Chapter 128: Total Victory

Yang Hua was so proactive that Bai Renzong found it hard to refuse, though he still cast a glance at Han Jiayi that said, "You make one too."

Han Jiayi nodded obediently and headed to another stove to begin her preparations. This time, Yang Hua paid her no mind at all, focusing every ounce of his attention on the ingredients before him. The two of them showed off their skills, giving their all, simply to prepare a lunch for Bai Renzong.

In less than twenty minutes, an exquisite set meal was complete.

"Please, enjoy! My dear friend!" Yang Hua said excitedly, bringing the meal over himself.

"For the appetizer, Spanish-style chorizo-wrapped cashews." Yang Hua placed a small plate in front of Bai Renzong.

"Hmm..." Bai Renzong looked down. Five cashews sat on a spoon, each wrapped in a slice of sausage and coated with a layer of red sauce. Bai Renzong ate one in a single bite; the crisp texture of the cashew and the firm bite of the sausage formed a stark, delightful contrast, and the nutty aroma paired perfectly with the savory meat and the mild heat of the sauce.

"For the soup, Italian clam chowder." Yang Hua set down the second dish along with two toasted baguette slices. "I suggest eating it with this bread. Careful, it's hot."

Bai Renzong nodded, taking a spoonful. "The texture is so thick it’s almost chewable. The cream and clam flavors coat the potatoes, onions, and carrots, all brought together by the basil." He then scooped up a clam. As he bit into it, the juices burst in his mouth—a distinct, rich clam flavor with just the right amount of chew, tender yet firm.

"For the side dish, cod floss." Yang Hua presented the third course. The snow-white cod floss was rolled into the shape of a flower, garnished with a sprinkle of black pepper.

Bai Renzong tasted it and raised an eyebrow. "Smoked cod, paired with sea salt... and is that crunch from... caviar?!" This dish immediately caught his attention. "The layering here is truly distinct. The oceanic notes of the sea salt, the cod, and the caviar—while all seafood, they build upon each other in tiers!"

"Ah, I knew you would grasp the mystery behind it!" Yang Hua said, eyes closed in ecstasy.

"This layering is quite special," Bai Renzong murmured, frowning in thought. "Even though they are all seafood, they transition from light to deep, creating this... tiered structure. It’s like a musical trio; truly marvelous." Bai Renzong turned to Yang Hua. "You must be planning to use this technique in your ultimate menu, aren't you?"

"Hmph, it’s a secret... Just look forward to it, my friend." Yang Hua smiled mysteriously and placed the final plate before him. "Finally, the main course: Italian red wine-seared steak."

Round pieces of beef, cut to the size of mooncakes, sat in the center of the plate, surrounded by wood sorrel and celery for garnish. Sauce radiated from the beef in four directions. At first glance, the steak appeared slightly dry, but as Bai Renzong took a bite, the rich juices exploded. The lingering notes of red wine danced and collided with the aromas of garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, basil, and black pepper.

"Technically, a beef stew would be more delicious, but time was short..." Yang Hua explained.

"These dishes are very much in your style," Bai Renzong nodded with satisfaction.

Yang Hua wore a triumphant expression as he turned to Han Jiayi, throwing her a challenging look. Han Jiayi, however, set a filet mignon set meal in front of Bai Renzong and patted his head with a smile. "Eat up. You must be starving after waiting so long."

"Ha... what is that?" Yang Hua scoffed, eyeing the large portion of steak. "Serving a dish like that is no better than hacking a slab of meat off a cow and throwing it on the table!"

"That’s why you don’t understand Old Bai at all, despite calling him your dear friend," Han Jiayi glared at him indignantly. "He’s been hungry for so long; how could he be full after eating what you made?"

"As expected of my girlfriend," Bai Renzong laughed, cutting a large piece of steak and eating it with the softened onions. He nodded in bliss and began to eat with increased fervor.

"To think he’s enjoying such crude cooking so much!?" Yang Hua frowned in disbelief.

"You only wanted to show off; you never considered what Old Bai actually needed," Han Jiayi retorted. "Do you know he doesn't get to eat dinner until after seven? That’s why he usually eats more for lunch. Old Bai can appreciate your cooking, but what do you know about him? You know nothing. What kind of friend is that?"

"Ah..." Yang Hua looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. He collapsed to the floor, devastated. "I... I have no words."

"You should just accept the fact that Jiayi and I are seeing each other," Bai Renzong said, swallowing a mouthful of pasta. "Actually, it’s not bad, is it? Maybe later you can bring your fiancée, and we could go on a double date or something..."

Yang Hua looked up, expressionless. "?? I don't have a fiancée."

Bai Renzong tilted his head, his face falling. "??? Then who is Lu Yao?"

"She is my restaurant owner," Yang Hua stood up and snorted. "She saw my talent and hired me as her head chef. She’s just another ordinary woman who doesn't understand cooking."

*How pitiful...* Bai Renzong felt a twinge of sympathy for Lu Yao. She spent so much money building a restaurant just to please Yang Hua, only to be dismissed as "just another ordinary woman who doesn't understand cooking."

Just as Bai Renzong thought the farce was coming to an end, a commotion broke out outside. A young, sexy woman soon entered the kitchen, shielded by two muscular bodyguards.

"Xiao Hua, the lunch rush is on and you aren't at the restaurant—what are you doing here!" Lu Yao pointed at Yang Hua, chiding him.

"Need you ask?" Yang Hua said coldly. "Naturally, I am fighting for my dear friend!"

"You, you, you!" Lu Yao pointed at him, her face flushing red. "You never did this for me..." She changed her tone mid-sentence. "Do you have any idea how chaotic the kitchen at Lanwafang has become?"

"Tch, a bunch of idiots," Yang Hua crossed his arms and frowned. "The restaurant isn't even full, and they can't handle the lunch rush? Can these people do nothing without me? They’re useless!"

"You are the head chef!" Lu Yao frowned. "Making the kitchen run smoothly is your job!"

While they argued, Bai Renzong squinted his right eye to check their attributes. Yang Hua’s highest attribute was "Aloofness" at 30%, followed by "Persistence" at 25%, and "Passion" at 20%.

*They’re all positive attributes...* Bai Renzong thought. In reality, even similar attributes have subtle differences; for instance, "Arrogance" carries a derogatory nuance compared to "Aloofness," just as "Stubbornness" differs from "Persistence." Seen in that light, Yang Hua’s attributes were all positive—he wasn't actually a bad person.

As for Lu Yao... her top attribute was "Infatuation" at 50%! Her second was "Persistence" at 20%, and her third was "Sentimentalism" at 15%.

These two were surprisingly well-matched. Bai Renzong couldn't help but smile; perhaps he should quietly nudge them together.

After arguing for a while, Yang Hua prepared to return to Lanwafang to reclaim his command. "Hmph, I won't let today's matter rest here." After washing his hands and taking off his chef's coat, he turned and glared at Han Jiayi. "I will protect Bai's palate from you!"

With that, Yang Hua held his head high and marched out of the kitchen of Yijiaxuan like a victor.

"Someone who didn't know better would think he’d won a total victory today..." Bai Renzong chuckled as he ate a roasted potato.

"Exactly, when it was clearly a total victory for me..." Han Jiayi rolled her eyes.

"I’ll go try out the shortcut techniques you taught me today," Lu Yao winked at Bai Renzong before leaving, then hurried to catch up. "Xiao Hua, wait for me! I drove here!"

Seeing the farce finally end, Han Jiayi clapped her hands for the staff. "Alright, alright, you've seen enough of the show, haven't you? We’ve rested long enough, time to get back to work!"

She turned to Bai Renzong, looking guilty. "Sorry for making you wait so long today."

"It's fine." Bai Renzong gently patted her head. "I'll head back now. I’ve lost a lot of time, and I still have to make a video when I get back."

"Okay." Han Jiayi gave him a sweet smile. "See you tonight."

Bai Renzong turned to Wang Bei and waved. "Let's go, Xiaobei, time to edit."

"You got it!" Wang Bei turned off the camera and waved at Han Jiayi. "Bye, Sister Jiayi."

However, after a moment's thought, Bai Renzong turned back. He lifted Han Jiayi’s chin and whispered, "Mumu, I suspect Yang Hua’s next 'soup' will be finished soon. Do you have any ideas for the soup in your ultimate menu?"

Han Jiayi shuddered, her beautiful eyes widening as she pressed her lips together nervously. Seeing this, Bai Renzong had his answer. He gently stroked her cheek and said softly, "It's alright. You’ve always been an inspiration-based cook. Take your time, don't put yourself under pressure. You two didn't bet anything anyway; maybe one day, when the inspiration strikes, the soup will come together naturally."

"Mm..." Han Jiayi nodded slightly, though she still looked worried.