CHAPTER 412: CHAPTER 412: NO MATTER WHAT METHOD IS USED

Shu’er nodded, "Manager Liu is indeed considerate."

Manager Liu’s face looked quite unpleasant, he always felt that Shu’er was mocking him.

He knew that Pei’s raw materials were better, and even though they had asked around all over Su County, they hadn’t heard of anyone selling that kind of flour, or that kind of deeply sweet sugar.

If their flour was better, how could they limit the use of raw materials?

The first round was the making of sponge cake.

When Manager Liu saw Shu’er standing at the cooking station, he was first taken aback, then a mocking smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Manager Pei is really hands-on; this was supposed to be a competition between pastry chefs, but you, as a manager, are lowering your status."

Shu’er smiled gently, "I don’t feel that competing against Master Hong lowers my status. On the contrary, I feel it’s my honor to compete with Master Hong, unlike you at Liu’s, who regard talent so lightly."

Master Hong didn’t think much of Manager Liu’s words at first, but after Shu’er said this, he realized that maybe Manager Liu, in his heart, still looked down on chefs like them.

He glanced subtly at Manager Liu, who caught the look and thought to himself that this was bad.

This Hong Dachu was someone they had spent countless efforts to hire; if he were to be swayed by Shu’er in just a few words, that would be troublesome.

But just as he was about to speak, he saw Shu’er gesturing towards Hong Dachu to start.

"Master Hong, please."

Hong Dachu felt that the neglect he experienced from Manager Liu was compensated here by Shu’er.

His expression became slightly more relaxed.

A loud clanging of a gong was heard.

"Begin."

The flour provided by Liu’s was the most ordinary kind. Shu’er took out a sieve to filter it, and the flour she sifted out, though not as good as Deserted Mountain’s, was much better than what Liu’s provided.

Hong Dachu was also skilled. He used the sieve well, and the flour under his hands became finer and finer.

However, the sieve was still not as fine as the filter from the Space.

Once the flour was prepared, it was time to make the pastries.

Everyone thought Shu’er’s method of making pastries was quite ordinary, but unexpectedly, her process was far more complex than it seemed.

Furthermore, Shu’er appeared to be much more skilled.

The sponge cake looked exquisite.

The other techniques remained unchanged, but the flavor was noticeably more fragrant than the sponge cake sold by Pei’s.

When Hong Dachu was making the sponge cake, his movements were somewhat sluggish, so he seemed a bit slow and occasionally looked like he was contemplating.

This clearly showed his lack of proficiency.

By the time Shu’er’s pastries were finished for quite some time, Hong Dachu’s pastries were just completed.

At this moment, when Hong Dachu looked at Shu’er, he wore a serious expression, no longer the arrogance he had before.

This was someone worthy of being his opponent.

However, the method of making this sponge cake was also improved by him, so he felt that Shu’er’s technique, though fancy, wasn’t necessarily tastier than his.

He had just tasted the sponge cake he made, and this time, it was exceptionally well done.

The two plates of pastries were brought before the judges. Everyone first tried the one on the left, as Manager Liu had previously mentioned that Liu’s pastries would be on the right.

The pastry on the left tasted quite good, and everyone’s eyes lit up when they tasted it.

But thinking that this was made by Shu’er, their excitement dulled, and they also realized that the pastry’s flavor, though decent, was replaceable.

When everyone tried the pastry on the right, not only did their eyes brighten, but their hearts felt a sweet warmth as well.

This pastry truly had a taste of happiness and simplicity, hard to stop once tasted.

Manager Liu was pleased, thinking, see, their pastry chef still has the prowess; even without bribes, Master Hong’s skills were not something Shu’er could match.

It wasn’t until a piece of the pastry was almost finished that Manager Liu reminded them to stop.

Pei’s people looked uneasily at Shu’er.

They knew that the one on the left was Pei’s. The judges sampled only a couple of bites, and although their expressions showed they enjoyed it, it wasn’t as intense as with the right one.

So, had Shu’er indeed lost to Master Hong?

However, that was also expected, as Master Hong had been making pastries for thirty years. No matter how prodigious Shu’er was, she wouldn’t be a match for Master Hong.

Losing was normal.

It’s just that... Pei’s would have to leave Jingzhou, and the rent hadn’t even been recouped yet.

Moreover, if they left now, they’d become a perpetual joke in Jingzhou City. Trying to re-enter Jingzhou in the future would be nearly impossible.

Tang Zan grasped Shu’er’s hand, offering her mental support.

As Shu’er turned to look at him, Tang Zan leaned closer, and his gaze swept a bit sinisterly at Liu’s people.

"I can make you win, no matter the means."

Shu’er smiled gently, her eyes softening.

She thought, only Tang Zan would protect her like this, regardless of whether it’s by fair or unfair means.

Being protected by someone like him made her heart feel warm and comfortable.

"What are you afraid of? This is just the first round. Don’t you believe in my abilities?"

Tang Zan saw Shu’er’s insistence and said, "I believe in you, do your best in the next two rounds."

Hearing him say "do your best," Shu’er couldn’t help but curl a smile. Tang Zan’s words now had a somewhat strange modern tone to them.

Soon, Manager Liu said, "Please, judges, cast your votes for the two plates of pastries."

All five judges chose the right side, though in their hearts they found it odd.

Why were Liu’s people so lacking in confidence? These pastries were so delicious, why fear comparison?

Everyone unanimously voted for the right side.

Along with the spectators, all voted for the right as well.

Those voting for the left pastries were just a handful, an overwhelming advantage.

The audience had 90 votes, counting as nine votes, plus five votes from the judges, making a total of fourteen votes.

While the left side had just 10 votes from the audience, counting as one vote.

This was quite absurd.

Manager Liu chuckled lightly, "I don’t think there’s any need for this competition to continue, is there?"

Shu’er smiled and raised an eyebrow, "On what basis? Why not announce the result first?"

Manager Liu sneered, "I announce, Pei’s has one vote, Liu’s has fourteen votes."

This result prompted loud laughter from the onlookers.

"The vote difference is too big, is Pei’s really that bad?"

"Did you notice, not just the judges were enchanted eating Liu’s pastries, even the spectators were enchanted."

"Makes me want to try it too."

"Hey, Liu’s pastries are so expensive, how could we afford them."

Master Hong looked at Shu’er, furrowing his brows, saying nothing.

He couldn’t believe Shu’er was so easily defeated.

It really disappointed him somewhat.

Shu’er chuckled softly.

"My apologies, Manager Liu, it seems you announced the competition results incorrectly."