The host, ignoring the collective groans, continued, "Furthermore, you ten teams won't be able to choose all your ingredients."

"What? What do you mean?"

"It means that in each team, the two contestants will choose three ingredients for their partner," the host schemed, "You can pick the most challenging ones or the ones you think your partner is least skilled at."

"That's just too cruel! Just end me now!" An exuberant female contestant exclaimed and theatrically began to "head-butt" the wall.

ranwena.net

She had thought the ingredient swap from the last episode was hard, but it seems the producers know no limits in their cruelty.

At least in the previous episode, once the opponents chose an ingredient for a specific dish, one could discern a clear cooking direction. Now, the enemies select the ingredients, even encouraging them to pick challenging ones. This is too much.

"There's one more thing," the host began again.

"Seriously, there's more?"

"Just spill it. Nothing can faze me now."

"It's not that I'm fearless, I just don't care anymore. Whatever the outcome, just make it swift."

"Don't worry; there are no other conditions," the host said. "I wanted to inform you that we have a new judge this episode. He's our gourmet sponsor, the chairman of Jiang Yue Group, Mr. Xing Lixuan."

The electronic screen displayed the judge's table with all five judges in a line. Only a brief introduction from the host was given, without even a close-up of Xing Lixuan.

This was Xing Lixuan's specific request. He didn't want too much camera attention.

After the introductions, the host addressed Zhuang Zhouyang, "Zhuang Zhouyang, you ranked first in the last episode and thus have the privilege to pick your ingredients. We hope you can use this advantage to maintain your top position."

Even though the electronic screen was turned off, Yu An Tong was still staring at it blankly, snapping back to reality only when the host spoke.

He had just seen Xing Lixuan on the screen and thought he had been mistaken. But upon hearing the host's introduction, he was sure it was indeed Xing Lixuan.

Why had he taken a seat at the judge's panel without telling him beforehand?

No wonder he was asked last night if he'd like an investor as a judge. Turns out he's the new investor.

Aside from surprise, Yu Antong felt a whirlwind of emotions.

He's a contestant and his husband is now a judge. What would the audience think? Surely, some might question if Xing Lixuan is showing favoritism.

Yu Antong joined the show to promote his "Fairy Feast" based on his culinary skills. With Xing Lixuan's presence, even if he wins the title of culinary master, some might believe it's not solely based on merit.

Though a bit displeased, there's a hint of pleasant surprise. Xing Lixuan, who usually stays away from the limelight, must've been perturbed by some earlier episodes, perhaps by other contestants addressing him informally or pairing him up.

Such a jealous jar!

Thinking of how much Xing Lixuan cared for him, he couldn't help but feel warmth, even amidst the slight resentment.

"Let's make a deal," said a contestant to his partner during the ingredient selection phase, "We go easy on each other. I won't choose challenging ingredients for you if you do the same for me."

"Deal."

Yet, other contestants locked eyes, the air thick with tension, clearly determined to challenge each other.

Yu Antong drew number 7, the same as Yu Xingmin's.

Yu Xingmin was a confidant of his uncle Yu Qingnian. Given their strained relationship, any negotiation between them was out of the question.

Yu Antong chose winter melon, carp, and eggplant for him. These ingredients, when viewed separately, are common, but their combination is quite unusual.

Conversely, Yu Xingmin's selection for Yu Antong was equally puzzling: pig's stomach, chicken gizzards, and carrot.

Lin Haoning looked to Yu Antong, utterly perplexed, "Master, this..."

The chicken gizzard requires prolonged cooking, whereas the pig's stomach is best when briefly blanched. How could they possibly bring together these contrasting ingredients, not to mention the carrot?

"There's a dish that uses pig's stomach and chicken gizzards as the main ingredients," Jiang Yuxiu remarked. "But it's a challenging dish, especially for first-timers."

"Are you referring to 'Crispy Duo Explosion'?" Lin Haoning inquired, "Master, have you ever prepared this dish?"

The dish demands exceptional knife skills, perfect timing, and quick execution. Achieving perfection on the first attempt seemed improbable.

"It's a challenge, but I'll give it a try," Yu Antong replied, "Relax, given my skills, we won't be eliminated."

Jiang Yuxiu suggested, "We could prepare extra ingredients. If the first attempt fails, we have time for retries. Although complex, the dish is quick to make."

Yu Antong nodded, "That's a feasible strategy." He truly couldn't guarantee perfection on the first try.

The trio made their decision and got to work. Jiang Yuxiu and Lin Haoning began cleaning enough chicken gizzards and pig's stomach for three servings. Jiang Yuxiu meticulously scored the gizzards, ensuring a net-like pattern without cutting through.

Yu Antong took a large bowl and mixed broth, rice wine, MSG, salt, and wet starch to prepare the sauce.

Removing the gamey taste of chicken gizzards and pork stomach is crucial. Yu Antong soaked the pork stomach and chicken gizzards, which Jiang Yuxiu had prepared, in water mixed with edible alkali to make them crisp and neutralize the strong taste.

Knife skills aren't the hardest part; it's the process that's most challenging.

The oil needs to be heated thoroughly before immersing the pork stomach and chicken gizzards. They should be flash-fried to perfection and then quickly removed.

The heat and timing at this moment are both critically important and tricky. If the oil is too hot, the insides of the pork stomach and chicken gizzards won't cook properly, and the outside will burn. If the oil isn't hot enough, the result will be tough and chewy.

Apart from oil temperature, timing is paramount. The frying should not exceed 15 seconds, or the chicken gizzards will become hard, losing their freshness and essence.

Yu Xingmin probably chose these ingredients hoping they would make this dish. While conceptualizing the dish isn't difficult, executing it well certainly is.

As expected, Yu Antong's first attempt was a failure due to the oil overheating.

"Let's try again," said Yu Antong, displaying an indomitable spirit. This time, he was fully focused, without any distractions.

He quickly immersed the ingredients when the oil was 80% hot, then lowered the heat to control the temperature. He promptly removed them once the gizzards turned from red to white and the pork stomach firmed up.

"It's done!" Yu Antong, dripping with oil, instructed, "Yuxiu, heat another wok, add a bit of oil, and sauté the ginger, garlic, and green onions."

Following Yu Antong's directions, just as Jiang Yuxiu brought out the aroma of the ginger, garlic, and green onions, Yu Antong quickly added the oil-drained gizzards, pork stomach, and sliced carrots. He then poured in the prepared sauce, tossed them a few times, and swiftly plated them.

Hesitating slightly, Yu Antong sampled the dish.

"How is it?" Both Lin Haoning and Jiang Yuxiu looked at him expectantly.

Yu Antong nodded in satisfaction, "It's perfect."

Both looked at Yu Antong with admiration. Perfecting the dish in only two attempts was impressive. Especially Jiang Yuxiu, who was utterly in awe of him.

She had tried making this dish many times, with only one successful attempt which felt more like blind luck. Yet, Yu Antong nailed it on his first try. Talent sometimes really makes a difference.

Despite the initial setback, they were the first team to finish. Yu Antong signaled, and they proceeded to the judges.

——

In the morning, Lin Haoning had driven Yu Antong to the recording location. But in the evening, he left in Xing Lixuan's car.

After the recording, Yu Antong initially intended to leave with Lin Haoning. But Xing Lixuan held him back, telling Lin Haoning, "You go ahead. Antong will ride with me."

During the previous holiday, Xing Lixuan had visited Yu Antong's restaurant with him. Lin Haoning had seen Xing Lixuan before, but wasn't sure of their relationship. He speculated that they might be a couple and hesitated, looking at Yu Antong.

Not wanting to make a scene in front of others, Yu Antong said to Lin Haoning, "You drive Yuxiu home. I'll go with him."

"Alright then."

After Lin Haoning and Jiang Yuxiu left, Yu Antong slid into the back seat of Xing Lixuan's car and slammed the door.

"Upset?" Xing Lixuan didn't start the car immediately but instead joined Yu Antong in the back.

"Why did you surprise me without consulting me first? I rode with Lin Haoning this morning. Why not have me go back with him again?" said Yu Antong, clearly annoyed.

"I wanted to surprise you," replied Xing Lixuan. "I didn't expect you to get angry."

"I'm not angry," Yu An Tong said. "You should have consulted with me. Have you ever thought, with you being a judge, what will others think? They might assume I'm another Cai Ying Ying, thinking the judging will be biased. That's not good for either of us."

Xing Li Xuan replied, "Don't worry. I've considered everything you said. Firstly, anyone who has attended the Immortal Feast would never doubt your abilities. Secondly, I've inquired Han Xing Yan about the structure of the later stages of the program."

"The later episodes will be recorded outdoors, involving public judges. The weight of the evaluations from the five of us judges will decrease significantly. Even if I wanted to favor you with higher scores, I wouldn't be able to."

"The public judging phase requires preparing dishes in large quantities, demanding a much higher physical effort than now. Do you think I can be at ease with you participating alone?"

"He's not here to judge. He simply paid for a family member's position."

Xing Li Xuan continued, "Furthermore, if they simply look up Jiang Yue Group and get to know my net worth, they'll realize that as my wife, you wouldn't need any underhanded tactics."

Yu An Tong thought about it and agreed. After all, which other wealthy person's spouse is like her, working hard on their own start-up?

If she truly wanted to achieve something, the resources by her side would easily enable her. No need for any sneaky maneuvers.

"Now I should be the one worried. With your handsome looks, once the program airs, they'll all start calling you 'hubby'." Yu An Tong huffed, "You really shouldn't have come."

Author's note:

Netizens: Ahh! This one's my husband, and so is that one!

Mr. Xing: Sorry, I'm married. Please, no disturbances.

Thanks to the angels who supported me between 2020-02-09 23:26:30 and 2020-02-10 23:34:44 with King's Tickets or Nutrient Fluids~

Thanking the angels for the Nutrient Fluids: Such creative names you all have – Bai Yun 5 bottles; Qing Mei Wan Yue 4 bottles; Qian Qiu 2 bottles; Ying Jie, Xin StarStarStarStarStar, Qi Zhao You Huo, Mo Ying じ 1 bottle each.

Thank you so much for the support. I'll continue to give my best!

Click to download the best book-following app; many readers use this for audiobooks!