Aoxue recognized them immediately—they were all products of Huaxia.

With a swift motion, Yun Xuan grabbed several kinds of beans and tossed them into the pot.

“Is that even possible?”

“That can’t be right! Can you even mix all those grains together?”

“This must be another one of his original dishes.”

A flurry of murmurs rippled through the audience.

In contrast, Long Ao was calm and methodical as he prepared his dish.

Making porridge is simple; the real challenge lies in the supporting ingredients.

“The first to finish is contestant Long Ao. His porridge looks like preserved egg congee—it seems quite fragrant,” Chidao Myoyin commented, observing Long Ao’s impassive face.

“This is my preserved egg congee. Please, have a taste,” Long Ao set down three bowls and spoke plainly.

“A delicate fragrance, coupled with just the right touch of saltiness—you’ve mastered this dish well,” Kamikawa Kotogawa praised after a taste.

“No need for more words, but your porridge already contains your defeat,” Dongfang Aoxue set her bowl aside after a single spoonful.

“Defeated without a fight—defeated by yourself, Long Ao,” Kamikawa Sanjo sighed.

“Yes,” Long Ao lowered his head, fists clenched. He had lost to himself.

He had thought and pondered endlessly, but couldn’t find a way to surpass Yun Xuan; and so he gave up. But as a chef, he would never lack the courage to step up.

Seeing Yun Xuan’s ingredients, he could no longer deny it—this was another crushing defeat.

“Lift your head. Winning or losing once or twice doesn’t prove you lack talent. True professional chefs always face victory and defeat head-on; they never think of giving up. Even if they lose, they open their shop the next day as usual.” Yun Xuan walked up behind Long Ao and spoke earnestly.

Long Ao shuddered, gazing at Yun Xuan.

The gap between them was too vast, one that culinary skill alone could not bridge. The difference in their perspectives and values was clear even to Long Ao.

Yun Xuan’s superiority lay in the fact that he didn’t truly care about this competition; for him, this was all just a game, and he faced it without a hint of anxiety.

“This is for you. Eat it, then pull yourself together. Next time I come to the Culinary Academy, show me your own original creation—I want to taste it.” Yun Xuan smiled as he handed Long Ao a bowl of porridge.

Long Ao nodded and lifted the bowl.

The moment it touched his lips, he was stunned.

…

A warm flavor, reminiscent of the small village where he’d spent his childhood—impoverished, yet filled with happiness. Back then, it was just him and his mother, depending on each other.

“Long Ao, this is the porridge your mother made for you. You must be hungry, eat a bit more.” A gentle hand ruffled his hair.

“Mom, you should have some too.” Young Long Ao looked at his mother’s pale face.

“I’m not hungry, you eat.” That tender voice—he’d never forget it as long as he lived.

That bowl of porridge was the best thing he’d ever tasted.

After his mother’s passing, he left the village and traveled alone to a distant island, starting as a kitchen hand, washing vegetables. It wasn’t until he met Kamikawa Sanjo that he entered the Culinary Academy.

“Mother…” Long Ao tilted his head back. After all, he was only a sixteen-year-old boy, a wanderer longing for home.

Even now that the Long family had acknowledged him, their illegitimate son, he couldn’t accept it. A father like that, one who abandoned his mother—he would never accept such a man.

A teardrop fell to the ground.

Many of the girls from Huaxia who knew Long Ao’s background were moved to tears.

“The winner: Yun Xuan!” Chidao Myoyin wiped her eyes; the competition had to go on.

“Why are you crying? It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Yun Xuan hadn’t expected such a reaction from Long Ao—he wasn’t a miracle worker, after all.

“Thank you, Yun Xuan.” Long Ao smiled, bowed, and left.

“Don’t forget, you owe me a meal—a dish of your own creation.” Yun Xuan grinned and called after him.

“When you come back next time, I’ll make sure you taste my original dish!” Long Ao stopped, turned, and replied with confidence.

“The third round is now over. Finalists, please come to the stage!” Chidao Myoyin glanced at the time and called out loudly.

Miyauchi Aotsuki, Alice, Sakaue Ginji, Kitagawa Yukika, and Yun Xuan stood before the judges.

“In the final, only one can earn the title of Gourmet Spirit. And this time, the final challenge is…” Chidao Myoyin paused.

The four among the top five looked at her anxiously. The audience held their breath, waiting in silent anticipation.

Only Yun Xuan calmly scrolled through his phone.

A line of words appeared on the big screen.

“Seafood dishes!”

“Seafood dishes?!”

“The final is actually about seafood?!”

“Yun Xuan is from Huaxia, isn’t he? Doesn’t that put him at a disadvantage with seafood?” The audience realized an important point.

“Now, please exit in order. Tomorrow’s match will be at 3 p.m.,” announced Chidao Myoyin as she left.

“Yun Xuan?” Sakaue Ginji looked at him.

“Yes?” Yun Xuan, phone in hand, looked up at her.

“Seafood dishes…are you not very good at them?” she asked softly.

“A bit…” Yun Xuan nodded; the seafood dishes in his mind were all those that existed in this world.

“I…I think I’ll withdraw from the final,” Sakaue Ginji hesitated.

The other three girls stared at her in surprise.

“You misunderstand me. What I mean is, this time, I probably won’t be able to come up with an original seafood recipe,” Yun Xuan replied, looking at Sakaue Ginji in confusion.

Silence from Sakaue Ginji and the other three girls.

“I’m going back to sleep. Good night,” Yun Xuan yawned, waved, and left.

“Making it to the final is more than enough for me,” Alice whispered and walked away.

“Me too.” Sakaue Ginji thought for a moment, wished the remaining two good night, and left as well.

Miyauchi Aotsuki and Kitagawa Yukika exchanged glances and saw determination in each other’s eyes.

…

As Yun Xuan exited the venue, he saw the five people waiting for him.

“Let’s go. I’m exhausted,” Yun Xuan said, rubbing his eyes.

“Mm,” Yun Xun’er smiled at him gently.

“Brother, you’re amazing! You’ll definitely win that Gourmet Spirit title!” Yun Xue exclaimed excitedly.

“Of course—I’m the best,” Yun Xuan said, stroking Yun Xue’s long hair.

A stretch limousine pulled up in front of them with a soft hiss.

“I’ll drive you. The miss gave the order,” said Jiang Yue, lowering the car window.

(P.S. There will be another chapter this afternoon. Please vote for recommendations, it really matters. Thank you.)