Her alabaster skin was flushed red from the heat and cooking she had done. Lu Xinyi eyed at the four porcelain bowls that held her dish. She wiped her sweat with a clean towel and finally noticed the other participants that were in panic around her. Fortunately for her, the fried rice she chose to cook today wasn’t as complex as the other chose to do. She wasn’t sure though if it was enough for her to pass the first round of the exam.

Out of the five sponsored students, Lu Xinyi was the last one to present her dish to the judges. The scores that the Tang twins garnered from their fried rice were spectacular. They both got the 4.8 and 4.6 scores, securing their rankings for the first round. Liu family’s Yan Chen and Meng Jiao were tied at 4.5.

“I knew it. I told you the Li family had the advantage to win this year!” Someone commented on the crowd.

“What’s happening to the Liu family? Are they giving up their spot to the newcomers?”

A guy huffed and crossed his arms, joining the commentaries.

“Silly. Don’t you know Li family’s Ye Xieren is Chef Qin’s apprentice? Of course, he will get an advantage against these novices! He’d been working hands-on in a restaurant for years. Experience is the best teacher—which undeniably some of these examinees lack. Do you really think they can get an upper hand against him?”

Lu Xinyi had to wait at least two minutes before she could take her turn to serve her creation. The talks in the crowd hadn’t gone unnoticed by her. Glancing at the man they were talking about, she could tell that Ye Xieren could back up his arrogant manners.

A twenty-year-old man that became an apprentice of one of the most popular chefs that Silver Leaf produced. He was the only one who got the perfect score of 5 from the four judges. Lu Xinyi hadn’t really given a thought to her competitors. She was so engrossed on her practicing skills that she barely had enough time to think about something else.

There were seven examinees eliminated from the first round but that didn’t mean those who finished on time could move on to the second round. Examinees should meet at least four-star scores before they could advance to the next round.

Ye Xieren yawned and sat on the counter as he waited for the judges to finish the round. A group of young people in the audience were cheering his name, but he ignored it. He was clearly bored and would rather be somewhere else.

“I’m wasting my time here when y’all know that the only thing you’re fighting for is the second place.” Ye Xieren mocked the other examinees who have yet to serve their dishes. Lu Xinyi heard him, but she hadn’t enough time to waste on his insults. He was nothing to her at the moment.

Yan Chen couldn’t stop himself and retort. “So full of yourself, aren’t you?” He gritted his teeth. This was the second time that Ye Xieren kicked his ass and took the top rank for himself. He wasn’t expecting that he could outrank everyone in these exams, but Ye Xieren’s participation was a surprise for him and the Liu family.

Ye Xieren regarded Yan Chen for a moment before shrugging his shoulders.

“Just telling the truth. I pity all of you. You’re all trapped in an ocean full of whales and sharks while you’re nothing but a small fish, only to be devoured whole. What can a little fish do to save himself from being eaten? You came here unprepared; your stupidity isn’t my problem.”

His words triggered and infuriated the other examinees who heard him. Lu Xinyi arched a brow but didn’t feel anything about it. He’s an egotistical fellow, but Lu Xinyi thought that what made the others insecure of him was because of his undeniable skills at cooking.

“Such big words, huh? I’ve been hearing his name around the local restaurants at the eastern capital. Is he really that good?”

The guy on Lu Xinyi’s left asked her. His voice sounded a little weird and guttural as he spoke. Casting a glance on her left, Lu Xinyi found a foreign-looking young man beside her. She wasn’t aware that Silver Leaf also accepts foreign students until now.

A tall, dark-skinned, and handsome man grinned at her. Surya Rathore was the only foreign applicant from the rest of the examinees. His long, wavy raven hair was worn loose to his shoulders; part of it was held by a ponytail to be pulled away from his face.

“Afraid?” Lu Xinyi cackled.

“Of course not, big sister! I’m excited to see what he could do.” Surya Rathore denied it. In fact, all of this was very new to him. He hadn’t participated in any competition before. He thought it was interesting that he met someone that actually did not know him.

“Sister Lu, I think it’s your turn to present your dish. Good luck!” He then gave Lu Xinyi a thumbs-up.

Lu Xinyi blinked before realizing that he was right. Without saying anything further, she took her tray with the porcelain bowls and presented it to the judges.