This morning, Cheng Qing focused more on practical training for them, giving fair guidance to all three of them, and his expression remained serious throughout.
So much so that when Luo Xi was pushed out by Cheng Qing in the afternoon, looking lost and disoriented, she was still a little dazed.
Cheng Qing smiled and said, "Your tasks for this week are almost finished. I'll cook two more meals for you this week."
Losi was unsure of her attitude, and her eyes welled up with tears.
Her eyes reddened, and Cheng Qing panicked immediately.
"What's wrong? I'm cooking for you, and you're not happy?" He had originally pressed Rosie into a chair because he didn't want Rosie to come into the kitchen with him.
Now, her aggrieved look left Cheng Qing at a loss for what to do.
"What exactly do you mean?" Losi sniffed. "If you don't like me, then don't help me!"
Cheng Qing felt utterly wronged. Who would cook for someone they didn't like?
But Cheng Qing couldn't bring herself to say, "I like you!"
Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, I could only say, "You're so likable, who wouldn't like you? Besides, I've already cooked for you for five days, so two more won't make a difference."
Lossie turned her head away: "It's nothing, I'll make it myself."
Cheng Qing: "..."
Cheng Qing choked for a moment, then sighed and said, "Actually, the main reason is that only in this way can everyone have a normal lunch."
Losi: "..."
This time it was Luo Xi's turn to choke for a moment, then she realized what Cheng Qing meant and stood up to scold, "Are you mocking me? This is too much! You just wait, I'm going to cook this meal myself today."
When Cheng Qing was forced into the chair, she was momentarily stunned. Looking at Luo Xi, who strode confidently into the kitchen, she opened her mouth, but in the end decided... to let her give it a try!
Author's Note:
Chapter 53
After everyone finished their morning activities, they heard that Losy was going to cook today.
Everyone sat at the dining table, the men with their arms crossed and the women resting their chins on their hands, all looking utterly hopeless.
I waited until 12 o'clock before Losi finally came out carrying a plate of food.
Some people turned around curiously to look, and saw that Rossi put the plate of almost black stuff on the table. No one could tell what it was.
Li Mingyao frowned slightly and asked softly, "What is this dish?"
Losi glanced at it and said somewhat uncertainly, "Scrambled eggs with tomatoes."
Li Mingyao leaned forward and then turned to look at Luo Xi: "Are you sure?"
Losi was unsure again: "...I guess so?"
Cheng Qing covered her face and turned her head away.
Lossie realized something was wrong! She frowned at Li Mingyao and said, "Why are you making so many questions about eating? Did I ask you to do anything?"
Li Mingyao choked, then blurted out, "You still have to be able to eat it! Eggs or tomatoes, which of those are black?"
Cheng Qing coughed, squinted at Li Mingyao, and said with a smile, "It's nothing if adding a little soy sauce makes it turn black, so just shut up!"
Li Mingyao: "..." Are we even going to eat this? Did she add soy sauce? It's obviously burnt!
But since Cheng Qing had said that, Li Mingyao didn't want to dwell on it and ultimately chose to keep quiet.
Losi stole a glance at Cheng Qing and blushed slightly when she saw Cheng Qing's calm expression. She had boasted to Cheng Qing earlier that she could cook, but the first dish she made was burnt.
But a promise made is a promise kept, and she wouldn't back down. These past few days, she'd learned how to wash and chop vegetables from Cheng Qing—wasn't that just cooking? After watching Luo Xi for a few days, she felt she should be able to do it too.
Little did they know that there were other issues such as the cooking time and temperature.
A plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes filled the crowd outside with despair. Even if Li Mingyao wanted to cook it himself, he felt that his cooking skills might be even worse than this plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes and watermelon.
Lossie turned and went into the kitchen to prepare the second dish. A little while later, Lossie brought up a plate of stir-fried, slightly yellowed green vegetables.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, it hadn't burned, so it seemed they had at least gotten the heat right.
Feng Qiuyi asked with amusement, "Don't vegetables only turn yellow when they're left out for a long time? Can they really turn yellow when stir-fried?"
Losi was taken aback, her face flushed slightly, and she didn't know how to refute it.
Cheng Qing said calmly, "Stir-fried vegetables that turn yellow are rich in lutein, which is good for the eyes. Eat more of these and talk less."
Feng Qiuyi looked at her in shock: "You can even come up with that? I'm completely speechless!"
Losi blushed with shame and ran back to the kitchen, somewhat embarrassed, and brought out a bowl of steamed fish.
It was placed on the table, and there was nothing else wrong with it, except that its fish-like eyes were so clear and bright that they seemed to be staring at people.
Liu Suoyu was immediately shocked: "This fish died with its eyes wide open!!!"
Cheng Qing choked for a moment: "You can tell this fish is fresh just by looking at its eyes."
Liu Suoyu was taken aback, then smiled and turned to look at Cheng Qing, who could only turn her head away.
Liu Suoyu then echoed Cheng Qing, "Teacher Cheng is right."
Cheng Qing found it amusing, and Lin Shandie couldn't help but tease, "Teacher, you are truly knowledgeable! Otherwise, you really wouldn't be able to keep up!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Xi questioned Lin Shan Die: "I used to wash and cut the steamed fish, and I always turned on the fire myself. Why is today's steamed fish different from before? Are you deliberately making things difficult for me?"
Lin Shandie covered her mouth and laughed: "It's clear that there's a difference in talent when it comes to cooking!"
Lossie was furious: "Are you saying I'm a bad cook?"
Lin Shandie quickly admitted defeat and asked her, "Would you believe me if I said you're a good cook?"
Losi: "..."
Cheng Qing chuckled, stood up, glanced at the group, and spoke up for Luo Xi, saying, "Those of you waiting to eat shouldn't have so many opinions. After all, you didn't do anything, right?" Then she looked at Luo Xi and asked with a slight smile, "Shall I go in with you?"
This was already an offer of help, so Luo Xi finally gave in. She glanced at the group of people at the table who were criticizing her dishes with a pitiful look, and finally nodded to Cheng Qing, saying, "Okay."
Cheng Qing walked over to her and whispered to comfort her, "You're already very good. Just a few days ago you didn't know anything."
Losi raised her hand to touch her ear, gave Cheng Qing a strange look, and still replied, "Really? You're not just trying to comfort me, are you?"
Cheng Qing smiled helplessly, raised his hand and patted her, momentarily forgetting that he should keep his distance from her.
When they got to the kitchen, they found that Rossi had already prepared all the dishes, and all that was left was to fry, stir-fry, and stew them.
Thinking this, Cheng Qing reached out and tied up her long hair, rolled up her sleeves, and prepared to show off her skills.
Losi stood behind her, watching her busy figure, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
Even though she was the one who rejected me, she was also the one who always stood by me and protected me. Just like now, she could have left, but she insisted on staying to cook for me.
Even though I tried to forget what happened on the Ferris wheel, it kept getting closer to me.
How can I forget her like this? Losi clenched her fists, placing one hand on her chest, feeling a dull and uncomfortable sensation there.
***
After a table of dishes was served.
Everyone gathered around the dining table, looking at the distinct dishes. Cheng Qing's dishes were naturally delicious and visually appealing, while Luo Xi's dishes were quite...unique?
Feng Qiuyi took a breath and said, "Actually, they're all good."
Ye Lingyun stared at him wide-eyed, thinking to herself: This is truly blatant lying!
Fortunately, people are obliged to help those who have paid for their food, so everyone agreed.
But despite agreeing with her, he never actually touched any of Losie's food.
Lossie's face went numb; she felt looked down upon. Even though the food was burnt, it might still taste pretty good!
But no matter what Losi thought, there wasn't a single warrior willing to try.
Just as Losi was feeling frustrated, a pair of chopsticks appeared in her line of sight, picking up her slightly yellowed stir-fried vegetables. Losi was startled, then delighted, and followed the chopsticks to their owner.
Only then did they realize it was none other than Cheng Qing.
He saw that Cheng Qing, who was opposite him, was also looking at him with a puzzled expression because of his delighted gaze.
Losi was stunned by Cheng Qing's gaze. Cheng Qing's eyes had a power that could see through everything. In the end, Losi reluctantly lowered her head and said, "If it doesn't taste good, then don't eat it."
Cheng Qing was taken aback, then smiled gently: "It's delicious."
That reassuring smile instantly lifted Losi's spirits, which had been gloomy all morning.
She knew Cheng Qing was trying to comfort her, but she... just wanted to be comforted.
***
After lunch, Kong Mingyan announced that we were going out, something everyone was already used to. Most of the recent episodes had been filmed on location. The only question was, where were we going this time?
Kong Mingyan, of course, knew he should explain: "A new agritainment business has recently been built in Fanhe City. Let's go visit it today, and we'll have a barbecue there tonight. Also, since today's live stream hasn't started yet, we'll reschedule it for tonight so you can see the reactions to tonight's 'Best Partners'."
"Huh?" Everyone was stunned.
Kong Mingyan said with a smile, "Isn't it popular to watch those reaction videos of so-and-so watching so-and-so TV shows? So today, I'm giving our fans a video of your reactions to watching your own variety shows."
Everyone: "..."
Author's Note:
I'm feeling a bit sleepy, not really feeling well. But I'm really sleepy, so I'm going to bed. Goodnight!!
Chapter 54
Make a reaction video?
And it was broadcast live?
I love this so much.
[Aaaaaah, I'm throwing a tantrum!!! I really want to see Brother Feng watching his own variety show live.]
[Ahhhhh, the production team is amazing! I love it!]