Chapter 144 - Chen Xians Visit (2/2)

“You should know my current situation.”

Zhang Tong let out a long sigh. He wanted to say something but hesitated. After a long while, he continued, “That show caused my life to hit rock bottom.”

Ever since he started culinary, although he wasn’t as famous as Xu Le was when he was young, his life had been smooth-sailing. He became the head chef in his thirties and was respected.

Who would have thought that an ordinary competition would suddenly make him lose control of his life?

He even lost the confidence to cook in the kitchen.

Xu Le said calmly, “I’ve heard about that program.”

“No matter how indignant I am, that chef has yet to show his face. Furthermore, he defeated many of his peers overseas. It’s too mythical!”

Zhang Tong was indignant and helpless. He asked, “You’re the only person I can think of now. Xu Le, maybe you can have a showdown with him.”

Xu Le raised his eyebrows and asked, “A showdown?”

Perhaps it was because his eyes were too clear. It was as if he could see through Zhang Tong’s panicked expression. The two of them sat facing each other for a while. In the end, Zhang Tong was the first to lose.

“Sigh, it’s my selfishness. I’m not willing to see him continue to be so brazen.”

Xu Le could hear the hidden meaning in his words and asked, “What do you mean?”

“I suspect he cheated.”

Zhang Tong lowered his head dejectedly and added, “But I don’t have any evidence. No one will believe me even if I say it.”

“Thank you for the noodles today. It’s delicious and the steak is delicious.”

Chefs were the same as customers. However, after working for a long time, their sense of taste had become sharper and their mentality had changed. It was just like how Zhang Tong would subconsciously guess the cooking method and the ingredients. Thus, he, who had an exploratory heart towards food, found it very difficult to experience a therapeutic feeling from food.

However, it was different that day. Xu Le’s Clear Broth Noodle Soup was common and simple. The steak was also the kind that he could tell the cooking method at a glance. Zhang Tong, who had been tense ever since the competition ended, finally relaxed. He finished his meal in one gulp and only had the word “satisfied” in his mind.

After saying his thanks, Zhang Tong stood up and wanted to leave. Xu Le also stood up and said, “How did you come to suspect that the program team was faking it?”

“The chef didn’t show his face and kept cooking behind the scenes. Who knows how many people are in the room behind the scenes? Maybe it’s a team!”

Zhang Tong said his suspicions angrily.

Xu Le frowned slightly. The system had always been the one to push him to participate in competitions, but this time, the Master Chef Competition had such a great reputation. Yet the system was as quiet as a chicken and did not issue any missions at all.

Maybe Zhang Tong was telling the truth?

Xu Le was suspicious.

“I’m not sure.”

“Mmm.”

Zhang Tong knew that there was no point in saying anything more. He couldn’t force his own matters on someone else. He forced a smile and said, “I lost my job recently. I’m going to find a job. I have something on so I’ll leave first.”

Lu Yuxi elbowed Xu Le frantically, hinting for him to ask Zhang Tong to stay.

“Ahem, please wait a moment. Um, is Uncle Zhang interested in the eight-year-old cafeteria?”

Xu Le chased after him and said sincerely, “I can double your original annual salary.”