My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 292: News of the Cooking Competition Spreads

Cui Dake leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

Sha Zhu was startled: "Really?"

Cui Dake nodded: "Really."

The solution? A cooking contest with Nanjing University of the Arts. Sha Zhu wasn't intimidated at all; he'd been a whiz with a wok since childhood and had never been afraid of anyone in this area. He immediately agreed, "Okay! When Nanjing University of the Arts arrives, I'll challenge him!"

Cui Dake chuckled and urged, "That's right! Brother Zhu, think about it, if Nanjing University of the Arts loses, will he still have the face to stay here? If you lose, you can just go back to the workshop, you won't lose anything."

Sha Zhu was taken aback, then stubbornly retorted, "Lose? I could never lose!"

Cui Dake quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! With your cooking skills, you're a thousand times better than Nanjing University of the Arts. He can't even compare to one of your fingers!"

Sha Zhu, flattered and elated, exclaimed, "That's right! When Nanjing University of the Arts arrives, I'll have a competition with him and show him who's the best chef at the steel mill!"

Cui Dake's lips curled into a calculating smile: "Alright, it's settled then!"

Cui Dake quickly spread the word that Sha Zhu was going to have a cooking competition with Nan Yi. Life in the factory was monotonous these days, and once the news spread, it immediately piqued everyone's interest. The news spread wider and wider, and the whole steel rolling mill knew about it.

As Li Huaide walked along the factory road, he saw everyone gathered in groups, discussing something. He asked his secretary, "What's going on with them? Why aren't they resting properly at noon? What are they talking about?"

The secretary quickly replied, "Factory manager, they're talking about Sha Zhu and Nan Yi having a cooking competition."

Li Huaide immediately became interested: "Oh? A cooking competition?"

"Yes, Factory Manager. Today, Sha Zhu said that his cooking skills are not as good as Nan Yi's, and he wants to compete with him to become the number one chef in the steel rolling mill."

Li Huaide laughed: "Is that so?"

"Everyone's talking about it, but it's unclear who started it first. Anyway, everyone wants to see who has the better skills."

Li Huaide nodded: "To be honest, I'm actually a little curious."

Seeing this, the secretary suggested, "Factory manager, why don't we arrange a formal competition? It would liven up the atmosphere in the factory."

Li Huaide thought for a moment. With food shortages and a gloomy atmosphere in the factory, organizing an event would definitely boost morale. So he said, "Okay, I'll go talk to Director Yang and set some rules. Let's hold a formal competition so everyone can see it."

The secretary quickly flattered, "Director Li is brilliant! That's an excellent idea!"

Li Huaide smiled and waved his hand, "Keep it low-key, this is what I should do as the factory director." After saying that, he walked towards Director Yang's office.

On the other side, after comforting Liu Lan, Nanjing University of the Arts rushed back to the steel rolling mill. As soon as he arrived at the factory gate, he noticed that everyone's eyes were glancing at him from time to time, making him feel uncomfortable. He quickly ran back to the canteen.

He had just entered the cafeteria and was about to ask the cafeteria manager for leave for Liu Lan when he noticed everyone staring at him. Feeling uneasy under their gazes, Nan Yi asked, "Why are you all looking at me?"

Chef Wang Chu spoke first: "Chef Nan Yi, you're back."

Nanjing University of the Arts nodded: "Yes, I'm back."

Everyone immediately surrounded them: "Master of the South China University of Arts, when are you planning to have a competition with Sha Zhu?"

"A competition?" Nanjing University of the Arts was completely confused. "What competition?"

Seeing that he was genuinely unaware of the situation, everyone chimed in, recounting the entire story of the cooking competition from beginning to end.

Nanjing University of the Arts was completely bewildered: "How come I knew absolutely nothing about this?"

Another kitchen helper spoke up: "Master Nan Yi, the whole factory knows about him! With your skills, you're definitely better than Sha Zhu, you don't need to be afraid of him."

Nan Yi was both amused and exasperated. He had never intended to compete with anyone in cooking, but now he was being put on the spot and roasted by everyone.

At this moment, the cafeteria manager walked in, saw Nanjing University of the Arts, and said with a smile, "Nanjing University of the Arts, I've heard about your situation. Since you're going to compete, then compete well."

Nan Yi said helplessly, "Director, I really didn't mean to compete with anyone. Cooking is a matter of personal taste; no one can guarantee it will suit everyone's palate. Aren't you putting me in a difficult position?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Huaide's secretary walked in. Seeing that everyone was there, he said directly, "Since everyone is here, I will convey the leader's message—Comrade Nanyi, the leader has approved your competition with Shazhu."

He then looked at the canteen director: "Director, please make the arrangements for the canteen. Director Yang, Deputy Director Li, and several other key leaders will be serving as judges."

The cafeteria manager's eyes widened in disbelief: "What? Even the leaders are here?"

"Yes," the secretary nodded. "The boss thinks that everyone's morale is low lately because of the food shortage, so organizing an event to liven things up and boost spirits is a good thing. Besides, the quality of the cooking affects the meals of all the factory workers, so it's good for everyone."

The cafeteria manager immediately beamed with joy: "Great! I'll arrange it right away!"

Nanjing University of the Arts couldn't get a word in edgewise. Watching the secretary leave and then looking at the excited people in the cafeteria, he knew he had no choice but to participate in the competition. He was extremely passive and just wanted to curse in his heart—who are these people who signed him up without even telling him?

The cafeteria manager noticed his concerns and patted him on the shoulder: "Nanjing University of the Arts, we've all seen your skills. Go ahead and compete with confidence, we all trust you."

The other kitchen helpers also gathered around to encourage him. Compared to the sharp-tongued, argumentative, and troublesome Sha Zhu, they clearly preferred the easy-going Nan Yi.

Nanjing University of the Arts forced a smile: "Don't worry, Director, I will do my best in the competition."

The cafeteria manager was overjoyed: "Great! Don't worry, I'll arrange for someone to clean up the cafeteria right away." After saying that, he directed everyone to start a thorough cleaning.

Soon, the news that the cooking competition had been officially confirmed spread from the canteen, and the entire factory was instantly in an uproar. Usually, only worker advancement competitions would have leaders present, so it was rare to see a competition like this where the factory director and deputy director were personally overseeing it.

Upon hearing the news in the workshop, Sha Zhu immediately started showing off everywhere.

Someone asked curiously, "Shazhu, are you confident? The cooking skills at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts are quite good."

Sha Zhu scoffed, "Bullshit! I've been a cook since I was a kid. You were still wetting the bed when you were five, and I was already cooking!"

The crowd laughed and looked at the coworker, who blushed deeply with embarrassment: "Silly Zhu, you're talking nonsense! You're only five years old and you still wet the bed!"

Someone else asked, "Silly Zhu, aren't you afraid of losing to Nanjing University of the Arts?"

Sha Zhu laughed triumphantly: "Loss? That word doesn't exist in my dictionary! You wait, I'll definitely amaze everyone and crush Nanjing University of the Arts, making them kick out of the cafeteria!"

Someone chimed in, "Hey, Sha Zhu, are you making a bet with Nanjing University of the Arts?"

At the mention of betting, Sha Zhu got even more excited: "Bet! Of course we bet! I'm just afraid Nan Yi won't dare!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's interest was instantly piqued.