The Villain's Doomed Mother

Chapter 1: I'm the Villain's Doomed Mother

Nanzhi had just finished her mission in the gourmet world with a perfect evaluation, fully expecting to return smoothly to her original world.

Instead, she had a dream.

In the dream, she followed a self-proclaimed "conqueror" from another world into a showbiz romance novel. The target was a mysterious big shot who had once helped the male lead. The conqueror, however, had transmigrated into the body of the genius villain's biological mother!

The conqueror knew that her son in this body would grow up to become a paranoid, vicious, murderous villain. She felt nothing but disgust and contempt for him. She only kept him around reluctantly because abandoning a child would cause trouble.

"Keeping" was a generous term. She treated him worse than a stray cat or dog. Verbal abuse and physical punishment were routine, and the long-term psychological violence cast a shadow over the child that would never fade.

But the conqueror didn't see this as abuse. She thought she was helping him reform!

Meanwhile, to get close to her target, the conqueror managed to become a minor actress in the entertainment industry.

She thought she could conquer all with the original owner's stunning beauty. But she was lazy and arrogant, unwilling to start from small roles. She dreamed of overnight fame instead.

The result? After years of struggle, she was still stuck in the B-list. She had, however, successfully earned herself a reputation for wooden acting, being a liar, loving drama, and being unprofessional. She had terrible public appeal.

Not only had she made no progress on her mission, she hadn't even managed to catch a glimpse of the big shot!

Frustrated and anxious, the conqueror decided to take her child on a parenting variety show to salvage her image.

She tried to portray herself as a gentle, loving mother. But the child, resentful towards her, refused to cooperate, ruining the pilot episode.

The sharp-eyed audience noticed the estrangement and coldness between mother and son. They disliked the mother's hypocrisy and arrogance, and they disliked the son's gloomy and strange demeanor. They were bombarded with insults and boycotts.

Finally, the conqueror broke down.

She got into a screaming match with her son, calling him a monster and grabbing him by the throat.

The usually silent child, who never fought back, pushed her away this time.

The conqueror stumbled, hit the back of her head on the corner of the nightstand, and passed out on the spot.

As she lost consciousness, she was frantically calling out to the system in her mind to take her away.

---

"...Did you see the look in his eyes when he pushed me? It was terrifying! No wonder he grows up to be a murderous villain! He's a sociopath! Born evil! I can't stand another day here! This body is beautiful, but it's useless. A sickly person like this won't last long anyway. I've made up my mind!"

The terrified female voice was like a sharp awl, chipping away at the fog in Nanzhi's mind.

Dawn broke.

She opened her eyes. Her stomach was cramping, and cold sweat was pouring from her pores.

Nanzhi struggled to get up. Relying on muscle memory, she found the bathroom and threw up over the toilet.

When she finally recovered, Nanzhi looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and froze.

Where was this?

Nanzhi leaned against the wall and stood up, looking at the face reflected in the mirror. Everything felt strange.

The features were still hers.

But her face was caked with thick foundation, sporting exaggerated, poorly done blue-purple cut-crease eyeshadow and sunburn-style blush. It looked jarring and amateurish.

Her outfit—a sexy "party girl" look—was the complete opposite of her usual style. A few thin strips of fabric were wrapped tightly around her, digging into her bones.

And that wasn't all.

Nanzhi felt a throbbing pain at the back of her head. She reached up instinctively and touched blood.

Luckily, the wound wasn't deep, and the bleeding was minimal.

This situation looked familiar.

Then, a flood of unfamiliar memories rushed into her mind...

It turned out that her son, Ian, was that villain!

And she was the villain's doomed mother!

According to the original plot, after her death, Ian was sent to an orphanage. His miserable childhood led him down the wrong path. He built a vast business empire through shady means, only to be exposed by the male lead in the finale, sent to prison, and end his young life with a bullet.

Now, the conqueror had taken over her body. Had Ian's situation improved?

Not at all!

It had only gotten worse!

Thinking of the conqueror, wherever she was, Nanzhi's face grew cold. Only four words echoed in her mind:

I want her dead.

*Swish, swish.*

A faint sound came from behind her.

Nanzhi frowned and turned around.

She found herself unexpectedly locking eyes with a pair of stubborn, wolf-cub-like eyes by the door!

That was...

The child hiding behind the door seemed startled. He immediately pulled his head back and scurried away.

"Ian!"

Nanzhi quickly gave chase.

As soon as she left the bathroom, she saw the small figure trip over an ill-fitting slipper and fall hard towards the ground!

Without thinking, Nanzhi instinctively rushed forward, caught the child, and used herself as a cushion!

"Hiss."

Nanzhi's head spun.

The wound on the back of her head seemed to have reopened. A small trickle of warm liquid was slowly running down the back of her neck.

Nanzhi didn't pay it any mind. All she could feel was the stiffness of the small person in her arms.

"Did you get hurt? Let me see!"

But before she could get a good look, the wrist she reached out was bitten hard!

It hurt, but Nanzhi didn't let go.

Instead, she used her other hand to gently stroke the back of the child's neck.

Ian slowly loosened his teeth, raised his wary eyes, and let Nanzhi see him clearly.

He was a beautiful child. His bone structure was smooth and delicate, his skin had a pale, indoor quality. His features were truly picturesque.

But he was too thin. His hair was yellowish, his cheeks were sunken rather than baby-fat plump. He was clearly malnourished. At four and a half, he looked barely three, like a fragile kitten.

What was even more shocking were the bruises on his skin and the crisscrossing red finger marks on his slender neck!

Nanzhi's heart was in turmoil.

Suddenly, she heard Ian's young, hoarse voice:

"Don't pretend. Just hit me if you're going to. As long as you don't kill me, when I grow up, I'll pay back every single grudge."

The eyes set in his gaunt face were like bottomless black holes, gradually overlapping with the image of the villain from the conqueror's memories.

But Nanzhi just pulled him closer, holding him tight, feeling the fear and trembling he couldn't hide in his small body:

"No more hitting. Not ever again."

After a pause, she added,

"What if I told you... I'm not the mother I used to be? Would you believe me?"

Ian's face, radiating bone-chilling cold, clearly said:

Absolutely not.

Nanzhi didn't know how to explain that her body had been taken over by the conqueror.

Looking at Ian's face, full of resistance and resentment, so different from the chubby, adorable, smiling half-year-old in her memories, she could only sigh.

"Hungry? Want something to eat?"

"No!"

The next second, Ian's stomach growled loudly.

He was immediately furious, glaring angrily at his traitorous stomach.

Nanzhi smiled silently.

Chapter 2: Balance: 666

Nanzhi let go and was about to stand up.

Ian, still in her arms, seized the opportunity. He leaped up nimbly, like a whirlwind, and rushed into his room.

Then, *bang!* He slammed the door shut and locked it!

Nanzhi didn't chase after him this time.

She first found the first-aid kit in the living room, disinfected and bandaged the wound on her head. Her movements were slow but practiced.

Then, she went to the bathroom and washed off all the makeup, leaving her face clean.

She went to the walk-in closet and, from a mountain of sexy, skimpy clothes, found a relatively decent and thick plain gray knit dress.

As she took off her clothes, she caught a glimpse of her emaciated figure in the mirror.

No, not just thin. She was skin and bones, pathologically so.

That conqueror had no regard for someone else's body. She starved herself to look good on camera. At 1.7 meters tall, she weighed barely 40 kilograms!

When Nanzhi was a child, she was abandoned in the snow, which left her with a chronic illness. She had nearly died. Her grandfather had spent a lot of effort to barely raise her to be healthy.

Now, it was all ruined.

Just standing there, Nanzhi felt dizzy. She had thought it was a concussion earlier, but now it was clear she was simply starving!

She didn't need to go to the hospital to know she had a host of problems: malnutrition, stomach issues...

Nanzhi closed her eyes, barely suppressing her anger.

The time flow in the two worlds was different. Four years had passed in this world, but a full twelve years had gone by in the other!

From a position of low status and little influence, Nanzhi had risen to a place of power and authority. She had learned to keep her emotions hidden. It had been a long time since she'd been this angry!

Nanzhi quickly put on the dress, found her phone, and planned to order some ingredients for medicinal food.

Both she and Ian urgently needed to recuperate.

The conqueror had spent money lavishly, selling Nanzhi's small house and blowing through all the savings over the years.

Nanzhi didn't expect much money in the account. Medicinal food therapy required a gradual approach. Expensive herbs like ginseng would be too strong for them. For now, they only needed some affordable, mild ingredients...

[XX Bank Available Balance: 666]

*Slap!*

Nanzhi flipped the phone over, screen down, out of sight, out of mind.

As she left the room, she saw that the bedroom door opposite was still tightly shut.

She paused for a moment, then walked into the kitchen.

Soon, the sounds of whisking eggs and clinking dishes came from the kitchen.

A faint aroma of food also spread rapidly through the warm air, seeping through the cracks into the second bedroom.

*Click.*

The doorknob turned.

A pair of pitch-black eyes peered out from the crack, secretly looking out.

That woman... was cooking?

Ian shook his head. Impossible.

Ever since they moved here, that woman had never set foot in the kitchen.

Once, she went out to film, forgetting he was locked inside. She left no food or water. He went hungry for three whole days and nights, surviving only on tap water!

Why would she suddenly change her personality and start cooking now?

Was she trying to poison him?

Ian couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

But the hot, fragrant aroma was too tempting.

Having grown up eating bread and drinking cold water, Ian couldn't resist the temptation.

By the time he realized it, his body had already left the room, walked to the dining table, and was staring intently at the bowl of plain congee.

He swallowed. He first glanced into the kitchen to make sure the woman wasn't watching, then quickly leaned over, put his mouth to the rim of the bowl, and took a big slurp!

Hot! Scalding hot!

But that didn't stop the rich rice fragrance from exploding in his mouth!

For the first time, Ian realized that plain congee could be so delicious!

Just as he couldn't wait to take a second sip, a cold voice dropped from above him:

"Who told you to drink it now?"

Ian's back stiffened.

In the next second, he skillfully raised his hands to shield his head, ready for the ensuing beating, his resentful eyes fixed on the bowl of congee he had only managed to take one sip from.

Nanzhi sighed. She put down the plate of egg and scallion pancakes and gently pulled Ian over:

"Let me see if you burned yourself."

Ian stared at Nanzhi without blinking.

He was like a wounded little beast, afraid of the mother who had hurt him, yet unable to resist the warmth she was offering.

...No, no!

He quickly shook his head, suppressing the faint longing spreading in his heart, and bared his teeth threateningly.

Nanzhi took the opportunity to pinch his mouth and look inside:

"It's okay, just a little red. The congee just came out of the pot, it's very hot. Eat slowly."

Ian was stunned again.

He forgot to resist and let Nanzhi carry him to a chair and put a spoon in his hand.

Nanzhi: "Blow on it."

Ian mechanically puffed out his cheeks: "Hoo... hoo..."

A faint smile bloomed in Nanzhi's eyes, like peach blossoms on a spring river, shimmering and radiant.

"Alright, let's eat."

Nanzhi was about to pick up her chopsticks when she was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

Ian flinched, his shoulders shaking. He slid down from his chair and hid under the dining table.

"Don't be afraid. I'll go see."

Actually, through the remnants of the conqueror's memories, Nanzhi could roughly guess who it was.

She walked over and opened the door.

An irresistible force pushed her aside, barged in, and slammed the door shut.

After making sure the neighbors couldn't hear, a torrent of abuse came crashing down on her—

"Nanzhi, have you lost your mind? Quitting the show just like that? You were the one who said you'd do anything to get on the show! We've only been filming for a few days! Do you know how many people I had to beg to get you on this show? And you just go dark on me? Get your ass back there! Even if you have to stand in front of the camera like a wooden post, you will finish this show! Otherwise, do you think you can afford the penalty for breach of contract?"

Standing in front of Nanzhi was her agent, Xu Li. They had been working together for almost three years, ever since Nanzhi debuted.

Xu Li had gone from high hopes to utter disappointment.

Now, her tone was filled with intense irritation and frustration, making Nanzhi seem calm in comparison.

Nanzhi's voice, clear as a spring striking jade, rang out:

"Okay, I understand. When's the filming?"

This time, it was Xu Li who was stunned:

"Y-you're really going?"

She had been ready for a fight, and Nanzhi just agreed like that?

Xu Li calmed down and realized Nanzhi was different somehow—

The old Nanzhi was arrogant, empty-headed, thought she was clever, but her little schemes were obvious to everyone.

She had the foundation of a perfect ten beauty but managed to make herself look like a seven, or even less.

Now, with her makeup washed off, she had also shed her vulgarity and restlessness.

She was like a mountain forest after a fresh rain, or a rough gemstone after being polished.

Standing there, she exuded a thousand charms.

...She was like a completely different person!

"Didn't you say there's a penalty for breach of contract? I can't afford it, so of course, I have to continue the show."

Nanzhi finished speaking casually, then paused and asked,

"We're about to eat. Want to join us?"

Chapter 3: Sacrificial Guest, Unlimited Power

J Television Station Headquarters.

Backstage at Studio 3 was a flurry of activity as the upcoming live broadcast was about to begin.

The assistant director in charge of artist coordination squeezed over to the head director, Xu Lin, and said in a low voice:

"Xu Li said she's bringing Nanzhi and her son over soon."

Xu Lin frowned, dissatisfied with the outcome:

"She actually made it?"

He had already found a backup guest, ready to replace Nanzhi the moment she defaulted on her contract!

The assistant director glanced at Xu Lin's expression and whispered a suggestion:

"Why don't we reduce Nanzhi's screen time?"

Xu Lin rejected it outright:

"Reduce it? I'm going to increase her airtime and give her a good 'roasting'!"

The assistant director was also a shrewd person and quickly understood Xu Lin's intention.

The fastest way to gain popularity for a variety show is to sacrifice a guest, using negative publicity to attract viewers.

After all, it takes time to build liking, but disliking can happen in an instant.

Is the guest not hated enough?

No problem! With "careful" editing, black can be turned into white!

This was quite cruel for Nanzhi and her son, but the assistant director felt no sympathy, only a sense of satisfaction.

—To manage to earn the disgust of the entire production team in such a short time was truly a skill in itself.

Having received his orders, the assistant director turned around and told the colleague in charge of the live stream to "guide" the comments at the right moment.

The colleague was helpless:

"Do we need to guide them? They're already cursing!"

There was still half an hour before the live broadcast started, but tens of thousands of viewers were already waiting in the stream, posting comments to warm up.

The two most mentioned people were Fu Zhao and Nanzhi.

Fu Zhao was the biggest draw of the show. He was a top-tier actor and movie king. He rarely appeared on variety shows. Bringing his nephew this time was highly anticipated!

The comments were filled with praise for him, including from non-fans who were also looking forward to his performance.

As for Nanzhi?

Her public appeal in the entertainment industry was notoriously bad. Add to that her tantrum and walkout during yesterday's live broadcast, and the audience's disgust for her was at its peak!

Every comment about her was a curse or an insult!

This hatred even extended to Ian. Even the four-and-a-half-year-old child was subjected to the most vicious words!

From another perspective, even before the reshoot began, the buzz factor was already maxed out!

Watching the soaring viewer count, the assistant director nodded with satisfaction:

"This is exactly what we want!"

Just then, the assistant director ran over and said Nanzhi had arrived.

---

The show was called *Toddler Observation Diary*. Four celebrity guests would experience the life of ordinary people with their toddlers. By overcoming harsh environments and difficult realities, they would showcase parent-child interactions and the toddlers' reactions and growth.

Each episode, the guests would draw lots for different occupations and family backgrounds. They had to maintain their assigned personas while earning money to support themselves and the toddlers.

Additionally, the filming process would be live-streamed. Points would be awarded based on stream popularity, audience votes, judge votes, and task completion. Violating the assigned persona would result in deductions.

The group with the highest overall score each episode would have the production team donate money to children in impoverished mountain areas in their name.

In short, it was a parenting version of *The X Factor: Extreme Makeover*.

There were four groups of guests:

Top actor Fu Zhao and his nephew Qingxi; New director Xie Yu and his daughter Xie An'an; Singer-songwriter Qi Pei'er and her nephew Qi Zhang; Newbie actress Nanzhi and her son Ian.

—The large screen at the back of the studio had just finished playing the introduction VCR, and the audience was typing furiously:

[Newbie actress? Still a newbie after three years in the business?]

[Are you crazy? Nanzhi almost smashed the camera yesterday, and you're letting her continue filming? Is she the head director's mother?]

[Whatever mother she is, I'm your show's father! Get her replaced! Who wants to see that crazy woman Nanzhi and her son's deadpan face?]

[See! Kids without fathers are psychologically damaged! Ian always looks so sinister. He's probably a sociopath!]

[My Brother Fu finally does a variety show after years, and you bastards ruin it for him. Good job!]

[Nanzhi and Ian, get off the show!]

[Ugh, annoying! Nanzhi, go die!]

...

It was rare for a variety show to have guests attacked so unanimously right from the start.

Coincidentally, the production team, to facilitate interaction between the celebrities and the audience, had "creatively" placed a large screen in front of the stage, showing the live comments in real time.

The others would glance at the harsh words, feeling embarrassed for Nanzhi, and kept looking at her.

But Nanzhi, waiting backstage, ignored the comments and the stares. She only whispered to Ian:

"Remember our agreement? Cooperate with the filming."

Ian's face was gloomy. He grunted noncommittally.

Nanzhi felt his mood was off and guessed:

"Can you read?"

Ian's shoulders trembled. He immediately shook his head in denial:

"I can't read."

He didn't admit it because he knew his mother hated him being smart.

A neighbor's grandmother had once given him a Xinhua dictionary. He treasured it, even wanting to sleep with it.

But his mother saw it, screamed at him, hit him, and tore the dictionary to shreds in front of him.

From then on, Ian never dared to show his intelligence. He was like a sewer rat, following his own survival rules.

Nanzhi looked thoughtful but didn't press further.

Just then, Xu Li walked over, looking displeased:

"...There's no makeup artist. The assistant director said we have to handle it ourselves."

Everyone knew that on-camera appearance depended heavily on makeup!

Nanzhi, with her bare face, no matter how beautiful, would look significantly worse on camera.

As Nanzhi's agent, Xu Li could feel the malice and targeting lurking in the shadows. Even though she was annoyed with Nanzhi, she still felt a pang of worry.

After a moment's thought, Xu Li whispered a warning:

"Be careful. You've probably been given the sacrificial script."

Nanzhi hummed softly, looking unconcerned.

Xu Li pressed her lips together.

Soon, Nanzhi's name was called from the front—

"...Welcome Nanzhi and her son, Ian!"

Nanzhi suddenly spoke:

"Don't worry. Leave it to me."

Xu Li was momentarily stunned.

Watching the unhurried figure walk away, her anxiety suddenly subsided.

How could a person change so much in such a short time?

Had she been possessed?

Xu Li suppressed this strange thought. Remembering the congee and egg pancakes she had eaten that morning, she couldn't help but swallow and started to daydream.

Meanwhile, Nanzhi had already led Ian onto the studio stage.

They were now re-filming the pilot episode. Nanzhi and Ian were the last group.

The previous three groups of guests had already appeared. Under the host's guidance, the atmosphere in the studio was relaxed and fun, filled with laughter.

Until Nanzhi and Ian appeared. The temperature in the room dropped instantly.

Chapter 4: Oh, I Don't Have a Dad

As they stepped onto the stage, Nanzhi tried to take Ian's hand.

Ian subtly avoided it.

This small detail was, of course, captured by the cameras. The live stream was instantly flooded with mockery.

When Nanzhi and Ian finally emerged fully and stood under the spotlight, the comments went silent for a few seconds.

Then:

[Nanzhi is this pretty without makeup?]

[I have to admit, this mother-son duo has great looks.]

[My god, what did Nanzhi do to her face before?]

[...No, wait. Are you all dogs? What's the use of a beautiful face on a woman with a venomous heart?]

[Dammit, even I was almost fooled. So Nanzhi is going for the pitiful, innocent little white flower look?]

[Look at those skinny arms and legs. I bet they'll starve on the first day.]

[Perfect, then they can get off the show!]

...

The host, responsible for the interview, steadied himself and put on a standard fake smile:

"Our comments are very enthusiastic! It seems everyone is very welcoming to Nanzhi and Ian!"

The audience: You call that welcoming? Are you blind?

So they cursed even harder!

Nanzhi remained expressionless:

"Thank you."

Failing to get the expected reaction, the host didn't waste any more time and quickly moved to the interview:

"Are you confident about the upcoming experience?"

Nanzhi: "Yes."

Ian: "No."

Zero chemistry from the start.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward.

The host immediately focused on Ian:

"So it seems our little one has a different opinion from his mom. Why no confidence? Don't you trust your mom?"

Nanzhi gave the host a long, hard look.

For some reason, the host, who had seen it all, felt a chill run down his spine!

Luckily, Nanzhi didn't interrupt.

Ian's little face was expressionless. He answered succinctly:

"No."

The host steeled himself and continued:

"If our little one had to rate his mom, out of ten, how many points would you give her?"

"Ten."

"What do you think of your mom's job as an actress?"

"It's okay."

"..."

Several questions designed to trap him, and Ian didn't fall for any of them.

His attitude was just a bit cold, like a frozen black sesame dumpling.

It was a stark contrast to the cute, childish answers of the other three children!

The audience didn't like it either, criticizing him in the comments:

[This kid is too mature. Feels very calculating.]

[So calm? The production team must have rehearsed with him. This is favoritism!]

[He might as well have kept his mouth shut like last time. What kind of answers were those?]

[Everything about him screams one word: fake!]

...

In fact, they had arrived in a hurry. Ian had no rehearsal. He was improvising.

Seeing that his answers were watertight, giving him no room to maneuver, the host got a bit anxious and asked a sharp question:

"Do you ever miss your dad, little one?"

The studio fell silent.

Everyone knew Nanzhi was a single mother. What was the host getting at?

Nanzhi, who hadn't said much, a cold look appeared in her eyes. She covered her mic:

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Ian curled his lip imperceptibly.

Then, he looked at the host with his big, dark eyes:

"Do you have a dad?"

The host felt he could read mockery in Ian's eyes. He nodded instinctively:

"Of course! I..."

"Oh. I don't."

Ian bluntly exposed the host's malice, adding by way of explanation,

"I thought you didn't know, Uncle, so I'm telling you."

Nanzhi couldn't help but smile. She naturally and affectionately patted the back of Ian's head.

Ian's back went completely rigid.

But his expression was cold, so it didn't show much and went unnoticed.

In the live stream, someone finally spoke up for them:

[People keep saying the production team favors Nanzhi and Ian, but I feel it's the complete opposite?]

[That was too much. Ian is only four and a half. Was it necessary to bring up old wounds in front of a child?]

[I'm from a single-parent family too. Someone asked me that once. I slapped them so hard they were picking their teeth off the floor.]

[It's fine to criticize Nanzhi, but show some mercy towards the child.]

...

But those defending the mother and son were a minority, quickly drowned out by more insults.

The interview ended there.

For the subsequent parent-child games, the production team didn't cause any more trouble.

Finally, the pilot episode was nearing its end. It was time for the draw.

Host: "There are four different identity cards in this box. Some are relatively good, some are particularly bad. To be fair, we'll decide by drawing lots. What you draw will determine your standard of living for the next few days! So, choose carefully!"

The tension was instantly maxed out.

Even the audience forgot to curse Nanzhi, cheering for their favorite guests.

Nanzhi was the last to draw, according to the order of appearance.

When she reached into the box, she touched only one card.

Fair?

Nanzhi smiled faintly.

She knew that no matter when she drew, she would only get this card.

Host: "Please keep your identity cards safe. The results cannot be exchanged! Don't go away, dear viewers! Stay tuned to your personal streams. We'll reveal the answers in two hours!"

As the words fell, the cameras shut off, and the live stream was temporarily suspended.

Nanzhi flipped over her identity card—[Night Market Snack Stall Owner].

She raised her eyebrows slightly, a little surprised, then smiled gently.

The smile that bloomed at the corners of her eyes and brows was like an epiphyllum slowly unfurling.

---

There were two hours until the next live stream.

Nanzhi saw the other three guests and their children gathered in the large backstage lounge, chatting. They were deliberately ignoring her and Ian.

She didn't go over to invite the snub, nor did she think their behavior was unreasonable.

After all, yesterday, when they had offered goodwill, "Nanzhi" had been a snob, treating the most famous Fu Zhao completely differently from the other two!

So their resentment and rejection were understandable!

Nanzhi was just curious, glancing at the two little ones playing games in the corner—Xie An'an and Qi Zhang.

According to the conqueror's memories, this novel, called *Top Couple*, was about a movie king male lead and a popular young actress female lead who meet through a parenting show. They each go through low points, then meet again at the peak, falling sweetly in love.

And the villain, Ian, is gloomy, paranoid, and vicious, but hopelessly in love with the female lead.

...What a passionate love story.

Except.

The female lead, Xie An'an, is four years old this year.

The male lead, Qi Zhang, is five.

And her own little villain, not yet grown, is four and a half.

No matter how Nanzhi looked at it, she couldn't imagine their entanglements of love and hate.

The only thing she was sure of was that the parenting show *Toddler Observation Diary* played a crucial role in the novel. It was the first major plot point. No wonder the conqueror had tried so hard to get on it.

Nanzhi naturally had to be on high alert.

Chapter 5: The Mysterious Big Shot is an Ex-Boyfriend

Nanzhi pulled Ian to a quiet corner to wait for the staff to notify them about the transfer to the filming location.

They had just sat down when Ian secretly furrowed his brows, his legs twitching uncomfortably.

Nanzhi was looking at her phone.

She noticed out of the corner of her eye and quickly understood:

"Need to go to the bathroom?"

"...No."

Ian was as stubborn as ever.

Nanzhi directly took his little hand and stood up:

"If you need to go, let's go. I'll go with you."

After a few similar experiences, Ian was no longer as resistant to Nanzhi as he had been at the beginning. He followed her lead.

The bathroom was just to the right, outside the lounge. It wasn't far.

Nanzhi walked Ian to the entrance of the men's room and whispered a few words of caution.

Ian seemed unaccustomed to such maternal care. When he turned and walked away, his back was stiff, his movements slow, like a little puppet.

Nanzhi watched him from behind in silence.

She knew Ian was used to suppressing his own thoughts, because his requests had never been taken seriously.

Thinking of the thin figure always lurking in the corners, the edges, the shadows in the conqueror's memories, Nanzhi's heart ached with a dense, piercing pain.

She lowered her eyes, leaning against the wall. Her profile was cool and slender. No one knew what she was thinking.

—Fu Zhao walked out of the bathroom and saw this scene.

Fu Zhao was known for being humble, gentle, and good-natured.

Even at the peak of his fame, he never put on airs or gave anyone the cold shoulder. He was always smiling.

But when he saw Nanzhi, his face fell, a rare occurrence.

"You followed me all the way here?"

Fu Zhao's voice was deep and magnetic.

But the disgust and irritation beneath the surface were impossible to hide.

Nanzhi was a bit distracted.

It took her two or three seconds to snap out of it.

She tilted her head, her unfocused gaze landing on Fu Zhao like a butterfly.

"Hm?"

She tilted her head in confusion, her cloud of dark hair falling to one side of her face. She was effortlessly beautiful.

A far cry from her previous, overly elaborate attempts.

Fu Zhao thought sarcastically, then issued a stern warning:

"Know when to stop. Don't think everyone else is blind! If you keep this up, I won't hesitate to have you kicked out of this industry!"

With that, Fu Zhao gave Nanzhi one last, deep look.

He remembered how, when he first saw her, he had felt a flicker of fondness because her features seemed so kind. The thought now made him sick.

After thoroughly condemning his own superficiality, Fu Zhao turned and strode away.

As for Nanzhi, she was just baffled.

After thinking it over, she suspected the conqueror was to blame.

It seemed the conqueror had secretly sent Fu Zhao some ambiguous text messages?

No wonder he was so angry.

Nanzhi closed her eyes helplessly, raised her hand to rub her temples, and began to count the number of things she would have to take the blame for...

*Tap, tap, tap.*

A leisurely set of footsteps approached.

Nanzhi thought Fu Zhao had come back. She opened her eyes to explain:

"Actually, that message wasn't from me..."

She froze mid-sentence.

The person not far away also paused, looking up.

In that instant, it was as if the unmoving statue of a deity in a misty, incense-filled temple lowered its eyes, utterly indifferent, to look upon the mortal world.

He was above the clouds, viewing all things in the world as insignificant. Even the most beautiful face was just a skeleton adorned with rouge to him.

He was so aloof, so distant, so mysterious, that the person being looked at felt small, as if they would dissipate like dust between heaven and earth in an instant.

Of course, Nanzhi wasn't that affected.

She just felt as if she were standing in an empty valley, memories like a howling wind piercing her soul.

In a daze, she moved her lips, about to call out that name...

"Sir?"

The assistant following the man asked, puzzled.

The man casually withdrew his gaze and resumed walking. There wasn't a trace of extra emotion in his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, he and his assistant had disappeared around the corner of the hallway.

It was a long time before Nanzhi slowly exhaled the breath she had been holding. Images from a few years ago flashed before her eyes—

'What would you do if we broke up?'

'I would pretend I never knew you.'

...

He really was a man of his word, Lu Shixu.

Nanzhi clicked her tongue softly.

What was it like to accidentally run into your ex-boyfriend and be treated like a stranger?

Nanzhi's answer: No big deal. It felt pretty liberating, actually.

Compared to twelve years of life-and-death struggles in another world, the relationship that had caused her so much pain and grievance back then seemed insignificant.

It was like crying your heart out as a child over not getting a piece of candy. When you grow up and remember it, you might feel a little nostalgic for that innocent time, but you wouldn't still be fixated on that candy.

"I'm done."

Ian walked up behind her and said awkwardly.

Nanzhi gathered her thoughts and took Ian to wash his hands.

As she turned around, only four words echoed in her mind:

That's it, then.

---

Lu Shixu suddenly stopped.

He stood there, expressionless, like a lush green mountain shrouded in mist, mysterious and unfathomable.

His assistant, Tao An, didn't understand the situation and ventured a question:

"Sir, do you remember that person just now?"

"Oh?"

The faint tone made Tao An understand. He nodded and continued:

"That was Miss Nanzhi, an actress. She recently joined that parenting show you and Mr. Tang invested in. However, before this, Miss Nanzhi had tried twice at banquets to inquire about and approach you, but failed."

Tao An remembered the second time. Miss Nanzhi, with the typical fake, fawning smile of the entertainment industry, had mingled into a business banquet that didn't match her status, pretending to

TITLE: The Reluctant Surrender

---

The results of the prestigious Chef Rankings showed that she was ranked lower than a young girl barely in her twenties?

This had to be rigged!

It was a deal made with money and power!

This was the beginning of the Chef Rankings tearing off its mask of respectability!

"The culinary world of Huaxia is doomed! There's no saving it!"

Mr. Shen let out a furious roar.

Then, without hesitation, he dialed a colleague and friend in the industry.

The other man had just finished reviewing the two major rankings and had been plunged into a long period of self-doubt.

When he answered his friend's call, his first words were:

"Old Shen, tell me, am I even fit to be a chef?"

Mr. Shen's eyes burned with indignation, and he immediately shouted in consolation:

"How could you say that? Old Zhu, I've seen how hard you work every day! This year's Chef Rankings are absolutely ridiculous! They've even pushed Master Peng down! I don't care what kind of connections this Nan woman has. We'll band together and file a protest with the Chefs' Association! If they dare to keep gambling with the future of Huaxia's culinary world for the sake of a little girl, then we'll smash this whole thing to pieces and tell them to take their rankings and get lost!"

Mr. Shen saw himself as a righteous man, a commoner whose fury could draw blood!

He was the shining beacon of resistance in a corrupt world, his blood boiling with righteous passion.

So, not only did he stir up this friend who was wallowing in self-doubt, but he also convinced him to join forces and recruit more allies, to protest, to oppose, and to make the world see their grievances!

Actions followed words.

Mr. Shen closed his restaurant for the day, canceled all reservations, and began contacting people through his phone.

First, he reached out to those he knew well, telling them about the situation and asking for their opinions.

Their reactions were mixed—

"You're right, we can't just let this slide! What do they take us for? Toys for a little girl to play house with?"

"Nan Zhi? I heard she's Nan Pingshan's granddaughter and his only disciple, so..."

"So what if she's Nan Pingshan's granddaughter? Cooking isn't some martial arts novel where you can transfer your skills with a touch! How old is she? She can barely hold a knife properly. What right does she have to be number one on the Chef Rankings?"

"Old Shen, I understand your feelings, but I was at the tasting banquet at South Wind Pavilion back then. To be honest... she deserves it. She absolutely has the skill to be number one on the Chef Rankings."

"Of course, we should ask Master Peng about this! Using Master Peng's reputation as a stepping stone for a young girl—aren't these people afraid of shortening their own lives?"

"I ate at South Wind Pavilion once before, with a friend. Old Shen, this Chef Nan is no joke. Don't underestimate her because of her age. Go try it for yourself, and you'll understand."

"Nan Zhi? I've heard of her. She's been making a big fuss online lately... No, I haven't eaten her food! And I don't need to. I know it's just another round of capital-driven hype. The套路 hasn't changed in years!"

"Master Peng seems to have a high opinion of this Chef Nan. Plus, she was on that documentary. Even Zhu Jin praised her. She can't be that bad."

"I heard that Nan woman's parents are super rich! So it's no surprise she knows Zhu Jin! What if Zhu Jin is just buttering up her parents and playing games with the Chef Rankings' reputation? What won't these rich people do for money?"

"..."

Mr. Shen was completely blinded by rage.

The voices that shared his anger only added fuel to the fire.

The voices that urged him to be rational or that sided with Nan Zhi were completely ignored.

Mr. Shen was a well-connected man in the industry.

After a few hours of this, he had actually managed to rally a group of people, ready to file a joint protest with the Chefs' Association!

They had already planned it out: if the Chefs' Association pretended to be dead and didn't respond, they would go and hold signs and sit in protest! They would make this as big as possible!

Just as the situation was spiraling out of control, like a runaway horse...

A phone call came in for Mr. Shen.

Seeing it was an unfamiliar number, he initially didn't want to answer.

But on second thought, he picked up.

He spoke rapidly:

"Sorry, I'm a bit busy right now. I'll call you back later..."

He was about to hang up after rattling off his excuse.

The person on the other end sounded a bit helpless and quickly revealed their identity:

"I'm Peng Yusheng."

Mr. Shen's brain almost didn't register it.

Peng Yusheng? Who was Peng Yusheng... Ah!

"Ah! Peng Yusheng... I mean, Master Peng! Senior Peng!"

Mr. Shen jumped up from his chair and bowed respectfully to the empty air.

His demeanor instantly shifted from a furious, hot-tempered brute to a prim and proper schoolboy.

Peng Yusheng chuckled warmly:

"Yes, it's me. Xiao Shen, I went out of my way to get your number. I heard that after today's Chef Rankings came out, you weren't satisfied and were looking for people to protest with?"

Peng Yusheng's tone was gentle, making it hard for Mr. Shen to gauge his stance.

So, Mr. Shen decided to just speak his mind:

"That's right! I'm not accepting this! Don't worry, Senior Peng. We'll get back what the Chef Rankings owe you! Why should a twenty-something girl be ranked above you and take first place? These people have no下限 when it comes to hyping things up!"

The more Mr. Shen spoke, the more indignant he became.

It only made Peng Yusheng on the other end seem even calmer and more magnanimous in contrast.

Mr. Shen thought this was because Peng Yusheng had seen so much in his life that he had the ability to remain unflappable even when Mount Tai collapsed before him.

But then, Peng Yusheng said:

"Xiao Shen, I understand your anger, but the truth of the matter might be different from what you think."

He was actually speaking up for Nan Zhi!

It was like a bucket of cold water was thrown on Mr. Shen.

His tone turned stiff:

"Senior Peng, this matter might be about you, but it's not just about you. It's about seeking justice for countless Huaxia chefs! I know you're also a member of the Chefs' Association, and to protect the association's authority, you might be willing to step back... but we can't! We will fight this evil force to the end!"

Peng Yusheng let out a soft laugh:

"But the problem is, I was the one who willingly gave up the 'number one' spot! I did it with all my heart!"

Chapter 520: Peng Yusheng's Pride

"...Oh no, that's not right. I shouldn't say 'gave up.' It's more accurate to say I knew I couldn't match her, so I conceded defeat."

Peng Yusheng spoke in an extremely relaxed and calm tone, saying these words to Mr. Shen.

He seemed completely unaware that his words would shatter Mr. Shen's heart into a thousand pieces, leaving it in ruins.

Mr. Shen's mind was buzzing, and he stammered:

"Th-that can't be... Senior Peng, you really don't have to go this far to protect the Chefs' Association's prestige!"

He simply couldn't believe what Peng Yusheng was saying.

So, Peng Yusheng asked him in return:

"Then do you really think I would disregard the feelings of so many chefs, even risk destroying Huaxia's culinary world, just for a little bit of personal gain?"

Mr. Shen was speechless.

Of course, he wanted to answer 'yes.'

But the words got stuck in his throat.

Mr. Shen had admired Peng Yusheng for many years. Peng Yusheng had always been his idol, his goal to strive towards.

If even his idol was going to fall from grace, then what was the point of all his years of effort?

Mr. Shen seemed to calm down a little.

"So, Senior Peng, you're saying you genuinely believe she's better than you?"

Peng Yusheng chuckled softly.

The former number one on the Chef Rankings had his own pride.

So, he said with confidence:

"We're about evenly matched."

That was already shocking enough!

Mr. Shen gasped, about to say something.

Then Peng Yusheng added:

"...At least, in my prime."

His voice carried a rare hint of melancholy as he continued,

"Xiao Shen, you should know that aging is an enemy we can never defeat. As we get older, our sense of taste deteriorates, our movements slow down. While experience can make up for some of this difference, we have to admit that at my age, I'm well past my prime, my golden years as a chef."

Mr. Shen felt a pang of sadness:

"But Master Peng, I tasted your cooking not long ago. You're clearly still as skilled as ever. You definitely wouldn't lose to those chefs in their forties or fifties!"

Peng Yusheng laughed:

"Exactly, chefs in their forties and fifties. That's widely considered a chef's prime, when both skill and experience are at their peak. But how old is Nan Zhi? She's not even thirty. Yet her skill and experience are already on par with mine. It's like two intersecting lines. We might be at the same point right now, but from this day forward, every day she's on an upward trajectory, while I'm on a downward one. Maybe I could shamelessly cling to the number one spot on the Chef Rankings this time. But the rankings are revised every four years. I don't want to hear people say two years from now that I'm undeserving of the position, that I'm just relying on my age and reputation. Xiao Shen, I am Peng Yusheng. I have my pride."

These words were truly from the heart.

Mr. Shen was speechless for a long time.

He felt a sense of sorrow for the twilight of a master like Peng Yusheng, while also struggling to accept the sudden rise of Nan Zhi.

"...Is she really that good?"

Mr. Shen couldn't help but ask.

Peng Yusheng sighed:

"Have you ever tasted her cooking?"

Of course, Mr. Shen hadn't.

So, Peng Yusheng suggested:

"Perfect timing. I've reserved two tables at South Wind Pavilion tonight. Why don't you bring along all the friends you've invited? I think nothing is more convincing than the taste of the food itself. Skill never lies, does it?"

"...You're right."

That evening, during South Wind Pavilion's business hours, Mr. Shen and his group of would-be protesters arrived at the restaurant at the agreed-upon time.

Of course, many of them hadn't wanted to come initially. They felt South Wind Pavilion was tainted, that coming here was like aiding the enemy, an absolutely unacceptable act!

It was only when Mr. Shen said the meal was being hosted by Peng Yusheng that they changed their minds.

After all, like Mr. Shen, many of them were devoted followers of Peng Yusheng.

With their idol present, they had no choice but to go.

When they arrived at the street where South Wind Pavilion was located, they saw traffic jammed from the entrance of the street all the way down. The sidewalks and roadsides were packed with people, and many vendors had set up stalls to capitalize on the opportunity.

Even their own car got stuck nearby and couldn't move. To avoid being late, Mr. Shen and his group had to get out and walk.

This brought them into closer contact with the bustling crowd.

The sheer spectacle left them stunned.

Someone blurted out:

"Are all these people here to queue for the restaurant? Or are they here for some celebrity concert?"

The crowd was terrifying. They even saw police officers dispatched to maintain order.

Someone sneered immediately:

"Isn't it basically the same thing? I heard they're filming some variety show in there, with lots of big stars. Even my wife is obsessed with it. You've got to admire their marketing skills! How could us old fogies ever compete with these capitalists?"

Others quickly chimed in.

But Mr. Shen remained silent.

He just quietly gazed at the South Wind Pavilion's sign, hanging high above the sea of bobbing heads.

It looked like a solitary moon hanging high in the sky, so cold, so proud, untouched by the dust of the world.

So... were those words from Senior Peng Yusheng sincere?

They arrived at South Wind Pavilion.

Except for Mr. Shen, the complaints from the others gradually died down.

The reason was simple.

One of them, while walking through the crowd, had muttered a curse under his breath against Nan Zhi.

A nearby young girl overheard him, immediately glared, and demanded to know who he was cursing.

The burly man, whose arms were thick from wielding wok pans, found himself speechless and completely cowed in front of the girl who barely reached his chest.

His companions watched and laughed, but they wisely chose to lower their voices or just grumble internally.

They were all afraid of getting beaten up.

After much struggle, they finally reached the entrance of South Wind Pavilion. There were people maintaining order, and they were naturally stopped.

Mr. Shen quickly stepped forward to say they had a reservation.

The person confirmed the information:

"Yes, that's correct. Mr. Shen and party, please come in."

They stepped aside and politely invited Mr. Shen's group inside.

Meanwhile, those who were queuing or didn't even have the right to queue all cast envious glances at Mr. Shen's group.

At first, Mr. Shen and the others didn't think much of it.

But then they found themselves surrounded and enveloped by countless gazes.

As if being able to bypass the crowd and step into South Wind Pavilion was the greatest stroke of luck...

At that moment, the vanity of these middle-aged men reached its peak!

Bah! Bah! Bah!

What was going on?

Weren't they sworn enemies of South Wind Pavilion and Nan Zhi?

How could they be swayed by such a small, insignificant advantage and forget their primary mission?

The group quickly suppressed these inappropriate thoughts, put on stern faces, and strode aggressively into South Wind Pavilion.

Chapter 521: Challengers at the Door

Mr. Shen and his group deliberately put on stern faces, intending to show their unwillingness to yield!

However, this expression was misinterpreted by the many diners behind them—

"Ah, they must be so nervous."

"Normal. It's like a foodie making a pilgrimage to a holy land! That's how I feel, hehe."

"I don't get why they had to come today, just because it's the last day of business? It's not like South Wind Pavilion is closing down!"

"...Then why don't you get out of the queue! Don't think I can't see through your little scheme. You just want to improve your own chances of getting in!"

"I'm so jealous of those guys. They must be super fans of Sister Zhi, to have managed to get a private room! Ah, Sister Zhi has truly made it big!"

"After all, she's number one on the Chef Rankings! Now I can finally proudly proclaim that my idol is the best in the world, haha!"

"..."

The most hot-tempered friend in Mr. Shen's group nearly turned around to pick a fight!

It was only thanks to Mr. Shen and another person quickly grabbing him and repeatedly advising:

"Calm down, calm down! Don't stoop to their level!"

"Exactly, they're probably around the same age as our kids. It would be so undignified to argue with them!"

"Most importantly, we're old and frail, and we can't take on a crowd!"

"..."

The man's fierce struggles gradually subsided.

He clenched his fists in indignation:

"This is too much! They're insulting us!"

The others remained silent, but their thoughts were similar to his.

They had come here to pick a fight!

But in the mouths of those people, they had become Nan Zhi's super fans?

They wouldn't stand for it! They wanted to protest!

"...Gentlemen, aren't you going to your private room?"

The waiter's friendly and amiable smile forced them to swallow their anger.

Finally, they nodded politely to the waiter and followed him to a private room on the second floor.

They stormed into the room, huffing and puffing, only to freeze in their tracks, suddenly as timid as schoolchildren!

"Senior Peng!"

Mr. Shen exclaimed in surprise, then stretched out his hand from across the room, eager to shake Peng Yusheng's hand!

No one had expected that the great senior, Peng Yusheng, would arrive before everyone else!

Everyone was flustered and filed up to greet Peng Yusheng with nods.

The waiter at the door looked puzzled.

Peng Yusheng quickly smoothed things over:

"What's this 'senior' business? We're all colleagues here. Just call me Old Peng."

Mr. Shen and the others were flattered and muttered something noncommittal, but none of them dared to actually do it!

The culinary profession places great emphasis on the master-disciple lineage. One's own master is like a parent.

And Peng Yusheng was roughly of the same generation as their masters.

If they actually dared to call him "Old Peng"...

Their masters would hear about it and come to deal with them immediately!

Mr. Shen smiled wryly and shook his head:

"Please don't embarrass us, sir."

He was a bit more perceptive than the others and realized that Peng Yusheng's introduction, besides being a way to lower himself, was also a way to conceal his identity.

It seemed Master Peng's visit here was unknown to the famous number one on the Chef Rankings?

Mr. Shen found an excuse to send the waiter away.

Peng Yusheng finally sat down:

"I arrived a bit earlier than you, so I've already ordered. If any of you need anything else, feel free to add to the order."

Mr. Shen and the others waved their hands, saying it was enough.

They all took their seats.

Then, an eerie silence fell over the private room.

Except for Peng Yusheng and Mr. Shen, who knew a little bit of the inside story, everyone else was fidgeting nervously, unsure of the purpose of this meal.

Was it really just for Master Peng to vouch for Nan Zhi, with no other agenda?

For example...

To persuade them to wisely drop their plans for a protest.

If that was the case, then their long-held admiration for Peng Yusheng might crumble into dust.

This would probably directly affect their own belief in pursuing culinary arts.

So, at this moment, Mr. Shen and his group were filled with the anxiety of awaiting a final judgment...

In the midst of this silence, Peng Yusheng finally spoke.

"Have some tea. It's quite authentic Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao. I brought it myself and asked the restaurant staff to brew it. I didn't expect their technique to be so professional."

Peng Yusheng held a tiny, exquisite teacup, saying this with a chuckle.

He seemed completely oblivious to the varied expressions on everyone's faces.

However, watching him leisurely pour and drink his tea did help Mr. Shen's group relax.

They poured the tea, took a few sips, and slowly calmed their nerves. They even began to appreciate the decor of the private room.

Someone couldn't help but mutter softly:

"This Yongnian... I mean, South Wind Pavilion has changed quite a bit."

"That's right. I remember the old private rooms were quite shabby. This renovation must have cost a fortune."

"That Boss Nan probably isn't short of money, huh, hehe."

"Shh, keep your voice down."

"..."

Peng Yusheng lowered his head to pour tea, pretending not to notice the furtive glances being cast his way.

Soon, a waiter knocked and began serving the dishes.

The order of serving followed the traditional Chinese culinary customs.

During the meal, no one spoke much, casually beginning to taste the food.

Hmm? It was actually quite interesting.

"After all, the old Yongnian crew is still here..."

Someone muttered softly, seemingly explaining why South Wind Pavilion's current standard was so good.

But many of them knew deep down that the old Yongnian Pavilion had been on a steady decline and could never have produced dishes of this caliber.

Even a simple cold appetizer, the excellence displayed by South Wind Pavilion, had already far surpassed the old Yongnian Pavilion.

They just still had their biases and were unwilling to admit it.

Soon, a large bowl of Chicken Tofu was brought in.

To ensure fair distribution, the waiter personally served it, dividing it according to the number of people.

Whether it was through special training or sheer practice, the waiter's movements were incredibly precise and steady.

After serving, the waiter actually pulled out a... kitchen scale?

She placed each small bowl of Chicken Tofu on the scale, weighed it, and showed the result to everyone, ensuring that each portion was exactly the same weight.

Mr. Shen and the others found this quite puzzling, wondering if it was really necessary.

Some, not daring to openly criticize in front of Peng Yusheng, silently labeled it as 'gimmicky'!

As for Peng Yusheng, he just watched with a smile, as if he was used to this procedure.

Mr. Shen pondered to himself, casually picking up his spoon and taking a mouthful of the Chicken Tofu.

...Then his eyes widened in shock!

This... this was Chicken Tofu?

Chapter 522: Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth

The private room was immersed in the shock of the Chicken Tofu.

Soon, they understood why the waiter had done what she did.

Because someone was now providing a live demonstration—

"I feel like my bowl of Chicken Tofu is a bit small..."

The man who had finished his small bowl in two spoonfuls froze mid-sentence.

He remembered that he had just criticized the waiter's actions as gimmicky.

But now, it was clear that this was precisely to avoid an argument between diners at the same table!

At this point, Peng Yusheng slowly added:

"I heard that when they first started serving the large portion of Chicken Tofu, people at the same table would often argue over how to divide it. The waiter carrying an electronic scale was a necessary measure."

Why?

Because when diners argue, they always ask the waiter to be the judge!

Even a wise man finds it hard to settle family disputes, so how could a waiter possibly adjudicate a bowl of Chicken Tofu?

In the end, it was a genius who proposed—nothing is more convincing than the transparent data from an electronic scale.

That genius was Fu Chao.

His solution was simple but effective.

It dramatically reduced the frequency of arguments over Chicken Tofu at South Wind Pavilion.

Even in the current private room, any discontent was silently dissipating.

Then, dish after dish was brought out like a flowing stream, including rich and flavorful dishes like Ten Thousand Blessings Pork and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!

Mr. Shen and the others were industry insiders. They knew best about the stability of a kitchen's output.

A kitchen requires years of磨合 and strong leadership to ensure the consistent quality of its dishes.

South Wind Pavilion had undoubtedly achieved this.

If this was the legacy of Yongnian Pavilion...

Then why couldn't the old Yongnian Pavilion do it? Why had it been on a steady decline due to inconsistent quality?

The only explanation was that a variable had appeared between Yongnian Pavilion and South Wind Pavilion.

And Nan Zhi was that variable!

It was her influence that gave South Wind Pavilion such a powerful kitchen operation system!

This wasn't just about one person's culinary skill. It also represented her control over the kitchen, her mastery of the entire workflow, and her ability to get other chefs to willingly cooperate!

Remember, the kitchen of the former Yongnian Pavilion, now South Wind Pavilion, also had the famous Song Lin, who was on the Chef Rankings!

If Nan Zhi's skill level was truly inadequate, would Song Lin submit to her leadership?

As for Nan Zhi's personal culinary skill, the Chicken Tofu and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall they had just tasted were proof enough.

...Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Shen's group had lost their anger.

Their expressions were a mix of confusion, bewilderment, shock, guilt, and barely concealed jealousy!

The mixture of emotions was so complex that the private room became even quieter than before, so quiet you could hear a pin drop!

Suddenly, Peng Yusheng spoke:

"I heard that today is a special day, the last day of the variety show filming. So, Chef Nan has introduced a new dish. I've ordered it. Please, everyone, give it a try."

Shortly after he spoke, a new dish was brought in—

It was an unremarkable white clay pot, containing a bowl of crystal-clear soup. Floating on top was a large cabbage, blooming like a lotus flower, its emerald green leaves gently swaying and unfurling with the ripples of the broth.

Mr. Shen was the fastest to react:

"Is this Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth?"

After tasting the Chicken Tofu, it wasn't surprising to see Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth on the table.

Both are top-tier clear soup dishes in Sichuan cuisine, and Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth is even more famous to the general public!

Of course, in the eyes of many, the difficulty of Chicken Tofu is higher than that of Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth.

After all, the hardest part of Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth is making the顶级 clear soup.

Chicken Tofu, on the other hand, also tests the chef's control over the heat when making the tofu, adding a few extra steps.

Seeing this dish of Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth, Mr. Shen and the others became even more puzzled:

"Why is it being served now?"

As everyone knows, the order of serving dishes in Chinese cuisine is very particular, progressing from light to heavy flavors.

The purpose is to prevent the palate from being overwhelmed by strong flavors, making it impossible to taste the lighter dishes.

However, the most robust and intense dish on the table, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, had just been served.

Having just tasted those delicacies from land and sea, how could they possibly taste the Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth?

That's why Mr. Shen was confused. He even suspected that the South Wind Pavilion waiter had gotten the serving order wrong.

Only Peng Yusheng remained composed:

"Chef Nan must have her reasons for this arrangement."

Mr. Shen asked curiously:

"Senior Peng, have you tasted Chef Nan's Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth before?"

To his surprise, Peng Yusheng shook his head, saying no.

This made Mr. Shen even more curious.

With a skeptical attitude, he picked up a piece of the crisp cabbage leaf.

Yes, the cabbage leaf was crisp and green, as if it had just been freshly picked from the ground, not blanched in hot water.

Mr. Shen had eaten many versions of Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth, but this was the first time he had seen it like this. He couldn't help but mutter:

"Is this cabbage even cooked?"

He mumbled, then boldly stuffed the cabbage leaf into his mouth.

It felt like a burst of rich, clear soup flavor crashing into his palate.

How could Mr. Shen describe the feeling at that moment?

After much thought, the only word that seemed to fit was 'wonderful,' perfectly capturing the blossoming joy in his heart.

The crisp cabbage leaf, which didn't even look cooked, burst not with sweet juice when he bit down, but with the顶级 clear soup that had permeated every vein of the leaf!

"H-how is this possible!"

Mr. Shen was almost scalded, but he couldn't bear to spit it out, afraid of wasting such a delicacy!

This sensation was so novel, completely surpassing his understanding of Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth.

His chef's instinct kicked in, and he began to analyze the method behind this dish.

"...Could it have been injected with a syringe? No, no, there are no puncture marks on the leaf's surface. It must have been absorbed naturally during the cooking process. But to have the leaf absorb the broth without becoming soft... how terrifying must the control over the heat be?"

Mr. Shen forgot where he was and mumbled his thoughts aloud!

Peng Yusheng heard him.

The smug smile had long since vanished from his face, replaced by admiration and heartfelt respect.

Peng Yusheng said:

"See? That's why I conceded defeat. I lost fair and square."

He paused, looking down at the half-piece of cabbage leaf in his bowl, and sighed,

"This is Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth, and yet it's not just Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth anymore. This Chef Nan's culinary skill must be at its peak, unmatched by anyone. She can even improve upon such a classic dish. The future of our Huaxia culinary world is truly promising!"

Chapter 523: A Unique Technique

Mr. Shen's expression was dazed.

Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth is famous worldwide, and even its preparation method is widely known.

It's simply made by simmering old hens, pork hocks, old ducks, Jinhua ham, and other ingredients for over ten hours, then repeatedly clarifying the soup until it returns to a crystal-clear state, like plain water.

Then, take the heart of a cabbage, blanch it in hot water until cooked, and pour the seasoned clear soup over it.

And just like that, the dish is done.

It doesn't sound difficult, and the steps couldn't be simpler.

So, how on earth did that Nan Zhi... no, Chef Nan, manage to improve upon Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth?

Just as Mr. Shen and the others were racking their brains, someone knocked on the door of the private room.

Peng Yusheng seemed to have expected it, and said with a kind smile:

"Please, come in."

The door opened.

Nan Zhi's face, with a faint, polite smile, appeared in the doorway.

"Master Peng, it really is you. One of our staff members said they thought they saw you, so I came to check. You should have given us a heads-up before coming."

Peng Yusheng chuckled:

"I'm not some important VIP. I'm just an ordinary customer. I make my own reservation, eat, and leave."

Nan Zhi raised an eyebrow:

"Oh no, that won't do. You're a senior, Master Peng. I'm very grateful you came. Let me send out a few more new dishes for you all to try. They're dishes we're planning to launch soon. Please, give us your feedback."

As she spoke, Nan Zhi's gaze swept across the private room,

"Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Who are these gentlemen...?"

Mr. Shen and the others felt like they wanted to find a hole to crawl into!

What could they say?

Were they supposed to say they had come here specifically to pick a fight and cause trouble?

People are visual creatures. It was one thing not knowing Nan Zhi before.

But now, seeing a gentle and beautiful young woman standing there, speaking softly... how could these big, burly men bring themselves to be harsh with her?

Finally, Mr. Shen stepped forward reluctantly to introduce himself:

"We are... juniors of Master Peng! Yes, juniors!"

Nan Zhi looked gentle and harmless, but her gaze was sharp.

She casually glanced at their hands.

They were all classic chef's hands.

Juniors, indeed.

But probably not Master Peng's direct disciples or students.

Nan Zhi had a rough idea of who they were.

Since they didn't seem to want to reveal their purpose, she didn't expose them.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, she prepared to leave.

After all, the kitchen was busy. Finding time for this visit was already a luxury.

Just then, Mr. Shen called out to her.

"Chef Nan!"

His shout made everyone else turn to look at him!

Because Mr. Shen, as the initiator and leader of this protest, had been skeptical of Nan Zhi from the start. He wouldn't have used such a respectful tone to address her as "Chef Nan."

This sudden call spoke volumes.

Many people seemed about to speak.

But their eyes swept over the dishes on the table, and their retorts died in their throats.

Then, they heard Mr. Shen asking Nan Zhi how she made the Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth, and why it was different from the ordinary version.

So, they all fell silent, pricking up their ears to hear the answer...

No way.

This was probably her secret technique. She most likely wouldn't share it.

Guarding one's skills is an old tradition in the culinary world.

Just as the group expected Nan Zhi to make an excuse to refuse Mr. Shen...

Nan Zhi answered very casually:

"The method? Oh, it's not that difficult. Making a pot of顶级 clear soup is, of course, the key. The treatment of the cabbage is also a bit special. Instead of the traditional blanching method, which can easily overcook the cabbage, making it soft and limp and losing its natural crispness and freshness, I select only the best frost-kissed cabbages. I remove the outer leaves, keeping only the tender white stems and the精华 part, about the size of a fist. Since the stem is harder to cook through, I first soak the stem part in hot clear soup for two minutes. Once it softens slightly, I peel back four or five leaves to create a shape like a blooming water lily. Oh, during this process, I also use a silver needle to repeatedly prick the core to ensure the clear soup can penetrate better. Then comes the most important part: pouring the clear soup over the cabbage. I use clear soup heated until it's just warm, and pour it over the layers of leaves repeatedly until the leaves are completely cooked and tender. This method ensures the cabbage is cooked without losing its moisture or its fresh, crisp texture. It even looks like a completely raw, crisp cabbage in the shape of a water lily, with no signs of being blanched."

Nan Zhi was too detailed!

As they followed her description, they felt like they were witnessing the entire cooking process of the Boiled Cabbage in Supreme Broth!

But the question was...

Did Nan Zhi just casually reveal all of this?

Without hesitation, without weighing the pros and cons?

And wasn't she afraid others would learn her method?

Just as everyone was both surprised and puzzled...

Peng Yusheng suddenly remarked with emotion:

"Even if you explain this meticulous method, most people probably couldn't replicate it."

Nan Zhi shook her head with a smile:

"Hard to say. With enough practice, they'll get it eventually."

She didn't deny the difficulty of the method.

Mr. Shen and the others were even more confused.

Someone simply voiced their confusion.

"The method sounds quite simple. What's so difficult about it?"

Peng Yusheng sighed softly:

"Simple? Do you understand the principle of 'the greatest truths are the simplest'? Every cabbage is a different size, and the thickness of the leaves varies. So, during this process of pouring the soup, how do you ensure that the entire cabbage, from the inside out, is cooked through evenly and consistently, without one part being overcooked to the point of mush while another part is still raw? You need to capture the perfect doneness to ensure the dish is in its most perfect state. So, while this method may seem simple, it actually tests the chef's control over the heat, their familiarity with the ingredients, and so on. Without years of experience, you probably can't even touch the threshold."

Peng Yusheng explained the key points, and everyone finally understood.

So, even if the method was explained, they might not be able to do it!

The real difficulty lay in experience!

...Wait a minute.

Wasn't this Chef Nan Zhi only in her twenties this year?

When it came to experience, was she really more experienced than them, who had been chefs for thirty or forty years?

Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, Peng Yusheng took the initiative to explain:

"This is what we call a genius. There's no use being jealous."

The group's puzzled expressions gradually turned into resignation.

Yeah, a genius.

Those two words were enough to describe the chasm between them!

Some people spend their entire lives unable to find the door.

Others surpass everyone with ease.

Chapter 524: Convinced and Won Over

Facing a myriad of complex emotions—envy, jealousy, admiration—all focused on her,

Nan Zhi smiled, a little awkwardly but politely.

What could she say?

Although she could be considered a genius, she wasn't the kind who defied logic and experience.

These so-called experiences and techniques were all honed through her years of relentless effort, day in and day out.

She had endured as much hardship at the stove as anyone else.

But that part of her story couldn't be shared publicly, which made it seem like she had it easy.

...So, she had no choice but to reluctantly play the part of a super genius who didn't need to work hard to be incredibly skilled!

Nan Zhi smiled, then glanced down at her watch.

Realizing she was running short on time, she quickly bid farewell to Peng Yusheng and the others and returned to the kitchen.

She had no idea—

That her brief visit had completely dispelled the doubts of these colleagues who had come to challenge her.

And it had averted a potential incident that could have caused a lot of trouble.

Watching Nan Zhi's retreating figure, Mr. Shen felt dejected and powerless.

He had struggled and strived for most of his life, only to be surpassed by a young woman in her twenties.

But what could he do about it?

Outmatched is outmatched.

Talent is something that defies logic.

And cooking is a profession where you can't fake it. A chef knows in their heart whether their food is good or bad!

Mr. Shen smiled bitterly at Peng Yusheng:

"Master Peng, was this the