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C120 – A Dangerous Situation

​”I plan to befriend through cooking and utterly ruin this young culinary prodigy, Grandmaster!” Wu Grandmaster declared, a flicker of ruthlessness crossing his face. “To become a Grandmaster of the culinary arts before thirty is a rare gift. We can’t allow him to reach his full potential!”

Second Master Xue was taken aback by these words, visibly shaken. “Wu Grandmaster, are you truly set on challenging this young Grandmaster, whom you’ve never even met, to a cook-off?”

“This…” Second Master Xue was so shocked that he faltered, uncertainty creeping in.

A cook-off was a way for chefs to settle their disputes. It was a high-stakes gamble only entered into when chefs had irreconcilable differences. Both chefs would prepare their dishes, and the masses would taste and cast their votes for their preferred creation. The chef with the most votes would triumph.

The outcome of such a contest could be harsh for the chefs involved. By tradition, the losing chef had to ‘seal the saber,’ cutting off all ties with the culinary path and forgoing the practice of their craft forever.

Sensing Second Master Xue’s concern, Wu Grandmaster feigned ease, “Does Second Master Xue doubt my abilities?”

Startled by the question, Second Master Xue quickly clarified, “Not at all! Not at all! I have every confidence in Wu Shi’s invincibility!”

Pleased by the flattery, Wu Shi beamed, and the two shared a knowing glance before erupting into hearty laughter.

……

The following afternoon, Xue Zixi arrived early at Jiang Hao’s home, eagerly awaiting his return. Soon after, Jiang Hao came back from school.

“Jiang Grandmaster, here’s a bank card with 150 million for you,” Xue Zixi announced, presenting a sleek black gold card as she placed it on the table in Jiang Hao’s living room.

Before Jiang Hao could respond, Xue Zixi produced another card, this one purple with a diamond etching. “Jiang Grandmaster, this is the Supreme Level membership card from Heavenly-Mansion Tavern, a modest gesture of my esteem.”

Xue Zixi swiftly pulled out a stack of contracts from her bag and extended them towards me with both hands.

“Here are the contracts I drafted this morning, including the agreement for transferring 3% of the shares in Heavenly-Mansion Tavern. Please review them, Grandmaster Jiang.”

“If everything looks good to you, Grandmaster Jiang, you can sign right here.”

She indicated the signature line on the contract’s final page.

I gave Xue Zixi a surprised glance before accepting the documents from her. The two cards she slid across the table, however, didn’t seem to catch my immediate interest.

I scrutinized the contract’s clauses carefully, ensuring there were no hidden clauses that might be unfair. Satisfied, I picked up the pen and signed my name. In truth, I had brushed up on my legal knowledge just today to make sure I could fully understand the contract and its implications.

Fortunately, Xue Zixi hadn’t laid any traps within the document.

Otherwise, she would’ve learned the hard way that a Grandmaster is not to be trifled with.

“Pleasure doing business with you, Grandmaster Jiang!”

Xue Zixi reviewed the signed contract, then with a beaming smile, she offered me a handshake.

I returned the gesture, lightly clasping her soft hand.

“Pleasure doing business with you!”

……

And so, as the days slipped by, June 8th finally came around.

After breakfast, I gathered my exam tools and admission ticket, ready to make my way to the test center.

Just then, my mother quickly set aside what she was doing and began searching for her clothes.

“Hao, just wait a moment while I get dressed. I’ll come with you,” she said.

Hearing this, I promptly reached out to stop her.