Starry Sky Kindergarten released an open call for chefs that started a hero craze.
Just a day after the announcement, over 20,000 replies had poured in via short video platforms, and views soared past a million.
In recent years, chef-themed shows had faded from grand TV screens. The project that Shen Wei and his team had spearheaded caused a stir in the culinary world.
At first, a few individuals had been aloof, uninterested in participating.
However, once the panel of judges was announced, any lingering doubts evaporated in an instant.
Just looking at the lineup of judges was enough to elucidate the vast connections Starry Sky Kindergarten held within the chef community.
When applications opened, the form was downloaded over 200,000 times within mere hours.
In a claustrophobically tiny, pitch-black room, Jiang Xun downloaded an application form too.
Despite having it in hand, however, he hesitated.
His recent days had been exceptionally rough.
Once a handsome young man, he now sported a scruffy beard, appearing sullen and despondent.
While he was still contemplating whether to join the contest, he received a phone call.
"Big Brother, did you see the chef competition at the Starry Sky Kindergarten? Are you going to participate?" His Junior Brother sought his thoughts.
Jiang Xun asked, "Did Master send you to ask me?"
His Junior Brother faltered slightly, "No, I wanted to ask personally! If you are participating, I won't. Who could beat you? If I participate, it will be in vain."
Jiang Xun responded, "I'm still deciding."
His Junior Brother tried to alleviate his concerns, stating, "I will try to convince the Master about the misunderstandings with him, so don't be too disheartened."
He could hear the comfort in the words of his Junior Brother, but something still felt off.
After exchanging some pleasantries, they hung up.
His current state of mind had become problematic.
Living in this lightless little room was not out of frugality, but rather out of an aversion to sunlight.
He yearned to hide away in the darkness, which felt safe.
To share more, Jiang Xun had been considered a prodigy among young chefs in the past.
Well-known masters in the industry had complimented his cooking for its natural aptitude.
There is a saying about prodigies in the culinary world. It might sound funny, but it's true.
Even with the same ingredients, same seasonings used in the same sequence, the delicate nuances and timing can't be learned merely by instruction. It requires meticulous adjustments repeatedly.
Not only was Jiang Xun talented, but he was also incredibly dedicated.
Once, he was the favored disciple of his Master.
Everyone believed that he would eventually inherit his Master's legacy.
Despite the Master having two sons and a daughter, none had any interest in the culinary world.
Often, the Master would express his sentiment that his legacy would eventually belong to Jiang Xun.
Having heard it reiterated so many times, Jiang Xun almost started believing it.
However, he didn’t expect a curveball.
The Master’s wife took a fancy to him and insisted on marrying their daughter to him.
The Master's daughter, a brash tomboy known for neglecting her studies and having questionable boyfriends, was someone Jiang Xun had long seen as a neighbor’s kid. He had no fondness for her.
For other matters, Jiang Xun might relent.
But for significant life decisions like marriage, one cannot ignore fate.
So, he respectfully declined the advances of the Master's wife.
Unexpectedly, Master's wife held a grudge against him, cursing him as an ungrateful, faithless wolf. Although the Master didn't say a word, his attitude towards him gradually cooled off.
Accusing him of being ungrateful!
In the end, they forced him to leave. That alone would have been enough.
However, they continued to tarnish his reputation online, portraying him as a soft rice man.
It was as if he had toyed with others' feelings and deceived them to obtain the recipes, only to later refuse the agreed marriage proposal.
Such actions led those unaware of the truth to curse him online. This issue was a hot topic at the time. Many people found his phone number online and even sent him excessive parcels.
Everyone was biting their teeth in hatred towards him, wishing they could punish him.
Not everyone can endure being exposed online.
During that time, he realized that his own state was very wrong.
He refused to see the sunlight, only feeling secure in the darkness. He didn't understand why they claimed he was ungrateful.
After going there, he worked diligently for three years without any rewards.
He adhered to all the old traditions and rules faithfully.
Moreover, he didn't just work for free for three years; he had already done so for five.
When Master was teaching, there was no particular favor towards him. Everyone was taught the same. However, the abilities of Jiang Xun stood out a bit more.
Involuntarily, Master paid a bit more attention to him, and that was it.
If he knew beforehand that the condition was to become his son-in-law, he would rather not learn.
Frustrated, Jiang Xun thought, could a man like him be driven to death by this affair?
But, indeed, he could be.
He had been shut in this small room for over a month.
He would always close the private message area when going online, afraid to see any related videos. He knew his state was off, but this was the only way he felt temporarily comfortable.
But while his mind was at ease, his body was not.
The cramped little dark room was too damp and cold.
He started getting a rash on his body. Probably due to many sleepless nights, his complexion didn't look good.
He wanted to open a shop.
But his capital was very limited; he would inevitably have to show his face initially.
Although the heat of the situation had just passed, some people still remembered the incident.
He didn't want to meet people, just wanted a decent job.
But his Master had some sway in the chef world.
Most big restaurants would politely reject his resume.
The smaller restaurants couldn't afford a chef like him.
When he saw an online contest, he was indeed tempted for a moment.
Moreover, among the judges was a teacher who once praised him endlessly.
All this made him feel secure.
He had already decided to go until a call from his junior brother left him instantly alert.
Perhaps the Master was also watching; he didn't want any contact with Master and his network.
He thought about leaving the city if things didn't work out.
To go elsewhere. After all, the world is vast, and he will surely find a place for himself.
But he felt a sense of injustice. Why should he become destitute simply for rejecting an arranged marriage?
Vexed and caught in a dilemma, he was truly in distress.
After spending a full two days, he finally filled out the application form and sent it in.
There would be a small written test beforehand.
He would have to go on site to confirm for the written test.
After more than a month, he was exposed to the glaring sun once again.
For an instant, he even felt disoriented.
He adjusted to the sunshine soon enough.
He then proceeded to Starry Sky Kindergarten's pop-up store.
The furniture such as tables and chairs were already present when they arrived.
Upon entering, he looked around and didn't spot anyone familiar. He then partook in a simple exam, filled mostly with multiple-choice and true or false questions!
Having learned cooking from a young age, these questions were simple for him.
Within less than 30 minutes, he submitted his exam.
Among all, he was the first to turn in his paper. Upon leaving, he saw Chef Liu.
Chef Liu was a plump figure, he probably had been with kindergarten for a long time, rendering him a benevolent and kind-hearted vibe.
Even though Jiang Xun had never interacted with him, he had heard about Chef Liu's reputation before.
As time passed, it seemed as if Chef Liu was also a part of his life.
He thought about greeting him.
However, concerning his reputation at the moment, he felt a bit downcast.
Chef Liu, with his sharp senses, noticed this immediately and said, "You were the first to hand in the paper, not bad at all, be sure to perform well in tomorrow's competition."
Tomorrow there would be two rounds of elimination competitions. The first round would consist of every competitor making their signature dish, and the second round would require everyone to prepare a dish based on specific instructions.
Moreover, from tomorrow, the event would be broadcast live.
Jiang Xun wanted to express his thanks to Chef Liu.
However, he hadn't spoken with anyone in over a month.
It felt as if his ability to speak had regressed.
In the end, he left abruptly in an embarrassing situation.
Chef Liu didn't mind, he just thought that this young man had some personality.