Li Huan had already guessed that the question in the third round would definitely be in Zhang Fugui's favor.
However, Li Huan was not worried at all.
Because his cooking skills, knife skills, and intelligence are all superior to Zhang Fugui's!
No matter what the challenge in the third game is, Li Huan is confident that he can defeat Zhang Fugui!
A moment later.
Chef Ma stood up and announced loudly.
"After discussion among the eight of us, we have solemnly decided that the question for the third round will be—Hidden Secrets Within!"
Does it hold a hidden secret?
Grand Tutor Hua hurriedly asked, "What do you mean?"
Chef Ma laughed and said, "The so-called 'hidden wonders' refers to the fact that a dish contains other ingredients inside, which is both eye-opening and leaves a lasting impression!"
Grand Tutor Hua understood and asked, "So, what are the criteria for judging this dish: creativity or taste?"
Chef Ma said, "Both are essential; neither can be lacking, and neither should be prioritized over the other!"
Another judge added, "Within one hour, Li Huan and Zhang Fugui must cook a dish that 'hides a secret within'! Whoever gets the most votes will be the winner of the third round!"
Zhang Fugui hurriedly said, "If I win this round, wouldn't that mean I'll be tied with Li Huan again?"
Li Huan said, "You're being a bit delusional! I can guarantee you won't win the third round!"
Chef Ma said, "Li Huan, don't be arrogant and complacent. Zhang Fugui is not only a master chef, but also has unique creativity. He often comes up with new and innovative dishes!"
These words both praised Zhang Fugui and served as a reminder to Li Huan.
The portly clerk lit an incense stick and called out, "The contest begins!"
Immediately, the servants brought over three screens.
A screen stood between Li Huan and Zhang Fugui.
This is done to prevent the two from seeing each other's cooking and thus from prematurely revealing their own creative ideas.
The other two screens blocked the view of Prince Ning, Grand Tutor Hua, and the eight judges, making them curious and expectant about Li Huan and Zhang Fugui's dishes.
The Prince of Ning said, "Since I can't see what they're making, I'm going to the outhouse to relieve myself and stretch my muscles! Grand Tutor Hua, are you coming?"
Grand Tutor Hua said, "I don't need to urinate, so I won't accompany Your Highness to the outhouse."
Escorted by the deadly scholar, Prince Ning left the courtyard.
Tang Bohu asked in a low voice, "Brother Li, what dish are you preparing? And how can it contain such a hidden secret?"
Li Huan countered, "Given Zhang Fugui's culinary skills and intelligence, what dishes do you think he could make?"
Tang Bohu said, "Judging from the theme of 'hidden secrets within,' Zhang Fugui might cook an Eight Treasure Duck..."
Li Huan said, "Eight-Treasure Duck is indeed a traditional famous dish. Eight kinds of ingredients are stuffed into the duck's belly!"
"However, this dish is too classic; it's known to everyone! Zhang Fugui's ideas probably aren't that simple!"
Tang Bohu thought for a moment and said, "If Zhang Fugui doesn't make Eight Treasure Duck, he might make Eight Treasure Winter Melon or Eight Treasure Pumpkin..."
"Haha..." Li Huan laughed, "And there's also eight-treasure watermelon, eight-treasure cantaloupe! Please, stop thinking about melons and fruits all the time!"
Tang Bohu said, "To contain something within, you need an ingredient that can hold many things. Besides the ingredients mentioned above, I can't guess Zhang Fugui's thinking..."
Li Huan said, "You call yourself a talented calligrapher and painter? Where's your wisdom? Where's your creativity?"
Tang Bohu scratched his head and chuckled: "I use my wisdom and creativity in calligraphy and painting, not in food."
Li Huan said, "Just you wait and see, I'm going to show off my amazing culinary skills and blow everyone's mind!"
Tang Bohu excitedly said, "I'll wait and see, and study hard!"
Li Huan instructed: "First, kill a bass, remove the meat, and make sure there are no bones."
Tang Bohu replied, "Don't worry, I won't let you down with this little thing."
Li Huan said no more and quickly prepared the other ingredients...
...
The third game was in full swing.
To be precise, it was carried out in secret.
Li Huan cannot see Zhang Fugui, and he cannot see Li Huan either.
No one knows what kind of dishes the other is cooking.
Everyone else at the scene was also kept in the dark.
Madam Hua took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "The third round was indeed exciting. The two dishes are not even out of the pot yet, and it is already full of suspense."
"Qiuxiang, you're so clever and quick-witted. Why don't you guess what kind of creative 'hidden wonder' dish Li Huan will cook?"
Qiu Xiang smiled sweetly: "Madam flatters me. How could I possibly guess Li Huan's thoughts?"
Madam Hua said, "Don't be modest, just think of it as a guessing game."
Qiu Xiang said, "Based on my understanding of Li Huan, he should cook a dish that looks ordinary but has profound meaning. As for whether it is a vegetarian dish or a meat dish, I don't know, but I guess it should be a combination of meat and vegetables, full of creativity."
Madam Hua said, "You are indeed smart. I also think so. Li Huan wouldn't do those flashy but impractical things."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Li Huan shouted, "My hidden universe is complete!"
Prince Ning immediately stood up.
"Zhang Fugui, where is your hidden secret?"
At that moment, a rich aroma of meat wafted from behind the screen where Zhang Fugui was.
"Your Highness! My hidden treasure will require the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
The fat clerk reminded him, "In another incense stick's time, it will be a full hour. You must not exceed the time limit!"
Zhang Fugui said, "Don't worry, it won't be overtime!"
Grand Tutor Hua said, "Li Huan's hidden secrets are complete. Let's taste his dishes first!"
Prince Ning hurriedly said, "Since both dishes contain hidden secrets, why not display them together?"
Grand Tutor Hua said, "Does His Highness mean that we should not taste Li Huan's dishes for now, but wait for Zhang Fugui?"
Prince Ning said, "That's what makes it interesting!"
Grand Tutor Hua said, "If we wait for Zhang Fugui, won't Li Huan's dishes get cold?"
Prince Ning said, "It's only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, how long will it get cold?"
Grand Tutor Hua laughed and said, "Isn't Your Highness being a little biased towards Zhang Fugui by doing this?"
Prince Ning's expression turned serious: "I have always been fair and just in my dealings with people. How could I possibly favor Zhang Fugui? Li Huan, would you be willing to wait a moment?"
Li Huan understood Prince Ning's sinister intentions. His true purpose was to make Li Huan's dishes cool down, thus causing him to lose to Zhang Guifu.
Prince Ning asked again, "Li Huan, do you agree?"
Grand Tutor Hua quickly intervened: "Your Highness, please don't ask. Li Huan will never agree!"
To everyone's surprise, Li Huan said, "No problem, I'm willing to wait for Zhang Fugui!"
Grand Tutor Hua was startled and reminded him, "Li Huan, aren't you afraid that the freshly cooked dishes will get cold and affect their taste and texture?"
Li Huan said, "Since it's a dish with hidden secrets, how could it get cold within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn? Grand Tutor, there's no need to worry, I know what I'm doing!"
Grand Tutor Hua was relieved and clapped his hands, saying, "Good! I will wait patiently! Hahaha..."
Behind the screen, Li Huan began humming a little tune...
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