At the cooking competition, the intense engagement skyrockets due to a mysterious ordeal at the cake station.
Everyone finally grasped the profundity of the deputy director’s words: Notoriety is still popularity.
They returned the sponsorship to the Gu Corporation as agreed.
However, the myriad of cooking brands and seasoning product placements were enough to make them roll in wealth.
The more engrossed a subject, the more it draws people in.
Many prominent chefs desired to join as judges.
Seeing the scenario, Chef Liu made a timely retreat.
He wasn’t aiming for the spotlight.
It was just before, this was his own business; hence, he needed to show support.
Without any option, he had to entrust the heavy load of affairs at the Starry Sky Kindergarten to his old friend Chef Zhang for the time being.
But he had hardly left and Doctor Lu had already started losing weight.
He was worried about his colleagues and the little tykes.
Seeing so many interested in being judges, he was delighted to retreat timely.
He was eager to get back to cooking.
The colleagues at Starry Sky Kindergarten were a bit taken aback to see Chef Liu return.
Contestants at the other end were becoming popular.
Among the judges, Chef Liu enjoyed the highest popularity.
His fans lovingly called him Grandpa Liu.
Even, those of the same age as him, leaving Chef Liu flabbergasted.
"Why are you back?" A colleague asked.
Chef Liu said, "I couldn't leave all this chaos behind."
His life had been a roller coaster, learning young, getting fame in middle age, had students, and was also let go by his half-life of service unit.
His journey had ups and downs.
Although not monumental, he had had his moments of zenith.
His desire for fame and fortune was not as satisfying as cooking a delicious meal for Starry Sky Kindergarten.
Gasping at Chef Liu's magnanimity brought tears to the eyes' of his fellow colleagues.
That's why they said he stood high in grace.
When the same situation confronts them, not all are likely to be as detached as Chef Liu.
After all, wealth blinds one's sight!
But soon, his old friend started calling.
Chef Liu spent the whole day answering calls that day.
Since he withdrew from the program, many have been calling.
Some convincing him to return, some labeling him a fool, claiming fame is synonymous with money.
By his age, with children, even if he doesn’t leave some for himself, he should think more about future generations.
Who would say no to more money in this era?
Chef Liu assumed it was regarding the same issue.
He was in a hurry to explain.
But who would have thought this was something different?
The next phone call came from one of the ten chief judges, who said to Liu Chef, "Hey, did you hear? Si Jing joined the competition."
"What?" Chef Liu was startled.
He understood.
But thinking about it again, it just didn’t seem believable.
Si Jing was Jiang Xun's master.
In the industry, he was on par with Chef Liu, and his skills were not inferior.
While others began judging, this master-level person chose to participate in the competition.
Moreover, everyone knows about the drama between Si Jing and Jiang Xun.
This time the TV station brought up the master-disciple drama, which was another high point.
For their show’s rating, these people at the TV station were being rather shameless.
Chef Liu felt somewhat indignant.
In his interactions with Jiang Xun during this period, he found him to be a good kid.
On the contrary, he had some discontentment towards Si Jing.
No matter what, a mentor shouldn't oppress a disciple to death, right? Just because he turned down a marriage.
The Qing Dynasty has been long extinct.
How could arranged marriage still exist? Nowadays, it's all about finding someone you genuinely like.
Nevertheless, to repay a debt of gratitude by risking one's lifelong happiness was entirely unreliable.
Ever since Jiang Xun was publicly humiliated by his master, he had been rejected by all major restaurants, refusing his association.
Si Jing's recent visit even carried an ill intent that he could sense. He found it hard to believe that no one else could sense it.
At that moment, Chef Liu regretted backing out of the competition.
If he hadn't, he could have protected Jiang Xun on site.
Being the type of person to worry about others, he had grown softer-hearted since working at the Starry Sky Kindergarten and couldn’t bear to see others suffering.
Just as Chef Liu was sighing deeply, Shen Wei happened to walk over, "Let me share some good news."
Chef Liu asked, "What good news?"
Shen Wei revealed, "Jiang Xun withdrew from the competition. He wants to join us at Starry Sky Kindergarten."
Chef Liu immediately perked up, "Really?"
Shen Wei confirmed, "Of course. His master participating in the competition was clearly forcing him into a corner. Jiang Xun knew he would inevitably get dragged into the drama linked to his past. His withdrawal not only gives his master a way out but also swiftly extricates himself from this swirl."
It was indeed a wise choice.
Despite being young and amidst crisis, he made a decision favoring his own interests which was undeniably astute.
Invitations were pouring in for the hot-topic, Jiang Xun, and the offered salaries were not low.
However, upon joining Starry Sky Kindergarten, it's no longer the time for random bidding.
As Starry Sky Kindergarten expanded gradually and started following proper procedures, the initial salary offer was 20,000.
Choosing to join Starry Sky Kindergarten, despite the circumstances, filled Shen Wei with joy.
After all, among the contestants, he was exceptionally talented.
If not for his master's interference, he would undoubtedly have been in the top three of the competition.
"That's great!" Chef Liu felt somewhat elated and immediately called Jiang Xun.
Upon learning that Jiang Xun had nowhere to live, Chef Liu instantly suggested, "Come and stay at Starry Sky Kindergarten. I'll arrange a room for you!"
With fewer children and plenty of rooms, making one available wasn't an issue.
Jiang Xun arrived on the same day.
Chef Liu gave Jiang Xun's shoulder a pat.
There were some things hard to vocalize, as it might seem like rubbing salt into the wound. But the affection he felt for him was conveyed through his gesture.
Jiang Xun was in good spirits.
Participating in the competition earned him numerous fans. Many apologized to him for past wrongs.
What he sought was not the apology from his assailants but the warmth offered through the internet — a feeling of relaxation like never before.
Upon arriving at Starry Sky Kindergarten, thoughts of gratitude emerged.
After all, if it wasn't for Starry Sky Kindergarten hosting this culinary competition, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to escape from his depressed and gloomy surroundings.
"Join us from tomorrow then. Your salary here will be 20,000. Plus, there's a 100,000 buy-out clause for your creative rights. The finance department will detail it later, in any case, our welfare benefits are quite decent," Chef Liu informed.
Jiang Xun responded, "Then I'll get familiar with the kitchen."
He was in a new place and wanted to make a good impression.
"Sure," responded Liu Chef immediately, "show us what you've got today!"
He then brought him to the kitchen.
There were quite a few helpers in the kitchen, and the chopping board was spotless.
All types of pots were neatly arranged, making for a very pleasing view.
This sparked interest in Jiang Xun, who promptly made one of his signature dishes: dry pot cauliflower.
This is a dish that suits all, whether young or old, male or female.
Moreover, he cooked it just right, achieving the perfect balance between cooked and raw, while maintaining the crisp tenderness of the cauliflower.
Even though it's a simple dish, the crispy texture it offers doesn't come without effort.
It was heavily complimented that day.
Everyone was used to the meals prepared by Liu Chef and Chen Chef.
Today's arrival of the newcomer soon got everyone applauding.
The dry pot cauliflower was the first to be finished.
Also, many people complimented genuinely on how delicious Jiang Xun's cooking was.
Even the little children followed suit, saying, "Brother, your food is really yummy."
The children of Starry Sky Kindergarten seem to grow up surrounded by love.
Hence, they excel in expressing their love.
Added to that, the children's innocent praises touched Jiang Xun deeply, and in a moment of emotion, he gave one of the kids a hug.
However, he let go pretty quickly.
A child, a bit upset, reached out his tiny hand, wanting another hug.
Thinking, 'Gosh, why can't adults hug properly?'
So Jiang Xun held the little one in his arms again.
Feeling the soft little body against his chest,
It dawned on him why people loved Starry Sky Kindergarten - the place was indeed therapeutic.