Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Group Stage!

By the time Chen Ran set off from Hope Primary School, it was already the end of January, and the New Year was just around the corner.

This time, her destination was confirmed, and she no longer had to hide from everyone.

"Ran Ran, aren't you going home for the New Year this year?"

Chen Ran shook her head. "I can't go back; the schedule for the Two Capitals Culinary Competition is very tight."

Compared to the previous, more mechanical schedule, the relaunch of the competition this time had incorporated some successful experiences from other shows, making the competition format more complex.

The chefs who signed up were divided into three groups, starting with the group stage audition. Two winners would be chosen from each group.

In the end, these six contestants would participate in a closed competition to determine the final champion.

"Sounds a bit like a variety show format, huh?"

"Yeah, it does resemble a variety show format. The final closed competition will probably include some drama... it's definitely suitable for watching during the New Year."

"Ran Ran won't be at a disadvantage, will she?"

In terms of culinary skills, everyone had immense confidence in Chen Ran. But if the competition turned into a drama-filled variety show... would she, who only knew how to cook, be at a disadvantage?

From Hope Primary School to the airport, Wang Qing'an had arranged a bus. Everyone sat on the bus to send Chen Ran off.

Wan Jiaxin was the one closest to the entertainment industry in the group. She waved her hand confidently. "Don’t worry! 'Peach Blossom Spring' finished filming last season, and the staff will be helping at the Two Capitals."

The lunchboxes Chen Ran had made before were hearty, satisfying, and delicious. The entire crew remembered the chef’s name. Many of them even joined her fan club.

She snapped her fingers proudly. "Don’t worry, we have our people in the production team, and our people in the director’s team too! Even the editors are on our side!"

Wang Zhaoshan also chimed in, "It’s fine. Don’t forget, Bai Qing and I are here! Also, think about it—who taught Ran Ran how to make lion’s head and Nine-Turned Pork Intestines? We have chefs in our circle too!"

Everyone felt reassured and began brainstorming other details.

"Ran Ran's hair could use a little touch-up. How about we cut it into a wolf tail? It’d look super cool!"

"Wolf tail isn’t right. A chef’s hair should fit inside a chef's hat. How about we get two sets of Hanfu for her to wear on the show?"

"Hanfu isn't practical for cooking, right? Oh! How about a flying fish robe? You know, like the ones the imperial guards wear—it’d be so stylish!"

"The show crew will probably provide matching uniforms. I’ve seen the previous competitions, and everyone wore the same thing... But I’ve already arranged for a makeup artist."

Chen Ran sat by the window, a pile of snacks that everyone had given her in her lap, happily munching away.

The feeling of finally regaining her sense of taste was just too wonderful!

She ate along the way—from getting off the bus, to sitting on the plane, then to the show’s car, and by the time they arrived at the TV station, she was full to the brim.

"Are you Chef Chen Ran? Please come this way, we’ll draw lots to determine the groups today, and the group battles will start tomorrow."

Chen Ran nodded and followed the staff into the studio, which was serving as the drawing room.

"To ensure fairness, the drawing time is standardized. The draw will start at the top of the hour."

The studio was large but packed to the brim.

This was the first time the Two Capitals Culinary Competition had been restarted after a 20-year hiatus. With Chen Yuncong’s legacy in place, everyone wanted to get a piece of the action.Moreover, in the current environment of the economy driven by traffic, as long as one can make a name for themselves on a show, it can bring a huge profit to their own restaurant.

Among the contestants for the Two Capitals Culinary Competition, there were many well-known chefs. People joked online, "Once the Two Capitals Culinary Competition starts, half of the famous restaurant chefs will be gone!"

These head chefs came to participate in the competition, and most of them brought their apprentices or even assistants. The audience seats in the studio were filled to the brim.

Chen Ran looked around but didn't find anywhere to sit, so she decided to stand near the stage.

As the lights shone down, in stark contrast to most of the middle-aged men in the studio, Chen Ran stood still, her neck elongated, like a swan, standing there.

Wan Jiaxin secretly took a photo.

Producer Zhao Dajun glanced at her, and Wan Jiaxin got nervous for a moment, but didn't expect Zhao Dajun to ask about something else.

"Is this the young girl who made the lunchboxes for the production team?"

Until now, Zhao Dajun still couldn't forget the lunchboxes he had tasted in the Peach Blossom Spring production team.

"Yes, you asked me to have her practice for this year’s Two Capitals Culinary Competition."

Zhao Dajun nodded slowly.

He hadn't forgotten about this. However, this year’s competition was a priority project for the higher-ups, and the recommendation system was very strict. Zhao Dajun thought that this little chef, who had ended up making lunchboxes, would likely struggle to find three people to recommend her.

But who would have thought that she would stand on the stage by herself!

"Yeah, take a few more pictures."

She’s thin! Tall! Good-looking and handsome! A few more shots and the show’s ratings could increase!

Zhao Dajun instructed Wan Jiaxin, "Tell the photographer to get a few more shots."

Wan Jiaxin eagerly went off to fulfill the task, and at the same time, the drawing of lots began.

"Next, please come on stage to draw lots in order. The order will be based on the first letter of your names…"

According to this order, Chen Ran was right next to Chen Boduán.

She stood by the stairs at the edge of the stage, and Chen Boduán, with a neutral expression, stood up from the audience and walked past her.

Whispers immediately spread through the crowd: "The Chen family is having an internal conflict."

"I heard that this Chen Ran, who was kicked out, is quite impressive... she’s been trending a lot lately."

"Come on, every chef from the Chen family knows how to market themselves. We’ll see who shines in the competition. How old is she, anyway?"

Chen Boduán reached for the lot and pulled out a ball with the letter A on it.

Group A!

"Next, please, Chef Chen Ran, come up to draw your lot."

Chen Boduán deliberately walked slowly down the stairs. The stairs at the edge of the stage were narrow, and he was tall and broad, taking up the entire stairway as he walked down.

He was trying to force Chen Ran to stand aside and wait for him to come down.

The whispers grew louder below. Chen Boduán kept his head down and looked at Chen Ran, noticing her pitch-black eyes staring at him without moving.

Chen Ran looked at Chen Boduán for a second, turned her head, and with both hands gripping the edge of the stage, she leaped directly onto the stage!After learning some basic stances and steps from Tang Yang, combined with her naturally strong arms, Chen Ran made the jump up to the stage with ease and precision.

Chen Ran clapped her hands, strode confidently to the lottery table, and without losing her breath, reached out to draw a ball.

"Quick, quick, quick! Close-up!"

The small but intense moment of tension just now made Zhao Dajun especially delighted!

This drawing wouldn’t be broadcast live, but it could definitely be edited into the trailer.

The tall, strong man in black slowly walked down, and then the white-clad girl leapt up to the stage in one swift motion. How beautiful would that shot look on screen!

The camera immediately focused on the ball that Chen Ran slowly turned in her hand.

A!

Chen Ran, who had been avoiding looking at Chen Boduán, now turned to look at him for the first time.

At this moment, the dynamics of power had shifted!

The white-clad girl stood high on the stage, raised the ball in her hand, and slowly rotated the letter A, shaking it toward Chen Boduán below.

The murmurs in the audience grew louder again.

"Did the production team rig this?"

"Group A has two spots. I heard this Chen Ran is quite talented."

"Hah, everyone sitting here has some skills."

Chen Boduán's Zhiwei Restaurant had been in the capital for over twenty years. Not only did it recently receive a three-star certification, but even before that, it had been one of the capital's most famous big restaurants.

In the chef community, Chen Boduán was considered a leading figure.

Zhao Dajun was also excited. This is what you call buzz!

He couldn't help but pat Wan Jiaxin. "This is just made for traffic!"

Exiled from the family! Uncle and nephew facing off! The buzz around this will make for excellent TV!

He even silently decided that, if possible, he would push for the final winner of Group A to be one of these two.

Just from a small lottery, so much drama had unfolded. How much more will there be in the final closed competition?

Amidst the murmurs in the audience, Chen Boduán confidently walked back, even scanning the room with a smile, saying, "Sorry, just some internal family issues, hope you all had a good laugh."

Compared to the anxiety he felt a month ago, Chen Boduán was much more relaxed now.

In the past month, Chen Yuncong had finally taken out the highly confidential chef’s recipe book.

It contained twelve dishes, and in one month, he had mastered four.

While Chef Chen was undefeated in his prime due to his exceptional skills, these detailed recipes had also played a significant role.

But because of family conflicts and fears of the recipes being leaked, this chef’s recipe book had always been available only to the family head for study.

The reason why Chen Yuncong was able to retain his position as the reigning champion for so many terms was also due to this.

He watched Chen Ran leap off the stage again, and smiled faintly."Even if you learn things like Dinghu Shangsu or Nine-turn Large Intestines, what will it matter?"

"Which of these people's ancestors wasn't beaten down by our family's Chef Ancestor?"

He watched Chen Ran leap off the stage and walk out of the broadcast hall, feeling more at ease inside.

This niece of his was still the same—she knew nothing but cooking, and her relationship with the family was so bad. When the old man drove her out of the family, several people took the opportunity to make things difficult for her, and no one even spoke up for her.

He stood up, smiling awkwardly as he cupped his hands in a bow. "This niece of ours made a mistake and caused trouble at the family restaurant, so she was driven out by the old man. A child needs to save face, and she didn't even come to say hello. Please don’t mind it, I apologize on her behalf!"

While he said the words of apology, in reality, he pinned all the blame on Chen Ran’s impoliteness.

Seeing the displeased expressions on everyone’s faces, Chen Boduán was satisfied and sat back down, glancing at the broadcast hall door that Chen Ran had just slammed shut.

However, in a place he couldn’t see, the system kept ringing with notifications, sending Chen Ran a random mission.

[Random Mission: During the competition, keep Chen Boduán firmly in second place, and prevent him from winning his group.]

[Reward: A set of Xuan-colored chef attire.]