Chapter 198 Heading to the Agricultural University
Not to be outdone, the "chemistry whiz" from Qingdao University showed off an Excel spreadsheet: "Stop bragging. We tested it with professional equipment, and the purine content of this beef brisket soup is not high."
But you students from Yulin University don't even know what purines are, yet you keep saying "drink more to nourish your body"—you're simply lacking in common sense! (Attached: See the table for the detailed test report; the data doesn't lie!)
The "biology expert" from Yuda University immediately retaliated, throwing out a popular science article: "Please make sure this 'academic genius' understands first that Sister Yingxue's beef brisket soup uses a process of blanching three times and simmering over low heat for two hours, which has reduced the purine content to the lowest possible level!"
Besides, we're here for the nostalgia and delicious taste, not for a chemistry lesson! On the other hand, someone at Qingdao University said the cafeteria food was 'rich in protein,' but tests showed it was all additives. And you have the nerve to say we lack common sense?
Next, students from both schools began to compete on the "quality of their post-meal experience".
A talented female student from the Literature Department of Yuda University posted a 3,000-word "paper-style review of her meal," which began with a citation: "The Suiyuan Shidan says: 'Soup is the origin of all flavors.' Su Yingxue's beef brisket and radish soup follows the ancient method of preparation, with strict selection of ingredients. The beef brisket is selected from the ribs of Luxi Yellow Cattle, and the radish is Shawo radish. The combination of the two can be described as 'the meat borrows the clarity of the radish, and the radish borrows the freshness of the meat'..." The article also included references at the end, and the format was as standard as an academic paper.
A talented student from Qingdao University immediately responded with a "poetry recitation-style review of the meal," complete with an audio recording: "Golden noodles wrapped around egg hide freshness and fragrance, double sauces overflow with aroma. One bite amazes everyone, Yuda University's cuisine surpasses all others! Tender beef brisket melts like spring snow, sweet radish reflects the moonlight. If you ask about the essence of everyday life, Su Ji's stall is the most unforgettable!" The audio recitation was full of emotion, accompanied by a guzheng, which prompted many Yuda University students to share it.
Seeing the situation was turning against them, a computer science genius from Qingdao University created a "Comparison Chart of Su Yingxue's Food Popularity." The chart showed that the number of discussions about related topics at Qingdao University had surpassed that at Yuda University. The caption read: "Data doesn't lie. Our Qingdao University discussion volume has exceeded 500,000, while your Yuda University is still resting on its laurels! Admit it, only those of us from Qingdao University truly appreciate Sister Yingxue's food!"
Yuda's "new media influencer" immediately retaliated, throwing out a set of short video data screenshots: "Our grilled cold noodles making video received over 100,000 likes on a single video, and the comments section is full of positive reviews! In your Qingdao University's discussions, 30% are complaints about long queues, and you have the nerve to bring that up? Besides, Sister Yingxue is our Yuda University's 'campus food representative,' you're just trying to ride her coattails!"
The verbal sparring between the two sides escalated, even turning into personal attacks. One student from Qingda University said, "What can Yuda University students do besides shout slogans? They have to brag about eating a meal; they've never seen the world!"
Someone from Yuda retorted: "People from Qingda are just sour grapes. They don't have any good food at their own school, so they come and steal from us! If they're so capable, why don't they invite Sister Yingxue to set up a stall themselves!"
Even worse, a cosplay enthusiast from Qingdao University posted a picture of himself cosplaying "Little Cold Noodles," only to be criticized by students from Yulin University: "What an ugly thing! Our Yulin University cosplayers have a 100% accuracy rate in their recreations. You guys are just ruining the image!"
The cosplayers from Qingdao University immediately retorted: "Your cosplayers are the ugliest! They're wearing cheap 'pancake costumes,' which look like they bought them on Pinduoduo. Ours are custom-made!"
Seeing the argument escalating, with some even suggesting a "fight in person," Su Yingxue quickly stepped in. She sent a voice message to the fan groups of both schools, her voice gentle and cheerful: "Thank you all for liking my cooking so much. Seeing you all 'battle' for me makes me both touched and amused. Actually, we're all a family that loves food, there's no need to compete!"
Su Yingxue was overwhelmed. The "food war" between students from the two universities had evolved from online verbal sparring into an offline guerrilla war of "tours and check-ins." Today, someone from Qingda University would book an entire screening room to play her mukbang videos; tomorrow, Yuda University would organize a petition with a hundred signatures demanding her "triumphant return home." Her private messages were half praise and half curses and attacks from extreme fans of both universities. This affection that once warmed her heart had now turned into an impenetrable net, making it hard for her to breathe.
"I just want to cook something quietly..." Su Yingxue stood by the window, looking down at the students arguing excitedly while holding up support signs, her eyes filled with confusion and exhaustion.
Just then, that familiar system voice rang in her mind:
[Ding! Host 'Su Yingxue' has exceeded the mental stress threshold, resulting in extreme polarization in social evaluations. Meets the activation requirements for the 'Culinary Inheritor' system.]
[Main Quest Released: Seclusion and Ascension. Quest Objective: Erase the highly recognizable identity of 'Su Yingxue,' transform into an ordinary street vendor, travel to a new region to spread culinary skills, and comprehend the true meaning of 'the essence of food is sharing, not possession.']
[New Player Tutorial: Forget past glories and start with a brand new, down-to-earth dish. Task Requirements: Successfully sell 100 servings of 'Volcano Potatoes' at the designated location (outside the Agricultural University) and receive a 'Great Value for Money' review from customers.]
[Mission Reward: Mastery of Mindset, Awakening of the 'Flavor Furnace' basic ability (allows for rapid mastery and improvement of street food techniques).]
Su Yingxue's heart skipped a beat. "Volcano Potato"? That sounded like a novel idea. Perhaps, this really was an opportunity to escape the turmoil and start anew.
Potato Beauty Arrives at Agricultural University
The next day, students from Qingdao University and Yulin University were astonished to find that their "goddess" had not only disappeared from all platforms, but even her signature floral apron was gone. A massive "missing person" campaign was launched, but to no avail.
Meanwhile, a brand-new food stall quietly opened at the entrance of the agricultural university.
The stall owner was a woman wearing black-rimmed glasses, a ponytail, and a wig; she looked like an ordinary middle-aged woman. She wore a loose T-shirt with a cartoon potato pattern, a clean white apron, and a slightly shy smile on her face.
Her stall was simply equipped: a clean tricycle with a conspicuous volcanic stone oven on top, and next to it, sliced, golden, plump small potatoes. The signboard bore the two characters "Xiao Dou" in a flamboyant style, with a line of smaller print below: "Volcanic Potatoes, One Bite is Soul-Stirring."
Su Yingxue loves potatoes. Potatoes are delicious no matter how they're cooked. This time, she chose small potatoes she bought at the market and paired them with a special sauce. She believes this will give the agricultural university students a unique flavor. She's getting a little excited just thinking about it!
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