Chapter 3

After repeatedly reciting the interviewee's exact words in her mind dozens of times, she switched the staple food back to noodles

It is when he is immersed in comics that he is at his most normal

However, unexpectedly, Qi Cheng sat up straight and stared at the screen, with a strange light in his eyes

Qi Cheng shifted uneasily in the lounge chair

Qining probably did not expect such an answer, and the hand that was closing the lunch box paused for a moment as she glanced at Chi Zhihan.

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

The sword takes a crooked path because it is determined to achieve its goal

Helpless, in this studio filled with his nightmares, it is almost self-torturous

"No, it won't work." Qi Cheng took a sip of water, and after swallowing, he smiled wryly, "Having a treatment plan is better than despair."

Chi Zhihan hesitated for a moment and replied, "If it were me, I would take off my gloves while kneading the dough; the dough with a human touch would taste better."

Therefore, at the beginning, she wanted to use minced fish to knead into noodles, making this bowl of noodles fundamentally different from the very start

Qining's expression was indifferent, making it difficult to discern any emotions

Her first step was surprisingly to make roast duck. She took out the duck that had been marinated and air-dried for over 12 hours with oyster sauce, Sichuan pepper powder, and five-spice powder. Skillfully, she prepared the sauce using honey, fragrant vinegar, and light soy sauce, and after evenly applying it all over the duck, she placed it into the preheated oven

Not fully aware of the situation, Qi Ning instinctively grabbed Qi Cheng's arm and said, "You are still in the interview"

Just four hours after arriving, Qi Ning walked in punctually, while Chi Zhi Han had just placed all the dishes on an exquisite plate

Yet she hopes he can return to his former self, without the sunlight, but at the very least, he should not be like this, yearning for communication with others yet only able to hide behind the monitor

Because my previous answer left Chi Zhi Han confused, wasn't it stated that they do not hire female private chefs

This sudden change is too disruptive, leaving her feeling uncertain. She is also worried that Lin Jingwu will find out about this matter, as she anticipates another round of scolding.

He does not expect her to redeem him, but the way she cooks can serve as material for his comics; that kind of gaze perfectly aligns with the character of the protagonist in his comics

This indicates that the family has not given up on him yet

Several disposable gloves of different colors are paired with various kitchen knives: red for cutting meat, blue for seafood, green for fruits and vegetables, and white for dough preparation. Throughout the process, there are very few pauses in the actions, everything is orderly, and the cutting board and kitchen remain clean and tidy.

Such a scenario is akin to torment for individuals with social anxiety disorder

At the moment when Chi Zhihan normally kneaded the dough, he knew that she had qualified

This bowl of noodles is best enjoyed three minutes after preparation, when the temperature and texture are optimal. For those who prefer a mild flavor, it is advisable to start with the shredded egg and cucumber; for those who enjoy spicy food, the shredded chili can be added first; and for those who are not accustomed to a bland taste, starting with the roasted duck is recommended. After explaining everything word by word, it seemed that she remembered that she would not pass anyway, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. "I put a lot of effort into this bowl of noodles, and I hope you will like it"

Is she really pushing too hard? Listening to the elder brother's advice and having Qi Cheng return to Dr. Zhao for treatment may be the most prudent approach

Even though he is fully aware that this is an illusion. Mental illness is like this; one clearly knows what is right, yet the mind can vividly produce the opposite illusion. Living in such a world where black and white are inverted for an extended period leads to a gradual loss of self.

Qi Cheng covered his face, and his originally fair complexion appeared even more pale due to the pain

A bowl of Yangchun noodles that does not convey the flavor of Yangchun noodles should ultimately still be considered noodles

The air solidified for a moment

Neither Qi Cheng nor Qi Ning expected that the seemingly composed and organized Chi Zhi Han would suddenly stop to look at the camera. Qi Ning quickly stood up to block the surveillance screen, as Qi Cheng was too tense today. She feared that such a sudden action from Chi Zhi Han would cause Qi Cheng to completely withdraw.

Chi Zhihan was unaware that she had already passed the interview

Moreover, gradually, I was indeed captivated by the way Chi Zhihan cooked.

With the thought that she had already gone too far, she simply omitted the scallions altogether, cutting the cucumber into pieces resembling scallion bits, which she sprinkled over the noodles, accompanied by a perfectly fried egg with both sides golden brown.

Even though Qi Ning had quickly reacted by loosening his grip and stepping back to provide him with a safe distance, he still felt a sharp pain at the spot where he had just been held, as if it had been cut by a knife

Chi Zhihan will become a well-known food video blogger, primarily because she cooks in a very clean and efficient manner

... ...

He has always been dissatisfied with this scene, unable to grasp the characters' emotions at that moment, and unable to depict it, resulting in a prolonged stalemate.

If it were her, she would definitely prefer to eat instant noodles rather than spend four hours fussing over a bowl of noodles

Of course, Qi Ning also knew that what she said had limited comforting effect on Qi Cheng; all she could do was pour him a glass of water to prevent him from becoming dehydrated due to excessive cold sweat

Qi Ning smiled and extended his right hand: "Congratulations, you have passed the interview"

He is in urgent need of redemption

She has already qualified. Qi Cheng gritted his teeth to suppress the pain, trying to divert his attention through conversation, "I would like a bowl of spring noodles that does not taste like spring noodles, simply because I do not like eating lard"

When most people hear this request, their first reaction is usually to change the texture of the dough, substituting the original flour with other ingredients to make the dough.

She was completely unaware of the interviewer's preferences and restrictions, nor did she understand what the "Yangchun noodles" he mentioned, which supposedly lacked the taste of Yangchun noodles, actually were. Logically, she should have prepared a dish that looked exactly like Yangchun noodles but had a completely different flavor to meet the requirements.

Green cucumber shreds, yellow egg shreds, red chili shreds, and neatly sliced roasted duck breast

"If it were you, which one would you eat first?" Qi Ning suddenly stopped his actions and asked.

Chi Zhihan prepared a pot of vegetarian broth using red and white radishes, sugarcane, corn, cabbage, and yellow bean sprouts, standing in place for a while in a daze

In another bowl, there is a bowl of Yangchun noodles made with vegetarian broth

"Do you think we are too strict with you?" Qi Cheng is six years younger than her, and she has watched him grow up since childhood. When he fell ill, she was studying abroad. By the time she returned, that cheerful and affectionate younger brother had turned into a person with psychological barriers who only wished to sleep in the wardrobe

He posed this question yesterday, and it contains a trap

... ...

Qi Ning knew that Qi Cheng felt guilty because her questions were too tricky, especially after witnessing the effort the other party put in after she posed the questions

She would certainly soften her heart, especially seeing him now drenched in cold sweat yet still insisting on sitting here.

The medication prescribed by Dr. Zhao seems to be losing its effectiveness again

Chi Zhihan did not expect that in a state of high tension, she could ramble to such an extent, so she simply stood still in place, embracing the situation with a sense of resignation

The portraits of those girls with menacing smiles still covered an entire wall of the studio, and after Qi Cheng finished his instructions, he sat behind the door of the studio, staring at his own arms

She is working hard in order to secure this job. Qi Ning said calmly from the side, the more difficult the questions you pose, the more opportunities she has to showcase herself.

Her gaze just now..." Qi Cheng looked up and met Qi Ning's eyes, his tone slightly hurried due to excitement, "It was exactly the gaze of the protagonist in my comic this time.

... ...

Feeling a bit regretful about her sudden whim, Chi Zhi Han couldn't help but glance at the camera again

To make a firm hand-pulled noodle dough requires strength. After adding a certain proportion of cold water and eggs, the slender Chih Zhi-Han began to exert force while standing on tiptoe to knead the dough.

Chi Zhihan watched as Qi Ning placed the noodles into the food box and took away the plate of colorful side dishes, momentarily setting aside Lin Jingwu's principle of speaking less and doing more, and finally spoke up

Can this be considered good news

In his comic, the protagonist suffers repeated sabotage, leading to his continuous defeats in the chef competition. In the final elimination round, when he suddenly decides to abandon the safe topic and take a bold approach, there is a moment captured with such a gaze.

The blood and flesh above remain vividly blurred, and the sensation of pain truly exists

The girl with a sweet appearance at the door surprised him upon her entrance and even brought him unexpected gains

I am going to the studio. Qi Cheng almost immediately stood up and walked towards the studio, his eyes focused solely on it

Even due to excitement, from the moment he saw that gaze, he forgot whether he was sweating coldly again

The arm was still in excruciating pain, and Qi Cheng forced a bitter smile, hiding his already bloodied and mangled arm from his hallucinations behind his back

Qing Ning felt very uneasy about Qi Cheng's unusual reaction, even for the first time having the thought of retreating.

But this side hasn't been eaten yet... She spent four hours on it...

First, gather the long hair into a bun, then put on a hat and mask, tie the apron securely, and finally wash your hands

Although deep down he still feels that he is beyond saving

I did not expect to see it in such circumstances

After Chi Zhihan finished cooking, he did not glance at the camera again. Additionally, Qi Ning was also watching the surveillance footage alongside Qi Cheng. Apart from continuing to sweat coldly, his other symptoms did not worsen.

Then both individuals fell silent

Qi Cheng quickly took a screenshot, zooming in on Chi Zhihan's face, which was partially obscured by a hat and mask. The pair of round eyes, with distinct black and white, appeared somewhat guilty at this moment, yet also held a hint of ambition.

A sudden enlightenment, a perfect fit

"Let’s sign a contract with her, based on the previous private chef's agreement, for a duration of one month." Because of that gaze, and also because his own cousin merely held his arm for a moment, he found himself uncontrollably experiencing illusions

Then, she changed into white gloves and began kneading the dough

Redemption, even if only for a brief moment, is something he desperately needs

She used plain broth, worried that the flavor would be bland, so she roasted a duck. The aroma of the roasted duck is more overpowering than that of lard. The bowl of noodles she has prepared now can fully meet my requirements

As summer has just begun, the warmth from Qi Ning's palm quickly spreads through Qi Cheng's thin outer coat, causing Qi Cheng, who has just freed himself from the effects of stress, to stiffen all over.

But when she really started doing it, she suddenly changed her mind

However, such a statement cannot be made