Universe Infinite Canteen-Chapter 601: Going Home

"I can do it for free," Sun Mei said.

"Ah, but Xiao Mei, haven’t you not yet finished your studies in France, you still have one year left for your graduate studies?" Qiu Lele reminded her in a soft voice from the side.

"I could also take a leave of absence," Sun Mei said, "or even drop out, after all, I have no talent in painting."

"Ah, but you don’t have a place to stay in City B," Qiu Lele was still making a last-ditch effort.

"I have no objections to sleeping in the restaurant," Sun Mei declared nonchalantly.

"No way, I do; my restaurant doesn’t keep anyone overnight," Ma Lu stated firmly.

"Then I’ll just go out and rent a place; it’s not a big deal."

"No matter what you say, you can’t change the reality that my kitchen is already fully staffed," Ma Lu said.

Sun Mei fell silent for a few seconds before speaking again, "Then I can work as a waiter, as long as you give me a chance to stay by your side and learn from you up close as you cook."

"But I don’t usually cook," Ma Lu shrugged.

"......"

Sun He grimaced, "You two can discuss your matters privately later, the award ceremony is still going on."

"Fine."

Sun He handed the third-place trophy to Luo Junkang, briefly congratulated him and then announced that the God of Cooking Competition for the Asian Region had officially come to an end.

Ma Lu was also quickly surrounded by a throng of reporters, all their cameras pointed at him.

"Chef Ma Lu, I am Song Sisi, a reporter from Sanya TV Station, congratulations on your final victory, winning the championship of the God of Cooking Competition in the Asian Region, you must be very excited."

"No," Ma Lu said into the microphone, "I knew I would win before the competition; though, getting the prize money still makes me happy."

"Ah, have you thought about how you will spend the prize money?"

"Yes, I just ordered an 800,000-Yuan TV."

"This..."

Song Sisi had never encountered such an interviewee and didn’t know how to continue.

But if she was out of questions, other reporters were waiting for their turn, and soon a South Korean reporter with broken Chinese said.

"Hello, Chef Ma Lu, I am a reporter from MBC-TV. In the second day’s competition, you used an unconventional move to eliminate Chef Cui Junxian. Was it because you were worried that Chef Cui Junxian would affect your chances of becoming a champion?"

"Cui Junxian, who’s that?" Ma Lu countered.

"Chef Cui Junxian is the youngest three-star chef in South Korea, the number one seed player in the Asian Region of the God of Cooking Competition, and had a very high chance of winning the championship before the competition started. It’s impossible you haven’t heard of him."

"No impression, he should at least make it to the last day if he wants me to remember him."

The MBC-TV reporter wanted to ask more, but was quickly interrupted by the reporters behind him.

"Hello, Chef Ma Lu, I am from ’Gourmet & Wine’ magazine, I heard you are actually the boss of Universe Infinite Canteen, not the head chef, so why did you participate in this God of Cooking Competition?"

"Chef Ma Lu, what are your thoughts on the upcoming World Competition?"

"Are there any special people you would like to thank for this championship?"

"What kind of opponent would be worthy of you using both hands?"

"......"

Seeing layers of people inside and outside, David struggled to get to the front but couldn’t make it.

Yu Yitong said to him, "Forget it, Boss Ma has promised us an exclusive interview later, let’s ask him then."

"I didn’t expect he would actually win," David said sentimentally, "Before the competition, he was the least favored person. Boss, you agreed to sponsor him when even his company’s senior management didn’t, and once again, it proves your foresight. Our KPI for the first half of this year looks good too, hehe."

"Stop flattering," Yu Yitong said, "go back to your room and pack your things. The competition is over; we’re going back too."

After Ma Lu had boasted into the microphone for half an hour, he too started to find it somewhat tedious, so he made an excuse and slipped away.

Since the competition was over, he could leave the hotel and went with Qi Shanzhu to a nearby mall to buy some Sanya specialties and flew back to City B overnight.

The next day, when Ma Lu drove to the restaurant, from a distance, he saw Sun Mei squatting outside the restaurant, munching on a pancake.

Ma Lu drove past Universe Infinite Canteen, considering whether to park his car in front of Love Home Odd Jobs Shop and then sneak into the restaurant through the back entrance from the neighborhood.

The thought flashed through his mind but he eventually abandoned it.

Because it was futile.

The restaurant had to open for business, and you could avoid it on the first day but not on the fifteenth.

Ma Lu reversed the car back and parked it in the original spot.

As soon as he got out of the car, Sun Mei walked up to greet him, "Chef Ma Lu."

"Chef Sun Mei, what a coincidence, what brings you here?" Ma Lu got out of the car and feigned surprise upon seeing Sun Mei.

But Sun Mei didn’t buy into his act, "I’ve contacted you multiple times, you didn’t answer my calls or reply to my texts."

"What?" Ma Lu took out his phone, continuing the pretense that it wouldn’t turn on, "Huh, it’s been a black screen, seems like the battery is dead."

"Chef Ma Lu."

"Don’t call me chef anymore, after the God of Cooking Competition, I am not planning to cook again," Ma Lu said.

"Then what should I call you?"

"Sigh, then just call me Boss Ma or Boss Ma like everyone else."

"Boss Ma," Sun Mei said, "when do you think I can start work?"

"I think it would be best if you never did," Ma Lu said, "Haven’t I told you, the kitchen is fully staffed, and your grandfather also doesn’t trust me."

"My grandfather is senile, don’t take what he says to heart. He hopes I will spend my life in Songxiang Inn."

"That sounds not bad though, being young and owning your own restaurant is a dream of many people."

"But then I wouldn’t be able to further improve my culinary skills," Sun Mei said earnestly, "Many years ago, it was the lack of challenge that led me to switch to painting."

"But I really can’t let you into the kitchen."

"I can start as a waiter, until you, Boss Ma, are satisfied. I’ll prove that I have the right to work in the kitchen," Sun Mei’s eyes showed determination.

"It’s not a matter of rights or qualifications," Ma Lu sighed, "Alright, let me ask you a question, why did you choose to make custard buns for the last round yesterday?"

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"Didn’t you tell me to make what I like? The reason I embarked on the path of becoming a chef was that I saw custard buns made in a restaurant and found them cute and delicious.

"That inspired me to want to make them, and the first dish I learned to cook was custard buns, taught to me by my grandfather. Yesterday, I rediscovered that initial love."

"Alright. You can stay at my restaurant, but only in the front area. Without my permission, you are absolutely not to step into the kitchen, hm, but when Old Wang is free, you can ask him any cooking-related questions."