CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 318: MOVING INTO THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES

Just when Mayu was hesitating about how to break the awkward silence, Chen Yiyang took the initiative and asked Mayu, "Meihe said you came to France to participate in a culinary competition. What kind of competition is it exactly?"

Chen Yiyang’s impression of culinary competitions came mainly from films and domestic food competition variety shows.

But such competitions generally require high technical skills, and even a genius chef needs several capable assistants to help.

However, Mayu didn’t seem to be that kind of genius chef, and she came to compete alone, without even a single companion.

"I came to participate in the French Pastry Meat Pie World Championships," Mayu answered quietly.

"What championship?" Chen Yiyang was bewildered — he had never heard of such a competition.

"It’s a competition that began in 2009," Mayu explained to Chen Yiyang. "Pastry meat pie is a French dish with a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages.

The main method involves using gelatin and pastry to wrap the meat, followed by baking. It’s an indispensable part of French cuisine, with a saying that goes, ’Without meat pie, there’s no feast.’

"Oh, oh, now I understand."

Upon hearing Mayu’s explanation, Chen Yiyang realized this kind of competition was likely a regional French culinary contest.

Similar to Lin’an hosting a competition for West Lake Vinegar Fish.

However, considering the influence of pastry meat pie in France, such competitions would be more akin to dumpling competitions in his home country.

"But, is this kind of French cuisine popular in Japan too?" Chen Yiyang asked curiously, "Why would a Japanese person travel all the way to France to participate in such a competition?"

"All of French culture is famous in Japan," Mayu said. "There’s even a special term for it called ’Paris Syndrome.’

"Could you elaborate?"

"It’s because Japan, after learning from Europe, found France to be the center of European culture. Therefore, Japan admires everything about France, depicting Paris as the most romantic and culturally-rich city in the world.

As Japan’s economy developed, many ordinary Japanese people eagerly traveled to Paris, France, only to discover that Paris wasn’t as they imagined it. This led to feelings of disappointment and depression, now known as Paris Syndrome."

"Hahaha." Chen Yiyang couldn’t resist laughing after hearing Mayu’s explanation.

He could almost picture those Japanese tourists, who envisioned Paris as the most beautiful city in the world, arriving and encountering homeless people and thieves everywhere, and the Seine River, with its endless sewage—how could one not feel depressed?

Of course, objectively speaking, Paris indeed is the cultural center of Europe, and to this day remains the world center for luxury culture.

But to maintain these titles, Paris only needs to keep a few districts well-preserved.

As for other places, they don’t make money, so it’s natural for the powers that be to neglect them.

"Honestly, Parisians shouldn’t be blamed for the waste everywhere on the streets."

Chen Yiyang hired a local Parisian guide through an international travel agency.

Chen Yiyang and Mayu were chatting in Chinese, which the guide also understood.

The guide then chimed in, "Every public toilet in Paris starts at two euros. Imagine just wanting to relieve yourself, but paying the price of a cup of coffee to use the restroom. You might as well find a street corner to solve the problem and save those two euros to buy a cup of coffee and walk the streets pretending to be part of Parisian fashion."

"Furthermore," the guide continued, "Since the Middle Ages, Parisian streets have been full of waste. Back when the Palace of Versailles was completed, there were 36,000 residents, including nobles, guards, and servants. Yet, not a single toilet was built inside the palace, so everyone relieved themselves openly. Now, at least the Palace of Versailles has toilets, right?"

"Stop, stop, we need to change the topic." Chen Yiyang hadn’t anticipated coming to Paris to discuss culinary matters.

Yet on the first day, he spent half the time with two others talking about Paris’s excrement issues.

The stark contrast was too much.

Looks like he might develop Paris Syndrome himself.

Fortunately, as long as one is willing to spend money, Paris’s luxury hotels offer you a genuine taste of old European aristocratic elegance.

During this visit to Paris, Chen Yiyang chose to stay at the Palace of Versailles Luxury Hotel.

This hotel is located within the Orangery of the Palace of Versailles, belonging to a part of the historical Palace of Versailles constructed by the French King.

In a local context, it would be akin to living inside the Forbidden City.

Of course, the price is quite astonishing.

Ten thousand euros per night.

Here, the staff wear traditional French attire — short-legged pants with white stockings, giving a somewhat medieval vibe.

The building housing this hotel used to be the Palace of Versailles’s royal finance office, converted into a hotel after renovations.

Hence, staying here also requires paying an additional Versailles Palace Protection Tax of over two thousand euros.

All things considered, even for Chen Yiyang, staying here felt like he had excess money burning a hole in his pocket.

But his choice to stay here wasn’t merely for luxury and enjoyment.

The main reason was that the French executive chefs he intended to meet were notoriously aloof. As an outsider visiting Paris, he needed to demonstrate his financial status to gain the opportunity to converse with these individuals.

Then perhaps consider some mutually beneficial exchanges.

"Wow, this place is actually inside the Palace of Versailles?" Mayu was stunned upon seeing the scene.

"Yes," Chen Yiyang nodded, then continued, "but I’ve booked you the cheapest room here, hope you don’t mind."

"Not at all, not at all. I’m already very satisfied just to be able to stay in the Palace of Versailles."

Mayu hastily replied.

Of course, Chen Yiyang couldn’t afford to book a room here for all his accompanying personnel.

He himself stayed in the best room here, ten thousand euros a night.

For Mayu, he booked the cheapest room available, one thousand euros a night.

As for the other accompanying personnel, they could only be accommodated in nearby areas.

As for why he treated Mayu so generously.

It’s naturally because Chen Yiyang needed something from Mayu.

"By the way, Mayu," Chen Yiyang inquired after settling in. "You must have been recommended to participate in this competition, right?"

"Yes, indeed," Mayu quickly responded. "Prior to this, I worked as a chef at a French restaurant in Tokyo. My mentor is a French chef, and he recommended me to participate in this competition."

As expected.

Previously, when Mayu described some basic details about the Pastry Meat Pie World Championships, Chen Yiyang speculated that such a competition wouldn’t casually allow any chef to register and compete.

Although Mayu came to France alone, she definitely knew influential figures in the French culinary scene while in Tokyo.