{Ding-dong}

{Given that the host is currently making a bet with Sha Zhu, God-level selection is activated.}

{Option 1: Quietly let him win, saving Stupid Pillar's face, reward: a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle title.}

{Option 2: Use the seasonings available in the kitchen to tie with Sha Zhu, and receive a reward of three wedding items and 500 yuan in cash.}

{Option 3: Use the seasoning from the courtyard to give Sha Zhu a vicious slap, showing him the power of technology. Reward: A pair of native Chinese piglets.}

Ma Hua mentally reviewed the options the system offered. "Damn it, who do they think they are? With my system, do they think they're missing three major components? I have to teach that idiot Zhu a lesson about the power of technology. Option three..."

Ma Hua silently made his choice in his mind. As for option one, Ma Hua spat out, "That turtle's head is obviously green with envy. Whoever wants to be it, can be it. I'm not doing it."

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was evening. Director Wang had already put the ingredients in the kitchen that afternoon.

Director Wang looked at Ma Hua with some anxiety: "Ma Hua, how about we find you an apprentice? Look how carefree Sha Zhu is?"

Ma Hua didn't look up, but silently muttered, "Good cooks do everything themselves; only those lazy bums who are used to exploiting others will boss people around." Ma Hua chuckled to himself, thinking, "Silly Zhu is really used to being lazy; he makes Fatty do all the washing and preparing of vegetables."

He, meanwhile, sat to the side smoking and with his legs crossed. This was a factory, not a professional restaurant, especially since the two of them were about to make a bet; such indulgence was unacceptable.

I don't know what to say about Sha Zhu anymore. What's wrong with him? Does Sha Zhu really think he's a fly's ass? A fly's ass, huh?

Just as Ma Hua was preparing the side dishes, Factory Director Yang and Director Li walked in. In reality, today's situation was essentially a power struggle between the two of them. Whether it was Sha Zhu or Ma Hua, they were merely tools in their hands; otherwise, they wouldn't have been put to work.

Just now in the private room, I overheard Director Wang saying that Sha Zhu had made a bet with Ma Hua, so he immediately led a group of diners into the kitchen.

After all, losing meant he had misjudged people, so Director Yang walked up to Sha Zhu and asked directly, "He Yuzhu, is there a problem with the food for tonight?"

"No problem, you know how well I cook, just watch, I definitely won't let you down." Sha Zhu patted his chest and assured him. What kind of situation hadn't he seen? It was a piece of cake, especially compared to Ma Hua.

Director Li stood aside, watching Ma Hua intently preparing the side dishes. He didn't approach her to speak; there was no need to ask. Whether it would be good or not, they'd know once it was made. This wasn't something that could be judged by words alone.

Seeing this, Director Wang hurriedly invited the leaders to sit in the private room, but Director Yang and Director Li refused. They both felt that they had already won and insisted on acting as referees. Why would they want to slap the other side in the face in front of so many people in the private room?

Director Wang, seeing that it was almost time, urged Ma Hua and Sha Zhu to get started. The two busied themselves at the stove, and before Sha Zhu began cooking, he gave Ma Hua a disdainful look.

This MCA is really arrogant and doesn't know that their specialty is Sichuan cuisine?

Sha Zhu chuckled at Ma Hua before starting to cook, while Ma Hua had already been diligently working on his dish.

Both of them skillfully heated oil in a wok. Once the oil was slightly smoking, they added the prepared minced meat and stir-fried it until it changed color. Then they added minced garlic and fermented bean paste, stir-frying a few more times to release the aroma of the seasonings. Finally, they added water and brought it to a boil.

At this moment, although the tofu had not yet been added to the pot, the aroma was already filling the kitchen. Director Yang, who was originally paying attention to Sha Zhu, was attracted by the aroma and turned to look at Ma Hua. Wow, Ma Hua's cooking smells so good.

Once the broth in the pot boils, add the blanched tofu. After the tofu has absorbed the broth, add various flavorings, salt, dark soy sauce, sugar, and Sichuan peppercorn powder. After adding cornstarch slurry, lift the wok and use your right hand to vigorously rotate the ingredients to prevent them from sticking.

Ma Hua's dish was ready before Sha Zhu's. Although Sha Zhu could smell that Ma Hua's dish smelled better, he still scoffed and laughed. Did Ma Hua even know there was a secret recipe for blanching tofu? It was a family recipe, pshaw, just a showpiece, definitely much worse than his own.

Soon after, Sha Zhu's dishes were ready. When Liu Lan presented the two dishes to the leaders, Li Huaide, seeing this, immediately smiled and said to Factory Director Yang, "Factory Director Yang, come on." Li Huaide had already smelled the aroma of Ma Hua's cooking and knew that Sha Zhu was doomed to lose.

Factory Director Yang's previously cold face twitched. Just by smelling the two dishes on the table, he knew Sha Zhu had lost. However, Director Yang was now in a difficult position and could only force a smile, saying, "Director Li, it's not certain who wins or loses yet. Good food is about tasting good, not just which dish smells better."

Out of politeness, Director Yang tried Sha Zhu's cooking first. After finishing, he gave Sha Zhu a thumbs up: "Zhu Zi, not bad! It's numbing and spicy, very appetizing. Excellent!"

Upon hearing Director Yang's praise, Sha Zhu immediately raised his chin slightly, looking extremely proud. He naturally knew that his cooking was delicious.

He then walked to the other side to try the tofu made by Ma Hua. When Director Yang put it in his mouth, he exclaimed, "Hot, hot, hot!" He hadn't expected the seemingly unremarkable tofu to be so hot.

Ma Hua chuckled to himself. The special features of this Mapo Tofu are its eight characteristics: numbing, spicy, hot, fragrant, crispy, tender, fresh, and lively. It's also known as the eight-character motto. You're not going to get burned by taking such a big spoonful.

Because of the chili oil and thickening agent, the dish stays at a constant temperature after cooking and doesn't cool down easily. Therefore, you should blow on it slightly before eating, otherwise it will be too hot to handle.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!