The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

The students sat beside Fan Xiubin and took the opportunity after the leaders finished speaking to lean closer and whisper, ”Teacher Fan, are you tired?”

”After the meeting, why not stay at my house? My parents have prepared everything and want to host you properly.”

”Teacher Fan, will you be able to return to teaching at the school in the future?”

”Even if you can’t work, it’s okay, Teacher Fan, I’ll take care of you in the future, how about that?”

Listening to the sincere promises from the students she had saved, Fan Xiubin felt deeply gratified.

It seemed as if the burns on her body, which occasionally ached, also felt significantly alleviated.

The school leaders heard and smiled, ”Teacher Fan, rest assured, the school will always support you. You are the pride and honor of our school!”

Fan Xiubin blushed slightly.

At the time she saved those people, she really hadn’t thought much, rushing into the fire solely on instinct and impulse.

Treated this way by everyone, she felt touched and a bit embarrassed, saying, ”Thank you all, thank you, leaders, I’m recovering well, you don’t need to do this, I...”

Fan Xiubin was just an ordinary worker, doing an ordinary job, living an ordinary life.

She is an ordinary person, yet an extraordinary hero.

In this world, there are no heroes descending from the skies, only ordinary people stepping up when needed.

When there’s warmth, there’s light. The light of a firefly can converge into a splendid galaxy.

As the camera swept over, Minister Zou from the city’s publicity department aptly introduced, ”Teacher Fan, today’s banquet is tailored to your preferences. We’ve specially selected Bei’an’s most characteristic Kaijiang Banquet. The dishes are now served. Please try them and see if the flavor is authentic?”

Since entering the banquet hall, Fan Xiubin had been the focus of attention, with people constantly engaging with her.

Even when seated at the table, her attention was on those talking to her.

She was reminded to take a look at the delicious array of dishes before her.

The table was full of dishes.

Fan Xiubin carefully looked at them and couldn’t help but smile, exclaiming, ”It really is the Kaijiang Banquet, I’ve had a craving for this for a long time.”

Minister Zou asked cooperatively, ”Did Teacher Fan often eat this before?”

Fan Xiubin smiled and said, ”My family used to have this tradition. Every spring, we’d all gather to enjoy a Kaijiang Banquet.”

Minister Zou nodded, giving a fluent introduction, ”Here in Bei’an, we’ve always had this tradition. In the past, we’ve even held cooking competitions, explored the fresh fish markets during the Kaijiang Festival, and boated on the river...”

Having been informed beforehand, Fan Xiubin knew today’s appreciation banquet was also a chance for the city to promote Bei’an’s culinary specialties.

She was more than willing to contribute to Bei’an’s candidacy for a charming city.

The dish placed in front of Fan Xiubin was catfish stewed with eggplant.

So, when Minister Zou enthusiastically invited her to taste it, she cooperated by picking up a piece of catfish and savoring it thoroughly.

Facing the camera, Fan Xiubin decided that even if the Kaijiang Banquet wasn’t authentic, she would still help promote it.

However, when the fish entered her mouth, after a couple of chews, her eyes lit up.

She carefully savored the tender texture of the catfish and couldn’t help but grab a piece of eggplant to taste it.

Delicious!

It was so delicious!!

The rich sauce aroma was fully absorbed by the eggplant, offering a unique Bei’an flavor upon tasting.

It was very authentic!

Seeing this, Minister Zou quickly seized the moment to ask, ”Teacher Fan, how is it? Does it taste okay?”

Fan Xiubin, reluctant to stop, looked up and sincerely said, ”I really haven’t had such authentic catfish stewed with eggplant in a long time. This is truly our locally-made fermented sauce. Its unique pungent aroma might deter many, but those who appreciate its essence will know it’s fragrant and not rotten. It stimulates the appetite upon smelling, waters the mouth upon thinking, and rolls around on the tongue when eating.”

Minister Zou was delighted, as Fan Xiubin’s words were the perfect promotional slogan.

He quickly chimed in, ”Exactly. Here in Bei’an, there’s a saying, ’Catfish stewed with eggplant, stuffed till Grandpa’s full’, highlighting the classic way of enjoying this dish and its irresistible taste.”

Under Minister Zou’s guidance, Fan Xiubin carefully enjoyed the Kaijiang Banquet.

She then sincerely praised, ”This Kaijiang Banquet here is truly so authentic. In my memory, I haven’t had such a genuine taste since I was a child!”

The cameraman slowly zoomed in, capturing the contented and happy smile on Fan Xiubin’s face at the end.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Fu Yu was having dinner with others when he suddenly heard an electronic notification:

[Ding! NPC Chef Yao Shi’s long-term task: To do well in the chef industry and develop properly. Completion Progress (3): Assist in promoting local cuisine. Reward: Task experience +50, elective course key for teaching practice classroom, skill point +1]

Fu Yu was stunned upon hearing the notification.

He had somehow completed the long-term task unintentionally.

But regarding the rewards, shouldn’t more progress mean more generous rewards?

Fu Yu checked the rewards he received.

The task experience was indeed slightly more, but only 1 skill point? Isn’t that a bit stingy?

The only good thing was the elective course key for the teaching practice classroom!

He could take any class he wanted this time.

And this time, there was no course schedule.

What does this mean?

He can choose any skill he wants to learn and enter the classroom when needed.

Fu Yu was silent.

This key was powerful!

Thinking of this, Fu Yu felt satisfied.

Having spent the day making the Kaijiang Banquet, gaining Zhang Zhen’s personal skills, and obtaining a key for the teaching practice classroom.

Any way you slice it, it was profitable!

After the appreciation dinner ended, Fan Xiubin went back to her home.

The next day, the internet was flooded with reports and widespread promotion of the event.

Besides revisiting the past, it once again sparked public praises and appreciation for ordinary heroes, while also positively promoting and endorsing the city of Bei’an.

With full cooperation from Bei’an University and the city’s leadership team, by the third day, the news of the hero’s return home made it to the trending news.

During this period, numerous prominent food bloggers flocked to Bei’an to livestream their restaurant visits.

The music restaurant also gained some fame!

And as the head chef of the Kaijiang Banquet,

Even though Fu Yu’s identity wasn’t explicitly promoted,

people within the circle caught onto the news quickly.

Especially Liu Yunong, it started spreading from somewhere that this time the Kaijiang Banquet in Bei’an, which gained visibility, was actually cooked by Liu Yunong’s new apprentice.