"...after the soup has boiled for ten minutes, we can add the scallions, ginger, and garlic that we chopped in advance."

A pair of dexterous hands held a bowl, gently adding the ingredients into the pot. While speaking, his tone was so soft and cloying it seemed as if each word was laden with ten pounds of sugar.

"Remember to add the chili peppers last, then cover the pot. As I relax and listen to a song, feeling the aroma slowly spreading, my restless spirit finds peace and settles in the kitchen."

The silhouette with its back to the camera reached out and placed the needle on the record player. A melodious song then began to play from the confines of the narrow kitchen, complementing the gentle smile of the young chef as if it were some new idol show, eliciting screams from who knows how many teenage viewers.

Finally, as the soup pot tilted, a line of golden light emerged from the bowl, its dazzling brilliance illuminating every pair of incredulous eyes in front of the screen.

Then, a soup ladle fished out a battery and a light bulb from within and tossed them into the trash can. Huai Shi's smiling face appeared before the camera as he held up a bowl of aromatic soup:

"— And like that, a simple and appetizing diode cream soup is ready. Have you learned it?"

What the hell did I just learn!

Yuan Zhao watched Huai Shi bustling about in the kitchen, dumbfounded. He was tempted to smash the remote control against the screen. What the hell is this! Is this how you're taking revenge for me? In the kitchen? Are you planning to make your enemy die from eating, or die from laughing?

During the organizing committee's live broadcast of the competition, the camera slowly zoomed out, revealing the entire bustling kitchen.

Within the vast kitchen, filled with a terrifyingly cold aura, countless vague shadows moved about, busily tending to their tasks, preparing dinner for the guests.

Right behind Huai Shi, the original head chef was strictly overseeing every step, commanding his subordinates to work at full capacity, serving today's esteemed guests.

"Thank you, Mr. Watanabe," Huai Shi said politely, "The kitchen is every head chef's domain. I didn't expect you to lend it to me so readily."

"It's no problem," the stern-faced chef said in his usual indifferent voice. "After all, this is the first time in many years our restaurant has accepted a request from a Chef Demon. Your skills may be a bit immature, but your genuine dedication toward cooking certainly befits your identity."

"I'm just an apprentice." Huai Shi smiled bashfully.

"No need for such modesty. With your current skills, you could probably secure a top spot if you entered the main competition," the head chef said lightly. "Your control of the heat alone is unmatched. Your cooking method, like orchestrating a symphony, was also an eye-opener for me."

After a few more cordial words, Huai Shi picked up the appetizer and departed.

He pushed open the kitchen door and stepped into the spacious living room.

Finally, he slowly placed the dish in front of the only guest.

Seated on the chair, Lin Yu's face was ashen, as if she had cursed herself hoarse. She stared venomously at Huai Shi.

"Is this all?" She glanced down at the dish with a hoarse sneer, "Showing off your mediocre skills in front of a Witch?"

"Don't say that. As the proverb goes, 'After three days apart, a scholar should be seen in a new light.' I've improved quite a bit recently." Huai Shi said with a smile, lifting the lid of the soup bowl and pushing it toward her. "Please enjoy, Madam. This is an appetizer soup."

Lin Yu's face twitched as she struggled against the Lock Chains binding her. However, an invisible Power controlled her limbs, rigidly forcing her hand to grab the soup spoon. Trembling, it moved inch by inch toward the soup bowl.

The Yin Soul Stigma, like a possessing Evil Ghost, was entwined within her very being.

Suppressed by The Sorrow of Index, it had usurped her body as its vessel, joyfully reveling in the dark Source Substance and bursting into song.

It was as if she had swallowed a spoonful of light.

The crystal-clear soup slid down her throat. Lin Yu shuddered violently, screamed in agony, and roared hoarsely as countless cracks appeared on her face.

The Liberator flowed into her lungs. Pure tranquility, joy, and liberation spread like a tidal wave of light, tearing apart her darkness-eroded body. It hissed like sulfuric acid, inflicting a dual torment upon her flesh and soul from the inside out.

The Molting Snake Stigma convulsed in agony, instantly showing numerous fractures.

"How is it?" Huai Shi rested his chin in his hand, smiling as he watched her drink every last drop of the soup he had meticulously prepared. He laughed with satisfaction, "Does it whet your appetite?"

"Pah!" Lin Yu spat. Her saliva, tinged with viscous blood, landed on Huai Shi's face. He lightly wiped it away with a napkin.

The smiling young man raised his hand and snapped his fingers. A shadowy figure holding a dish emerged from the kitchen, respectfully presenting the first course of tonight's dinner.

"Unfortunately, the serving order was wrong; the soup should have been served later." Huai Shi sighed regretfully, "It's my first time working in a large kitchen, and we haven't coordinated before, so things are a bit slow. This has detracted from your dining experience. Please forgive me."

His only reply was sharp curses and a bone-deep resentment and hatred.

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