With that statement, no one else sympathized with this “fool” anymore, and Lao Buyu’s qualification value stopped flashing above his head, remaining intact at 85 points.

Shen Cui let out a long sigh of relief. She didn’t dare to delay any longer. She hadn’t expected Lao Buyu’s charm to decrease. Without bothering to clean the pan, she immediately poured oil, sliced the tofu, and started frying.

Of course, since the aim was to make something unpalatable, she worked without a care. Some tofu pieces were cut too large or too small, and some even fell apart as soon as they hit the hot oil.

Last time, Shen Cui had kept an eye on the time, frying the tofu until it turned golden before removing it from the pan. This time, she didn’t pay attention to the heat, and soon the tofu chunks turned black as well.

Shen Cui scooped out the unevenly cooked tofu pieces and poured the seasoning sauce over them.

Almost simultaneously, the proficiency level of Shen Cui’s cooking skill on her panel increased to 210. At the same time, the system made an assessment due to the host’s careless approach, resulting in the creation of an ultimate failure product. It mentioned that the accompanying person might experience minor random gains after consuming it, but strongly advised against eating it due to potential health issues.

Turns out, it was a failure after all.

Underneath the rating, there was actually such an ultimate failure product.

Indeed, the side quest was nothing but a trap, designed solely to deceive her into spending shopping points.

Before this, Shen Cui couldn’t help but complain a little, but now she couldn’t resist laughing.

After the system finished its evaluation, the familiar stench, almost solidified, immediately dispersed, filling the air.

Compared to the stinky tofu made at home earlier, Shen Cui felt that this new product was like the combined scent of stinky tofu and snail noodles, amplified tenfold.

Not only did this creation receive the ultimate evaluation, its effect was even doubled.

Fortunately, Shen Cui and Mu Er Pang were prepared. They immediately took out handkerchiefs dampened with water and covered their noses and mouths.

As for Lao Buyu, who was waiting beside the stove to watch the show, he had a close call and nearly fell over from the fumes.

Soon, those outside the kitchen waiting to watch the spectacle also suffered.

“What’s that smell? It’s so strong!”

“Ugh, did someone nearby just clean a pit latrine?”

“No, no, the smell seems to be coming from inside the kitchen,” someone argued amidst the crowd covering their noses.

Amidst the debate over the pungent smell, Shen Cui calmly carried the plate of stinky tofu out of the kitchen.

As she moved, the crowd confirmed the source of the odor. The previously clustered group immediately retreated several yards, almost fleeing through Lao’s family gate.

Seeing everyone retching and astonished, Shen Cui felt a bit apologetic as she touched her nose. Then, she raised her voice towards the direction of the kitchen and said, “Lao Fu, I’ve also finished. We can start the competition now.”

Lao Buyu, trembling and slow to emerge from the kitchen, took a deep breath when he came out. However, upon finding the smell outside still so strong, he quickly covered his mouth and nose in disbelief, asking her, “What is this thing you’ve made? Is it edible?”

“Of course, not only can it be eaten, but it’s also good for your health,” Shen Cui replied confidently.

This wasn’t a lie; it was the system’s evaluation. Therefore, Shen Cui spoke with even more conviction.

This statement even impressed Lao Buyu, who prided himself on his thick skin. Strangely enough, he felt a sense of camaraderie with her.

The others, however, weren’t impressed. They all glared at her angrily. If Shen Cui hadn’t been a woman, they would have cursed her as they had previously cursed Lao Buyu.

Of course, they didn’t know the pungent smell was from a high-level plane’s product. They assumed Shen Cui had brought some mysterious sauce.

Facing the condemning gazes of the crowd, even Shen Cui felt a bit embarrassed. She urged, “Alright, let’s not dwell on this. Lao Fu, please judge.”

Normally, when Lao Buyu competed with others, both judges and spectators were eager to participate. But who would want to try something with such a foul odor?

As a result, those who usually served as judges for Lao Buyu were now backing away.

After a while with no one daring to approach, the situation became extremely awkward.

Suddenly, Lao Buyu covered his face and lamented, “Alas, with such a smell emanating from the food, how can I force others to taste it? Ah, it’s my own incompetence. I apologize to you all for disappointing you. It seems it’s not meant to be for me and your children.”

Surprisingly, Lao Buyu truly lived up to his reputation.

Except for the high charm, all other aptitudes were present at this moment, and they hadn’t given up on using rhetoric to force someone to be a judge.

Sure enough, with this reminder, everyone realized that they had spent several taels of silver here without gaining anything. How could they easily let Lao Buyu be defeated by Shen Cui?

After suffering losses, they were still willing to be judges here, either because they had nothing better to do or they wanted to observe and find a chance to defeat Lao Buyu one day.

If Shen Cui were to win so easily today, wouldn’t their money and efforts be in vain?

So, someone immediately spoke up, “I… I’ll be the judge.”

As soon as the words fell, a man in his thirties pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, saying with a hateful tone, “I used to shovel dung in the countryside every day. I don’t believe it.”

Lao Buyu’s expression immediately brightened, but he still waved his hand and said, “Brother, there’s no need to force yourself. Although we’re men, it’s okay to lose to a woman.”

Why did this guy have such low charm? Clearly, he was about to lose to Shen Cui, but after a few rounds of words from Lao Buyu, it turned into all these big men were about to lose to a woman.

In modern times, some men still believed that women were naturally inferior to men, let alone in this era.

The young man who had just boasted was regretting it when he approached. He found the smell of the stinky tofu even stronger. But after hearing Lao Buyu’s words, he immediately patted his chest and said, “There’s no way I’d lose to a woman.”

Shen Cui remembered that the system had warned her that eating this stinky tofu would likely cause discomfort. She only wanted to win, not to harm anyone. She had intended to advise the young man a few words, but hearing his tone, she decided to keep her mouth shut.

The boastful young man first ate the plate of charred meat cooked by Lao Buyu. Despite it being completely charred and covered in un-melted salt and sugar, he ate it without changing his expression.

To some extent, he could indeed be considered tough.

But when he approached Shen Cui and reached for the stinky tofu with his chopsticks, his hand trembled uncontrollably.

After hesitating for several breaths, the young man finally picked up a piece of tofu. At the same time, he felt puzzled. This stuff was still so stinky. He had deliberately delayed for quite a while. According to reason, it should have cooled down, so why was it still so overpowering?

Nevertheless, the words had been spoken, and even if he was reluctant, he had to hold his breath and bravely put that piece of tofu into his mouth.

But when that stinky tofu entered his mouth, holding his breath was of no use. The extreme stench blossomed on his tongue, penetrated to the top of his head, making him dizzy and disoriented. He didn’t know where he was, and unconsciously staggered a few steps.

Seeing him like this, Lao Buyu knew the situation was worse than he had anticipated. He quickly stepped forward to support the man and urged, “Speak, you must speak quickly.”

As long as he said that Lao Buyu’s jerky was even worse, he could avoid this predicament.

The young man’s face turned pale, his expression grim, but he still clenched his teeth and squeezed out a few words from between them, “I think… Lao Buyu’s… even worse.”

After struggling to speak for a while, he couldn’t bear it any longer. He turned his head and vomited.

With him leading the way, the people around him all started retching.

For a moment, inside and outside Lao’s small house, the sound of vomiting formed a chorus.

After a while, the young man finally emptied his stomach and shook off Lao Buyu’s hand. Pointing at Shen Cui, he cursed, “The food you made, woman, is too disgusting! It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever eaten in my life! You’re practically killing people!”

Shen Cui didn’t get angry at being scolded. Instead, she smiled and looked at Lao Buyu, “Master, the judge you invited said my dish is the most disgusting. So I should be the winner, right?”

Lao Buyu didn’t answer. It wasn’t because he wanted to back out or retract his words in front of everyone, but because he was also busy vomiting.