"Could we hurry up a bit, Miss Huaizhi..." he rasped, urging, "A beautiful sight is not something you can eat. This dish, what's truly important, hurry up and serve it!"

"Don't rush, the rice just got warm."

Huai Shi calmly reassured the guest in front of him, reached out, and pressed down on the clay pot. The forging began—in an instant, heavy steam burst forth from the gaps and holes, enveloping an indescribably enticing aroma.

Even Shenjin Qing in the audience couldn't help but clench his hands tightly, gripping his knees, eyes wide open.

Was it anger, astonishment, or envy?

This intense aroma actually surpassed his own!

When the pot lid was lifted, a dazzling golden light erupted, illuminating everyone's eyes. Exquisite fish swirled in the pot, the rich flavor unique to pufferfish overflowing like a flood, engulfing everything.

Guo ShouQue slowly raised his eyebrows in apparent amazement.

But Huai Shi couldn't hide his dissatisfaction and regret.

Ultimately... the heat still fell a bit short.

"What are we waiting for?" Guo ShouQue tightened his chopsticks, urging eagerly, "Come on, come on, Miss Huaizhi, I can't wait any longer!"

"Hold on... there's one last step."

Huai Shi raised his hand, opened the jar beside him, and poured the long-simmered fish broth over the pufferfish pot. Instantly, the rich, sweet aroma contracted inward and disappeared without a trace.

All the wonderful flavors had been fully condensed into the pot.

And now floating atop the pufferfish pot was... pickled cabbage?

Exactly, it was an ingredient that all Chef Demons could clearly discern, a pickled product crafted using Dongxia techniques—but what angered everyone was, it was just a casually made, crude product!

Like a scruffy man boldly barging into an elegantly dressed cold buffet.

On the stage, Shenjin Qing roared in fury: "What are you doing, Huai Shi! You're ruining this dish!"

"Shut up!"

The one who rebuked him with an angry roar was unexpectedly Guo ShouQue.

The elderly man's moment of clarity from his daze, he looked up, angrily scolding, "Young brat, allowing you to witness this duel is already an honor, don't push your luck, or make a fool of yourself!"

Shenjin Qing stood frozen in place.

Meanwhile, Guo ShouQue's expression grew grave, looking down intently at the pickled cabbage pufferfish pot in front of him.

"Such thick and fierce affection, it's truly astonishing! This isn't San Tu's culinary style..." he murmured with emotion, "Miss Huaizhi, who is the real creator of this?"

"You only need to know it was a mysterious, beautiful young lady," Huai Shi whistled, gazing down at the dish he created.

Satisfied studying.

On this long night, besides repeatedly honing and mastering the memories belonging to all the Chef Demons from the Book of Fate, what Huai Shi practiced most intently was the Orchard Secret Love Recipe borrowed on short notice from Luo Xian.

Although Huai Shi was quite dissatisfied that he made food specifically for someone else, she still gave him all-out support. Over the phone, Luo Xian guided him step-by-step, finally mastering the dish—a delicacy filled with a daughter's love and care, made specifically for an aging father!

"Quick, try it, made especially for the old man's health."

Huai Shi reached out, pushing the pot forward, eagerly anticipating his reaction.

In silence, Guo ShouQue cautiously lifted his hand, picked up a piece of fish covered in thick sauce and layered with pickled cabbage, and placed it in his mouth. As if swallowing a treasure.

Feeling an unstoppable abyssal love overflow from his mouth.

The sound of chewing was piercing.

Like blades clashing against each other.

In the dead silence, everyone looked up in shock, staring at Guo ShouQue's moving lips, watching the blood and even loose teeth slowly flow down from his mouth...

As if there was an invisible, sharp axe chopping inside his mouth, unrestrained love transformed into a terrible power, wrecking havoc within his body.

Every bite brought with it a stream of blood and broken teeth.

This is the price of accepting this love!

It's unimaginable, just how abnormal, how crazy it must be to imbue such heavy emotions into a recipe?

"Love so intense to this extent... it's practically not family violence, but murder, Miss Huaizhi."

In the midst of torment, the elderly Chef Demon moaned in satisfaction, as sharp teeth regrew on his exposed gums: "However... it truly feels invigorating! How many years has it been since I've savored such passionate care from my juniors!"

"More!" he said, "More!"

He picked up the empty bowl and impatiently wanted to reach out with his chopsticks, but was stopped by Huai Shi.

As the old man frowned angrily, he saw Huai Shi's concerned expression: "Eating only dishes hurts your stomach, want some rice?"

A bowl of steaming white rice was placed in front of the old man.

The humble rice grains reflected a crystal-clear shine, the steam rising temptingly.

Guo ShouQue took the bowl, tasted a bite, and as his teeth closed, he couldn't help but widen his eyes: "This is..."

In his mouth, without needing to chew, even with just a slight pressure from his tongue, the firm rice grains would melt on their own, turning into a flavorful porridge that flowed along in his mouth.

A subtle indescribable sweetness and pleasantness rose in his heart.

He couldn't help but reveal a genuine smile, becoming serene and peaceful, unable to resist basking, indulging in this warm, rich, simple taste.

To make ordinary rice so remarkable!

"What kind of rice is this?"

"Just white rice, or rather... my special 'soft rice'," Huai Shi said with a smile. "I don't have a great stomach, the doctor advised me to steam the rice softer before eating... How is it? Tasty?"

"Delicious, very delicious!"

Guo ShouQue's chopsticks shoveled some rice, eagerly taking a large bite, closing his eyes in enjoyment: "The flavor is excellent, captivating, and enviable... I really want to eat this rice every day."

Thus, a large bite of fish, a large bite of rice.

Guo ShouQue began to feast eagerly.

Indulging in that suffocating and desperate love, accompanied by the simple yet richly fragrant rice, the two sensations merging created an unprecedented, peculiar feeling.

But soon, a thick sense of loss rose in his heart.

For when that love and simplicity intertwined, the dreamlike experience was too entrancing.

But, that wonderful flavor faded too quickly.

Like catching a hurried glance through a window.

Wanting to see more, wanting to appreciate more, wanting to possess it forever... desire to... want to have it!

Guo ShouQue's movements paused for a moment.

Frozen in place.

Unknowingly, his expression had twisted.

He found himself, unexpectedly, starting to feel jealous!

Jealousy.

At this moment, Guo ShouQue, felt sincere jealousy towards Huai Zhisu in front of him.

When envy and jealousy surfaced, neither the fish nor rice could bring any enjoyment, instead, they became more aggravating.

He no longer wanted to eat...

Enough, more than enough, why is there still so much!

He looked at the pot, which appeared unchanged, yet felt too full, unable to consume more, devoid of any taste...

But frustratingly, he couldn't stop...

Why was he so humble?

Was this food meant for feeding dogs?!