Chapter 306 - Tang Yues Burns (1/2)

Ah Sha did ask everyone about the meal with Wen Pintang. Alas, neither Wan Qingsi nor Xin Qing gave told her much.

Ying Qingcang, however, had more than one harsh word to say about it: “Don’t speak of that Mr. Wen again. None of you are allowed to receive him if he comes again next time!”

Wen Pintang never came to S City again after that. Ah Sha chalked it up to his busy end-of-year schedules. Well, her own schedule was pretty busy as well. She had to take part in a cooking show for celebrities, and she had no idea how to cook.

“I really don’t understand why you decided to take part in the cooking show,” Zhou Na said. “I think the one about cosmetics isn’t bad at all!”

Ah Sha looked up from her laptop screen. She’d been browsing for plates online just now; she had this idea that delicious foods needed to be artfully presented. “Because I want to learn how to cook! I mean, the TV station had invited several chefs from Michelin restaurants to the show, right?”

A look of understanding formed on Zhou Na’s face. “Oh, I see. You want to cook for the boss!” she said. “All the best then! You know, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

When those words reached Wan Qingsi’s ears, he felt touched and worried at the same time. What if she got burnt? What if she cut her finger? But he couldn’t do sh*t against Ah Sha’s enthusiasm. The girl was spending every afternoon with the chef.

Indeed, Ah Sha was so into her sudden culinary excursions that she even declined when Xin Qing called to ask her to join the family in an overseas trip. Apparently, Ying Qingcang had decided to celebrate Xin Qing’s birthday overseas this year. Well, some alone time with Xin Qing was Ying Qingcang’s favorite thing in the world anyway. Plus, Ah Sha didn’t even have to come up with an excuse since the trip just so happened to clash with the days when Ah Sha had to be at the TV studio for the cooking show’s live recording session.

The cooking show’s airing would take place on New Year’s day. An hour before the show, video clips would be played to show the learning progress and preparations that the six participating celebrities had done for the show. After that, they had to each prepare four dishes onstage.

When Ah Sha was waiting backstage for the show to start, Tang Yue came over to greet her. “Long time no see!”

Ah Sha appraised Tang Yue for a moment or two. Tang Yue wore minimal make-up. She didn’t even wear her usual perfume. Now, Tang Yue seemed more like a little girl than a woman.

“From the looks of it, you haven’t been living a bad life,” Ah Sha commented. “I heard Young Master Wen hasn’t returned to the capital yet?”

“Well, it’s not like there’s anything I can do if he doesn’t want to return.” Tang Yue smiled. “You, on the other hand, are in trouble. Ying Xin will return after Chinese New Year. You know, you should come to Sky Entertainment when Stars Entertainment kicks you out!”

Ah Sha glanced furtively at the other celebrities hanging around nearby. Lowering her voice, Ah Sha said, “Looks like you’re going to be that type of mother who gains status through her child. In that case, I wish you have a boy.” Tang Yue’s smile faltered, the sight of which prompted Ah Sha to go on, “But you should be more careful. You know how it’s like. They usually just want the child, not the mother.”

“How did you know that I’m-” Tang Yue suddenly covered her mouth and glanced around a few times. “Who told you that?”

Ah Sha snorted. “It’s not like I need anyone to tell me. It’s so obvious. You’re wearing light make-up, and you’re not using any perfume.”

Tang Yue snorted. “At least there’s still a chance for me,” Tang Yue said, glaring at Ah Sha in annoyance. “You? Wan Qingsi wouldn’t marry you even if you’re carrying his child.”

“I’d worry more about yourself if I were you. You better find a way to make sure that it’s a boy!” Just then, Ah Sha saw a crew member giving her the cue to go on stage. Ah Sha picked up her toolbox and walked out.

There would be six celebrities participating in the show. First, all six participants would be split into groups of two. Then, the participants in each group would prepare their dishes at the same time after which their dishes would be judge by the audience. The winner would then advance to the final round.

Ah Sha was in the same group as Li Bi’er, the actress who replaced An Ru in the latter’s movie. Now, two male celebrities was competing onstage, after which it would be their turn. Onstage, Ah Sha and Li Bi’er smiled at each other and began preparing their dishes.

Wan Qingsi was there in the VIP seating. His eyes never once left Ah Sha as she whipped out four dishes in total: pineapple sweet and sour pork; baked beancurd; squirrel-shaped Mandarin fish; stir fried pork with bamboo shoots. She also prepared Tong Sui, though that wouldn’t count as a dish. Everything she had prepared were common home-made dishes that were her and Wan Qingsi’s favorites.

The show’s MC stopped the timer after two hours. Li Bi’er had obviously embraced the “go big or go home” mindset; every single one of her dishes were exquisite, restaurant-worthy dishes. Even though she lost out to Ah Sha by only a few points, she took the loss in stride. After tasting Ah Sha’s dishes, she grinned and commented on how delicious they were.

Up next was the third group, which consisted of Tang Yue and a model. When Ah Sha was getting off the stage, Tang Yue brushed past her. Ah Sha frowned when she noticed the strange smile Tang Yue had just given her. “What on earth is she up to?”

Then again, Ah Sha quickly received the answer to that question.

When Tang Yue was stir frying vegetables, the flames from her stove suddenly rose up high; her entire pan caught fire, and the oil inside the pan only made things worse. Tang Yue released a scream, raised her arms, and flinched back from the heat of the orange flames that had been inches away from her face just now. The show’s MC and the crew rushed onto the stage and put out the fire. “Yueyue!” Wen Pinyu was already making his way over from the VIP seating.

Tang Yue dipped her arms into the sink, which was filled with cold water. There were first-degree burns all along her skin, as evident from the row of blistered along her forearm. Around the blisters, her skin was red. “Pinyu, it hurts so much!” Tang Yue sobbed.

Wen Pinyu picked her up into his arms. “This is definitely not an accident!” Wen Pinyu yelled at the show’s MC. “Look into it! I want answers!” Mo Nan ran up to the stage just then. “You should send Tang Yue to the hospital. I’ll stay behind and investigate.”

While the audience was being cleared from the scene, Mo Nan made a phone call. After a while, the police and a few expert arson investigators arrived on the scene.

“The spark plug was removed,” said the arson expert after his examination of the stove. “That’s why the flames of the stove went out of control. This is definitely sabotage.”

“Who’s the person who last used the stove?” asked a police officer.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Ah Sha.

Ah Sha chuckled humorlessly. She had underestimated Tang Yue indeed. She never expected Tang Yue to be so cruel to herself. That woman would risk her life just to frame Ah Sha.

“You guys suspect Mei Jing?” Wan Qingsi’s eyes swept past everyone. “Where’s the evidence?”

Mo Nan met Wan Qingsi’s gaze head on. “She was the one who used the stove before Tang Yue! She’s the only one with the means and opportunity!”