Thunderous applause erupted at the scene. Xu Zixi politely clapped along with the crowd and turned her gaze to the door backstage where the guests would appear.
No one knew that she deliberately straightened her back, assuming an elegant posture. She even tilted the half of her face that she was most satisfied with slightly, all just to outshine that person the moment they showed up. She also wanted the viewers in front of the TV to see who was more outstanding between her and Xie Shi.
However, when the door opened and Xie Shi stepped out of the shadows, Xu Zixi stood there stunned, her beautiful almond eyes widening slightly in shock.
Was the charming middle - aged woman in front, wearing a brownish - red cheongsam, with a graceful figure and elegant demeanor, actually Xie Shi?!
Xie Shi - was actually a middle - aged woman old enough to be the original owner's mother?!
Under Xu Zixi's shocked gaze, Xie Shi, with a smile on her face, walked up to her step by step, reached out her hand, and said,
"Miss Yuan, I've long been aware of your name. I didn't expect to run into you at this competition. It's really fate. We've got to sit down and have a good drink after the competition. Let's have a cook - off."
Although Xie Shi was getting on in years, she had taken good care of herself. With a plump face and figure, she was like an ever - blooming peony.
As her voice faded, the contestants on the stage, the public reviewers, and the viewers in front of the TV all paused for a moment, then quickly realized -
Xie Shi was inviting this young girl for a cook - off?! One had to be at the same cooking level as Xie Shi to receive such attention from her! Could she really be some mysterious master chef in the culinary world?
Although Xu Zixi couldn't hear what the audience was thinking, she was smart enough to immediately understand the intention behind Xie Shi's words.
Xie Shi was taking this opportunity, using her status and position, to imply to the public that Xu Zixi was a top - notch chef on par with her.
Perhaps this was also arranged by someone?
Both of them were on the stage, facing so many cameras. There was no time for Xu Zixi to think too much. She quickly snapped out of her shock and embarrassment, put on a generous smile, shook Xie Shi's hand, and calmly replied,
"Master Xie, you're overpraising me. I'm just an unknown person. You're the senior in the culinary world. It should be me saying that I've long been aware of your name."
While she was sizing up Xie Shi, Xie Shi was also sizing her up. Although she had secretly observed Xu Zixi backstage, a closer look could better reveal a person's character and self - cultivation. Xu Zixi's reaction pleased Xie Shi. She couldn't help but pat their clasped hands and said with a beaming smile,
"Let's not talk about other things for now. Let's start the evaluation first. We can talk more later."
Not bad, really good. Calm in such a big occasion, neither over - bearing nor impatient in front of a senior. She was a good girl worthy of A Cheng.
There were 100 contestants in this cooking competition. After several rounds of selection based on ingredients, cooking time, and cooking themes, only 60 contestants managed to produce their entries. And only 10 entries were selected by 50 public reviewers to enter the final round.
As the youngest judge, Xu Zixi naturally took the first bite.
On the live - broadcast camera, she picked up a piece of curry crab meat and put it into her mouth. Her long eyelashes drooped slightly, casting a shadow on her fair face. After a brief taste, she gave her comment:
"The cooking time was too long due to insufficient heat. The taste of the curry completely overshadowed the natural sweetness of the ingredients. Moreover, the meat was very loose, lacking surprise and layers. The only thing worth praising is the beautiful plating. I can only give this dish 6 points."
Xie Shi also took a bite. She didn't say any comments, just gave her score: "6 points."
Jiang Chang'an pondered for a while, made a comprehensive evaluation based on aspects such as color, aroma, taste, and creativity, but finally only gave 6 points as well.
Then, the other judges also gave their comments, which were generally similar to what Xu Zixi had said.
For another dish named "Divine Power Crab General" also made with crab as the main ingredient, Xu Zixi commented:
"The crab should have been flash - frozen. The meat is indeed firmer than the previous one and chewy when eaten. However, the competition time was too short, and the processing time was insufficient, so it didn't reach its best state. It's a bit of a pity. I'll give it 8 points."
Xie Shi beside her nodded and added, "This dish has more layers than the previous one. You can taste the sourness first, then the spiciness, and finally the natural sweetness of the crab meat. I'll also give it 8 points."
As they tasted and scored the dishes one by one, Xu Zixi and Xie Shi gave the same scores all the way.
Before long, the champions, runners - up, and third - place winners of this cooking competition were selected.
On the social forum, as the program progressed smoothly, the discussion about "Yuan Xi", guided by some accounts, quietly shifted from her scandal four years ago to her comments in the cooking competition.
Netizen: "Is it for real? Xie Shi even agrees with her comments. Could she really be an extremely talented chef?"
Netizen: "Could it be that the organizer deliberately invited Xie Shi to put on a show for her to promote her? That would be too costly."
Netizen: "I trust Xie Shi's authority. I've watched several competitions where she was a judge. Her comments have always been genuine. There's no need to fake it."
Netizen: "I really want to taste the dishes cooked by Yuan Xi with her own hands..."
Netizen: "Me too..."
Netizen: "Someone who has eaten it here. It's super delicious, incredibly delicious. Eating one bite makes you feel like you've won five million!"
Netizen: "Replying to the above. I've also eaten it. It's really super duper delicious! You'll fall in love with it after just one try! But Yuan Xi's home - cooked dishes can't be bought with money!"
Netizen: "I've eaten it too! I can't find any other words to describe it except 'exquisite delicacy'."
Netizen: "How much does a meal cost? Can a poor guy like me afford it?"
Pei Weiwei watched helplessly as the trend on the forum changed quietly. Just like in the design competition, before the competition, everyone said that Yuan Xi must be a vain beauty who couldn't produce any good works. But her "City of Hope" actually won the first place! And it made the employees of the Pei Group change their views on her and stop gossiping about her!
Now, these netizens were doing the same!
Why?
Overwhelmed by a strong sense of unwillingness, Pei Weiwei continued to type on the forum:
"So what if she can cook? But her character is bad! She seduced her fiancé's uncle when she was engaged! Don't you think such a woman is scary and scheming?"
She thought that her words would surely make everyone focus on Yuan Xi's private life again and launch personal attacks on her. However, many accounts suddenly popped up on the forum and started to @ her frantically, criticizing her.
Netizen: "@pww.. All you can do is blabber here. You claim to have videos but can't show any evidence. I can only assume that you're jealous of her beauty, talent, and her handsome and rich husband!"
Netizen: "@pww.. You're so idle. Do you not have a sex life? Why don't you find a man and have two kids? Maybe you can become as amazing as Yuan Xi and marry a good husband!"
Netizen: "@pww.. So what if it's her ex - fiancé's uncle? Besides, wasn't it her ex - fiancé who dumped her first? She was single, and everyone has the right to pursue a beauty. And her cooking skills can be on par with Xie Shi's. If I were him, I'd marry her too!"
Netizen: "@pww.. I agree! Beauty is justice. She's so beautiful that she deserves a handsome guy like her husband!"
Netizen: "@pww.. Who cares if it's her ex - fiancé's uncle? She and her husband are a perfect match. Their kids are the cutest in the world. It'll piss you off, nyah - nyah!"
Pei Weiwei was so angry that she felt like spitting blood. She was going crazy. Why did things always turn out differently from what she expected! Why did these netizens abandon their morals at this moment? Weren't they always so just in normal times?!
Pei Weiwei wanted to post another comment, but she found that her account had been blocked by the forum!!