The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 171 The Reason for Learning to Cook

"It's right in front!"

Yang Xingze pointed to the small house not far ahead.

That's my home.

"That entire area in front belongs to my family."

"Does your family also grow rice?" Looking at the golden rice fields, Qin Lang couldn't help but ask curiously.

"We'll plant it." Yang Xingze nodded. "But we can't compare to those big farmers. The grain my family grows can only supplement our household income."

"Due to the fertile land in Tanju City, many locals with land develop agriculture, and my family is one of them."

Upon hearing Yang Xingze's explanation, Qin Lang and the others nodded in understanding.

Soon, the group arrived at the door of the small house.

"Do you have any elders in your family? Is there anything we should be careful about?" Zhao Qian asked carefully.

“It’s just me and my mom living here.” Yang Xingze shook his head. “My mom has been sick recently and usually rests in her room.”

As he spoke, he gently opened the door, and a young and beautiful figure quickly darted out of the house. "Xingze, you're finally back!"

Upon seeing the girl, who was about the same age as Yang Xingze, walking towards them, Qin Lang and the other three simultaneously turned their astonished gazes toward Yang Xingze.

Is this your bedridden mother?

"Uh..." Guessing what Qin Lang and the others were thinking, Yang Xingze quickly explained, "This is my friend Chi Yu, who lives not far from next door."

“My mom used to do all the cooking at home, but during the time she was sick, Chi Yu has been helping with the cooking.” Yang Xingze said this with a little embarrassment, “My cooking skills… aren’t quite up to par yet.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Lang's lips twitched slightly.

At least this kid has some self-awareness.

If he cooks for his mother, her condition might worsen.

"I'm going to participate in a competition this time, so I specifically asked Xiaoyu to come and help look after my mother," Yang Xingze explained.

"Hello." Chi Yu greeted Qin Lang and the other three in a friendly manner. "If it's not convenient for you, I'll head back now?"

"It's convenient, it's convenient." Zhao Qian and Yu Zaozao stepped forward at the same time, pulling Chi Yu away. "We're the ones who've disturbed you."

The girls' intuition led them to quickly conclude that Chi Yu and Yang Xingze were definitely more than just ordinary friends!
They're definitely going to get their hands on this!
"Come in and talk." Yang Xingze pushed the door open a little. "Qin Lang and the others are friends I met at the competition. Xiao Yu, you can stay too."

Upon hearing this, the group entered the house, sat on the sofa in the living room, and curiously looked around at the scene inside.

Yang Xingze's home wasn't large, but it was decorated very warmly. One of the rooms was closed, which was probably the room where his sick mother was resting.

"I'll go see my mom first." Yang Xingze smiled apologetically at everyone, then gently pushed open the closed door and went inside.

"I heard that the preliminary rounds are divided into ten sub-venues. Did you and Xingze meet in the same sub-venue?"

Chi Yu's question drew everyone's attention back to the living room.

"I'm in the same division as him. Dongdong and Zhao Qian are in other divisions. Yu Zaozao isn't a contestant; she's a food streamer broadcasting the event," Qin Lang explained simply.

“I see.” Chi Yu nodded in understanding, then a complicated expression appeared on her face. “Xingze’s performance… wasn’t very good?” Upon hearing this, Qin Lang immediately showed a strange look.

It wasn't just not good; it was practically being yelled at by the judges.

Seeing Qin Lang's expression, Chi Yu already knew the answer and couldn't help but sigh, "This guy clearly has no talent for cooking, but he insists on learning to cook and even overestimates himself by participating in the competition."

"Why is he so obsessed with cooking?" Zhao Qian couldn't help but ask curiously. "Is there some special reason?"

"I guess so." Chi Yu nodded, glancing at Yang's mother's room. "Actually, Xingze had never cooked before."

"He only started wanting to learn how to cook after his aunt fell ill."

"Is it related to your aunt's illness?" Qin Lang asked proactively. "Has your aunt seen a doctor? What did the doctor say?"

“Persistent fever and weakness, but no other obvious symptoms,” Chi Yu said softly. “After the doctor’s examination, he said that this was caused by physical weakness and overwork, and that I need to rest in bed for a while.”

"After Xingze found out, he always wanted to do something for his aunt."

“He wanted to learn to cook so he could prepare a delicious meal for his aunt himself.” Chi Yu looked helpless. “When I first learned of his idea, I was very supportive and even took the initiative to teach him how to cook.”

“But…this guy doesn’t seem to have any talent for cooking at all.” She scratched her head in frustration. “And yet he’s incredibly stubborn, insisting on doing it his way.”

"So, when he heard that he could get professional food reviews at the cooking competition, he excitedly signed up to participate."

"To cook a meal for his mother..." Qin Lang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "His starting point for learning cooking is quite good."

"The starting point is good, but it would be better if we didn't go." Chi Yu shook her head, both amused and exasperated, and stood up. "It's almost lunchtime. I'll go cook. Do any of you have any dietary restrictions?"

"You should rest," Zhao Qian said with a smile, pulling Chi Yu back to her seat. "We were just talking about it on the way here. We didn't bring any gifts when we visited, so we should bring out our own handicrafts as gifts later."

"So please make sure to leave lunch to us."

“This…” Chi Yu looked at Qin Lang and the other two, her expression hesitant.

In her opinion, Yang Xingze must have been eliminated in the preliminary rounds, so the friends he made in such a short time were most likely also eliminated; people only get to know each other if they share common interests.

Are these people really good cooks?
"Don't worry about leaving the kitchen to them." Yu Zaozao saw through Chi Yu's thoughts, put her arm around her shoulder and chuckled, "Just wait to eat."

"Then... I'll have to trouble you." Chi Yu nodded. "But the kitchen might not have the ingredients you need..."

"Don't worry!" Yu Zaozao held up the bag in her hand, "I've already bought all the ingredients they needed!"

This was an idea that Yu Zaozao, who isn't a very good cook, finally came up with on the way here.

She'll take care of buying the ingredients, so she can justifiably refuse to cook!

"Qin Lang makes fried rice quickly, so I'll start making it first." Zhao Qian took the bag and hurried towards the kitchen.

"Okay." Qin Lang nodded with a smile, "And cook me some rice while you're at it."

Zhao Qian didn't turn her head, but gave an "OK" sign.

“I’m going too!” Cao Dongdong stood up. “There are quite a few steps to prepare egg yolk pastries, so we have to prepare in advance.”

As he spoke, he quickly followed Zhao Qian into the kitchen.

(End of this chapter)