"Huh? What's this?"
Zhang Dali was dumbfounded, not grasping the situation.
Chen Shu tentatively asked, "Like, a God of Cookery system or something..."
"Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you spouting?"
Zhang Dali's gaze was peculiar. "Bro is a pure talent player, got it?!"
"Really?"
Seeing Zhang Dali's earnest expression, Chen Shu didn't doubt him further.
However, Zhang Dali was indeed a bit too prodigious. In just four or five years, he had reached this level.
"Could this guy be the legendary Son of Destiny..."
Chen Shu thought to himself, his monstrous talent comparable to his own cheat-like abilities...
The two clinked glasses and chatted about past events.
In a daze, they realized their youthful ideals had actually come true...
No one could have imagined that two youths from a small city would reach this point...
As midnight struck,
They returned to their hotel arm in arm.
Despite feeling a bit tipsy, Chen Shu's vigilance remained, guarding against any potential crises.
Fortunately, the night passed uneventfully...
The next morning,
Both woke up early again.
"My head hurts a bit..."
Zhang Dali rubbed his head, trying to clear his mind. Today was a very important day in his life.
Chen Shu raised an eyebrow and said, "How about you don't go? I'll accept the award for you..."
"You really dare to think anything!!"
Zhang Dali pouted, then said, "Chen Pi, give me my formal wear. I need to get dressed up."
"Got it."
Chen Shu nodded and, using his semi-phase summon, had his space rabbit throw out a suit.
"Are you sick? Why give me a hospital gown?"
"Don't you want formal wear?"
"..."
Zhang Dali's forehead creased. "Are you sick? Why would I wear this?"
"It's really super comfortable!"
Chen Shu tried to persuade Dali. If he wore this to accept the award, wouldn't it be free advertising for the hospital gowns...
"Cut it out! No matter what you say, I'm not wearing it!"
Zhang Dali was resolute. "Give me my suit."
"Sigh... You really don't understand fashion..."
Chen Shu sighed and could only have the rabbit toss out the suit.
After a while, Zhang Dali was dressed in his suit, complete with a tie, looking quite formal.
"How's it look?"
"Hmm... Barely acceptable..."
Chen Shu pondered, reluctantly stating, "Compared to the hospital gown..."
"Alright, stop talking about it."
Zhang Dali cut him off directly.
In fact, the suit he was wearing fit him perfectly. Coupled with Zhang Dali's upright physique, he looked considerably more distinguished in it.
"My senior sister bought this specifically for me. I promised her I'd wear it to accept the award."
Zhang Dali explained, "If there's a next time, I'll wear the hospital gown, okay?"
"That's more like it..."
Chen Shu nodded, then asked, "Have you thought about your acceptance speech?"
"My senior sister has also prepared one for me..."
"???"
Chen Shu's mouth twitched. "How come I feel like the clown here?"
"Next time, next time I'll use yours!"
Zhang Dali adjusted his clothes, his confidence brimming as he said:
"Let's go!"
The two left the hotel. Along the way, people cheered and even tried to get close to them.
But Chen Shu transformed into a bodyguard. With a glare, he deterred anyone from approaching.
Today was his brother's moment of glory, and no mishaps could occur.
The two arrived at the central plaza without a hitch. A thousand-meter red carpet had been laid out,
And at the end of the carpet stood a high platform, specially prepared for the day's God of Cookery.
"Dali, go!"
Chen Shu escorted Zhang Dali onto the red carpet, to the very front of the crowd.
"God of Cookery!"
"God of Cookery!"
"God of Cookery!"
The thousands present cheered in unison, their voices deafening, celebrating the culinary world's premier event of the day!
Zhang Dali held his head high, his spirits soaring, as he walked towards the end alone.
After a while, he finally reached the end of the red carpet and stepped onto the award stage.
At the same time, another white-haired elder came onto the stage – one of the judges.
The elder was named Gao Yuan, considered a living fossil of the culinary world.
Despite his advanced age, his thinking was not rigid; he was rather appreciative of young people.
Yesterday, it was he who strongly supported Zhang Dali. It could be said that Dali's attainment of the God of Cookery title owed something to him.
"I am deeply gratified to witness the birth of a new God of Cookery today..."
Gao Yuan's appearance was aged, but his eyes remained sharp.
He spoke slowly, "Contestant Zhang Dali is the most talented person I have ever seen in my life!"
"And I can confidently predict that the number one person in the culinary world from now on will be him!"
Instantly, Gao Yuan's pronouncements caused a stir worldwide. His words were simply too absolute.
Zhang Dali, standing beside him, bowed slightly. Even he hadn't expected Elder Gao to say such things.
Elder Gao paid no mind to the external reactions and continued:
"Dali is the undisputed God of Cookery!"
Then, Elder Gao picked up a crystal trophy in his hand.
The trophy depicted a creature wearing a chef's hat, a creature known as a 'Shitie Beast', with the words "God of Cookery" written beneath it.
Zhang Dali eagerly accepted it with both hands, his body trembling slightly.
He raised the trophy high, his gaze fixed on the cameras in front of him, as if announcing to the entire world:
Today, he had obtained the highest honor in the culinary world!
Beside him, Elder Gao smiled slightly, then quietly departed, leaving the stage to Zhang Dali.
"Next, please welcome the God of Cookery, Zhang Dali, to speak!"
Fu Ning came onto the stage and handed Dali a microphone.
Zhang Dali held the trophy in his left hand and the microphone in his right. Beside him, various equipment whirred and clicked incessantly.
"I am deeply honored to receive the title of God of Cookery today..."
"Recalling my journey, I must thank everyone who has supported me..."
"My parents, my brother, my mentor, and my senior sister, Lin Weiwei..."
Zhang Dali's face was alight with joy, and he said excitedly:
"To be frank, the suit I'm wearing was a gift from my senior sister. I once said I would wear it on the most important occasion..."
"Today, I finally get to wear it!"
"Senior sister, this suit really fits well, and it looks very handsome..."
Zhang Dali straightened his posture, wanting the whole world to see him at this moment!
"This kid, prioritizing love over friendship!"
Chen Shu pouted, not expecting not to be mentioned by his "fierce bandit" moniker.
But just as he was grumbling, his expression suddenly froze...
On stage, Zhang Dali had stopped speaking for a long time.
And over his heart, a striking patch of crimson had appeared...