The arena was filled with blinding lights that initially hurt Lu Xinyi’s eyes when she stepped inside. Compared to the previous exam, the crowd was larger and noisier this time; but Lu Xinyi cared nothing about it.
There could be an audience filled with millions of people, she would be okay with that because the only person’s opinion she cared for was her number one fan, her husband, Shen Yi. So regardless of the glare of the lights or the expanse of the stage, she was always in his arms, always right there in that first moment they looked deeply into each other’s eyes and felt that spark of passion.
She could stand up and speak to anyone, anywhere in the world; and it would be the same as sitting on their couch at home. That’s what love could do; it could bring out the strongest version of someone and shield her from the nonsense the unthinking cast her way.
As long as Shen Yi believed in her, the world around them didn’t matter.
“Welcome to the first cooking battle for this school year! Two of our best students will compete to earn the 10th place on our cream of the crop category! Please let’s welcome the current 10th place holder, Han Yixin from the senior year; and Lu Xinyi, the current number one on junior’s division!”
The stage was once again filled with Huo Meili’s familiar voice. The crowd started chanting Han Yixin and Lu Xinyi’s names.
Lu Xinyi and Han Yixin revealed themselves and stepped inside the arena. The two stared at each other, none of them refusing to admit defeat.
There were only two cooking stations set up for them to use. Lu Xinyi stood on one side, a hand resting on her waist as she waited for the event to start. She was wearing her usual black chef’s uniform, her long hair tied in a braid. The plum blossom brooch on her left chest sparkled under the bright light of the arena.
On the other side, Han Yixin, a young woman of nineteen wore a pristine white professional chef uniform, her arms crossed over her chest while her long straight hair was kept away from her face with a high ponytail.
“Just like the previous cooking battles, there would be three rounds. There would be only one winner. If in case there would be a tie between two students, judges will present another round to settle a problem. Now, are you ready to hear the theme for today’s cooking battle?”
Huo Meili lifted her mic to the audience. The crowd answered her question with loud cheering.
“Just like all of you, I’m excited to see what these pretty women will serve later. Today’s theme is snacks and pastries. Our three judges want you to present your own version of Croquembouche, baked alaska, and a snack or dessert using mandarin oranges as its main ingredient.
“Since we know that these snacks would be time-consuming, the judges are giving you six hours to prepare your entries,” Huo Meili informed them, “and your timer starts now!”
Two women started at once. Han Yixin took a pot, heated the milk, vanilla bean pod, and seeds over medium heat, bringing it to a boil. Once it began to boil, she turned off the heat and let steep for fifteen minutes.
“Ah, it seems Han Yixin chose to start making her croquembouche,” one student commented from the audience area.
“I would’ve done the same if I were her. Croquembouche is one of the difficult but impressive desserts to make,” an old man answered him. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
A croquembouche or croque-en-bouche was a French dessert consisting of choux pastry puffs piled into a cone and bound with threads of caramel. In some European countries, it was often served at weddings and baptisms.
Each individual cream puff on a croquembouche was dipped in caramel and stacked to form a tower.
“Damn, making a croquembouche? The judges aren’t making this easy for Han Yixin and Lu Xinyi.”
“Eh? Cooking battle for a position in the cream of the crop was never been easy.”
“Croquembouches are hard to make. One should be fairly adept at pastry and baking stuff to do it correctly. Have you cooked sugar to caramel without crystallization? Have you ever done choux before? When you burn your fingers in the hot caramel dipping the choux ball in, will you be able to resist the instinct to touch your hand to your mouth? One should consider these questions before deciding if she could do a croquembouche or not.” The old man interjected again, explaining some difficulties in making the dessert.
“Old man, you’re quite knowledgeable about making croquembouches. Can you also do it?” The youngster finally acknowledged the old man.
“Hahaha.” The old man laughed while touching his long white beard. “I just know the technicalities of the dessert, but I cannot make a successful one. Don’t mind me; I’m just a mere baker who likes to talk a lot.”
As Han Yixin already started making her desserts, Lu Xinyi stood silently in front of her counter, eyes closed, deep in her thoughts.
“Is Big Sis alright? Would she be able to make those desserts on time?” Shen Xue leaned closer to his older brother as they watched Lu Xinyi at the audience area.
“She’s sorting her plans. Once she makes a move, Xinxin wouldn’t stop even for a second while doing the three desserts,” Shen Yi answered. He stopped, realizing something, “What are you doing here? Isn’t your flight scheduled tonight?” He glared at his younger brother.
“What? Am I not allowed to watch my sister-in-law’s performance before I go?” Shen Xue grumbled. “Indeed, my flight is scheduled tonight; but I still have enough time, no?”
“Don’t disappoint Grammie. She’s only giving you three months to close the deal and oversee the progress of the project,” Shen Yi reminded him.
Shen Xue waved his hand and leaned his back on his seat.
“I know, I know. Dad had already explained it to me, although I still don’t like this idea of yours. You won’t change your mind?”
“No.” Shen Yi kept his gaze on his wife and watched how she opened her eyes and started moving with confidence. “We cannot stay in the same place for a long time, Xue. Else, we will never grow as a person.”
