Who gave this heretical practitioner permission to cook?

Chapter 230 I Won! Can You Date Her? I Really Like Her Type~ (First Update)
"Beijing Chefs Association Headquarters, Waiting Room"

Xia Ming was flipping through a local food magazine.

This is the latest version, mainly intended for distribution in areas with high tourist traffic. It is considered a culinary guide certified by the Chefs Association.

Because Qiao Ruoning always believed in the principle of "the sooner the better," they booked their plane tickets very early.

They were already sitting here waiting at 8 a.m. for the "Final Selection Round of Level 5 Chinese Language and Literature" which was originally scheduled to start at 10 a.m. this morning.

Of course, he wasn't just sitting there quietly staring at the magazine in front of him. Although there was no one around him, there were many different voices pouring into his ears.

"Xiao Li, were you alright yesterday?"

"I've made all the arrangements here. I'll be transporting all the athletes to the stadium shortly."

"We need to take this seriously! This and the subsequent exchange matches!"

"Originally, I should have been relaxed and at ease, but now I'm rushing around in a panic, stumbling and crawling."

At first, it sounded normal, but when he heard the last one, Xia Ming was stunned.

"Seriously, do your staff read internet jokes while using the restroom? Aren't there any filters in the restroom?"

Xia Ming wasn't clear on the local chefs' association's operating logic, but he did know that many restrooms in major internet companies didn't have cell phone signal.

"However, I must say, even though it's a joke that I don't quite understand, the song is still pretty good."

Smiling, Xia Ming touched his right ear with the back of his hand. A faint red light flashed, and all the noise disappeared instantly.

It should be self-evident that Xia Ming's current ability to "have ears behind the walls" is precisely the result of breaking through the blood gate in his right ear after absorbing the blood soul from the horseshoe crab blood.

Previously, his left ear had only made his hearing a little more sensitive, but now that his left and right ears were connected, his hearing was greatly enhanced.

Although it hasn't made any substantial improvements to cooking yet, the range of this hearing ability is quite large, making it great for gathering information or sensing dangers in advance.

Of course, being able to hear it is a good thing, but the constant intrusion of strange noises can be quite annoying.

"After turning off my right ear, my hearing returned to what it was like after my left ear was enhanced, about four times more sensitive than the average person."

"No different from some people who are born with exceptionally keen hearing."

In fact, having superior hearing in the city is not a particularly good thing. People with this talent often have "natural perfect pitch".
This makes it difficult for them to adapt to noisy environments. Chest tightness and shortness of breath are minor problems. It is common for them to be unable to sleep all night because they can hear things too clearly.

This results in many people with exceptional hearing also experiencing some symptoms of neurasthenia; it's a trade-off.

Of course, Xia Ming didn't have this problem, because if he found it troublesome, he could simply seal his left ear.
Just after he finished testing the "walls have ears" feature, a light footstep sound appeared at the door.

Xia Ming knew that it wasn't Qiao Ruoning's voice, because her footsteps would be slightly heavier.

"So, have some players arrived?"

Thinking to himself, Xia Ming turned his head to look.

After the door opened, a girl with wispy bangs and two braids on either side of her hair walked in cautiously.

Upon seeing Xia Ming, she looked embarrassed, then quietly greeted him before slipping away to the side.

Xia Ming simply nodded slightly as he looked at her.

It wasn't that he was being impolite or putting on airs; it was simply because Qiao Ruoning had told him about it beforehand yesterday.

"This final round of the 'Hua 5 Level Final Selection' had a total of 119 contestants from 17 qualifying regions across the country. They ultimately gathered in the Beijing area for two rounds of competition over three days."

"Of the 119 contestants, only 24 were able to successfully advance to the Hua 5 level."

In response, Xia Ming asked curiously why the proportion was so low.

Qiao Ruoning, however, stated that this was a decision made by the Chefs Association itself.

"Generally speaking, there are two sessions a year in previous years, with a total of about 80 people advancing nationwide."

"Theoretically speaking, in spring and autumn, there should be 36 to 40 people at a time."

"But it's a bit strange that only 24 spots were given out in this spring competition. One possibility is that there were too many outstanding performers in the 'New Chef Competition,' so the Chef Association wanted to add an additional 'Chinese Level 5' qualifying round."

Of course, this is just her personal opinion, and there's no word yet that this situation will definitely occur.

Xia Ming was just asking casually. After all, even if only one person advances this year, he was confident that it would be him.

Not to mention that now it only takes three rounds, and a total of 24 people have advanced.

In addition to the number of people who advanced, Qiao Ruoning also specifically mentioned to Xia Ming several contestants who skipped the preliminaries this year through special channels.

"Besides skipping the preliminary rounds because you came in first place in the 'New Chef Competition,' there are three other ways to skip the preliminary rounds."

"One: Obtaining the overseas "West 7 level" rating or the Sunrise Island "Famous Kitchen" rating can skip the "Chinese 5 level" preliminary round."

"To be honest, this situation is rare in previous years because both of these exams are quite difficult, and it is relatively easy to find employment or pursue further studies locally after the exams. Going through a roundabout way is actually somewhat unnecessary."

"But this year, there are actually two such contestants."

"First is Chef Kang Xincheng, a 'Level 7' Western chef. He was originally just a Level 3 Chinese chef who graduated from a culinary school in China. I don't know when, but he inexplicably wanted to start studying Western cuisine."

"After a two-year hiatus from studying Chinese cuisine, he qualified for the 'Gallic Western Cooking Competition,' emerging victorious from among more than 5 Western chefs as a Chinese individual."

"He ultimately defeated the veteran French chef 'Leonde' and won the 'French Western Cooking Competition'."

"This was the first time Huaxia had won the championship in this competition. At the time, the media publicized it extensively, believing it to be the best bridge between Chinese and Western cuisine."

"Similar to the 'New Chef Competition' in China, the champion of the 'Gallic Western Cooking Competition' receives direct entry into the next round."

“In previous years, it was always Level 6 in the West, but this year it was probably to make way for that local ‘French cuisine prince,’ so they made an exception and set it at Level 7 in the West.”

"Hilarious! That 'French Cuisine Prince' fell in the final four, which actually benefited Kang Xincheng."

When Xia Ming heard about this bizarre experience, he thought the guy was very old. He didn't expect that he was only 27 years old.

After receiving this honor, he was interviewed by CTV1. Many competitions invited him to be a judge back then, and he also owns two "creative cuisine" restaurants.

Perhaps it was a sudden whim to come back and continue learning Chinese cuisine, or perhaps it was for some other reason, but in any case, Kang Xincheng used his identity to participate in this "Chinese Cuisine Level 5" advancement exam.

"While Kang Xincheng's experience was bizarre, the experience of this boy named 'Jing Ran' was no less remarkable."

"Jingran is a boy of mixed Chinese and Xiong descent, with a very Xiong-like appearance. He studied cooking for ten years on Sunrise Island."

"Finally, even in the strictly hierarchical environment of Sunrise Island, he managed to pass the exam and secure the position of 'Master Chef.'"

The Japanese call him "Kokoyama Seizo," saying that their techniques are very similar.

"Originally, it was thought that after Koyama Seizo died, they would find a 'famous chef' to promote, and the most popular one was this 'Ii Momiji.'"

"Unexpectedly, Koyama Seizo's fiancée has made a comeback." At the time, Qiao Ruoning even brought out a lot of information about "Igarashi Fuko," indicating that this woman was not easy to deal with.

"Perhaps out of resentment, 'Jingran' came to the country with his new identity. Indeed, although the advancement rate in China is not high, it is much fairer than that on Sunrise Island."

"Aside from these two methods of passing exams in other countries and then coming to China to advance, there are other ways to skip the preliminary rounds."

"The second option: If you get three recommendation letters at the 'Master Chef' level or above, you can skip the preliminary selection for any of the 'Hua 5' or 'Hua 6' exams."

"To be honest, this condition is no different from not writing it at all. After all, there are only so many 'God of Cookery' still alive. If all three of them agree, it's no different from directly acknowledging that you are at Hua 7-8 level."

"Since this regulation was introduced, I've never seen it used."

What was said unintentionally was taken to heart by Xia Ming. Qiao Ruoning didn't mean it that way, but Xia Ming took it to heart.

Of course, we'll discuss that later.
"The last option is to obtain the 'Medicinal Cuisine Professional Qualification Certificate' in the 'Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy Department,' and then, according to their rating system, achieve the 'top-level' certification before moving on to the 'chef' track."

"To be honest, very few people have a scientific background in 'medicinal cuisine,' and reaching the top level is even more difficult."

"Unexpectedly, three people passed the 'Hua Level 5' exam this time. I even suspect that the Culinary Association brought in reinforcements."

"It's because it's so rare that I didn't even bother to learn about their system at first. It was my best friend who got the information for me."

The three people are named Jiang Chuanhong, Yang Hongjie, and Hu Xing.

"Among them, 'Jiang Chuanhong' is 42 years old and a famous master of medicinal cuisine. His father, 'Jiang Jian,' is the current president of the Medicinal Cuisine Association. I wonder if he's just trying to ride the wave of popularity because this 'Hua 5th Level' competition is being broadcast live."

"Yang Hongjie is said to be involved in 'medicinal food integration,' having developed several series of medicinal cuisine dishes, including 'Five Elements Soup,' which have a great reputation, but don't sell well. He may be here to engage in commercial operations."

"As for 'Hu Xing,' all I know is that her family is in the medicinal herb business. She studied medicine and cooking from a young age. She's very shy, the kind of person with a personality like a little rabbit, a quiet and unassuming person."

"The skill level of the three of them is uncertain; after all, no one knows what kind of dishes the medicinal cuisine specialist will prepare."

When they were discussing the materials, Qiao Ruoning showed Xia Ming a photo. Xia Ming took a second look at the "Hu Xing" in the photo because her outfit was similar to Qiao Ruoning's previous one.

Therefore, upon seeing the girl enter, he recognized her immediately.

Qiao Ruoning had told him before that the least awkward way to greet someone is to be as concise as possible, so that she doesn't feel like you didn't see it, and also so that she doesn't feel like you care too much.

Otherwise, she would inexplicably feel conflicted.
This is why Xia Ming didn't show much emotion when he saw Hu Xing.

Just after Hu Xing hid to the side, the door was pushed open again, and this time Qiao Ruoning walked in with a boy.

"Leave a green letter, okay? Let's chat more in the future. Even if you're not interested in me, at least give me a chance!"

Qiao Ruoning was speechless at the sight of "Jing Ran" next to her. She admitted that the mixed-race Chinese and Xiong people were really handsome, but she really didn't like talking to people who looked like they were just clinging to girls!

If Jing Ran only wanted her as his green letter recipient, she probably gave it to him to avoid trouble.

But this bastard had already asked for 7 green letters before he met Qiao Ruoning, and he even went after the receptionist of the Chef Association branch.

This isn't a player, it's a teddy bear!

Upon seeing Xia Ming, Qiao Ruoning rushed over and sat down next to him.

Xia Ming understood the situation as soon as he saw this.

Thinking about what happened with "Fang Xiao" last time, Xia Ming didn't move his seat. In fact, they usually got along just like colleagues and had never been this close.

Seeing Qiao Ruoning like this, Jing Ran's eyes showed no fear whatsoever, only excitement!
Seeing the panic in Hu Xing's eyes, Jing Ran ran straight to Xia Ming.

"Are you her boyfriend? Fiancé? Or are you already married?"

Xia Ming glanced at him calmly, then smiled.

"I'm his boss, is there anything I can help you with?"

Jing Ran raised an eyebrow, as if he were taking notes.

"Wow, there's such a pose? ~ An employee and the boss?"

"Wait, you're not Xia Ming! Hahaha! You're Xia Ming!"

Having recognized Xia Ming, Jing Ran's longing for Qiao Ruoning instantly shifted to Xia Ming.

"Nice to meet you! I heard that Koyama Seizo's death is related to you~"

Seeing Jing Ran's seemingly harmless face, yet hearing such words, Xia Ming smiled.

"That's an interesting point. If we're going to judge all the unexpected events on variety shows this way, then you and I must be somewhat related~"

Perhaps not expecting Xia Ming's reply, Jing Ran's expression froze for a moment, but then he smiled again.

"So that means we've become acquainted~ We're buddies, how about this, if I beat you in the cooking competition, you can have your employee date me!"

"I really love this one!"

Xia Ming looked at Jing Ran with great interest. He rarely saw people like this in the city.

However, such disciples are commonplace in the Nine Provinces Continent. It's just unclear whether Jing Ran is pretending to understand when he's confused, or pretending to be confused when he understands.

"Then you should change to another one as soon as possible. After all, if you can't get it, it's easy to get stuck in your mind."

Upon hearing Xia Ming's words, a hint of coldness flashed in Jing Ran's eyes, but the next second, he waved his hand.

"Oh, I was just kidding. Why would I steal something you like? Hey, you guys go ahead and do your thing!"

Jing Ran seemed to have discovered a new continent. After looking around, he locked his gaze on Hu Xing in the corner.

Like a big bad wolf seeing a little white rabbit, Jing Ran hurriedly ended his conversation with Xia Ming and walked towards him.

Watching his retreating figure, Qiao Ruoning breathed a sigh of relief and then moved to the side.

"This guy is so annoying!"

Xia Ming remained silent, lost in thought.

Just as Jing Ran was about to pursue Hu Xing, the room door was suddenly pushed open.

A short-haired, somewhat disheveled man in a Taoist robe walked in, a cigarette dangling from his lips. After looking around, he noticed that Hu Xing was being harassed by Jing Ran.

He exhaled the smoke from his mouth, stomped it out, and then shouted at Jing Ran.

"You beast! Can't you see that the girl doesn't want to talk to you?!"

Jing Ran was almost about to add the green letter, but when he heard this angry shout, a row of question marks immediately appeared in his mind.

"Holy crap, who is this person?! Coming in all this about traditional Chinese culture right off the bat?"

(End of this chapter)