A "daughter-complex" isn't always as pleasant as it sounds. Generally, men with a daughter-complex tend to be quite obsessive and controlling. They often try to impose their unfulfilled desires and frustrations on their children, such as past experiences of being bullied, living poorly, or having an unhappy marriage. This overprotective and excessively controlling behavior can stifle their children, demanding they obey every command.
It's about establishing dominance, not addressing any real flaws in their children. They aim to create a hierarchy to better control their children and secure power in their relationships, thus achieving greater benefits.
"Erina, do you really not want to listen to me anymore?" Azami shifted his gaze back to his daughter, noticing how she always clung to Zane and followed his every word. He saw her gazing at Zane with an expression of deep admiration.
Azami couldn't help but feel that something precious to him was being taken away. His face showed anger as he sternly spoke to Erina.
"Father, I just want to cook the dishes I love. Hisako already told me everything. Your reforms at Totsuki are too extreme. With my God's Tongue, I understand that taste should be diverse. Good cuisine isn't about prestige; it's about possibilities. The market needs both high-end restaurants like those rated by WGO and common street food like spicy hotpot, barbecue, and golden fried rice."
"Stop this, Father. Please, don't be so stubborn," Erina pleaded. Despite her fear of Azami, standing behind Zane gave her courage. She recalled her days at the tavern and finally decided to stand up to her father.
"No, Erina. You don't understand my vision. I don't need my chefs to innovate or think for themselves. I am a reformer and a leader of this era. Everyone should just follow my orders. You should know that for a chef, consistency and quality are key. If a dish tastes different every day, it's not fit for a high-standard restaurant. My goal is to unify the culinary world under one standard," Azami insisted.
He hadn't anticipated such defiance from his daughter. He couldn't believe that his own child would oppose him.
"Father, I admit the old Totsuki system put immense pressure on many talents, ruining their careers. But it also offered a fair chance for everyone to improve. It separated those with ambition from those without. Talent isn't the be-all and end-all in cooking. Not everyone has my God's Tongue. Your method may produce more top chefs, but it doesn't nurture their true abilities. Over time, this will damage both Totsuki's reputation and the students' futures," Erina argued.
...
In Totsuki, students learned limited knowledge. The world was vast, and human desires boundless. Great chefs stood out due to their learning ability and creativity. Those who simply followed orders without personal growth would become the very "feed providers" Azami sought to eliminate. Azami's reforms reduced educational content and exam difficulty, giving compliant students an easy ride to a prestigious diploma without developing real skills.
This approach contradicted the natural progression of things. By disbanding all cooking societies and research groups, he alienated a significant portion of students and teachers who had invested their hearts in them. The majority of students might outwardly comply, but they resented him deeply. Only a few truly supported him, mostly those at risk of being weeded out.
When Erina, Alice, and Soma's factions rose, most students would likely support them instead.
...
"Erina, is this what you truly think?" Azami's face darkened as he stood up, glaring at her. "I should have never let you escape during the school festival. Without your support, I can't achieve my grand vision. Come back with me now, and I'll train you as I used to."
He reached out to grab Erina.
"No, I won't go with you," Erina trembled, recalling her painful childhood. "Please, Father, don't."
"Be good, Erina. I'll make you the greatest," Azami coaxed with a smile, reaching out to pull her closer.
...
At that critical moment, Zane stepped in. "Sir, Erina is working part-time at this tavern. You can't just take her away. As the owner, I won't allow it."
"You..." Azami paused, then continued, "So you're the one behind this change in her?"
"I don't care about Totsuki's affairs or yours. But if you take another step, I'll ban you from this tavern," Zane declared.
"Oh? So you're determined to protect Erina?" Azami's eyes flashed. He sensed that Zane would indeed throw him out if he persisted.
"Yes, Erina is my close friend and someone very important to me. I will protect her," Zane said calmly.
Erina, hearing Zane's words, blushed deeply. Azami noticed her reaction, further fueling his anger.
...
"Fine, let's see what you can do," Azami challenged, sitting back down. "Cook me a dish, Mr. Zane."
"Very well," Zane replied, turning to the kitchen.
He began by preparing a squid, extracting its ink. He filtered the ink and mixed it with water, adding squid heads and white wine. After simmering, he seasoned it with salt. Next, he sautéed onions and garlic in olive oil, added white wine, squid ink, and squid pieces, and simmered the mixture to make a rich broth.
"Extracting squid ink yourself?" Azami noted, surprised by Zane's skill.
...
The tavern filled with the sound of Zane's precise chopping. He expertly diced green onions, impressing even Azami with his knife skills.
Soon, the Galaxy Noodles were ready.
...
The dish didn't look particularly appetizing, but the taste was exquisite. The noodles were coated in a rich, savory ink sauce, mingling with tender squid rings, shrimp, and clams.
"The flavor comes from a prawn broth added to the squid ink," Azami realized. "The noodles are soft, not too chewy, with a slight spiciness. The squid rings are plentiful, adding a delightful texture. This isn't just a heavy dish; it's well-balanced and enjoyable."
Azami was stunned by the complexity and balance of the flavors. He quickly devoured the entire plate of Galaxy Noodles, savoring each bite.
...
Zane's culinary prowess had won him over, at least for now.
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