Chapter 83: The Competition Begins (1/2)

However, now that things have gotten to this point, she can only brace herself and get to it.

Qiu Ling had snuck up behind the two at some unknown time. When she heard what Meng Yu said, she started asking with a strange tone, “You’re only asking about the opponent’s skills now? Isn’t that a little too late?”

When she saw Tang Doudou’s speechless expression, she thought her guess was right and continued, “Are you trying to flee at the last minute after hearing about how amazing the opponent is? I’d advise you to leave early as well so as to avoid being nervous and messing up onstage, cause our Chamber of Commerce to lose face!”

This woman sure is funny!

Does she look like she’s scared and nervous?

Tang Doudou was used to ignoring these types of people rather than bothering with them.

Even though Meng Yu was slow, she also realized by now that Qiu Ling had complaints towards Tang Doudou. She knitted her brows and rebuked Qiu Ling. “What’s with you today? You keep speaking with a strange tone. I’m telling you, Tang Doudou’s not an ordinary person. If you offend her, watch out for the consequences! In a bit, we three still have to work together onstage. You can’t keep up this attitude!”

“She’s going to the competition as well?” Tang Doudou asked in surprise.

Meng Yu scratched her head. This current situation was a little out of her expectations. She could tell that Tang Doudou originally didn’t mind Qiu Ling’s nitpicking, yet Qiu Ling ended up treating Tang Doudou’s generosity as fear and kept targeting her with the attitude of wanting a foot after winning an inch. If it was her, she’d already have gotten angry so Tang Doudou was probably even more annoyed.

When Meng Yu heard Tang Doudou’s surprised tone, she confirmed that Tang Doudou was pretty displeased right now.

But before Meng Yu could even try to explain and mediate, that Qiu Ling spoke again in a cold mocking tone, “What? You’re afraid that I’ll laugh at you later? Don’t worry, I’ll be busy and won’t have the time to bother with you!”

Heh, she’s seriously coming on strong huh?

Tang Doudou lifted her brows and crossed her arms as she said disdainfully, “Afraid? I, Tang Doudou, have yet to encounter something that caused me fear in this lifetime!”

Changing the topic, she said to Meng Yu, “I’m going to go get ready. You can resolve this on your own! I hope that when we get onstage later, the competition won’t be affected due to someone’s discontent. If that happened, I wouldn’t be able to help you!”

After she finished speaking, she headed towards the aids and started messing with the kitchen tools and knives in a familiar manner.

Qiu Ling curled her lips. She thought that Tang Doudou was purposely feigning an attitude. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Meng Yu fix a man-eating glare at her.

“I’m warning you, put away those little thoughts of yours. If you interfere with this competition, Master won’t let you off!” Meng Yu glared at Qiu Ling until her back became covered with cold sweat before giving this stern warning.

Baili Yu’s might could not be concealed. After Qiu Ling heard this warning, she hastily nodded. “I-I understand. I definitely won’t interfere with Master’s matters!”

“It’s the face of Heng Xuan Chamber of Commerce!”

Meng Yu left one last sentence, then went to collect the knives needed for the competition. Once the gong rang, she headed onto the stage.

During this time, she had talked to Tang Doudou a little and Tang Doudou replied to her as usual. However, the expression in her eyes when she looked at Qiu Ling still didn’t improve. Seeing this, Meng Yu could only sigh.

However, the competition was right about to start, so Meng Yu could only put away her thoughts and hope that Qiu Ling did take in what she said earlier. Otherwise, it was going to be troublesome on the stage.

Tang Doudou was precisely this type of person: if you treat her well, she’ll treat you even better. If you don’t treat her well and deliberately make things difficult for her, then don’t blame her for being cold and ruthless towards you. In any case, she’s a petty person that also holds grudges.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have retaliated with several bites just because Baili Yu rubbed her nose raw.

Speaking of Baili Yu, Meng Yu seemed to have said that he was also coming today. Wonder if he’d be able to recognize her in her female disguise?

When Tang Doudou thought to this point, she exposed a little fox-like smile. Hopefully he wouldn’t be able to recognize her. That way she’d be able to give him a huge gift ah!

Meng Yu had been peeking out of the corners of her eyes to check on Tang Doudou’s expression. When she saw Tang Doudou reveal such a crafty smile, she involuntarily shivered. Who’s this Master planning to scheme against now?

Why does it look so terrifying?

Time passed very quickly. When that gong rang out once again, Meng Yu’s heart leaped and she nervously touched Tang Doudou’s arm. “Doudou, the competition’s starting.”

Tang Doudou calmly nodded, then followed after her to head to the front hall.

From far away, she could see the temporary round stage that was set up in the middle of the empty space. Stoves and long tables were set up in a circle. Currently, there was not a single person on the stage. From the looks of it, this was the competition arena.

The audience area facing the circular stage and the judging panel area were already filled with people. The front row, by the looks of their clothing, seemed filled with wealthy and respectable people, high officials and nobles. The people sitting behind them were womenfolk and servant girls. They all made quite a show of extravagance as they chatted in little groups about daily household matters. From the looks of their postures, they were behaving with a lot of etiquette.

In one glance, Tang Doudou spotted the stunning figure sitting in the highest area amid these people.

She couldn’t help but criticize silently that this evil spirit was truly beyond saving.

Everyone else is quietly chatting, yet he was sitting there listening to a little maid’s melody and drinking wine as he languidly laid on that fox fur-covered chair.

Today, he returned to his past extravagant, seductive yao atmosphere. He wore a moon-white robe and his ink-colored hair was half drawn back with a headband of the same color. It caused him to seem like an ethereal god from the Ninth Heaven (the highest heaven).

That pair of elegant peach blossom eyes were half closed, making it even more attractive as people couldn’t help but daydream about the scene when those eyes completely open.

Smacking her lips, Tang Doudou wiped away the drool that had almost spilled out and reluctantly retrieved her gaze. Her black eyes swept everywhere and she immediately became speechless by what she saw. What the hell? With this seductive yao here, who would still have the heart to care about the competition?

Tang Doudou used her elbow to nudge Meng Yu who had her jaw dropped at the sight. Looking around, all the kitchen maids were gazing at Baili Yu as if they were bewitched. Tang Doudou became a little displeased. Just keep freaking looking, keep looking. Humph, just go look at the seductive yao and don’t compete anymore!