"What am I supposed to do? Isn't that normal? It's me, and I'm going to do the same. Absolon looked at Zheng Ke angrily.

"Brother, you're so stupid, haven't you heard the meaning of Zheng Ke's words yet? If today's game was deliberately lost by Katagiri Yang, then there is no need for him to focus on this dish. If he guessed that the final round was about Western desserts, do you know what that means?" Catherine said impatiently.

Absolon slapped his forehead, "I know, I know—if you count the last week, he'll have two weeks to prepare a dessert." ”

That's the advantage of being first in the group.

Because Zheng Ke is a continuous competition, all his energy must be focused on the next opponent, so he can also do it if he knows the topic of the final round in advance. But Katagiri is different, before this game, he has had two weeks of rest, and in terms of time, he has more than Zheng Ke.

Zheng Ke nodded, "That's what it means." And, as he said in an interview, luck is part of the game. That is, he decided to gamble on it. Judging from the current situation, he should have made the right bet. ”

"Not necessarily, right? After all, it's possible that he's preparing a salad. Absolon retorted.

"Impossible, just now Katagiri Hiroshi was wearing a kimono and walked leisurely. If he had prepared a salad, he would have burned his ass a long time ago, where would it be so easy?" Zheng Ke shrugged his shoulders.

That being said, Katagiri himself is not very good at Western food, and even if he is given two weeks, he may not be able to make a particularly good dessert. Absolon said.

"If only it were him. Don't forget, if you can help me, someone else will be able to help him. As long as there is a good enough recipe, it is not particularly difficult to make a palace-level dessert based on his foundation. ”

Absolon thought for a moment, and it really made sense, "Then what are you going to do?"

Zheng Ke looked helpless, "I can only take one step at a time, Katagiri Yoshi's preparation time is longer than mine, but my Western-style dessert foundation should be better than his." So, it's not like I'm completely out of the woods. It's just that I've been shaded for a while, and I'm a little unhappy. ”

Come to think of it, if he were in Katagiri Hiro's position, he would do the same. After all, it's about the last qualifying spot.

"Okay, let's go out too, Senior Takasugi, they should have been waiting for a long time. ”

Catherine, who was bowing her head and contemplating, was slightly stunned when she heard Zheng Ke's words, "Hey, don't you think about how to deal with it?"

"Even if you have to think about it, it's tomorrow, let's take a rest today, right?" Zheng Ke forced a laugh.

"Hmm!" said Catherine, smiling at once.

……

When night falls, the lights are bright in the Junke Pavilion in the downtown area.

"Chef Anzai, this is the dish that the guests ordered. A waiter handed the menu of five or six notes to Kota Anzai, who was busy.

"Got it. Kota Anzai took the menu, glanced at it, put it on the counter, and stretched his waist, "Oh, Master Zheng has always said that he wants to find a Chinese chef for us, I don't know when I will be able to come over." ”

"Didn't Mr. Zheng say that if it goes well, it should be in early September?" said Ren Kuriyama, who was cooking.

"Isn't that early? I really can't figure it out, my strength is not bad, why don't you let me learn Chinese cuisine?"

"Chef Anzai, don't be joking, okay?

"Isn't there still you?"

"Don't ...... My current cooking skills can't afford the entire Junke Pavilion. Li Shanren hurriedly refused, but the spatula in his hand kept stir-frying in the pot, "I heard that this chef who is undergoing training is very optimistic about Master Zheng, and I hope he can come over sooner." ”

"yes, when he comes, I'll teach him some other dishes so I can take a leave of absence. Anzai Akira sighed, recently, he has been really busy, he wants to rest but has never had the opportunity.

Ren Kuriyama brought the ingredients to the window, tapped on the window, and the waiter immediately came over.

"Table 18 guests. Ren Kuriyama glanced at the door of the restaurant, and two guests pushed the door in.

When Kuriyama Ren saw these two people, his brows furrowed slightly. One of them, he was very impressed, it was a few months ago, when Takeshi Ueda seized power, a gourmand who lived in the garden of colored leaves, Kawaguchi. At that time, he was very close to Takahashima, and although it turned out that he was not involved in Takahashima's case, it still left a very bad impression on Kuriyama.

I thought that from that time on, he should not have much contact with Kawaguchi, but I didn't expect to see Kawaguchi again at this time.

The other man, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, looks quite good, but between his eyebrows, there is an inexplicable coldness, like an invisible hand, tightly choking Kuriyama Ren's throat. This feeling of indifference was very similar to the strand of white hair on his forehead.

When Kawaguchi Kyotake saw Kuriyama Ren, he smiled and nodded, and after whispering a few words of conversation with the person who came with him, the man came alone to find an empty seat, while Kawaguchi Kyotake walked quickly to the window and said hello to Kuriyama Ren: "Master Kuriyama, long time no see." ”

"Long time no see. ”

Despite his dislike for him in his heart, Ren Kuriyama smiled, but Kuriyama's smile gave people a stiff feeling.

"By the way, isn't Master Zheng here?" asked Kawaguchi.

"Mr. Zheng, he is now participating in the The-Blue competition. ”

"The-blue? It's supposed to be a national race now, right?" Kawaguchi thought as he touched his chin.

"Yes, Mr. Zheng has entered the final round of the competition, do you have something to do with him?" Kyotake Kuriyama looked at Kawaguchi Kyyotake suspiciously, and his heart became alert.

"There are some ...... It's not a big deal, though, thank you. Kawaguchi Kyotake bowed to Hitoshi Kuriyama and turned to leave.

When Kuriyama Ren returned to the operation table, Kota Anzai asked Kuriyama in a low voice, "Who is that person?"

"A gourmet, but I always don't think he's a good guy - uncle, is this my delusion?"

"Why? I don't think he's feeling well. By the way, don't call me uncle, call me chef. That's why I look different. Kota Anzai touched his chin and a smug smile appeared on his face.

Giggle.

Kuriyama Ren rolled his eyes and thought to himself.

Kyotake Kawaguchi sat across from the man, his head bowed, his face slightly reserved.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Nakamura, Zheng Ke is not here. Kyotake Kawaguchi said in a low voice.

"Well, no need to apologize. We didn't inform him in advance, and it was as should have been that he wasn't there. "The person called 'Nakamura' has a calm expression, and his tone is not as cold as it seems.

"No, actually, he's competing in the-blue right now, and it seems like he's in the final round. Kyotake Kawaguchi hurriedly explained.

"the-blue?" Nakamura's eyes suddenly sharpened, and the air between the two of them instantly condensed.

This oppressive atmosphere, like a huge stone, pressed on his heart, making him almost breathless.

"Mr. Nakamura, is there something wrong?" Kyotake Kawaguchi couldn't stand the atmosphere, and the sweat on his back was already soaking his clothes.

"Don't worry, I'm just ringing from before. Nakamura's eyes narrowed, and a smile appeared on his face, "By the way, that game, if I can, I'd like to go and see it with my own eyes, and you can ask when it is." ”

"No problem. Leave this matter to me!" said Kawaguchi Kyotake, swearing.

"Hmm," Nakamura picked up the menu, the corners of his mouth slightly curled, "Shall we order first?"