Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Chapter 39

“Chu Yan can cook too? This show must have been made for him. He’s clearly prepared for this.”

“Exactly! No wonder he refused to quit the show despite being mocked online. Now it all makes sense.”

“So that’s why he was working so hard earlier—he’s here for a redemption arc.”

No one knew who started it, but the tone in the livestream quickly shifted. Not that Chu Yan was watching, nor would he have cared.

He already had a plan for the ingredients before him, but he still checked with the production team to see if they could be combined for cooking. As luck would have it, Xu Meng’s exhausted and hungry group also gathered around, eyeing them hungrily. Chu Yan simply asked if all three groups could cook together.

The director immediately refused. If they could do that, what would be the point of their strenuous tasks during the day?

“But the rules only say to choose ingredients based on ranking, not that we can’t cook together!”

Zhou Yun quickly jumped in to argue, and Li Wenzhang’s group also chimed in, nitpicking the rules. The production team initially dug in their heels, but seeing how the guests united against them—a dynamic that sent the livestream numbers soaring—they wavered. Besides, they were certain none of these guests could actually cook. A bunch of kitchen novices together would surely be a chaotic mess, potentially pushing the show’s popularity to new heights. In the end, Chu Yan got his wish.

Thus, Chu Yan, the only one who claimed to know how to cook, became the head chef, while the rest were relegated to assisting roles.

Chu Yan laid down the law: if they wanted to eat, they had to contribute. Otherwise, they’d go hungry.

“Fu Zeyu, go peel the potatoes.”

Fu Zeyu pointed at himself in disbelief. “You’re bossing me around?”

Chu Yan nodded matter-of-factly. “Otherwise?”

“So what if you can cook? You think you’re special?”

“Yep.”

Compared to these amateurs, he absolutely was. Chu Yan looked smug.

It was humiliating, but his stomach won out. So Fu Zeyu grudgingly went to peel potatoes, learning as he went.

Chu Yan pointed at Zhou Yun with his slender fingers. “You, go snap the green beans.”

“Me?” Zhou Yun gritted his teeth, pointing at himself. But seeing Fu Zeyu cave, he had no choice but to nod. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

No way was he going to lose to Fu Zeyu, right?

Chu Yan then assigned tasks to the rest.

Lu Zhaoyang, who claimed he could clean fish, was put in charge of gutting and descaling it. Xu Meng was tasked with peeling aromatics like ginger, garlic, and scallions, while Li Wenzhang was assigned to tend the fire.

Chu Yan handled the main ingredients and prepared to start cooking.

The production team watched Chu Yan’s methodical organization and knew they were in trouble—Chu Yan actually knew his stuff.

Chu Yan placed the cleaned beef on the cutting board and began mincing it—dual-wielding knives, no less.

“Holy crap, he really can cook. That takes at least ten years of experience to do that.”

“His technique is so fluid. Look, even the directors are stunned, hahaha. Were we wrong about him being useless all this time?”

“Pfft, anyone can fake it. Give me two cleavers and I’ll do the same!”

“LOL, some people in the livestream just love getting slapped in the face, huh? Deny, get proven wrong, repeat. Why is it so hard to admit Chu Yan is actually good?”

The chat was flip-flopping, but the on-set atmosphere was surprisingly good. Fu Zeyu’s potatoes looked butchered, but under Chu Yan’s firm guidance, he grudgingly found his rhythm. Zhou Yun’s green bean trimming was decent, earning him a perfunctory compliment from Chu Yan—which, to everyone’s amusement, he proudly flaunted in front of Fu Zeyu. The livestream audience was eating it up, watching these two lively characters constantly bickering.

Oddly enough, it seemed like these two fearless young masters were completely under Chu Yan’s thumb—though they didn’t seem to realize it themselves.

Lu Zhaoyang, though quiet, worked efficiently. The fish was cleaned, and the aromatics were prepped. Meanwhile, Chu Yan guided them while preparing the ingredients himself. Everything was ready—all that was left was for Chef Chu to start cooking.

Minced beef, cubed potatoes, sliced eggplant, and scored fish… Chu Yan preferred having all ingredients prepped and seasonings ready before cooking, which made the process very quick.

Soon, minced beef with eggplant was ready. The guests were practically drooling. Fu Zeyu and Zhou Yun fought to carry the dish, hoping to sneak a bite, but Chu Yan mercilessly swatted them away.

“No one steals a bite, or they won’t get any later.”

Damn. The two young masters clenched their teeth but held back—after all, one bite versus a full meal was an easy choice.

The premiere of *Rebirth Challenge* had exceeded expectations. The afternoon’s pigsty tumble involving the two wealthy young masters had propelled the show to unprecedented popularity. From then until now, the livestream numbers kept climbing, with the main channel even crashing from the overload. Each guest’s individual livestream also saw explosive growth. But the most unexpected twist? Chu Yan—the supposed laughingstock of high society—was now the center of attention.

The Chu family was also watching the livestream, though the mood was somber. After the recent turmoil, everyone was exhausted. If not for Chu Shuo’s excited shouting all afternoon, they wouldn’t have gathered to watch. But after seeing it, they fell into deeper silence. They had never realized how little they truly knew about Chu Yan.

“When did he learn all this?” Madam Chu frowned. “This is humiliating. Is he trying to make people think we mistreated him all these years?”

“Mom, you’re right,” Chu Shuo, who had been watching all day, said authoritatively. “He’s doing this on purpose—playing the victim for sympathy.”

“He grew up in our house. I even asked the servants today—none of them knew he could cook. Ridiculous, right? So he must’ve secretly learned behind our backs, just to make us look bad. No wonder he refused to quit the show—he was waiting for this moment.”

“Mark my words, once he gets popular, he’ll turn on us. He’ll claim we abused him all these years, and who knows how many people will believe him?”

Chu Shuo grew angrier the more he spoke, convinced of Chu Yan’s sinister scheming and cunning methods, as if he had been played for eighteen years.

“Chu Yan… shouldn’t be capable of such cunning,” Chu Xiuyi said doubtfully. Before returning to the Chu family, he’d been certain Chu Yan was nothing but a brainless fool. “Someone must be advising him.”

“Who would he even know?” Chu Shuo scoffed. “All these years, hasn’t he just been following Fu Hongan around? He doesn’t have any real friends.”

Chu Yi rubbed his temples tiredly. He had a different perspective. The whole family thought Chu Yan was stupid—he used to think so too. But after the broken engagement incident, he realized Chu Yan was far smarter than anyone gave him credit for. Maybe he’d been hiding his true self all along, and now, free from the Chu family, the real Chu Yan was emerging.

Still, he was puzzled. When had Chu Yan learned all this? He vaguely recalled Chu Yan once trying to impress Fu Hongan by learning to make bento boxes from the housekeeper—but those were just for show. The dishes Chu Yan was preparing now were proper home-cooked meals, and his skill level suggested years of practice.

If so, then Chu Yan had once again defied expectations. This overlooked younger brother’s cunning might run deeper than anyone imagined.

Fu Hongan shared the same confusion. Chu Yan had followed him for years, yet he’d never known Chu Yan could do any of this. The person he’d known for over a decade now felt like a stranger—as if the Chu Yan from before had been someone entirely different.

Just then, the livestream comments flooded with praise for Chu Yan’s cooking skills, speculating he must have years of experience. Fu Hongan vaguely remembered—back in school, this clingy nuisance had always brought him homemade lunches. But back then, he had more admirers bringing food than he could count, and he’d despised Chu Yan. Anything Chu Yan gave him was immediately discarded or handed off to underlings.

Had Chu Yan learned to cook… for him?

Had Chu Yan, without him ever noticing, put in so much effort just for his sake?

Watching the screen, where Chu Yan confidently wielded the spatula with a relaxed smile—no longer desperate to please anyone, just focused on the simple act of cooking—Fu Hongan realized something. Whether on-screen or off, everyone’s eyes were drawn to him. He’d never known Chu Yan could be so dazzling.

“Definitely learned it for Young Master Fu. Too bad he’s blind.”

“Strange. The rumors made Chu Yan sound so unbearable, but now he seems pretty likable.”

“Right? Even the two playboys don’t seem that bad—they’re kinda cute, actually.”

“And Lu Zhaoyang—people online called him a homewrecker, but today he’s just quietly doing his thing, not fighting for attention. Doesn’t seem like the type to meddle in marriages. Maybe there’s more to the story?”

“Same with Xu Meng. She seems so ditzy, nothing like her ‘goddess’ image, but she’s so guileless. No way she’s some bully who got abortions or acted like a delinquent.”

“…”

The flood of comments from the audience was rapid, and the opinions shifted just as quickly. But Fu Hongan only remembered the part about Chu Yan learning to cook for him, and he was tangled in a complex mix of guilt, self-reproach, and an inexplicable smugness. He told himself to ignore it—that it was all Chu Yan’s own wishful thinking—yet he couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased by Chu Yan’s devotion to him.

For some reason, Fu Hongan’s mood lifted considerably.

So, was this all just a ploy of playing coy after all?

Meanwhile, at the filming site, Chu Yan was also in high spirits. Under his methodical guidance, dish after dish of mouthwatering food was brought to the table.

First, a fragrant stir-fry of minced beef with celery. The beef was finely chopped and stir-fried to a perfect, chewy and flavorful texture alongside diced celery, absorbing all the flavors. A spoonful of this mixed into steaming hot rice would be pure bliss.

Next came braised minced pork with eggplant, cooked until tender and richly flavored. The minced pork lent its savory aroma to the soft eggplant so tender it falls apart, making it another perfect dish to pair with rice.

The ingredients from Group Two were transformed by Chu Yan into a pot of pickled fish soup. The thinly sliced fish fillets showcased his knife skills—far from amateurish and certainly not something learned overnight. The sour and spicy broth was further enriched with cubes of tofu simmered over low heat, making Zhou Yun’s mouth water.

Then came another hearty dish—stewed potatoes and green beans with large chunks of pork. Once the meat was nearly done, the potatoes and green beans were added, simmered until the potatoes turned mushy and the beans absorbed all the flavors. Finally, Group Two’s instant noodles were soaked in the rich broth, the aroma wafting irresistibly into everyone’s noses. Even the crew couldn’t resist, let alone the guests.

Fu Zeyu gulped repeatedly, convinced that his ravenous hunger was making even the simplest home-cooked dishes—ones he’d never even seen before—smell unbelievably delicious. The colors, aroma, and taste were all impeccable. His mouth watered so much he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

Faced with a table full of mouthwatering dishes, the two young masters, who should have been acting haughty, found themselves unable to even straighten their backs. And since all of this was made by Chu Yan, the five guests quickly arranged the dishes, brought out bowls and chopsticks, yet none dared to take the first bite. They all waited eagerly, drooling, as Chu Yan tidied up the stove.

“Little Chu Yan, hurry up! I’m practically about to drown in my own spit!” Zhou Yun pleaded, staring at Chu Yan. Even the troublemaker Fu Zeyu showed Chu Yan unprecedented respect, growing impatient enough to help sweep the floor—a first in his life.

Finally, Chu Yan finished cleaning and took his seat. His rice had already been served, and all eyes were fixed on him.

“Let’s eat!”

At Chu Yan’s command, everyone dove in. He swiftly scooped two spoonfuls of minced beef into his bowl, followed by the tender braised eggplant and pork, then the melt-in-your-mouth potatoes and pork chunks… Ahhh, mixing it all into the fluffy white rice… One bite, and he was instantly in heaven.

Chu Yan sighed contentedly, chewing slowly to savor every bite.

You had to be there to get how good that first bite was after being so hungry your mouth watered.

Wait—Chu Yan snapped out of his daze to find the others wolfing it down. The large plate of minced beef was already half gone. The two young masters, who had never experienced true hunger before, initially didn’t know how to eat it. But after mimicking Chu Yan’s mixing technique, their eyes lit up as if discovering a new world. Then came a feeding frenzy, as if afraid someone would snatch their food away.

Under the longing gazes of the crew, the guests cleaned every plate, even using the last drops of sauce to mix with their rice.

Not only the crew, who could smell the food, but even the live-stream audience was salivating. Many couldn’t resist ordering takeout to eat along. The guests, however, were too engrossed in their feast to notice the cameras, forgetting they were even live-streaming at times. It wasn’t until they leaned back in their chairs, stuffed and satisfied, that they realized just how much they’d eaten.

Chu Yan had two bowls of rice—his stomach was stuffed to the brim, thanks to how irresistibly his dishes paired with rice. Fu Zeyu ate three bowls and almost came to blows with Zhou Yun over the last scraps. Now, he was so full he just wanted to lie down. Zhou Yun was no better, having eaten three bowls himself and almost going for a fourth just to outdo Fu Zeyu—until Chu Yan stopped him.

They’d eaten like starving ghosts, but now, stuffed and sheepish, they realized they’d never eaten so much in one sitting before.

Perhaps it was the hunger, but even the usually lifeless Lu Zhaoyang, swept up in the others’ enthusiasm, devoured two large bowls. Now comfortably full, he slumped in his chair like the others, breathing heavily, his face finally showing some vitality.

Xu Meng also let go, abandoning her usual elegance. As Chu Yan had said, “If you’re not enthusiastic about eating, there’s something wrong with your mindset.” She found this reasoning sound—after all, keeping up appearances was exhausting.

The live-stream audience gasped—her goddess act was over, but in its place was a refreshingly down-to-earth girl.

“Man, I feel human again,” Zhou Yun suddenly slung an arm around Chu Yan’s neck. “I admit, I had some prejudices against you before. I thought you were nothing but a pathetic simp.”

Chu Yan crossed his arms in an X. “Don’t mention ‘pathetic simp’—it gives me a headache.”

Fu Zeyu burst out laughing, then hooked an arm around Chu Yan from the other side. “Look at you, getting all cocky just because you can cook. Ever think about why you learned? The Chu family wouldn’t make you cook, would they?” He grinned at Chu Yan, his previous dislike now replaced with approval. “I’ll admit it—Fu Hongan must be out of his damn mind.”

Chu Yan had a bad feeling. Sure enough, Zhou Yun burst out the next second. “Wait—so you learned to cook for Fu Hongan?”

“Nope, nope, nope!” Chu Yan quickly denied.

“It has nothing to do with him, and besides, we’re already over. Please let it go, and never bring it up again. Mentioning it is just dragging up old drama.”

This scene made Fu Hongan, watching from behind the screen, his face darkened. Chu Yan was openly rejecting their past relationship like this? Tch, this hot-and-cold act was getting more and more polished. He just hoped Chu Yan wouldn’t take it too far and regret it later.

Regret? There would be none. After the meal, the production team arranged another game, but Chu Yan was a bit distracted. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but since this afternoon, he had felt a fleeting, barely-there stare lingering on him. However, with so many people watching him, he couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from. The gaze never lasted long—until just now, when the two young masters slung their arms around his shoulders. That familiar feeling returned.

Chu Yan was puzzled. He felt like he had glimpsed a familiar figure in the crowd, but when he looked again, it was just the crew. Maybe it was just an illusion.

The strange sensation persisted until the game ended, when Chu Yan and Zhou Yun prepared to head back.

The village had installed solar-powered streetlights, but the area where Chu Yan and the others were staying didn’t have any—partly because it was too remote, and partly because no one had lived there for years. The two of them had to rely on the flashlights provided by the crew to make their way back.

Chu Yan had walked at night before as a child, even without a flashlight, just by moonlight. But Zhou Yun hadn’t. The night buzzed with insects, and when a cameraman accidentally stepped on a twig, Zhou Yun jumped like a startled cat to Chu Yan’s side, clinging tightly to his arm.

“I’m not scared, okay? I just feel like I might’ve misunderstood you before, and now I wanna get closer to you.”

Chu Yan saw right through him but didn’t call him out, letting him hold onto his arm. “Second Young Master Zhou, care to elaborate on what misunderstandings you had about me?”

Strange. That gaze again. Why did it feel so familiar?

Zhou Yun scoffed. “Before, I thought you were just a complete idiot—a pathetic lovesick fool. With so many beauties around you, you had to go and obsess over that jackass Fu Hongan. Every time I heard how hard you chased him and how much he despised you, I thought you deserved it. Utterly foolish! How could there be someone as dumb as you in this world? Chasing after someone who hated you for fifteen years—that’s not just sad, that’s clinically insane!”

Zhou Yun couldn’t hold back, and Chu Yan’s lips twitched. Even though Zhou Yun was insulting the original owner, Chu Yan still felt his face burn. Dark history was indeed unbearable to revisit.

“Ahem—”

Finally noticing Chu Yan’s dark expression, Zhou Yun shut his mouth. “But after spending time with you today, I think you’re actually alright. Maybe Fu Hongan not liking you is his problem—like, maybe he’s got shit taste or something. Has nothing to do with you.”

Chu Yan chuckled dryly. “Gee, thanks.”

Such words were unnecessary. The original owner really wasn’t wronged. But this Second Young Master Zhou seemed like a straightforward guy—maybe not quite the playboy he was rumored to be.

“So, you’ve really let go of Fu Hongan?”

“Absolutely,” Chu Yan wanted nothing to do with the two male leads. “Completely and utterly.”

“Heh,” Zhou Yun was pleased by Chu Yan’s attitude and hugged him tighter. “If you say so, I’ll take you at your word. Roll with me from now on—I got you.”

“Hard pass.”

Chu Yan wasn’t great at time management.

“Absolutely necessary,” Zhou Yun slung an arm around Chu Yan’s neck. “I’ll show you how to live. I’ve got plenty of beauties around me—every flavor. Follow me, and I’ll show you how vast the world is. Men are everywhere, and there’s plenty of fish like Fu Hongan. As long as you’ve got money, you can find any kind of man you want.”

Chu Yan felt his mind was blown. So, the key was having money.

“So, they don’t love you—they love your money?”

Zhou Yun: “…”

Well, yes, but—“So? I pay for the good vibes. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep me happy if it means getting my money.”

“How about it? Interested? Want me to introduce you to a few? No—I’ll just hook you up with a few.”

Chu Yan brushed him off. Right now, all he cared about was stacking cash. But Zhou Yun wasn’t giving up. “Why don’t you just tag along with me instead?”

“Wait, what?”

Chu Yan froze in alarm.

Zhou Yun’s eyes lit up, though the back of his neck felt inexplicably chilly. “Seriously, you’re so good-looking—you’d be top-tier even among my harem of boyfriends. Besides, didn’t you break off the engagement with Fu Hongan? If he doesn’t like you, I do! I’m super rich and spoil my boyfriends rotten. Just be with me…”

Chu Yan quickly reached out to cover his mouth. “Zip it.”

Did he have no filter?

The livestream audience was stunned by his words. Was this guy clueless or just shameless? How could he blurt out such wild stuff in front of so many viewers? “Boyfriends”? Was that info meant for public consumption?

“You really won’t consider me?”

Even after arriving home, Zhou Yun still wouldn’t drop it—mainly because he genuinely thought his proposal was brilliant.

Chu Yan was speechless. “Listen, Second Young Master, with so many boyfriends, can you really handle them all?”

“What’s there to handle? They’re all obedient and well-behaved. Worst case, they squabble over me, but that’s a minor issue. Toss ’em cash or a gift, and they chill.”

“So this is what you call dating multiple people at once? Wait, you consider *this* dating?”

The more Chu Yan listened, the weirder it felt. The livestream audience felt the same way. Why did it seem like this trust-fund brat’s understanding of “dating” was completely different from what everyone else thought?

“Otherwise?”

Zhou Yun was puzzled. Chu Yan’s mind was blown.

Come to think of it, the perspective shifted. If he earned enough money, could he just have a whole squad of male models at once? Since it wasn’t serious dating anyway, what’s wrong with having a few more?

A certain male model who hadn’t slept for days after rushing over had something to say: Nothing much—just a body count or two.