"Chūka Ichiban!" might be a name unknown to some, but many more would recognize it by another name—"Cooking Master Boy!" The story begins with a struggle for inheritance rights at the famous Chrysanthemum Pavilion in SC province, Southwest China.
The story describes how the young chef, Liu Maoxing, recommended by Governor Li, goes to Guangzhou to train at Yangquan Restaurant. There, he earns a prestigious chef qualification, makes friends who share his passion for cooking, and collects legendary kitchenware while battling the "Dark Cooking Society."
In essence, this is a culinary anime that taught many that a dish that doesn't shine isn't a good dish.
He remembered thinking it was a Chinese anime when he first watched it.
It was somewhat irritating to learn that it was created by a Japanese author—it felt like a blow, especially since many of the recipes seemed made up.
Fortunately, domestic anime companies didn't fall behind. Although their styles seemed a bit juvenile, they produced "Cooking Master Boy," though its plot was somewhat distressing later on.
However, Ren didn't plan to stick entirely to the original manga. Why? Because he considered the manga to have a poor ending, turning into a story of supernatural powers, much like "Prince of Tennis" and "Naruto" in their later stages.
After all, while it's fine for a battle series like "Naruto" to ramp up the supernatural elements, shouldn't a culinary anime win through cooking skills?
Compared to the manga, Ren preferred to conclude the series as the TV version did—with a final showdown at a "Manchu Han Imperial Feast" in the palace. Liu Mao Xing's mentor and friend, Chef Lan Fei Hong, turns against him under the influence of the Dark Cooking Society. They plot to control the emperor's diet.
Eventually, Liu Mao Xing defeats them, frees Lan Fei Hong from their control, and saves the nation.
Afterward, Lan Fei Hong joins Liu Mao Xing's team, continuing their quest to find the remaining legendary kitchenware and combat the Dark Cooking Society.
See, isn't this much better than those supernatural abilities? It also sparks more thoughts, making such an open-ended conclusion the best!
Having made up his mind, Ren calls Jada.
After the call, Ren, as planned, takes his little daughter out.
"Daddy, where are we going?" the little girl asks curiously from the back seat.
"We're going shopping for Yueyue," Ren replies with a smile.
He hadn't really taken his daughter out much since coming here, and everything he bought for her was funded by his future wife's money. Though he had resolved to be a kept man, his male pride was still adjusting.
But the shopping wasn't just for his daughter.
His royalties had come in. It wasn't much, but it was the first money he'd made from his comics—previously, he'd always used Jada's money.
He didn't mind using it for himself and his daughter, but he felt awkward spending it on his parents.
He planned to buy some things to send back home, along with transferring some money to his parents.
"Really?" His daughter's eyes widened, shining with joy, "Daddy, you're the best! Yueyue loves you the most!"
At the department store, Ren heads straight for the children's section, filled with magical girl IP limited edition clothes, small staircases, toys, and more.
Looking at these flashy items, Ren couldn't help but remark on how easy it is to make money off children—a simple piece of clothing costing more than an adult's, despite using less material of the same brand.
No wonder people are reluctant to have children; the cost is too high.
Just then, his daughter's eyes light up. She breaks free from Ren's hand and runs excitedly ahead, calling, "Daddy, daddy, this one!"
Ren looks and sees a black Lolita dress.
Layered ruffles and delicate lace adorn the well-tailored black dress, with a purple rose atop a black feathered headpiece adding a touch of elegance.
"Wow, young lady, you have great taste. You've picked out the latest dress, co-branded with the villain Lilliasfiel from the popular 'Magical Girl Lilliasfiel: The Chronicles of Darkness'..." The saleswoman, spotting the pricey clothes on the girl, hurried over to make a sale.
Ren ignores her chatter, focusing on his daughter's hopeful eyes. "Let's try it on," he smiles.
He doesn't care about the sales pitch regarding materials or designer names; as long as his daughter likes it, he'll try to accommodate her within his means.
(*￣▽￣)o ─═≡※:☆
Soon, his daughter comes out of the fitting room, strikes a bizarre pose
, and bursts into laughter, "Explode, reality! Shatter, spirit! Banish this world! I am the dark fallen magical girl, Lilliasfiel von Hohenheim!"
Ren: "..."
"Clap clap clap!"
Applause follows.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ren sees a group of excited children admiring his daughter, "Wow, it's just like Lilliasfiel!"
"It's Lady Lilliasfiel!"
"Hmph!" His daughter crosses her arms and lifts her chin proudly, "Don't call me lady, call me Princess!"
(-﹏-`;)
So embarrassing!
Ren, in disbelief, watches his daughter deliver these cringeworthy lines and promptly pushes her back into the fitting room.
Five minutes later, with one hand holding his daughter's and the other carrying a bag, Ren walks out of the clothing section, flustered, while the sales staff's grin blooms like a chrysanthemum flower.
Once they are out of sight of the clothing section, Ren exhales and looks at his daughter, pondering, "Yueyue, can we not loudly recite anime lines in public?"
Children are innocent, but attracting that much attention in a moment was too much for him.
"Huh?"
His daughter is curious—she often did this at kindergarten! But since Daddy says so, she'll reluctantly listen.
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