Although the contestants tasted that Cheng Xiaofan's steamed crucian carp was by no means ordinary, there was still considerable doubt whether it could completely cure Huang Jiesan's father's hemiplegia.
After all, hemiplegia was generally a difficult-to-treat stubborn disease. No matter how miraculous a steamed crucian carp was, it couldn't possibly have such great medicinal value.
At this very moment!
Cheng Xiaofan moved to the stove and lifted the lid again.
Boom!
The aroma that erupted from the pot this time was even more intense than before.
Those nearby were enveloped by the scent, feeling as if they were about to float away.
"I want to eat fish, I want to eat fish!" Old Mr. Huang pointed at the pot and stove, his mouth watering once again.
Cheng Xiaofan took the plate of fish out of the pot. Holding the fish head with a pair of chopsticks, he gave a gentle shake, extracting all the bones from the fish.
Then, Cheng Xiaofan snapped the fish head off the row of bones and placed it back in its original position on the plate. It looked remarkably intact, as if untouched.
This move alone left everyone stunned.
Who but a chef of peak level could achieve this?
Cheng Xiaofan carried the plate of fish to Old Mr. Huang and smiled kindly, "Sir, please savor it slowly!"
"Thank you, Mr. Cheng!" Old Mr. Huang impatiently took the chopsticks from Cheng Xiaofan, picked up a piece of fish from the plate, and put it into his mouth.
In less than two minutes, the plate was completely empty.
He even chewed up and swallowed the fish head.
"It's too delicious! I've never had such good steamed crucian carp in my life!" Old Mr. Huang excitedly stood up from his wheelchair.
He then walked directly out of his wheelchair.
"Dad, you can actually walk!" Seeing this, Huang Jiesan was so moved that he choked back tears and shouted loudly.
Old Mr. Huang then realized he could stand and walk, and even more excitedly shouted to the sky, "Heavens, I can finally stand and walk!"
"God of Cookery, we pay homage!"
At this moment, led by Han Cheng, the contestants came before Cheng Xiaofan and, with a whoosh, knelt down in unison.
They said in unison, "Please accept our bow. From this day forward, you are the leader of our Chinese culinary world. We will listen to you in all matters!"
Cheng Xiaofan was instantly taken aback!
In the blink of an eye, I've become the leader of the culinary world?
I'm quite busy myself, how can I have time to be this leader?
"Everyone, I'm sorry, my abilities are limited, I really can't be the leader of the culinary world!" Cheng Xiaofan frantically shook his hands, repeatedly saying.
At this, Han Cheng said, "If you don't agree, we won't get up!"
The contestants also said in unison, "That's right, if you don't agree to be the leader of our Chinese culinary world, none of us will get up!"
"..." Cheng Xiaofan was so anxious he was stomping his feet.
Liu Tingshu stepped forward.
He said, "Xiaofan, you should accept this leadership position first. I know you're busy, but you can find a proxy leader among the contestants!"
Cheng Xiaofan's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Old Liu, that's a good idea. Then I'll choose Han Cheng as my proxy leader!"
Han Cheng said, "I'm afraid I'm not capable."
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled and said, "Han Cheng, at the same time, I'd like to announce something to everyone here. Through this competition, I only desire the title of God of Cookery and will withdraw from the championship. From now on, whoever wins the championship will be the proxy leader of the Chinese culinary world!"
"Everyone, what do you say? Is this acceptable!"
The contestants were all stunned.
They hadn't expected Cheng Xiaofan to come up with such an idea.
The contestants present had all come for the championship title. To say it was acceptable felt too awkward, as the championship rightfully belonged to Cheng Xiaofan.
To say it wasn't acceptable, they felt a bit reluctant.
Liu Tingshu saw through their inner thoughts and laughed loudly, "I think it's acceptable. Let's settle it like this!"
"I also agree with Cheng Xiaofan's suggestion!" Miller and Huang Jiesan said almost in unison.
The contestants immediately clasped their fists and bowed to Cheng Xiaofan again, saying, "Thank you, God of Cookery. Thank you, leader, for giving us this opportunity!"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded and smiled, "Everyone, during this competition, I had someone airfreight some gourmet products from my hometown. I'd like to give them to you to taste!"
He immediately called out loudly to Melina, who was not far away, "My little sweet cat, have Weatherbys and his little brothers bring over those two boxes."
As soon as he spoke, Cheng Xiaofan wished he could slap himself.
What was he thinking!
In front of Miller and so many people, why did he blurt out "little sweet cat" to his daughter?
"Okay, dear, I got it!" Melina, however, waved enthusiastically at Cheng Xiaofan and responded loudly.
"..." At this moment, Miller sat frozen in his seat at the judges' table, stunned.
How did my precious daughter become Cheng Xiaofan's little sweet cat?
And, didn't my daughter just call him "dear"?
No wonder my precious daughter had been missing for two days since Cheng Xiaofan appeared. It turns out she's been right by Cheng Xiaofan's side!
Didn't I hear that Cheng Xiaofan already has a girlfriend back in China?
However!
Thinking of Cheng Xiaofan's various miraculous feats, Miller couldn't help but chuckle.
What if he has a girlfriend?
He has one in China, can't he have another one abroad?
Thinking about the marriage he had previously forced upon his daughter, Miller felt deeply guilty.
As long as his daughter is willing, a father shouldn't interfere. He shouldn't overthink it!
"Congratulations, Mr. Miller!" At this moment, Liu Tingshu, with mixed feelings, clasped his fists in a bow to Miller.
Miller asked with feigned ignorance, "Old Mr. Liu, what joy do I, Miller, have?"
Liu Tingshu smiled and said, "Mr. Miller, you must know that our Mr. Cheng Xiaofan is an extraordinary person. Your daughter being with him is a perfect match!"
"Thank you, Old Mr. Liu!" Miller smiled.
Liu Yishou sat to the side, secretly amused. He had long witnessed Melina and Cheng Xiaofan together. In his mind, they had slept together when they rested at his hotel the previous noon.
He was right to think so, they had indeed slept together.
They just hadn't gotten any closer.
"Mr. Cheng, the items have arrived!" Weatherbys and his subordinates carried two large cardboard boxes onto the stage.
Melina just followed behind.
"Dad!" Melina called out upon seeing Miller.
Miller smiled and glanced at his daughter, then at Cheng Xiaofan, nodded, and replied, "Very good, very good, my daughter!"
Cheng Xiaofan opened the two large cardboard boxes, revealing the packaging inside, which contained various gourmet products newly developed in Zhuxi Village.
He smiled at the crowd that had gathered, "These are all new gourmet products developed in my hometown. Old Liu is no stranger to these delicacies. Every time we develop a new product, Old Liu's granddaughter orders some for her hotel from Zhuxi Village."
"Here, I'd like to give some to everyone to taste!"