There was no denying that both desserts were superb and delicious in their own ways. This put the judges in a dilemma which one to choose superior to the other. This was the price to pay when they agreed to judge and taste each delicious dessert presented to them.
"Han Yixin, Lu Xinyi, please rate the desserts you presented to us with one point as the lowest, ten as the highest," Chef Feng asked both women. "Miss Lu, please rate your dessert."
Everyone held their breath as they waited for Lu Xinyi's answer. If she gave herself a perfect ten points, it might sound overconfidence to the judges and audience while giving herself a seven or eight would be her showing humility to her opponent.
However, who would have known, except for her husband, that Lu Xinyi was shameless to the extent?
"Ten points," Lu Xinyi said, not even wasting a second to think over.
"What? She gave herself ten perfect points?"
"Such confidence she has on her!"
"Miss Lu, can you tell us why did you give yourself ten points?" Chef Feng narrowed his eyes and clasped both hands on top of the table.
"While I know there's room for improvement, each dish and dessert I made is filled with my desire to make the people who eat it happy and with the skills and knowledge I applied to the limit. Cooking is supposed to bring happiness to people. This is why I continue to strive to perfect my skills. Seeing a person happy by eating the dishes I made brings fulfillment to me. If I rate my dessert lower than ten, then I will be lying to myself. One must believe in herself before others believe in her."
Lu Xinyi's words were enough to move the judges. They were all reminded of how food could bring happiness to people.
"What about you, Miss Han?"
"I'm also giving myself ten points. Just like what Miss Lu said. One should believe in herself before anyone else would."
The answers they received weren't able to help the judges to decide.
The three judges had a deliberation with each other. For the last challenge, they'd agreed to test Han Yixin and Lu Xinyi's skills and creativity by using mandarin oranges. It was only Lu Xinyi who went beyond their expectations this time. None of them thought that Lu Xinyi chose to make candied orange cakes than turning the oranges into a sweet pastry.
"Is it really hard to choose between the two? While Han Yixin's orange tarts look visually appetizing, there's no doubt that my Big Sis won this round!" Shen Xue complained. Ah, couldn't the judges decide now? If they continued to argue at this rate, he would surely miss his flight later.
"Don't worry, Mr. Shen. They should come into the same decision soon. After considering all points and criteria, the winner will be decided by then," Huang Shenghao explained.
Just like what Huang Shenghao said—after long deliberation and arguments, the three judges finally decided which dessert they deemed winner for this round. Whoever would win the third challenge would automatically become the winner of this cooking battle.
The audience resumed their whispers and talked about their opinions about the cooking battle.
"Uhh… I think this cooking battle is a little unfair to Miss Lu, don't you think?"
"Huh? How so? Didn't you see Miss Lu can compete with Han Yixin with confidence?"
The man shook his head and explained what he meant.
"No, that's not what I'm talking about. Although, there's no point arguing if Miss Lu has the skills of a great chef or not. If she loses this battle, not only does she have to leave the academy; but also this would be the end of her career in the culinary world."
"That's not true," the old man joined their conversation, "do you think one's culinary career starts within the academy itself? A great chef with talent can thrive and showcase their skills with or without Silver Leaf's backing. The academy only helps these talents to flourish, but it cannot guarantee one's success in the chosen profession."
"So you mean to say even if Lu Xinyi loses today, no one can stop her outside the academy?"
"Hmm…" The old man nodded and touched his beard. "Someone like her cannot be stopped by a setback like leaving Silver Leaf Academy. If the academy loses a talent like her, the other schools eyeing her will just have to send their invitations on her way.
"Well, this also leaves an impact on Han Yixin if she loses to Lu Xinyi. I heard that she wants to participate in World Patisserie Challenge this year. She might lose her chance if Lu Xinyi beats her today," the young man continued.
"The World Patisserie Challenge will take place in six months. There's a lot of things that may happen. Also, isn't it the academy's headmaster who chooses the representative to send to participate?" His friend reminded the young man.
"Oh, I forgot about that."
"Han Yixin doesn't need to worry about her chances of joining the World Patisserie Challenge. If Headmistress Han decides to consider the skills of all the Cream of the Crop on making pastries, there's no doubt that Han Yixin can beat the rest except Tian Lingyu. She never won a single round on him, but Tian Lingyu isn't one interested to pursue his chance on baking so she should be safe.
"Also, don't forget the Headmistress is allowed to send two participants. You can guess who can accompany Han Yixin to the World Patisserie Challenge." The old man laughed, his eyes curved in amusement.
"You mean Lu Xinyi? Ohh… this would be exciting if the two can work together to represent Silver Leaf!"
"Look, they're about to announce the winner for this challenge!" the other spectators exclaimed.
"Ah, Miss Lu! Please tell me Lu Xinyi won this round and this battle!"
"Why are you so nervous? Don't tell me you bet on Lu Xinyi this time?"
"But of course, ah! Even before the entrance exam started, she became the dark horse that trampled the other leading participants! How can I not bet on her when she hasn't lost to anyone so far?!"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the judges have made their decision." Huo Meili's voice made everyone stopped talking. She opened the envelope on her hands and flipped the card open.
The stage was suddenly turned dim with only a few lights focused on Huo Meili. There was also a sound effect resounded through the whole arena as she was about to announce the winner of this cooking battle.
"The winner of the third challenge and this cooking battle is…"
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter