Chapter 20.5

After some playful banter, the program officially began. The theme this time was Sichuan cuisine, and after the five chefs finished their dishes, it was Yan Zhao and Ding Ziwei’s turn. The host and other guests didn’t stay in their seats but went to the kitchen to watch them cook.

Ding Ziwei, true to her reputation, chopped vegetables, cut meat, seasoned, and stir-fried without a pause. After completing one step, her hands automatically reached for the next ingredients and tools.

As for Yan Zhao… although his speed was a bit slower, his culinary skills turned out to be unexpectedly good?!

The program had invited many celebrity guests, and as mentioned in the barrage, most of them had questionable cooking skills. Yan Zhao, while not extraordinary, had a decent level of cooking proficiency.

Host: “Does Little Yan usually cook at home?”

“I don’t cook at all. I learned this last minute to prevent the judges from eating dark cuisine. I worked overtime to learn it.” Yan Zhao lifted his head, facing the camera seriously, “I officially tell the viewers nationwide, I can’t cook. I don’t even eat apples at home because I don’t want to peel them.”

[Damn, that reason is too relatable.[

[Zhao Zhao, stop your self-deprecating behavior, even the gas from the soda is exposed, hahaha!]

[I, I, I can peel apple skin! I can even peel a little bunny!]

[Can the program team invite fewer drama queens? This is a food variety show, if you can’t cook, don’t come!]

[Learning last minute is still acceptable, I see it looks decent.]

[The person before, you also know this is a variety show, not a regular cooking program, OK? The previous chefs have already prepared delicious food for you. This segment is just for everyone to have fun. Don’t spoil the appetite here, okay?]

The host laughed, “I and a few teachers have discussed that many young guests on our show aren’t very good at cooking.”

While cutting meat, Yan Zhao said, “In my circle, they are all too busy. It’s normal to eat only one meal a day when spinning around. They really don’t have the energy and time to cook… But I have a friend who is very good at cooking, and he taught me this dish.”

The host asked keenly, “Oh? Can you reveal the identity of Zhao Zhao’s friend?”

Yan Zhao replied, “He’s not from the entertainment industry, so I won’t say.”

The host expressed regret, “Alright…”

During the interval waiting for the oil to heat up, Yan Zhao asked, “Can I say something to him?”

The host encouraged, “Go ahead.”

Facing the camera, Yan Zhao blinked, “Sorry for making you accompany me to eat so many failed boiled pork slices. Maybe you don’t want to eat this dish anymore, but I haven’t felt like eating it lately anyway.”

[Accompanying the taste test is true love. I really want to know who that person is QAQ.]

[Everyone remember to stay away from Zhao Zhao’s life and give Zhao Zhao some private space… Although I’m quite interested.]

[Pretending to be diligent on purpose, ugh.]

[Why is Black Fan complaining so much??? If you want to argue, can you just roll out? Passers-by just want to eat!!!]

Ding Ziwei quickly succeeded, while Yan Zhao took a bit longer and finished the dish three minutes before the countdown ended.

They presented the finished dishes to the judges, and the camera focused on the two dishes. Both dishes were spicy, adorned with tender green onions.

Immediately, some negative comments popped up:

[Yan Zhao’s skills, emmmm.]

[No harm without comparison, it looks unappetizing.]

[Even lowered Teacher Ding’s character, tsk tsk.]

Salt Soda was indignant. They haven’t even tasted it yet, why assert that Yan Zhao’s dish is not good? Just because they don’t like it, does that give them the right to dismiss others’ efforts?

As they were preparing to counter, on the screen, Ding Ziwei picked up a piece of meat from Yan Zhao’s bowl, chewed a few times, and her eyes lit up: “Hmm, delicious.”

Several chefs also praised, “Well-seasoned, very good.”

“The plating is a bit off, but Xiao Yan is not running a restaurant. As a home-cooked dish, it’s pretty good.”

“The meat is cut very well, and the marinating technique is excellent. The balance between numbness and spiciness is just right.”

Salt Soda was stunned. What did they hear? Did Zhao Zhao get praised? This program has a high approval rating of 88%, and the key is in the judges’ comments—three flatterers, two telling the truth, and the host handling the situation. It not only preserves the celebrity’s face but also maintains the authenticity of the program. Since the start of the show, few celebrities have received unanimous praise from them. Now, except for a plating issue, have they pointed out any other flaws?

[I can smell the fragrance through the screen, holding instant noodles, and tears are streaming down my face.]

[Teacher Ding praised especially, what about the contradiction earlier?]

[Seeing the barrage being so negative earlier, I thought they could actually eat meat through the screen, making me so envious. Turns out it was all a deception!]

[I’m jealous, I want to eat Zhao Zhao’s dish, huhuhu.]

[Actually, I want to say, Zhao Zhao has band-aids on his hands… Did you see that? It’s heartbreaking.]

[I want Zhao Zhao to participate more in food variety shows, but it’s painful when a god-like figure cooks. Ah, I’m so distressed.]

Finally, eagerly awaited, the judges entered the voting stage.

Yan Zhao: Ding Ziwei, 2:3.

Ding Ziwei is a genuine chef who has won championships in the Asian Chef Competition. It’s normal for Yan Zhao to lose, and those two friendship votes already show the judges’ recognition of him.

Host: “Lost to Teacher Ding by just one vote, do you have anything to say, Zhao Zhao?”

Yan Zhao: “Do you know why I could get two votes? Because I cook too slowly. By the time I finish, Teacher Ding’s dishes have already cooled down. Nothing tastes as good when it’s not hot. These two votes are my reluctant victory!”

*Laughs* Ding Ziwei covers her mouth and laughs.

[Damn, a reluctant victory, are you toxic??]

[Sister Ding: Zhao Zhao, you schemed against me!]

[Teacher Ding furrows her brows, realizing things are not simple!]

[Editors, the topic for this episode is up to you, “Star Feast” Episode 12: Yan Zhao’s scheming, waiting for dishes to cool, and Sister Ding carelessly losing and suffer a major setback due to negligence.]

Yan Zhao smiles and says seriously, “I was just joking earlier. Thank you to the judges for the friendship votes. Before participating in the show, I thought I would never cook in my life. But through this program, I think the kitchen won’t just be a simple symbol for me anymore.”

The host laughs, “Will Zhao Zhao start cooking from now on?”

Yan Zhao: “I’ll do it when I have time.”

…

“Meow!” As soon as the door opens, Wang Zai jumps out from the corner and rubs against Yan Zhao’s legs.

Yan Zhao picks up the cat, walks to the sofa, and lies down.

In life, being a salted fish^[1]鹹魚(xiányú) = Salted fish, A metaphor for a person who doesn’t want to do anything and doesn’t want to move. is the happiest.

Subtle rice fragrance wafts from the kitchen. Shen Yuanting dries his hands and asks, “Aren’t you going to cook?”

Yan Zhao turns over, “I already have psychological trauma from that kitchen.”

Shen Yuanting: “…”

Recalling the various tragedies that happened in the kitchen these past few days, Shen Yuanting helplessly smiles and turns back to stir-fry.

“Tomorrow.” Yan Zhao, with his back turned, says, “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Shen Yuanting pauses, a faint smile forming on his lips, “Okay.”

“But I don’t want to make boiled meat slices…” Yan Zhao mutters. Just mentioning that dish makes his stomach feel uneasy. “I never want to see boiled meat slices again; I’m putting it on my blacklist!”

Shen Yuanting laughs, “Let’s choose a different dish. I’ll teach you slowly.”