CHAPTER 391: CHAPTER 133 MANDATORY LEAVE

The twelve students in Du Xixi’s class all share one major common trait: they all have immense admiration for Du Xixi.

"Don’t worry, Madam, we’ll definitely be obedient!" The speaker is a short-statured young boy, standing at the front of the twelve, seemingly having already formed good relations with the unfamiliar faces behind him, exhibiting the faint aura of a leader, "We will work hard to stay here."

From the moment they received the invitation, they understood what this "visit" signified—it seemed like they were touring a school they might attend, but in reality, it’s Blue Star University assessing whether they qualify to become students.

Receiving an invitation indicates they’ve already got one foot in the door of Blue Star University; as for whether they’ll get their other foot in depends on their performance in front of Du Xixi.

The young boy’s words undoubtedly reflect what’s in the hearts of everyone at the back. Du Xixi scanned the group and noticed many clenching their fists, their lips slightly pale with tension despite the blazing summer sun.

Tense about what? Undoubtedly, about failing the assessment and losing the chance to attend Blue Star University.

"There’s no need to be so nervous." Du Xixi relaxed her brow and eyes, gently soothing them with her soft voice, "As long as you’re sincere about wanting to join our Food Department and you’re not hopelessly lacking, we definitely won’t turn you away."

The Food Department is being established for the first time; if a severe assessment results in scarcely any students, it won’t sound good. At least the official student count should reach Blue Star University’s departmental average—meaning each department should have at least fifty students.

Although this assessment is about insights on the two "Dongpo Rous," Du Xixi and the others have already discussed it and agreed that as long as the insights generally align or express some novel ideas, the students will pass.

Moreover, the two-day assessment period must not end as prematurely as one might expect; it’s important to take time to observe the students’ talent and perseverance thoroughly.

The Food Department doesn’t require every student to have extraordinary talent, but if a student lacks talent entirely and their efforts are insufficient—like Ke Lian, who can only make white steamed buns—the Food Department will have to heartlessly refuse them.

Blue Star University is not a shelter, and neither is the Food Department.

Having their admired Princess standing in front of them, gently comforting everyone, leaves them unable to stay worried or tense, each nodding like a garlic press, drawing laughter from Du Xixi.

Zhang Ye and the others have evidently exchanged words with the students and planned to head to the classroom, so Du Xixi stops speaking and softly calls everyone to queue up nearby and wait to enter together.

Though sixty people are quite a lot, the classroom arranged by the Food Department is spacious enough, so there’s no need to split the assessment into separate rooms. The large classroom is divided into five sections, with Du Xixi and others guiding the students to their respective positions without interference.

Among the twelve students, there are male and female; Du Xixi roughly glanced over and found that there are seven girls, and every pair of hands looks soft and well-maintained, clearly cared for regularly, and haven’t been toughened by culinary efforts.

"Step out if you’ve already had personal experience in cooking." As she spoke, Du Xixi unconsciously rubbed a small bump on her index finger with her thumb, and her eyes dimmed slightly.

These are marks left by water blisters that have formed from recent frequent culinary practice, which the Purification Talent hasn’t had time to resolve. Although with the Purification Talent, these imperfections will soon vanish, they’re still somewhat uncomfortable for beauty-loving Du Xixi.

Without betraying any emotions, Du Xixi maintained a gentle smile, looking up to observe the few who stepped out—not unexpectedly, only three stepped out, and none were girls.

The expected result made Du Xixi sigh inwardly. It’s not that she looks down on girls cooking, as she herself is a female and her cooking skills are not inferior to those of males.

But there’s no denying that girls raised with pampering face considerable hardship if they truly want to excel in culinary arts, unless exceptionally gifted.

It’s easy to move from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to move from extravagance to frugality. Wish them well.