A domineering chef? Well, this title is certainly more lowbrow than the previous one of elegant chef.
But that's the way it is in this era. What feels trendy now, in a few years, will seem out of place when you look back.
The cheers from the crowd felt just like that to Zhao Lun.
When Ma Jikun heard the crowd's adulation, he was immediately infused with an energy that seemed to amplify his presence. His aura intensified, and the surrounding air seemed to draw towards him as if guided by an invisible force. The flames on the stove flared up and erupted with a resounding roar, responding to his rising momentum.
A ring of fire appeared around him, casting him as if he were a god of fire. Dressed in his chef's uniform, he exuded a majestic and commanding presence.
In this light, the title of "domineering" seemed well-earned. Zhao Lun nodded; the titles the crowd had come up with were indeed fitting.
Mulan exuded elegance, while Ma Jikun was all about power. His movements were bold and expansive, his presence imposing, creating a particularly striking sensory experience.
Other chefs had their own unique skills as well, but compared to Ma Jikun, the crowd's fans were certainly not lacking.
Especially when Ma Jikun's fiery eruption caused a towering pillar of flames, his domineering aura was unmatched.
"Is this a movie scene?"
Some who had never witnessed such a display were left dumbfounded, before erupting into cheers. Such a spectacle was a rarity.
Fortunately, this was a cooking competition, not an action contest. No matter how loud the crowd cheered, the results would ultimately be determined by the dishes themselves. Everyone who made it this far had reached a master level in culinary arts—both in technique and spirit—so they remained unaffected by the surrounding atmosphere, focusing on their creations instead.
From their expressions, it was clear that they were taking this seriously.
Every chef had their signature dish ready, and from the outset, each presented their best creation. In truth, their performances were equally captivating and impressive.
In less than a moment, the aroma of the dishes filled the air, tantalizing the guests.
Though these dishes may not have reached Mulan's level, they were nevertheless intriguing, unique, heartfelt, and abundant in variety. These factors combined to make the display just as compelling.
"Alright! Some contestants are about to finish!"
"Next, we…"
The competition entered a new phase, and both the judges and the audience grew more excited.
Special treatment was granted to certain people. Maria and Zhao Lun, as part of the contestants' entourage, were allowed to sample the dishes.
"Delicious!"
"This roast is great, we should have Mulan make this for us when we get home."
Maria, with her cheeks puffed full of food, ate relentlessly, while food enthusiasts who weren't so lucky salivated with envy.
The competition had now entered a feverish stage, with every chef presenting their creations.
Boom!!!
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rang out, like the roar of thunder, temporarily deafening everyone's ears.
The crowd, taken by surprise, was knocked off balance, with many falling over.
"Ah!!" Some screamed in fright.
A few were frozen in place, and everyone turned to find the source of the disruption.
What?! It was Chef Ma Jikun?!
Everyone stared in disbelief at the domineering chef, exchanging bewildered glances. After rubbing their eyes to make sure they weren't hallucinating, they realized—it wasn't an illusion! How could this have happened?!
Despite the undeniable reality before them, the sudden turn of events left the audience in shock.
Ma Jikun, the cause of this disturbance, stood amid a wrecked kitchen, his hair singed, his face blackened, eyes wide open as if he were about to devour someone.
The rest of the venue, aside from being startled by the explosion, remained largely unscathed.
What was going on? Countless question marks spun in the minds of the other contestants.
This accident had come out of nowhere, catching everyone completely off guard.
The organizers acted quickly, dispatching staff to assess the situation and determine the cause of the incident.
The answer came soon.
The cause of the calamity was a change in feng shui, triggered by a bird that had perched on a crucial piece of equipment, disturbing the flow of energy and turning Ma Jikun's station into a water zone. At the time, Ma Jikun had been exerting his fiery energy, causing a clash between fire and water, resulting in the explosion.
"…." The audience, seeing the truth laid out with diagrams and video footage, could hardly believe their eyes.
This was too unbelievable! Are you sure this isn't a joke? Everyone at the scene wanted to ask the organizers, but in the end, no one dared. Feng shui was so deeply ingrained in Hong Kong culture that, though it seemed outlandish, the crowd had no choice but to accept the organizer's explanation.
Since it wasn't the organizer's fault, and the accident was purely a coincidence, the competition continued. Ma Jikun alone bore the consequences of the mishap. Whether or not he could still hold on to his title as a chef god was left to be seen.
Luck played a crucial role; if you were unlucky, even with extraordinary skill, you'd have to accept your fate.
Ma Jikun, with his strong will, despite the setback, took advantage of the remaining time to create a new dish.
However, the competition had already been affected. Though he gave his all to complete his dish, the result was inevitable. His failure was certain, and any effort to salvage his performance only made the failure more apparent.
Sure enough, his performance won the sympathy of the audience, and they applauded him in encouragement.
"The domineering chef shows great magnanimity, exuding the grace of a master!"
"Indeed, his poise is extraordinary!"
Some even praised him from the stands.
"Hmph! He deserves it!"
"My brother was right—when you do too many bad things, you'll suffer retribution!"
"Who made him do bad things!"
At the scene, Maria, upon hearing the news, couldn't help but gloat, her cheeks stuffed with food, her mouth dripping with oil.
"Brother, why are you looking at me like that?" Zhao Lun's gaze was a little peculiar, making Maria feel awkward.
Doing bad things?! Retribution? Wasn't that too swift? If retribution came so quickly, wouldn't crime disappear from the world?
There had to be something else at play. Yes, something was definitely wrong.
At that moment, Zhao Lun recalled certain things he wished to forget. He now knew for sure who was truly responsible for the accident, but with so many people around, he chose to remain silent.
Regardless of the circumstances, the competition continued. In the end, Ma Jikun lost and was stripped of the title of chef god, while Mulan reclaimed the crown.
"Mulan! Chef God!"
"Mulan!"
"Elegant Chef God!"
"Chef God!"
"Chef God!"
Cheers!
She was truly deserving of it! Absolutely convincing!
And so, the contest that should have been a fierce battle between dragons and tigers, ended with a whimper, like a snake's tail following a tiger's head.