CHAPTER 415: CHAPTER 415: CONSCIENCE STRICKEN

Although the words were spoken, Pei Shu’er’s attitude remained neither servile nor overbearing, showing no trace of groveling.

The right hand of the Drunken Immortal Tower’s owner lowered, and then he raised his left hand.

"I vote for Pei’s."

At that moment, everyone’s gaze involuntarily turned toward Sister Xian from the Drunken Immortal Tower.

"I’m sorry everyone, but I really think this matcha cake tastes better. I can’t deceive myself."

If there wasn’t much difference, it wouldn’t matter who got the vote.

But this matcha cake is clearly much tastier than the green tea pastry, she couldn’t betray her conscience.

Though she verbally expressed apologies, she didn’t actually feel sorry in her heart; instead, she felt her conscience rested easier.

Manager Zhang tried to change his vote but was held down by the vice president, who whispered, "It’s already been decided; if you change your vote, our Commerce Association will lose credibility."

Manager Zhang had no choice but to withdraw regretfully.

Manager Liu looked at Pei Shu’er and smiled, "Manager Pei, you’ve prevailed."

Pei Shu’er smiled, "Well played, well played. Let’s see how the crowd votes."

The voting results were actually already out.

After counting, everyone found that 70 people voted for Pei’s, whereas only thirty voted for Liu’s.

Among those thirty, all were bought by Liu’s. Among the seventy for Pei’s, there were even some who were bribed but couldn’t deny their conscience, hence voted for Pei’s.

Manager Liu was furious; he just couldn’t believe Pei’s matcha cake was better than the green tea pastry.

He took a bite of the matcha cake and instantly fell in love.

How could Pei Shu’er, such an annoying person, make something so delicious?

Then he tasted the green tea pastry.

To be honest, the green tea pastry wasn’t a failure; it was quite delicious.

But after eating the matcha cake, everyone found it hard to swallow.

Manager Liu snorted coldly, gazing gloomily at Pei Shu’er.

Before tasting this matcha cake, he didn’t fear Pei Shu’er quite as much.

Now, knowing how delicious Pei Shu’er’s pastries are, he must drive her out of Jingzhou City.

Otherwise, Pei’s will sooner or later grow into a rival that can compete against Liu’s.

Then dealing with Pei’s will not be as easy as it is now.

Manager Liu reluctantly announced the voting result.

"In this round, Pei’s narrowly wins by one vote."

His words barely reflected any willingness to concede.

Hong Dachu’s face visibly turned sour; he knew the judges would definitely favor Liu’s, which he initially saw as no issue.

But reflecting now, if the judges hadn’t favored Liu’s, his vote count might be even more embarrassing.

He walked to Pei Shu’er’s cooking station without a word, picked up a piece of matcha cake and tried it.

Instantly, his face turned even more sour.

Returning to his station, he was somewhat defeated.

This is not just a little tasty; it’s extremely delicious.

Is his culinary skill really so inferior?

Thirty years of hard practice, yet he couldn’t surpass Pei Shuer’s cooking, a young girl?

He closed his stinging eyes: "Let’s begin the third round."

For the third round, the draw was for ’flower.’

Upon seeing this result, Hong Dachu’s eyes lit up.

He felt he could completely regain his standing.

Flower pastry was his favorite thing to make.

Back in the day, he became famous in the Capital because of his flower-style pastries.

Even in the Capital, his flower pastries hold high regard.

When Pei Shu’er saw ’flower,’ she couldn’t help but think of flower cake.

Hong Dachu’s flower making skills could be said to be quite masterful; he would use flowers to make the filling and integrate flower juice into the dough.

In this regard, both of them were similar.

When Pei Shu’er made the flower cake, her movements were incredibly skilled.

This round truly felt like a divine contest.

The people only felt their eyes bewildered by their fast actions.

The scent of flowers continually drifted before everyone.

When Pei Shu’er finished, the flower cake was lifted up.

Hongye kept glancing at Pei Shu’er, hoping for her win.

Even now, with a large cumulative vote count, Liu’s still had a chance to turn the tables.

Xuan Liu whispered in Tang Zan’s ear, "Master, Hong Dachu has been making flower pastries for over twenty years. He has a deep love for flowers; I’m afraid this time the Young Madam..."

Tang Zan said nothing, his gaze fixed on Pei Shu’er’s actions.

Hong Dachu finished first, watching Pei Shu’er still working on the filling, and shook his head.

If everyone votes for him this round, their scores will be tied.

Then, they would have to compete again, one round to decide the winner.

He tried a bite of hundred-flower cake; it was very tasty, almost indistinguishable from Pei Shu’er’s matcha cake earlier.

So he still had a chance to turn the tables this round.

After Pei Shu’er finished, both plates were brought up.

People tasted the pink-skinned hundred-flower cake; the taste was indeed very good.

At least in Jingzhou, they couldn’t find such a delicacy.

This taste probably only the nobles in the Capital can enjoy.

The flower cake Pei Shu’er made had a white skin, with a flower filling inside.

While eating the flower cake, everyone could feel a burst of floral aroma, and after swallowing, they could clearly feel a sweet fragrance reaching their stomach.

Their mouths remained fragrant.

They seemed to see blooming flowers in spring, with the smell of flowers pleasing their senses.

It was a resonance from deep within their souls.

After the Vice President ate the flower cake, looking at his empty hand, he couldn’t help but be a little dazed.

This taste is the first time he ate, but he had to admire Manager Pei.

This girl’s hands were truly dexterous.

He dusted the crumbs off his hands, sat silently in his seat.

If it were not for this occasion, he would choose the flower cake without hesitation.

But he was the vice president, Liu’s has been in the Commerce Association for twenty years, he couldn’t let them leave.

He cast his vote for Liu’s, as if afraid of regretting it.

Then he sat in his chair with closed eyes, having done what he could.

If the skill is inferior, there’s no remedy.

Manager Ma, after eating the pastry, was indeed conquered, but also held fear for Pei’s in his heart.

After the pawnbroker Liu Si cast his vote, he tasted the pastry, relieved he voted first.

Otherwise, he might not have wanted to vote for Liu’s.

Though they are all family, he was still conquered by Pei’s pastries.

One can imagine how popular Pei’s pastries would be in Jingzhou City.

Sister Xian still voted for Pei Shu’er.

"Your pastries are far more delicious than I imagined."

Pei Shu’er smiled and thanked her, "Thank you for your liking."