Chapter 55 - Innocent Female Journalist

The audience in the guest seats all held their breaths in tension, the eight judges in the judges’ seats were whispering to each other, everyone eager to know who would ultimately be crowned the champion.

When two tigers fight, one is bound to get hurt; Zhou Qida was temporarily behind in votes, making the judges’ voting crucial.

With a fierce look in his eyes, Zhou Qida stared at Su Xuan, his expression a mix of tension and arrogance, and he coldly said, “Kid, don’t celebrate too soon!

You’re only leading temporarily!”

A sneer in his heart, Su Xuan responded indifferently as he gazed at Zhou Qida, “Where do you see me celebrating?

Beating you is only natural.”

The host, aiming to maintain the suspense, slowly announced, “The first judge cast his vote for chef number 12, Su Xuan…”

Zhou Qida and Su Xuan exchanged glances, tension mounting instantly; the situation turned dire.

Originally separated by four votes, each of the eight judges’ votes was critical.

The first vote went to Su Xuan, now leading by five votes and widening the gap.

“The second judge chose chef number 17, Zhou Qida, and the third judge also chose number 17…” As the host spoke, Zhou Qida became so excited he almost jumped to the ceiling.

The gap between Su Xuan and Zhou Qida narrowed to three votes, and everyone was bursting with eagerness to know the result.

“The fourth judge cast his vote for chef number 9, Qian Zhongming, and the fifth judge voted for chef number 17, Zhou Qida…”

The fourth vote seemed irrelevant, but with the fifth vote going to Zhou Qida, the situation became increasingly unfavorable for Su Xuan.

With only a two-vote difference, the outcome was hanging by a thread.

There were three judges left whose votes had not been announced yet, Zhou Qida clenched his fists, his eyes filled with desire and tension.

Panic flickered in Su Xuan’s heart: could he be defeated by the judges?

Results in competitions were always unpredictable.

The host paused for more than ten seconds, then continued, “The sixth judge cast his vote for chef number 17, Zhou Qida!”

“Numbers 12 and 17 are now only one vote apart!

Who do you think will win?!” the conversations among the guests were ceaseless, a young, beautiful woman exclaimed excitedly.

“I favor number 17 more, he seems like a veteran chef.

His experience and skill must be more profound,” a man confidently guessed.

The man next to him, looking somewhat sleazy, chimed in, “I think so too, number 17 for the championship!

Didn’t you see most of the judges voted for number 17?

Number 12 is too young; he needs a few more years of practice!”

Quite a few guests, including the judges, doubted Su Xuan’s prospects at this critical juncture, but Su Xuan maintained calmness in his heart, inwardly stating: face the result with equanimity.

The audience and the judges became increasingly nervous, while the host was internally ecstatic, then announced, “The seventh judge cast his vote for chef number 17, Zhou Qida.

Now number 12 and number 17 are tied in total votes!

The last vote will decide the champion, whose crown will it be!?”

Zhou Qida made an impressive comeback from being five votes behind Su Xuan to being tied, in just a few minutes.

He stared at Su Xuan with a smug look, “I’ve beaten you!

Kid, go back and grow vegetables!”

“Isn’t there still the last vote?

What’s the rush?” Su Xuan returned a cold look, took a deep breath and waited for the final result.

“The last vote!

The judge cast his vote for…number 12!

Yes!

Number 12 chef Su Xuan, the new Cooking God is born!” The host’s final words ignited the entire competition hall; many from the audience got up and applauded spontaneously, several judges also stood up, Su Xuan stood still, smiling faintly, as if the result was all within his expectations.

Zhou Qida was first shocked, then collapsed to the ground, his face as gray as death, his eyes staring blankly, his mind buzzing with explosion.

After a brief intermission, cheerful music began to play, and the award ceremony started promptly.

“Congratulations, young man, you’ll surely have a bright future!” The organizer handed Su Xuan the trophy, his eyes beaming with appreciation as he praised him.

Su Xuan smiled in response, taking the golden trophy, yet in his heart, he was disdainful, knowing that real strength isn’t measured by competitions.

Surrounded by journalists, Su Xuan made his way through interviews all the way to the first floor lobby of the Manston Hotel.

A large crowd of culinary enthusiasts rushed to take pictures and sought to have photos taken with the Cooking God, which Su Xuan handled with ease; such scenes were nothing to him.

In the crowd of journalists, a stunning presence caught Su Xuan’s attention: nearly 5-foot-7 tall, wearing silver high heels paired with a red dress, her seductive S-curve prominently displayed, those long and shapely legs were flawlessly pale and smooth.

Shifting his gaze upward, the semi-transparent lace design of her low-cut dress revealed a provocative cleavage.

“Mr.

Su, may I have a private interview with you?” Entranced until the female journalist approached him, Su Xuan then heard her sweet voice, swiftly snapping out of his reverie.

Only upon closer inspection did he clearly see the female journalist’s features: an oval face framed with perfectly proportioned facial features, enticing red lips slightly moving, a pointed chin, and long black hair that flowed freely, exuding a fresh aura.

She closely resembled the actress Gao Yuanyuan, her smile overflowing with charm and still retaining a touch of softness.

The female journalist held the microphone, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Su Xuan.

Su Xuan thought in shock, “Is she really a journalist?!

She looks like a female celebrity!

So beautiful it makes me think of committing a crime!”

Maintaining a calm smile on his face, Su Xuan nodded and said, “Yes, of course.”

After declining other journalists’ requests for interviews, Su Xuan and the female journalist walked outside the lobby, followed by a photographer.

“Congratulations, Mr.

Su, on winning this edition of the Cooking God competition. Sёarᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Could you share with us how you’re feeling right now?” the female journalist asked with a smile.

“I’m very excited, especially after seeing you, I’m even more thrilled,” Su Xuan said, his gaze flirtatious as he slickly asked, “Beautiful journalist, could you tell me your name?”

A blush crept over her face as the female journalist turned to the photographer behind her and said, “Don’t film this part, cut it out.”

With an embarrassed smile and a sense of bashful shyness that was compelling, the female journalist faced Su Xuan and said, “My name is Yan Fangfei.”

“Fangfei, that’s a beautiful name, quite pleasant to hear.”

Yan Fangfei felt Su Xuan’s frivolous gaze and lowered her head to smooth her hair, “Can we continue with the interview now, Mr.

Su?”

“Yes!

Yes!” Su Xuan replied with a goofy smile.

Facing a series of formal questions, Su Xuan responded with ease, without faltering, his speech watertight, displaying a confident yet humorous demeanor, which immediately increased Yan Fangfei’s fondness for him.

With a cheerful mood, the interview recording came to an end.

Yan Fangfei told the photographer behind her, “Brother Li, you go wait for me in the car, I’ll be there in a moment.”

Watching the photographer walk away, Su Xuan’s eyes widened in surprise, his mind full of wicked thoughts: What does this mean?!

Is she falling for me?

Does she want to develop this further?

Well, that’s great!

While his mind filled with nasty thoughts, Su Xuan’s facial expression remained perfectly composed.

Yan Fangfei turned back with a slightly shy smile and said, “Mr.

Su, since you have won the champion title in the Cooking God competition, your culinary skills must be quite impressive.

Could you share some experience with me?”

Yan Fangfei, who cherished cooking outside of work and also experimented with cooking techniques, now had the chance to interact with a master chef.

She was overjoyed.

Su Xuan thought provocatively: Sharing experience is simple!

Naked communication, I’ll hold nothing back!

“It’s not really about experiences as such, but mainly about practicing regularly, trying different cuisines, and paying attention to the details in cooking,” Su Xuan replied with an expert’s smile.

“That sounds great!

If there’s a chance in the future, I hope to communicate more with Mr.

Su!” Yan Fangfei exclaimed excitedly.

Catching the scent of Yan Fangfei’s delicate fragrance, Su Xuan’s face took on a mischievous smile, “Sure, let’s set a time for an in-depth one-on-one discussion!”

When he said “in-depth,” Su Xuan stressed the word, even a fool could understand his implication.

Yan Fangfei instantly felt that Su Xuan was somewhat frivolous, but as the saying goes: “No bad boys, no love for the girls.” Such an obvious flirtatious hint made Yan Fangfei’s face grow even redder.

“I should go first, this is my business card, contact me later,” Yan Fangfei said as she took a business card from her bag and handed it to Su Xuan.

When Su Xuan took the business card, he touched Yan Fangfei’s slender fingers and was reluctant to let go.

Yan Fangfei quickly drew back her hand, her heart pounding.

Chen Wanqing came from a distance and exclaimed in surprise, “Su Xuan?”

As Yan Fangfei saw a woman approaching, she hurriedly left, heading toward a distant van.

Su Xuan discreetly pocketed the business card and smiled, waiting for Chen Wanqing to approach.

Having searched the lobby for quite a while without finding Su Xuan, Chen Wanqing was puzzled about his whereabouts.

Finding him now flirting with a beautiful woman, she felt an inexplicable surge of jealousy.

“You’re something, aren’t you?

Winning the championship and even flirting with a beauty!” Chen Wanqing eyed Su Xuan with suspicion, her tone tinged with annoyance.