Chapter 221 Results, the Jade Beauty Cooking Contest Ends on a Surprising Note!
Chapter 221 Results, the Jade Beauty Cooking Contest Ends on a Surprising Note!
"Time's up! Please, present your dishes before Senior Brother Yang!"
The three ladies all presented their what they'd prepared.
Mu Lin made Kung Pao Chicken.
She proudly fluffed her hair, as if preparing to deliver an important speech.
"As you can see, my dish looks quite different. Now, I'm not saying mine's better than what any other woman might prepare, but it's certainly superior."
Yang Wei and Tianyi tilted their heads, confused.
Yang Wei then asked, "Uh, isn't that the same thing?"
Mu Lin chuckled and replied, "Oh no, dear, quite different."
Basically, mine and theirs can never be compared because I have the power of nostalgia on my side. They're not on my level!
While she was reveling in her triumph with a smug smile, everyone looked at her, puzzled by the sudden silence.
Yang Wei then said, "Lin'er?"
Mu Lin snapped out of her daydream and clapped elegantly.
"Now, onto the main ingredients. I used chicken, peanuts, vegetables like bell peppers and onions, as well as some chili peppers. You know me well, considering we're destined to be together. I'm not big on too many spices, so I added them just to your preference."
She gently pinched Yang Wei's cheek and playfully tugged on it. Then she leaned over the table, pushing her chest out a bit and lifting her butt as she edged closer to sweetly bite Yang Wei's lips and softly suck on them as if they were candy. Afterward, she sensually whispered, "I made sure to add all the good stuff~~"
Huo Yue and Huo Zirou, who were watching, looked annoyed.
"This insolent brat is cheating!"
Huo Zirou slammed her fist on the table, startling everyone except for Mu Lin, who had just finished savoring the taste of Yang Wei's lips and was now leisurely licking her own, purposely broadcasting how much she enjoyed kissing him again.
The sly jade-like beauty shrugged casually. "It's definitely not cheating. Let's just say it's part of my presentation."
Huo Zirou glared at He Dongmei, demanding her support. "Will you condone this nonsense?!" It was clear she wanted Mu Lin disqualified.
He Dongmei looked flustered as she struggled to form coherent words. She didn't want to get on Huo Zirou's bad side. "I-I-I won't let it happen again, ma'am!" She took a few steps back afterward.
Meanwhile, Yang Wei barely paid attention to their argument, closely inspecting the kung pao chicken Mu Lin had made for him.
Smart woman, she's obviously trying to use nostalgia... kung pao chicken was one of the first meals she made for me.
Tianyi, seated in Yang Wei's lap, stared hungrily at the food.
Yang Wei noticed and patted his head reassuringly. "Don't worry, you'll eat after they've presented all the dishes."
Looking a bit disappointed, Tianyi whimpered softly before settling back into Yang Wei's lap, eagerly awaiting his chance to eat.
Next up, Huo Yue presented her dish.
Stir-fried Carrots.
"I, umh..."
Before she could even start her presentation, she was already blushing just from looking at Yang Wei. The way he made eye contact with her made her lose focus several times. She'd shyly look away, giggle sweetly, or tuck a strand of hair behind her ear whenever her brown eyes met his crystal blue ones.
"Yue'er, are you okay?" Yang Wei asked, concerned.
Huo Yue waved her hands in a hurriedly dismissive manner. "N-no, I'm absolutely fine, you don't need to worry about me!"
Still not satisfied with her response, Yang Wei gave her a slightly concerned look before focusing back on the contest.
Mu Lin simply rolled her eyes. "A grown woman acting like a little girl in love," she commented.
Huo Zirou nudged her and added, "Tell me about it."
Then, they both laughed at Huo Yue. However, when Huo Yue glared at them, their laughs turned into snickers. They tried to conceal their laughter, but it only made it louder. Judging from the embarrassed and angry look on Huo Yue's face, with her puffy cheeks flushed red, she had a lot to say to them.
But He Dongmei bowed her head and said, "Senior Sister, if you could please focus on the challenge, that would be helpful."
Huo Yue gradually regaining her focus, "Oh, uh, yeah." She took a few deep breaths to steady herself, not wanting to be thrown off by Yang Wei's serious expression, though she secretly found it hot and attractive. Turning back to him, she said, "So, my ingredients were carrots, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and bell pepper.
I was initially thinking of cooking something meaty, but I figured it'd be better for you to have something healthier since you're still recovering."
Mu Lin stifled her laughter as she began to understand Huo Yue's words. She was calm so she'd hear every word. Huo Zirou followed suit, boosting Huo Yue's confidence even more.
Now, Huo Yue smiled as she talked, "I stir-fried it to keep the nutrients in the carrots and added a hint of honey for a sweet flavor."
"Impressive!" Mu Lin chimed in. "I used lean chicken breasts and dry-roasted the peanuts instead of frying them to keep it healthy."
Huo Yue turned to Mu Lin, looking surprised. "W-wait, you did all that? Must've taken a lot more time, especially with those rare peanuts. Getting the temperature just right for them is fairly tricky."
Mu Lin's eyes sparkled with excitement as she rose from her cushion. "Don't tell me you know about the Northern Mountain Peanuts?!" She practically bubbled with anticipation for Huo Yue's response.
Huo Yue chuckled, giving her a wink and a thumbs up. "I not only know about them but all sixty-two shades. They're the best for healthy fats and even improve one's cultivation. I'm actually surprised you thought to use them!"
Mu Lin moved closer, gazing at Huo Yue as though she were a priceless work of art. "I'm more impressed with how you used the carrots. It seems you really care about what Wei eats!"
Huo Yue nodded gently. "Of course I do. I love him."
Mu Lin looked away briefly, her grin softening into a mild smile. "I-, I guess you do..."
Huo Yue gently placed a hand on Mu Lin's shoulder and said, "We both do. When Wei Shuai mentioned that you're also a fantastic cook, I was thrilled to share some of my knowledge with you."
"Huh?" Mu Lin looked like she was about to cry as she turned to Yang Wei and asked, "Wei, did you really?"
Yang Wei and Tianyi nodded in agreement. Enjoy new tales from empire
Mu Lin blinked back a few tears before leaning in and grabbing her plate of kung pao chicken along with Huo Yue's special stir-fried carrots. As she carried the plates away, Yang Wei and Tianyi eyed them hungrily, but they knew interfering would ruin the moment. Tianyi grumbled as if he wanted to throw a tantrum, but Yang Wei patted his head reassuringly, saying, "Stay strong, son. Stay strong."
Mu Lin beamed at Huo Yue. "Come on, let's take a closer look at your dish. I'm sure there are plenty of secrets hidden in there."
Huo Yue giggled. "Only if you let me examine yours too?"
"Deal!"
At that moment, Huo Zirou felt a bit left out, unsure of how to jump into their conversation. She didn't know how to use salt much less cooking, so their talk about rare food items sounded like gibberish to her.
"Aunt Huo?" Huo Yue called to her, and she quickly responded, "Uh, y-yes?" She half-expected her niece to embarrass her by asking one or two questions about cooking that she'd probably have no right answer to, but instead, Huo Yue asked, "Would you like to join us?"
Huo Zirou smiled at the invitation, standing up and adjusting her Daoist robes before addressing them with a touch of pride, "I suppose you two could teach an old lady like myself a thing or two about the kitchen..."
They walked off together, and Mu Lin playfully nudged Huo Zirou, saying, "You're not that old, 'old' aunt. If anything, you're fabulous. Just look at your chest, still brimming with youth!"
Huo Zirou chuckled, cupping her breasts. "Really?"
"Absolutely!" Huo Yue and Mu Lin chimed in, and they all shared a laugh as they left the room.
And there was Yang Wei and Tianyi... after waiting patiently, a single piece of food didn't touch their mouths.
"Ah, life is fair as always..."
Yang Wei wouldn't cry, so he just forced a grin that looked sincerely painful. As for Tianyi, he continued to whimper like a wounded dog; he was starving and had half a mind to go into the forest and hunt down any creature he could find.
He Dongmei saw the two enduring, and she walked away, saying, "I'll go prepare something for you to eat, Senior Brother."
Nodding slowly, Yang Wei replied, "That would be great."
"R-rawr..." said the little dragon.
And Mingyu thinks I know nothing about women. Just look, I, Yang Wei, singlehandedly got them to be friends. *sigh* Why am I so outstanding?