Xu Yuehuai smiled slightly and said, "Alright! Let's have a competition right here and now."
"Someone actually wants to have a cooking competition with Chef Li? I've never seen anything like it before."
"Everyone knows that Chef Li's family used to be imperial chefs."
"This little girl has probably bitten off more than she can chew."
"I don't know what skills she has that she actually wants to compete with Chef Li."
As soon as she finished speaking, people gathered around. They all wanted to see what this young girl, who dared to challenge the restaurant's chef, was capable of.
Bei Ye shook his head helplessly. He knew that Xu Yuehuai was deliberately making a commotion to let others know her whereabouts.
But he also knew he couldn't stop her. He could only stand silently by and watch how she would face the challenges ahead.
...
On the bustling streets of the capital, the restaurant's signboard shines brightly. This is Chef Li's pride and a symbol of his culinary skills.
However, today the restaurant has welcomed an unusual challenger – Xu Yuehuai.
"I bet Chef Li will win!"
"That little brat must have been hired to cause trouble. She doesn't look like she can cook."
"I never expected to see such a lively scene here today. This trip was truly worthwhile!"
"If Chef Li loses, his pride will be completely trampled on by the other party."
"What are you saying? How could Chef Li possibly lose? Everyone, just watch and see, Chef Li will definitely beat this girl in the end!"
As the competition began, the restaurant was packed with people, and the murmurs of the spectators rose and fell. Xu Yuehuai and Chef Li stood in front of their respective prepared tables, and the air seemed to freeze.
Xu Yuehuai was dressed in plain clothes and wore a simple apron. Her eyes grew increasingly sharp, as if she was pondering something.
Her fingers were slender yet strong, and each time she picked up the kitchen knife, it was as if she were playing a silent melody. Her movements were elegant and skillful, and every step seemed so calm and unhurried.
How could that be?
Could this girl really be a great chef?
This doesn't look like it at all!
Chef Li, on the other hand, appeared somewhat nervous, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead. Although his movements were swift, they seemed somewhat flustered, clearly influenced by Xu Yuehuai's calmness and confidence.
"Hmph, I'd like to see what tricks this little brat can pull," Chef Li thought to himself, but he dared not relax for a moment.
Soon, the two dishes were placed in front of the judges.
One dish was Xu Yuehuai's steamed sea bass, with tender fish and a clear broth that exuded a subtle fragrance; the other dish was Chef Li's stir-fried pork kidneys, cooked to perfection, with a crisp texture and rich flavor.
The judges picked up their chopsticks and began to taste the food. For a moment, the only sounds in the restaurant were the clinking of chopsticks against porcelain plates and the judges' quiet conversations.
"This steamed sea bass is incredibly delicious. The fish melts in your mouth, and the broth is absolutely wonderful," one judge exclaimed.
“Yes, the stir-fried pork kidneys are also good, but compared to that, the steamed sea bass is still the better choice,” another judge chimed in.
The judges' comments were like sharp knives, piercing Chef Li's heart. His face gradually turned pale, and his hands clenched into fists, as if trying to find a sliver of strength within them.
"I lost..." Chef Li said in a low voice, his voice full of disappointment and resentment.
He slowly walked up to Xu Yuehuai and bowed deeply. "Your cooking skills are truly superb, I am completely outmatched."
Xu Yuehuai smiled slightly, her eyes smiling beneath her cap, but her voice deliberately carried a hint of coldness, "Chef Li, there's no need for that. The way of cooking lies in continuous learning and improvement. Remember this lesson: there are always people more skilled than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding."
"I'll remember that. May I ask your name, young lady, and who your teacher is?" Chef Li asked, staring at her curiously.
The surrounding audience started discussing again, some marveling at Xu Yuehuai's culinary skills, and others feeling sorry for Chef Li's failure.
"I didn't expect Chef Li to actually lose. This little girl is really something."
"Yes, how will the restaurant stay in business?"
"This is really big news in the capital. I need to tell my wife right away."
Just as everyone was discussing, Bei Ye suddenly appeared beside Xu Yuehuai. His face turned cold, and he quickly grabbed Xu Yuehuai's hand, leaping out of the window.
"What's going on with those two? Why did they suddenly leave?"
"Isn't it all for fame and fortune?"
The audience's voices of doubt and surprise were deafening, but Xu Yuehuai and Bei Ye had already disappeared into the night.
They ran wildly until they came to a deserted alley before stopping.
Bei Ye looked at Xu Yuehuai and said, "Sister, you were too impulsive. Do you know how much trouble your actions will cause you?"
Xu Yuehuai looked at him coldly and said, "I know. But I have to do this. I don't want to be stuck by your side forever. I have to find a way to leave."
Upon hearing this, Bei Ye felt a pang of pain in his heart. He gripped Xu Yuehuai's hand tightly and said, "Sister, can't you stay for me? I really like you, and I don't want to lose you."
Xu Yuehuai coldly shook off his hand and said, "Bei Ye, it's impossible for us. Just let me go."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of despair crossed Bei Ye's eyes. He knew he had no chance of winning Xu Yuehuai's heart, but he had gone to such lengths to get this far, and he truly didn't want to give up now.
He pressed Xu Yuehuai's shoulders tightly, pinning her against the wall, and looked down at her directly. "I won't let you go, sister. I'll keep bothering you until you agree to stay by my side."
Xu Yuehuai's eyes instantly turned icy cold. She knew that Bei Ye was a stubborn person, and it was difficult for him to change his mind.
But she couldn't let him hold her captive like this; she had to find a way to break free from him, otherwise she might lose her freedom forever and never see her family and friends again.
She took a deep breath and said, "Bei Ye, you are so selfish. You have never considered my feelings; you only think about your own desires and thoughts. No matter what you do, I will eventually leave."
After saying that, she turned and left the alley.
Bei Ye stood there blankly, watching Xu Yuehuai's departing figure, and suddenly gave a bitter smile.
"One day, you will understand that in this world, only I am the most suitable for you."
He stopped smiling, strode towards her, and soon appeared beside her, walking side by side.
Xu Yuehua deliberately tried to distance herself from him, but he always stayed close to her.
Bei Ye! This guy is really like a persistent leech!
She felt utterly helpless about this and could only walk on silently, ignoring him completely...
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