Is it okay to write about chicken butt right after writing about pig intestines?
Thankfully, Kara isn't that daring. Her first article about pig intestines was meant to have an unexpected twist to catch readers' attention. After all, she's writing a food column, not a sensationalist column.
Is chicken butt tasty?
To some, it's delicious, though it's not as widely appreciated as pig intestines, which have stood the test of time as a beloved dish. But Kara has a lot more up her sleeve.
For instance, she knows that in some places, pork isn't highly regarded because many only eat bacon, ham, or fried pork ribs.
This time, Kara is highlighting pork belly, which is sometimes called "three-layer pork." The ideal cut has layers of lean meat and fat that alternate, giving it a "three-layer" look.
Kara's two recommended dishes are simple but flavorful. One is a steamed pork belly recipe that includes her unique blend of spices, perfectly suited to certain regional palates. The other is a braised pork belly, rich yet not greasy, with a sweet, savory finish.
These recipes are not only straightforward but have also delighted her readers, causing quite a stir. Surprisingly, pork had previously been less popular, especially such fatty cuts. However, after trying her recipe, readers were hooked and wrote in to say they regretted not knowing of it sooner.
The popularity of Kara's recipes even had an unexpected effect on the local economy; the demand for pork skyrocketed, leading to a price hike and the need to import more from nearby areas. Fortunately, word of her recipes hadn't spread far, and locals quietly enjoyed the newfound delicacies.
Kara's bet and commitment to the column were now more than fulfilled, proving herself in just two articles. Even her colleagues had to admit she'd earned her special privileges.
Meanwhile, her editor, Perry, was on high alert, fearing she'd get sidetracked into writing a gossip column again. Seeing her write so enthusiastically, he practically begged her to turn in the new article.
Kara was amused and reassured him she had no plans to delve into gossip writing, though she couldn't help but chuckle; after all, what she'd written previously had often turned out to be true, and many of her scoops had been photographed by the paparazzi the next day. Perry had always thought she was just guessing.
With her Planet Daily columns now set, Kara took a break after two weeks of intense work and called her adoptive family, explaining why she hadn't been able to visit for over ten days. Her family understood and gave her their support.
She also made time to visit Metropolitan University to see her younger brother, Clark, despite her busy schedule.
Returning to her alma mater, Kara breathed a sigh of relief. It was all Perry's fault for making her feel so pressured. She could've taken it easy, preparing her weekly column without a rush.
Her new column, published every Monday, had become a weekly highlight. Readers eagerly awaited each update, and some even joked about wanting to tie her to the Planet Daily headquarters so she could write more food guides.
The main reason Perry kept an eye on Kara's progress was that he didn't want her disappearing again for weeks. While other writers could cover travel, no one else had her knack for creating mouthwatering recipes. Kara's columns were not only popular but irreplaceable.
With a month's worth of articles submitted, Kara finally had a well-deserved day off. She strolled through her old university's campus, enjoying the chance to relax. She hadn't expected to stumble upon anything unusual, but then she heard a faint noise coming from a corner of the playground.
Her curiosity piqued, she tiptoed closer. As she reached the blind spot around the corner, a familiar face suddenly appeared in front of her.
Clark, looking a bit embarrassed, explained hurriedly, "It's not what you think, Kara."
Kara was taken aback. She hadn't expected to see her own brother.
"In broad daylight, really?" she teased, adopting a stern sisterly look.
Clark sighed. "I'm telling you, it's not what you think. This is Lois, a classmate of mine. Her clothes got torn, and I was just helping her out."
Kara raised an eyebrow. "Lois?"
Peering over Clark's shoulder, she saw a tall, beautiful young woman with striking features and expressive eyes, who now shyly lowered her gaze under Kara's scrutiny.
Kara's eyes brightened, clearly impressed. Whoever this Lois was, she certainly made an impression.
Noting that Lois had a loose shirt draped over her shoulders—Clark's shirt—Kara slapped her brother's shoulder playfully. "Nice move, little brother."
Clark winced, chuckling. He was always the youngest, and not just in age. "Hey, go easy on me."
Lois smiled, finally speaking up. "Miss Kent, it's an honor to meet you! I've read all your articles, both the travel and food columns. I'm a huge fan!"
Kara was visibly pleased. "Lois, would you be interested in taking care of my little brother?"
Lois's mouth dropped open. "Uh, excuse me?"
Maybe it was a bit sudden, but Kara couldn't resist giving her brother a bit of a hard time.