CHAPTER 411: CHAPTER 411: THE COMPETITION

Manager Liu furrowed his brows, "You have a lot of nerve. We developed this recipe ourselves. How could we not know it?"

Pei Shu’er smiled, "You stole the recipe yourselves. How could you not know?"

Manager Liu was already feeling guilty, and now with Pei Shu’er’s retort, he was at a loss for words, only worried that the more he said, the more mistakes he would make.

"Stop talking nonsense. At noon, we’ll compete with pastries at the Vegetable Market. Just hope you don’t lose your nerve then."

Pei Shu’er said, "Let’s get a few judges from the Commerce Association to ensure fairness."

Manager Liu chuckled weirdly, "Sure."

Pei Shu’er is really a fool. Does she even know that everyone in the Commerce Association knows Liu’s? No matter how delicious Pei’s things are, those from the Association won’t acknowledge it.

Where does she get her confidence from?

It seems he really overestimated her. This Pei Shu’er isn’t worth Liu’s time.

Having said that, Manager Liu wanted to leave.

Pei Shu’er smiled and spoke, "Wait a moment."

Manager Liu impatiently turned back, "What is it?"

Pei Shu’er said, "You’ve mentioned our stakes. Shouldn’t I also mention yours? If you lose, then you leave Jingzhou City."

Manager Liu sneered, "You’re taking yourself too seriously. It’s impossible for us to lose."

Pei Shu’er raised an eyebrow, "Afraid?"

Such an expression on Pei Shu’er’s gentle face exuded a bit of sharpness, making the arrogant Manager Liu not look down on her so easily.

He shook his head, "In that case, we won’t bet."

Even though he knew that Pei’s couldn’t possibly win against them, if the stakes in the bet were for Liu’s to leave Jingzhou, it would be too cheap for them.

They’ve been rooted here for decades.

Pei Shu’er smiled, "Alright then, how about your Liu’s withdrawing from the Commerce Association?"

Manager Liu nodded, "Fine, but you shouldn’t renege if you lose."

Pei Shu’er smiled brightly.

"That’s something you should be saying. Pei’s is the most straightforward."

Manager Liu sneered, "Don’t talk pretty. It will be ugly when you fall."

Pei Shu’er laughed, "I’ll send that line back to you."

Manager Liu stared at Pei Shu’er for a moment, she was good-looking but unfortunately brainless, and yet arrogant.

Even dragons have to coil in a new place. Pei Shu’er, on the other hand, instead of forging good relationships, has deeply offended Liu’s.

He’s seen countless people like her over the years, all of whom were quickly driven out of Jingzhou.

One as arrogant as Pei Shu’er is the first and probably also the first to be driven away.

He regretted coming over; someone like her should be left to fend for themselves.

But the agreed wager had to be executed, or others might laugh at Liu’s.

Tang Zan heard of this matter when he returned and couldn’t help asking, "Which chef are you planning to send? That pastry chef is quite renowned in the Capital. I’m afraid the current chefs can’t handle it."

Pei Shu’er smiled and pointed at herself, "I’ll go."

Tang Zan looked at Pei Shu’er, then laughed, "Of course, they wouldn’t stand a chance against you."

His eyes were full of indulgence, and he looked at Pei Shu’er with an almost drowning affection.

Pei Shu’er felt that this was purely the lens of a lover.

Time flew until it was noon.

The Vegetable Market.

There were already some people, and five people from the Commerce Association, including white-haired elders and shrewd-looking businessmen.

Tang Zan explained to Pei Shu’er one by one.

"That white-haired elder is the Vice Chairman of the Commerce Association, the man in the maroon brocade robe is the Shopkeeper of Ma’s Pastry, and the man with the mustache is the Shopkeeper of Zhang’s Pastries."

"That woman is the Shopkeeper of the Drunken Immortal Tower, and the young man is from Liu’s Pawnshop."

After saying this, Tang Zan looked at Pei Shu’er.

"Actually, their identities aren’t important. What’s important is that all these people side with Liu’s, so your battle will be a tough one."

Pei Shu’er thought for a moment and couldn’t help saying, "There are five judges here in total. To be fair, I suggest adding 100 public votes, with every ten votes counting as one."

Manager Liu frowned, "That’s never been done before in a competition."

Pei Shu’er casually replied, "Well, now you’ve seen it?"

Manager Liu wanted to say more, but Pei Shu’er smiled and said, "What, are you scared? It’s just adding a hundred people, and it’s fair. Liu’s has no reason to refuse."

"Haven’t started yet and already backing out, showing that’s all Liu’s has to show for twenty years in Jingzhou."

Other bystanders didn’t see a problem with it either.

"We’re just watching anyway, and we don’t know how it tastes from the judges’ reactions. We naturally need to try it ourselves to know."

Manager Liu was originally not someone susceptible to provocation, but Pei Shu’er’s words were genuinely irritating.

If they didn’t agree, it seemed as though they were afraid of Pei Shu’er.

"Fine, we’ll do it your way, so you can’t say anything later on."

Pei Shu’er nodded blandly, "Of course."

Immediately, people began selecting from the crowd, randomly chosen individuals, and although there were people loyal to Liu’s, it was much better than having only Liu’s people among the judges.

If it was purely about culinary skills, Pei Shu’er was undoubtedly unafraid. The problem was Liu’s usual tactics, which made her somewhat passive.

No matter how delicious one makes the pastries, others might just blatantly lie and say it doesn’t taste good, leaving her with no recourse.

Immediately, Manager Liu stood up and declared, "The competition will have three rounds. The first round will be making salted egg yolk pastries, the second and third rounds are open for creativity."

"Then the votes will be accumulated, and whoever has the most votes wins."

He finished speaking and looked at Pei Shu’er.

"Do you have any objections?"

How could Pei Shu’er not have objections? Manager Liu setting the contest routine meant Liu’s people knew the contest’s topics.

"First of all, Manager Liu, for the second and third rounds, how about we draw lots on the spot?"

Manager Liu frowned, glaring at Pei Shu’er sharply.

Pei Shu’er suggesting this was nothing more than to thwart his plans.

Just as he was about to speak, the burly pastry chef wearing an apron placed a hand on him.

"Fine, I, Hong Dachu, have never been afraid. It’s just a format. As long as it’s pastries, however they’re made, I can handle it."

He spoke with complete confidence, chin slightly raised, looking at Pei Shu’er down his nose.

Pei Shu’er laughed, "Truly a top chef, that’s real courage."

Manager Liu scoffed, "The competition begins, first round, salted egg yolk pastries."

"The materials must be those we provide. Uniform materials to judge who’s better."