The delicacies of the heavens begin with obtaining gem meat.

Jiang Yan looked at the scene before him and couldn't help but smile, but he didn't say anything more.

He knew very well that the relationship between Erina Nakiri and Hisako Shinoto was not simply that of a superior and subordinate.

They are clearly good friends who care about each other, but one of them is aloof and doesn't know how to express their concern.

The other, due to the difference in their social status, harbored a sense of inferiority and dared not easily overstep the boundaries.

Jiang Yan was aware of the situation between the two, but he didn't want to interfere.

Anyway, there will always be a day when we understand each other's feelings.

After everyone had finished eating most of the orange-flavored flaky pastry custard egg tarts.

Jiang Yan reached out and grabbed Yukihira Soma's wrist.

At this moment, Soma Yukihira was still chewing the last bite of egg tart, mumbling incoherently.

"Jiang Yansang, these egg tarts are so delicious!"

"Especially the orange flavor in that tart crust, how did they even manage to make it?"

Jiang Yan did not immediately answer Yukihira Soma's question.

He swiftly and decisively dragged Soma Yukihira out of the examination hall.

Now that the review is over and he has passed the transfer student exam smoothly, he doesn't want any unexpected problems at the last minute.

Of course, before leaving, Jiang Yan placed the last orange-flavored flaky pastry egg tart next to Yukihira Soma's transformed egg rice.

After all, there was still one person who hadn't tasted their cooking.

Jiang Yan pulled Yukihira Soma out of the examination hall until they turned a corner and were sure the hall was no longer visible behind them before letting go of his hand.

He dusted off his sleeves, preparing to say goodbye to Soma Yukihira, and turned to leave.

At this moment, Soma Yukihira asked again.

"Um, Jiang Yansang, I still want to ask, how did you manage to blend the flavors of the orange-flavored shortcrust pastry and the filling of that egg tart so perfectly?"

"I've tasted it so many times, but I still can't figure out how they manage to make the orange flavor in the tart crust."

..............................

This is a question that Soma Yukihira has had on his mind ever since he tasted the orange-flavored flaky pastry egg tart.

That orange scent was so unique.

It is precisely because of that orange aroma that the flavor of the egg tart blends together as a whole.

Jiang Yan wasn't surprised to see Yukihira Soma's inquisitive expression.

He took a small glass bottle out of his pocket. The bottle was transparent and contained some fine, pale orange powder.

He handed the bottle to Soma Yukihira and calmly explained.

"Because I used this—orange salt."

"Well, just think of it as a special salt extracted from oranges."

Soma Yukihira took the glass bottle, his brows furrowing slightly, his eyes filled with doubt.

Extracting salt from oranges?

This sounds incredible, doesn't it?

"If you're curious, you can have this bottle."

Jiang Yan waved his hand casually, since there was only a small pinch of orange salt in it anyway.

Consider this a gift to congratulate Soma Yukihira on successfully passing the test.

"Really? Thank you so much, Jiang Yansang!"

Soma Yukihira's eyes lit up instantly.

I couldn't resist unscrewing the cap, pouring a little orange salt onto my fingertip, and bringing it to my lips to taste.

The salty flavor carries a subtle hint of orange, the two flavors blending together seamlessly, as if they were originally one, without any jarring difference.

And this citrus aroma is refreshing and crisp, truly infused into the tart crust.

"Wow--!"

Soma Yukihira stared wide-eyed, his face filled with astonishment.

"This is amazing! There really is such a taste in salt!"

At this moment, Soma Yukihira's mind was racing, thinking about what kind of dishes this orange salt could be used in.

Roast meat? Stewed soup? Or dessert?

Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.

....................................

Jiang Yan smiled helplessly as he looked at Yukihira Soma's excited expression.

After chatting for a few minutes about cooking, Jiang Yan waved goodbye and turned to leave.

After returning home, Jiang Yan lived a regular and fulfilling life.

Every day, he either spends his time in the study reading various ancient cookbooks or goes into the kitchen to repeatedly try to make new dishes with a pile of ingredients.

Occasionally, I would go out and wander through restaurants in the streets and alleys, tasting various local delicacies and drawing inspiration.

Days passed by, and two weeks later it was over.

Jiang Yan arrived at the gate of Far Moon Academy once again.

This time, he came to formally enroll.

As for the admission notice, it had already been delivered to him the day after the transfer student exam ended.

It must be said that Totsuki Academy's efficiency in this regard is truly astonishing.

……

In the plaza of Totsuki Academy, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, their pink and white petals falling in the wind like a romantic rain of flowers.

The square was filled with students in uniform; they were all students who had successfully advanced from the elementary to the advanced level of Totsuki Academy.

Everyone's face showed a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

After all, the level of cruelty in the Totsuki High School is several times higher than that in the Elementary School.

A slight misstep could lead to elimination.

Jiang Yan walked through the crowd and headed straight for the waiting room next to the stage.

As one of only two transfer students in this year's Totsuki Academy, he and Soma Yukihira need to go on stage and give a brief self-introduction so that their classmates can get to know them.

Pushing open the door and entering the waiting room, Jiang Yan immediately saw Yukihira Soma already sitting inside.

...............................

At this moment, Yukihira Sosuke was idly spacing out when he saw Jiang Yan enter. His eyes lit up immediately, and he waved to greet him.

"Hey, Jiang Yansang! Long time no see!"

"Long time no see, Yukihira-san."

Jiang Yan walked over with a smile and sat down in the chair next to Yukihira Soma.

As soon as he sat down, Soma Yukihira eagerly moved closer, his face beaming with excitement.

"Jiang Yan, that orange salt you gave me before was really amazing!"

"I tried using it to make several dishes, such as salt-grilled saury and fried rice with eggs."

"These are all dishes I used to make often, but after adding a little orange salt, the taste is completely different!"

"The fishy smell of the saury has been masked, and there's a subtle orange aroma added, making the fried rice even more fragrant..."

Soma Yukihira became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, animatedly sharing his culinary insights.

He spoke eloquently about everything from ingredient pairings to controlling the heat.

Jiang Yan leaned back in his chair, listening to Soma Yukihira's incessant rambling, a helpless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

It's clear that Soma Yukihira is truly passionate about cooking.

As the two were chatting, the host's loud voice suddenly came from outside.

"Next, we will proceed with the academic year badge awarding ceremony!"

"Please welcome our first-year student representative—Erina Nakiri—to the stage!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the two people in the waiting room instinctively stopped talking.

Thunderous applause erupted instantly in the square.