Zhang Peng learned about the opening of Xu's Braised Food Shop through a prime-time advertisement on a local TV station in Shanghai. He was attracted by the 10,000 yuan prize.
Although he has worked and lived here for more than ten years, and even started a family here, it cannot erase the fact that he is not a native of Haishi. He comes from a province where people eat chili peppers as a staple food. In other provinces, spicy stir-fried beef is mainly beef with chili peppers as a side dish; but in Zhang Peng's hometown, spicy stir-fried beef means that you have to search for the pitifully small amount of beef in a bowl full of chili peppers. You could even change the name of this dish to spicy stir-fried chili peppers without making a mistake.
Even after living in Haishi for so many years, he still can't shake his habit of eating spicy food. In his opinion, the claims of "the spiciest in China" or "turning plain water into hot pot after just a couple of dips" are all just gimmicks created by businesses!
Watch as I devour half a pound of hellish braised food in one go, then eat two of the so-called spiciest chili peppers in China, and successfully win the 10,000 yuan prize! Leaving no chance for anyone else to even try!
After hastily selecting two pounds of braised food, Zhang Peng sat down confidently in front of the challenge platform and loudly proclaimed, "I want to challenge for the first prize!"
Whoosh—
The crowd queuing in front of Xu's braised food shop suddenly erupted in another uproar, worried that this person would win the first prize, while also becoming curious about the "hellish braised food." The braised food they saw on TV was just a bit darker in color and the chilies looked a bit strange; it didn't seem to live up to the name "hellish braised food."
Sitting behind the challenge platform was Xu An, fully equipped in protective gear including a gas mask and a suit. He took an A4 sheet of paper from his drawer and handed it to Zhang Peng, saying, "Because of the extreme spiciness of Shuan Shuan La, you need to sign a voluntary challenge form. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or other illnesses, but cause problems due to concealment, the restaurant will not be held responsible!"
In reality, such a statement is invalid even if it is signed, but it can serve as a deterrent, making these people take the challenge seriously.
Hearing Xu An demand to see his ID and sign his name, Zhang Peng grew increasingly impatient. It was just a gimmick, yet he was making it so complicated; it felt like eating this "hellish braised food" or this chili pepper would kill him instantly.
Although he was impatient, Zhang Peng, thinking of the 10,000 yuan prize money for the first prize, patiently took out his ID card and handed it to Xu An, signing his name on the challenge letter. Xu An took Zhang Peng's ID card and looked at the date of birth: born in 1967, so he was 45 years old now, within the scope of the activity.
Xu An put the signed challenge letter into the drawer, turned around and took out a box of packaged 'Hellish Braised Food' from the insulated box next to him, and handed it to Zhang Peng, emphasizing again, "People over fifty years old, with high blood pressure, heart disease, who have undergone major surgery, and a series of underlying diseases cannot participate in the challenge!"
Zhang Peng's attention was entirely focused on the box of braised food. He paid no attention to Xu An's words, nodded haphazardly to indicate he understood, and eagerly took the box, reaching out to open it. But after lifting the lid a couple of times, he discovered that the box was wrapped in a thick layer of plastic wrap!
A string of profanities flashed through Zhang Peng's mind. He really wanted to slam his fist on the table, point at his boss, and yell, "If you can't handle organizing an event, then don't do it!"
But looking at the burly men staring at him, and after assessing his own physique, he realized he couldn't beat any of them, so he chose to swallow his anger.
My right hand groped around on the box for a while, finally finding the cut end of the plastic wrap. I hooked my fingers around it and quickly tore it open. One turn, two turns, three turns—I tore it open ten times in total! Only then did I manage to peel the plastic wrap off the outside of the box.
Without a second thought, Zhang Peng flung open the lid, tore open a pair of chopsticks, and reached into the box to pick up a piece of fatty intestine and put it in his mouth. Just as the intestine was about to enter his mouth, the aroma of 'hellish braised food' suddenly exploded from the box, and with the flow of air, this hellish spiciness reached the noses of everyone on the old street. Before anyone could react to what was happening, they all let out a thunderous snort!
Achoo—Achoo—
Xu An's face, hidden behind his gas mask, revealed a gloating expression. This smell was just an appetizer; the main course was about to begin!
By the time Zhang Peng realized something was wrong, it was too late. The fatty intestines had already fallen into his mouth, and his teeth were pressing down on them. It was all too late! Whether it was because Zhang Peng's ability to eat spicy food had deteriorated significantly after so many years in Haishi or because of his constitution, his exposed skin turned bright red almost the instant the braised food entered his mouth.
Spicy! So spicy! So satisfying! I haven't had such authentic spiciness in years!
Despite his flushed face, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and clothes soaked with sweat, Zhang Peng continued to devour the braised food with his chopsticks. In a short while, a third of the braised food in the box had disappeared.
Awesome! So awesome! The spiciest food in China is nothing compared to this!
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Zhang Peng's chopsticks reached into the box containing the 'hellish braised meat' again, intending to continue devouring the half-pound of braised meat. Just then, a surge of heat rose in his stomach, causing him to let out a large, long burp. Along with the burp came the belated sensation of spiciness!
Zhang Peng now truly felt the same way Ziwei felt being pricked by Rong Momo. His stomach was churning with needles, every inch, every cell being pierced and pulled out. The intense pain made his face contort in agony, his left hand clenched tightly against his stomach.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com