After nightfall, Dongfang Yi spent a long time thinking about how to select a few suitable chefs. But try as she might, she couldn't come up with a good idea. Then she suddenly remembered an old saying, "Hidden talents often lie among the common people." They could totally hold a chef selection contest and pick the best chefs from the masses.
The moment this thought occurred to her, Dongfang Yi couldn't lie in bed any longer. She immediately got up and went to knock on Situ Qing's door.
Situ Qing had just fallen asleep when he was suddenly awakened by a rapid knocking on the door. He opened the door impatiently and saw Dongfang Yi outside, her eyes shining brightly. He wondered how she could be so energetic in the middle of the night. It was really beyond his comprehension.
Before he could say anything, Dongfang Yi slipped into the room under his arm, plopped down on his bed, and said, "Qingqing, I've come up with a super good way to find chefs!"
Situ Qing scratched his head, a black line appearing on his face. He thought something really serious had happened, but it turned out to be just this. So he said in a low voice, "Okay, okay, just do as you like."
"No, I want you to listen to my plan!" Dongfang Yi said still full of enthusiasm.
"It's late, Xiaodong. Let's talk about it tomorrow," Situ Qing said with half - closed eyes. He was really sleepy.
But he felt the air go silent for a moment, and then came Dongfang Yi's threatening voice, "What did you say? Tomorrow?"
Hearing this tone, Situ Qing instantly became wide - awake. Even his half - closed eyes opened wide immediately.
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you now," Situ Qing said with an obsequious smile. He was so miserable inside. He knew Dongfang Yi well. If he dared to refuse her now, he wouldn't be able to sleep at all tonight.
Hearing Situ Qing's words, Dongfang Yi nodded in satisfaction and began to talk about her plan.
Situ Qing listened to her while looking out of the window. He watched the moon move from the east to the west with his own eyes.
It was not until well past midnight that Dongfang Yi finally walked out of his room satisfied.
But Situ Qing had only slept for less than two hours when he heard a clattering noise in the inn's lobby.
He got up from the bed angrily and walked out of the room. When he got to the first - floor lobby, he saw Dongfang Yi directing everyone to set up a stage. Then he remembered what Dongfang Yi had said about holding a chef selection contest not long ago.
He couldn't help but rub his forehead helplessly, thinking where this woman got so much energy. How could she be so lively after staying up all night?
So he slowly walked downstairs. The waiters along the way greeted him, "Good morning, sir." But Situ Qing was in no mood to respond.
Finally, he reached Dongfang Yi. He saw her hanging a lantern with a chef. Her feet were wobbling unsteadily.
Situ Qing quickly stepped forward to support her and then picked her up. Frowning a little angrily, he said, "You just give directions. Don't climb up high anymore!"
Dongfang Yi smiled awkwardly and nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
Situ Qing looked at her cute appearance and reached out to touch her soft hair. It seemed that all the bad moods caused by the sleepless night had disappeared.
In just about an incense stick's time, the stage for the chef selection contest was set up.
Dongfang Yi looked at the set - up stage with satisfaction. She felt extremely happy inside, thinking that she was really a smart cookie.
Situ Qing looked at her bright side profile and also felt extremely happy. He decided in his heart that as long as this woman wanted something, he must try his best to satisfy her.
All morning, the odd - jobs in the inn went out to the streets and alleys to publicize that Duoyu Inn was recruiting chefs. They also carried the "leaflets" drawn by someone according to Dongfang Yi's request. The "leaflets" were filled with strange colorful characters, but one could clearly tell what was written on them at a glance.
By noon, a large crowd had gathered outside Duoyu Inn.
Chef Li looked at the crowd, most of whom were women. He couldn't help but feel suspicious. These people didn't seem like those who could really cook delicious food.
Dongfang Yi beside him seemed to see his doubt. So she said with a smile, "Chef Li, have you ever heard the saying 'Hidden talents often lie among the common people'?"
Chef Li was completely confused. Although he didn't know what she meant, he somehow felt that it made sense.
As they were talking, the crowd had entered the inn. Except for the onlookers who just came to watch the fun, those who came to participate in the contest signed up in a room on one side.
Dongfang Yi picked up the registration form and saw that there were about twenty - odd contestants.
The contest was divided into three stages. In the first stage, all the contestants had to cook one of their signature dishes first. After this round, only twelve contestants would remain on the stage.
The second stage was a group match. The contestants would be paired up in twos, and they still had to try their best to win with their signature dishes. In the final stage, only six contestants would be left. This was the most important stage of the contest. Dongfang Yi would set the topics, which were sour, sweet, and spicy. Each of the six contestants would choose one topic and cook a corresponding dish.
Finally, three contestants would be selected to be the chefs of Duoyu Inn.
The contest was in full swing. Dongfang Yi, Situ Qing, and Chef Li were the judges. All the onlookers in the venue found it extremely novel. They had never seen such an interesting competition before.
Even Situ Qing was amazed by the atmosphere at this moment. He looked at the woman beside him meaningfully, and a trace of admiration rose in his heart.
Chef Li on the other hand was full of disbelief. He looked at the people on the stage, most of whom were women. Although Dongfang Yi had said something about "Hidden talents often lie among the common people", he couldn't accept it. He had been a chef for so many years. How could he be out - cooked by a country woman?
Dongfang Yi could of course tell what was on his mind, but she said nothing. She knew that no matter what she said now, it would be less effective than letting the result convince him later.
The competition on the stage had started. She counted and there were twenty - two contestants in total. They were now preparing for the first - round elimination round.
In no time, the whole inn was filled with the fragrance of the dishes.
Dongfang Yi closed her eyes, intoxicated by the smell, and said, "This is the taste of life!"
Situ Qing looked at her face with closed eyes. The smile on his lips couldn't help but deepen. In the lively environment, he felt his heart was warming up.
The beautiful and quirky woman in front of him was now sitting beside him so calmly and contentedly.
Yes, this was the taste of life...