Chapter 874: Extra 2: Xiaxia Chapter (1) Chapter 874: Extra 2: Xiaxia Chapter (1) “`
Xu Cheng’s article was like a bomb about to explode, thrown upon the placid surface of the lake – it caused immediate tumult and waves. For a time, the entire culinary world buzzed about Xu Cheng’s actions; of course, the direction of the discussion was good, even filled with anticipation.

Decades ago, Xu Cheng’s pursuit and exploration of delectable foods in this vast world had offered chefs from all over the globe the chance to become famous overnight. Whether it was state banquet gourmet dishes or street snacks costing just a few pennies, as long as one was featured in “Taste,” they would become known to food enthusiasts worldwide. They could have Xu Cheng’s fervent fans willing to travel thousands of miles, cross mountains and rivers, by train or by car, just to savor the delicacies mentioned in “Taste.”

Decades had passed, and the earliest batch of chefs who had been featured in “Taste” were mostly old, with many having retired. The culinary world had also seen an influx of new blood. In recent years, many young chefs without any background had lamented that they were born in the wrong era; if only they had been born a few decades earlier, being discovered by Xu Cheng would have made their futures vastly different.

Now their chance had come.

Xu Cheng had become the Xu Cheng of the past again, and whether they could seize the opportunity to make a name for themselves like their predecessors was up to them.

But all of this had nothing to do with Jiang Feng.

He was busy making arrangements for the annual meeting venue.

Red banners, red ribbons, various red decorations. Those in the know understood that it was the preparation of the annual meeting venue; those who didn’t might think a wedding venue was being decorated.

As for “Taste,” the copy that Jiang Feng had brought to Taifeng Building was now in Wang Xiulian’s hands. Looking at Mrs. Wang Xiulian, who couldn’t put the magazine down, Jiang Feng suspected that this article was very likely going to end up on the Wang family ancestors’ graves this year.

“Fengfeng, we’ve bought the fruit back. Should we arrange the fruit plate together or should I do it with Xiaxia?” Wu Minqi, who had also risen early, along with Ji Xia, Ji Xue, and Ji Yue, had their tasks divided up among them.

“You and Xiaxia do it. I still have many red lanterns to hang up here,” Jiang Feng replied helplessly as he looked at the red lanterns in his hands, suspecting they were leftovers from last year’s New Year’s decorations used by Taifeng Building.

“Alright then, Xiaxia and I will arrange the fruit plate. Let’s go, Xiaxia. We’ll eat your favorite fruits first and won’t leave any for them,” Wu Minqi said with a laugh.

If Wu Minqi had spoken to Xiaxia like this in the past, even if Xiaxia knew it was a joke, she would have been very happy and nodded vigorously, excitedly following Wu Minqi with the fruits as if it were a little tail wagging behind her.

But the current Xiaxia didn’t seem very happy, simply nodding indifferently, following Wu Minqi as if accepting a task assigned by a teacher.

Xiaxia was a bit unhappy, or more accurately, she had been rather unhappy for some time.

Jiang Feng had noticed a few days after the final competition that her mood was a bit off. At first, he thought it was because Granny Ji had returned to Guangdong Province and Xiaxia was out of sorts due to being separated from her grandmother, remaining listless all the time.

But now, it obviously wasn’t because of that.

Just yesterday, Jiang Feng had asked Ji Xue. They had bought train tickets back to Guangdong Province for this afternoon, expecting to arrive home tomorrow morning. Logically, if Xiaxia was missing her grandmother, she should be happy about going home today.

Looking at Xiaxia’s retreating figure, Jiang Feng felt that indeed, as children grow up, their hearts become more complicated, starting to have secrets they don’t share with their master and sister. Jiang Feng realized he preferred the original Xiaxia, who was carefree, joyfully silly, or had her displeasure written all over her face, over the current Xiaxia, who kept things bottled up inside.

“Master!”

Just as Jiang Feng finished hanging all the lanterns and was preparing to find a place to slack off and loaf around, his second disciple, who had not yet held the official ceremony but had already started calling him master, Zhang Xi, ran in carrying a big bag of candy from the entrance.

Zhang Xi’s final exams had already ended, and her dormitory roommates had gone back home for the New Year one after the other, leaving her as the only one left in the dorm, going to Taifeng daily for work and waiting for the annual meeting. She couldn’t make it to the competition because she had an exam, but as she had said, she watched the live stream immediately after her exam ended and even sent a barrage of messages when Jiang Feng won the championship.

“Master, guess what I saw when I passed by the newsstand today?” Zhang Xi said excitedly as she pulled out a brand-new copy of “Taste” from the bag of candy, “You’re on ‘Taste’ again!”

“I’ve already seen it,” Jiang Feng said with a smile.

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“Ah.” Zhang Xi thought she had brought Jiang Feng a surprise, but Jiang Feng had already finished watching it.

“By the way, have you discussed the matter of becoming an apprentice with your parents?” Because the store had been too busy before, Jiang Feng never had the time to bring up this matter with Zhang Xi, but now that it was time for the annual meeting and the long holiday was approaching, he had plenty of time to deal with things he hadn’t handled before.

“Not yet, but I let my mom and dad watch your final competition’s live stream.” Zhang Xi said with a beaming face, shaking the copy of “Taste” in her hands, “Plus this issue of ‘Taste’, I’m sure my parents will agree!”

“After watching your livestream, my dad told me that anyone who has the fortune to be your apprentice would be extremely lucky.”

“What nonsense,” Jiang Feng chuckled and shook his head.

After spending time together, he had noticed that Zhang Xi, perhaps because she had just started university and was experiencing the outside world for the first time, was somewhat self-indulgent. Her personality was very unrestrained, and once she got to know someone, she dared to say anything.

“Then I’ll go help out.” Zhang Xi was very conscientious, displaying the sense of duty that a Taifeng Building employee should have for working hard for the capitalists.

“Go to the kitchen and help Qiqi and Xiaxia with the fruit platters,” suggested Jiang Feng. “I saw they’ve bought quite a lot of fruits, which will take some time to prepare.” Just as Zhang Xi turned to head to the kitchen, Jiang Feng suddenly stopped her, “Wait, lately, have you noticed anything off about Xiaxia?”

“Off?” Zhang Xi pondered, “Master, do you mean Sister seems a bit afraid of me?”

Jiang Feng: ?

Xiaxia afraid of Zhang Xi??? Jiang Feng sized up Zhang Xi from head to toe and couldn’t see how Zhang Xi, who wasn’t very strong and even needed to practice basic skills, looked like she could win against the former bad girl Xiaxia.

“She’s afraid of you?” Jiang Feng asked incredulously.

Zhang Xi nodded, “I’m not sure if it counts as being afraid, but I always feel like Sister is kind of avoiding me.”

“How so?”

“Previously, Master, didn’t you tell me that Sister’s basics in knifework, fire control, and seasoning aren’t very solid and that I should remind her when I have the chance? But I simply can’t find the opportunity to remind her. Whenever Sister is chopping vegetables or kneading dough, it feels like she’s intentionally avoiding me, always keeping a big distance from me, and she also sits far away from me during meals.”

“I can feel that she doesn’t dislike me, but she just seems to be avoiding me.” Zhang Xi felt somewhat troubled, “Maybe Sister feels a bit embarrassed because I’m younger yet more skilled?”

Now Jiang Feng was truly surprised. He had always thought that Xiaxia liked Zhang Xi very much. When he was hesitant about taking Zhang Xi as an apprentice, Xiaxia’s behavior had been very positive and even excited.

These things Zhang Xi mentioned, Jiang Feng had indeed completely failed to notice before.

“Perhaps she’s just not used to it yet, no worries, the New Year’s holiday is coming up soon. We’ll see how things are after the break. Xiaxia can be a bit contrary sometimes, it just takes some time to get along. Since she’s somewhat avoiding you now, don’t help with the fruit platters. Go help set up the tablecloths instead, because we’ll need to prepare that large table for the raffle later.”

“Okay,” Zhang Xi nodded.

What Jiang Feng didn’t know was that it would be many years before his first and second apprentices would have the chance to get along.

Because Xiaxia did not return to Taifeng Building after the New Year.