Urban Soldier Young Master

Chapter 1064 - 1063: You Set the Rules

When you think about it, this whole thing is really both frustrating and funny. It's clearly a trivial matter, yet somehow nothing seems to work out, and the more you think about it, the more annoying it gets.When Chu Ge noticed the extra hint of provocation and pride in Li Zhong's eyes, and the increasingly schadenfreude expressions on the other chefs' faces, he decided not to indulge Li Zhong's bad habits any longer and make this pesky fly shut up once and for all.

As for the method... it's simple, really—make a proposal that Li Zhong has absolutely no reason to refuse, and then slap him hard where it hurts.

Perhaps the conventional approach isn't quite suitable for the current situation, but who says you have to use conventional methods?

Of course, it's not Chu Ge's actual hand that will slap Li Zhong, but the events that are about to unfold.

Although Chu Ge prefers a straightforward slap to make him shut up completely, even though force can be a very direct and effective way to solve problems, it's not applicable in every situation.

As their eyes met, Chu Ge suddenly smiled slightly, revealing his signature smile, and said casually, "Head Chef Li, you said earlier... you believe that using your approach to cooking is the most scientific and desirable method, right?"

If anyone familiar with Chu Ge were here, they would instantly recognize his signature smile, six parts mischievous, three parts composed, one part cheeky, and know that he's up to no good again. Someone is bound to be unlucky soon.

Unfortunately, in this vast kitchen, there was no one familiar with Chu Ge present.

Li Zhong's face originally bore a confident or rather arrogant smile, but seeing Chu Ge didn't react as he expected—neither flying into a rage nor compromising. Instead, he showed such a punchable smile, causing Li Zhong's expression to freeze, filled with curiosity and not replying immediately, furrowing his brow slightly.

Chu Ge waited for two seconds, seeing that Li Zhong was just staring at him with a peculiar expression, then slowly asked, "Head Chef Li, if I heard correctly, that's what you said, right?"

Li Zhong nodded, "That's right."

"Sorry, I don't agree with your statement, so I'd prefer you shut up and do something you should be doing, like washing vegetables, chopping some scallions, garlic, and ginger, carrying dishes, or handing over a bowl."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhong's brow furrowed sharply, his face visibly showing displeasure.

Without waiting for Li Zhong to speak, Chu Ge continued, "By the way—if you feel these tasks are beneath you as the esteemed head chef, then how about this: prove your culinary skills are better than mine. Just prove that, and I won't utter another word. For these dishes, however you want me to make them, I'll make them. I'll follow your instructions completely, how about that?"

Li Zhong looked at Chu Ge suspiciously, "So... you're looking to compete with me in culinary skills? Ha, how do you plan to prove it?"

Chu Ge shrugged, "Whatever, you decide the challenge."

Li Zhong looked even more puzzled, "Decide the challenge? What does that mean?"

Chu Ge rubbed his forehead. He had spoken off the cuff and forgot that this guy probably wasn't from Hua Country. Now it seemed his intuition was correct; this Li Zhong indeed wasn't from Hua Country.

Otherwise, how could he not understand "decide the challenge," not to mention pronouncing the word "儿" in a clear manner?

"It means you decide what to compete in, how to compete, and set the rules, I'll go along with all of it, and I'll make sure you lose convincingly and then shut that annoying mouth of yours."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhong chuckled—more like laughed angrily. Considering he's been invited by Chu Chengrui to be a chef and become the head chef in this kitchen, his culinary skills are undoubtedly top-notch, even internationally. Yet, Chu Ge dares to challenge him like this?

Well, even if Chu Ge has some commendable and unique culinary skills, he wouldn't have entered this kitchen otherwise. If Chu Ge challenged him differently, he might have some reservations.

But! Isn't Chu Ge being too arrogant? Talking about food is one of humanity's fundamental survival needs, and for countless years, people worldwide have developed innumerable culinary arts. Even if someone dedicates their life to culinary pursuits, they cannot master every aspect.

Chu Ge is only in his twenties, even if he's greatly talented in cooking, excelling in one cuisine is already commendable. As for achieving top level in any field of culinary arts, that's simply a ridiculous notion!

To let him choose any method for the culinary competition? Isn't this just asking for humiliation?

At the moment, it's not only Li Zhong thinking this—all the chefs present have the same thought and are looking at Chu Ge like he's a complete fool, wondering who gave him the confidence to say something so absurd?

What's more, Chu Ge is challenging the top chef in this kitchen, Li Zhong!

Even the students trained by Li Zhong have won highly prestigious awards at international culinary competitions, so there's no need to say more about his culinary skills.

Under the gaze of disdain and contempt, Chu Ge lazily yawned.

"I say, Head Chef Li, can you give me a straight answer? If you think you're not up to it and don't dare to compete with me in cooking skills, then admit defeat now and obediently go wash vegetables for me. Although there's still plenty of time until lunch, I'm not interested in wasting time with you here."

Li Zhong snorted heavily through his nose, "I don't dare? What do I not dare? Ridiculous!"

"Very well, then why don't you tell me how we should compete. It would be best if you could choose a quick way, after all, you wouldn't want to delay the preparation of this lunch, right?"

Even without Chu Ge's reminder, Li Zhong had already considered this. He couldn't let this culinary competition take too long. If it was a skill he was best at, the outcome could be determined in a few minutes.

"I noticed your knife skills seemed pretty good earlier, so I won't bully you. Let's compete in knife skills, and the way we'll determine the winner is through egg carving. By the way, do you need me to explain what egg carving is?"

Li Zhong stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at Chu Ge with a condescending air, as if he were a senior. In fact, he did possess the confidence and qualifications to do so.

Although egg carving isn't a culinary skill, it does test knife skills and precision. Using it for a knife skills competition is reasonable.

More importantly, Li Zhong's egg carving skills are at the international top level, even more refined than his culinary skills. He is extremely proud of them, whether it's relief carving, yin carving, yang carving, thorough carving, or hollow carving, all are his forte.

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the other dozens of chefs twitched almost simultaneously—you're such a shameless person, Li Zhong! If this isn't bullying Chu Ge, then what is?

Of course, they only thought this to themselves. In this situation, nobody would voice their true thoughts. After all, they were in the same trench as Li Zhong, and given how arrogant Chu Ge sounded earlier, they were more inclined to watch his downfall.

"I'm not that ignorant." Facing Li Zhong's confident gaze, Chu Ge smiled faintly. "It's just carving something on an egg, no problem."

Li Zhong snorted through his nose, thinking Chu Ge was quite composed, being able to smile in this situation?

"You look so confident, you wouldn't plan to pull a trick, like carving the Mona Lisa's smile with an axe on a pigeon egg, would you?"

Li Zhong was pondering just that when Chu Ge's voice came from across.

"That's exactly what I'm planning to do!"

When Li Zhong said this, all the chefs in the room were dumbfounded, collectively turning their gaze to Li Zhong as if examining a monster.

Carving the Mona Lisa's smile with an axe on a pigeon egg?

Did they just hear wrong? This... how is this possible? This... should be an impossible task, right?

After a brief silence, everyone's gaze turned excited and fervent. In their view, since Li Zhong said it, he must have this ability.

After all, they've known each other not just for a day or two, and given what they know about Li Zhong, he's definitely a meticulous person who never exaggerates or attempts anything uncertain.

So, even though "carving the Mona Lisa's smile with an axe on a pigeon egg" seems absurd, since Li Zhong said it himself, he's bound to make this impossible task a reality!

Oh boy... today is going to be eye-opening!

Of course, although the majority of the chefs thought this, there were still a few who couldn't help but think this whole thing was just too far-fetched, deeply skeptical of what Li Zhong just said.

In any case, whether they believed or not, they were all filled with anticipation for the competition. As the saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating," they just needed to keep their eyes wide open and watch what happens next.

Seeing the confident expression on Li Zhong's face, Chu Ge's smile grew wider.