“The winner of this cooking battle is… Lu Xinyi!” Huo Meili announced.
Her announcement was followed by loud cheering from the crowd. The huge screen behind her flashed Lu Xinyi’s name in bold characters on a black background which was being highlighted by burning red flames.
“My Big Sis won!” Shen Xue started sobbing. “It would be better if she could make me some baked alaska, too.” He then glared on his elder brother who was beaming with pride as he watched his wife won against Han Yixin.
“Congrats, Lu Xinyi. You are now the 10th placer on Silver Leaf Academy’s Cream of the Crop!” Huo Meili continued. “Can the judges explain why Miss Lu came victorious on the third challenge?”
Chef Feng nodded and smiled at Lu Xinyi’s way.
“Thanks, Miss Huo. Actually, it was hard for the three of us to choose between Miss Lu’s candied orange cakes and Miss Han’s orange tarts. Both were absolutely delicious in their own way, but we had to remind ourselves why we chose the mandarin oranges to test both chefs.
“This skill test was to test not only their skills as a chef but also their creativity to use the mandarin orange as the main ingredient. Miss Lu used the whole orange without a waste. From the fruit itself to its peels, she made something delicious out of it.
“It can also evoke a feeling from one’s childhood when eating the orange cakes and chocolate-coated peels. Not only the snacks she made are delicious, but it also has a longer shelf life compared to Miss Han’s pastry tarts. So Miss Lu, thank you for those wonderful snacks you prepared for us to enjoy. Congrats for earning the 10th place.”
The arena was once again filled with claps and cheering. While everyone was cheering for Lu Xinyi, Wen Shufen stormed out the arena filled with rage in her heart. She took out her phone and called her resources on media to release the indecent photos of Han Yixin she sent earlier, but none of them answered.
‘Damn that Lu Xinyi for ruining all my plans!’ she seethed in anger.
Han Yixin walked towards Lu Xinyi and offered a handshake, which the latter accepted with a smile.
“I see that Miss Lu is really a talented chef. It contradicts the nasty rumors I heard from you before.” Han Yixin admitted with a small blush on her cheeks. She couldn’t believe that Wen Shufen had been lying to her all this time.
Their surroundings were really loud so their conversation was kept between the two.
“Rumors are just rumors, Miss Han. One shouldn’t let these rumors affect your view to a person you’ve never met before.” Lu Xinyi said, knowing well what was on Han Yixin’s mind.
“But Wen Shufen… she really went too far this time. Please forgive her, Miss Lu,”
Lu Xinyi sighed.
“You’re really a good person, Miss Han. To think that you’ll still have the heart to forgive Wen Shufen even if she tried to destroy your reputation…”
Han Yixin gaped, not knowing what Lu Xinyi meant.
“What do you mean, Miss Lu? What did Shufen do this time?” she asked worriedly. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Miss Wen sent some indecent photos of yours to some paparazzi to publish. Either you win or not today. She made up her mind to destroy you to lose your chance for the World Patisserie Challenge.”
Han Yixin blanched when she heard what Wen Shufen did. Of course, she knew about those photos! During her nineteenth birthday, she was spent and drunk and did some outrageous things to celebrate. To think that these photos were kept by Wen Shufen whom she treated as a friend…
“Can Miss Han not blame me if I ran some background check to you and Miss Wen? Have you ever wondered why did I ask for Tiers of Delight if I won today?”
Han Yixin shook her head.
“It was for the simple reason that Tiers of Delight was once owned by Miss Wen’s family. Miss Wen blamed you for losing their family business, forcing her father to file for bankruptcy. Do I need to explain more why she tried to befriend you?” Lu Xinyi asked.
Han Yixin shook her head again. It was now finally clear to her why Wen Shufen hated Lu Xinyi and why she tried to sow discord between them. However, she still had something to worry about.
“But those photos…” she started, but the smile that bloomed on Lu Xinyi’s face assured her.
“Deleted and gone for good. I also found someone to hack Miss Wen’s account to delete the photos she kept so don’t worry about it, Miss Han.”
Han Yixin covered her face with both hands and cried. She couldn’t believe that the only friend she had betrayed her and tried to tarnish her reputation to the public. Then, there was Lu Xinyi, who she knew nothing about. She tried to kick her out of the academy all because of Wen Shufen’s lies. This stranger who even went to an extent to delete those photos that could ruin her.
“I’m sorry, Miss Lu. I’m really sorry,” she cried harder.
Lu Xinyi sighed and patted Han Yixin’s head. She could understand her pain. Wasn’t this what she felt when she found out about Meng Jiao’s betrayal?
The pain was immensely overwhelming.
“You didn’t lose a friend, Miss Han. Just think of it that you’ve got ridden of a snake in your yard. Didn’t people say it’s better to have an honest enemy than a friend that lies? We should pay less attention to what they say and more attention to what they do. Their actions will always show you the truth.” Lu Xinyi consoled the crying girl.
“This is one of the painful things in this cruel world, facing betrayal from someone close to you,” she added. “Forgive yourself for the blindness that let Miss Wen betray you. Sometimes, a good heart doesn’t see the bad so don’t blame yourself, Miss Han. This is Miss Wen’s choice. Don’t take the burden and consequence of her actions.”
“But Miss Lu, Shufen wouldn’t let you go that easily… she has a powerful man behind her back…” Han Yixin warned her.
Lu Xinyi raised a brow and chuckled as if she just heard a good joke from Han Yixin.
“Really? Then let’s see if her man is beyond more powerful than my man.”
