"Your cooking is actually good in every way, and you've grasped the details well, but there's one very obvious problem. The dish is scattered; there's no fusion."
Seeing Wang Zhi's expression of acceptance, his demeanor becoming humble, Dylan didn't press him further. Instead, he pointed out the shortcomings of his dish.
Dylan hadn't tasted it, but from the aroma wafting through the air, he keenly identified the flaws in Wang Zhi's dish. If he could just fix these flaws, the dish could be taken to the next level. If he then interpreted every detail perfectly, it could reach the level of Flowing Light cuisine.
"Fusion…"
Hearing Dylan's words, Wang Zhi fell into a brief contemplation. If an ordinary person had said this to him, he would have just smiled without a word and paid it no mind.
But the one who said it was Dylan, a young man capable of creating Flowing Light cuisine. There had to be a reason for his words.
What exactly was this so-called fusion?
Wang Zhi couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought. If he were truly that clever, he wouldn't need someone to tell him; he would have been able to grasp it on his own.
"Think about it carefully. Once you understand it, your probability of creating a dish that reaches the glowing level will exceed 50%, and then you can reach Special Grade Five Star."
Some things can only be understood intuitively. If you don't grasp it yourself, you'll never be able to take that step. So, Dylan didn't plan to spell it out.
"Thank you for the advice. It's given me a clear direction. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."
Although he couldn't grasp the meaning for now, Wang Zhi firmly committed Dylan's words to memory, planning to go back and study them thoroughly.
"I won't see you out."
Watching Wang Zhi's retreating back, Dylan answered coolly. The man had come for a Shokugeki, so even with his good attitude now, Dylan couldn't completely let it go and put on a warm, smiling face.
"And you. Everyone else has left, what are you still doing here?"
He withdrew his gaze, which finally landed on the innocent-looking young woman before him.
Standing at the entrance of Shōkei-en, she was sucking on a lollipop, sizing him up with a probing gaze, as if looking at some novel toy.
"Isn't this a ryokan? I'm staying to check in, of course." Chuan Weihua said with a charming smile. As she spoke, she walked inside, preparing to go to the front desk and handle the check-in procedures.
If nothing else, her pink-themed outfit, paired with her baby-faced yet exquisitely pretty doll-like features, was very cute.
"Unfortunately, we're fully booked and can't take any more guests for now. If you'd come a day earlier, there might have been a room." Dylan shrugged, feeling a bit helpless.
Although he had already guessed as much, the ryokan was now full. Even if he agreed to let her in, she wouldn't have a place to stay.
"How can that be! Well then, I'll rough it a little, how about we share a room? I don't mind you, and I'm sure you can be trusted. We can just squeeze in."
"No way. I mind you. I'm afraid of what you might do to me." Looking at Chuan Weihua, who was winking at him, Dylan deliberately put on a frightened expression, then got up and silently stood beside Megumi Tadokoro.
He felt this girl was trouble. She looked normal but seemed a bit crazy. Plus, free things are always the most expensive; there was no need to get too involved.
"Don't say such unromantic things!"
Seeing Dylan repeatedly wave his hands in refusal, Chuan Weihua stopped trying to act cute and instead sighed in exasperation. Was she really that charmless?
"If you really want to stay, come back early tomorrow. By then, Little Megumi and I will be leaving, so a room will naturally free up."
Not wanting to offend her, Dylan took Megumi Tadokoro's hand and prepared to leave, but he was stopped.
"Leaving? Where are you going? According to the Japanese holiday schedule, shouldn't you be on break now? This is the time to be resting at home…."
Chuan Weihua mumbled on, and Dylan understood her meaning. It was basically that since he was in his hometown, he shouldn't be running around.
"That's none of your business."
They went back and forth. Although he didn't know why she still refused to leave, Dylan was a person who hated trouble. He gave a few perfunctory replies and prepared to leave, but she adopted an expression that said she wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted.
"Can I follow you for a while?"
Chuan Weihua stated her purpose. A Special Grade Chef of such incredible skill—it would be a huge waste not to take advantage of him!
"No." Dylan refused without a second thought.
Although this girl was pretty and had a decent figure, she looked like a walking disaster. Just being with her for this short time was already annoying. Having her around would surely cause a huge mess.
"Huh!? A beautiful young girl in the prime of her life is asking to hang out with you, and you don't even have to do anything, and you just refuse like that?!"
Looking at the merciless Dylan, Chuan Weihua stood there in disbelief. She had never been rejected in her life. Thanks to her looks and status, everyone had always complied with her wishes.
And now someone had actually refused her. And with such an absolutely decisive tone.
For some reason, a strange emotion welled up in Chuan Weihua's heart. If before she was probing his culinary skills, now she was becoming interested in the person himself.
Thinking this, Chuan Weihua ran up again, employing the shameless spirit of pestering him relentlessly.
Seeing that she was a girl, Dylan suppressed his annoyance and didn't resort to force. In the end, it was Tadokoro Mieko who stepped forward. Watching them, she came up with a solution.
Simply put, Dylan and Megumi Tadokoro would share a room, freeing up a room for her.
It wasn't that they were short on customers. The main reason was that Tadokoro Mieko had been standing by for a long time and noticed that Megumi Tadokoro had a look on her face as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
As someone with experience, Tadokoro Mieko made a bold guess: Megumi Tadokoro definitely had 'those kinds' of ideas, but was too shy, and since it was her first time, she was too embarrassed to say it directly.
As her mother, Tadokoro Mieko felt she had to give her a little push from behind, otherwise, with her daughter's shy and timid nature, she'd probably never get to hold a grandchild in her lifetime!
"Alright, since it's decided, you two should hurry back and rest." Looking at her daughter and son-in-law still standing there like wooden poles, Tadokoro Mieko gave them a push, feeling a mix of frustration and fondness.
Only when their figures had disappeared from her sight did she wipe the non-existent sweat from her forehead and turn to look at Chuan Weihua.
"Ah, this…"
"Miss, please come with me." Seeing Chuan Weihua's strange expression, Tadokoro Mieko offered a friendly smile, then beckoned her towards the room Dylan had previously stayed in.
Meanwhile.
Dylan arrived at the door to Megumi Tadokoro's room. He didn't rush in but instead looked around, his face full of curiosity.
A faint fragrance wafted from the crack of the door, like a mix of citrus and some soft floral scent, unfamiliar yet somehow strangely familiar.
"Let's go in." Beside him, Megumi Tadokoro saw that Dylan hadn't moved for a long time and was just closing his eyes, intoxicated by the scent. A blush couldn't help but appear on her face.
Although she was grateful to her mom for the assist from the bottom of her heart, now that the moment was here, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of hesitation, a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"Mm, speaking of which, this is my first time in Little Megumi's room, whether at Totsuki or here, even though I've clearly been here for two days already." Dylan sensed the atmosphere and took the initiative to push open the door, starting a conversation.
The room wasn't large, but her presence filled every corner.
The bookshelf in the corner was full of books. A few open notebooks were scattered on the desk, the handwriting messy but still carrying her style.
The bed was covered with light-colored sheets, and next to the pillow sat a stuffed teddy bear. It looked a bit old, yet it was still cherished and placed there.
Next to the bed was a windowsill with a few small potted plants. Moonlight streamed in through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the entire room.
"You sit down first, I'll go get you some water." As Megumi Tadokoro spoke, she felt a dry throat and wanted to leave, but Dylan grabbed her by the arm, pressed her down, and pulled her onto the soft bed.
"I'm not thirsty right now, you don't need to get me water. Speaking of which, I've helped your family so much, doesn't Little Megumi have any thoughts on how to thank me?"
He wasn't expecting repayment; it was just a small interaction between a couple. Dylan leaned his face closer, looking at Megumi Tadokoro's incredibly cute and youthful face, his own heart starting to beat a little faster.
"I do… but I don't know what you need. Can you tell me what you want? Dylan-nii."
Dylan thought Megumi Tadokoro was cute, and she thought he was handsome. Especially at this close distance, both their hearts were beating a bit fast.
It wasn't a good feeling to always be on the defensive. Especially at the moment his face leaned in, her heart rate could be said to have reached its peak.
"What I want... haven't you always known?"
After being 'trained' by Alice Nakiri and Sonoka Kikuchi, Dylan was no longer the inexperienced young man he once was. Faced with Megumi Tadokoro's feigned ignorance, he naturally pressed forward, his gaze never leaving her eyes.
"Are you ready?"
Although they hadn't gone on a date to the mall, the two had been intimate in the kitchen, which was no different from a normal date.
With the mindset that they were already boyfriend and girlfriend, Dylan had been much more forward with Megumi Tadokoro while cooking in the kitchen, taking many liberties.
Despite this, although Megumi Tadokoro acted very shy, she was actually very happy inside.
Because Dylan was willing to be intimate with her, it proved that the barrier between them had been broken. If, while dating, he still treated her with polite respect, she would instead feel very disappointed.
That would be disrespectful to her, and even a form of discrimination, as if he disliked her. No girl would hate a boy for having 'those kinds' of thoughts about her.
Unless that girl didn't love him at all.
And so it was now.
When Dylan asked his confident question, Megumi Tadokoro grabbed his collar and pulled his face down even further.
The girl's blushing face came into view, her slightly aroused expression clearly indicating she was fully prepared. So Dylan reached out his hand.
Megumi Tadokoro responded eagerly.
Though it was her first time, she had been preparing since the day Dylan accepted her confession.
Although she had no practical experience in 'that department,' she had read quite a few doujinshi during this time, often staying up late into the night, to the point where her health was suffering.
Now, her theoretical experience had reached a perfect score; all that was left was the practical application!
Right now was the perfect time for practice!
The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, like a layer of golden gauze, gently灑 in the room.
The room still held the scent of the night, a faint fragrance mixed with warm body heat, lingering in every corner.
On the bed, two people slept soundly, their breathing even and soft.
Her head rested on his shoulder, her light blue hair scattered across his chest, rising and falling slightly with his breathing.
His arm was naturally wrapped around her waist, his fingers resting lightly on her back, feeling the skin as smooth as suet jade, unwilling to let go even in his sleep.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Megumi Tadokoro woke up first. She struggled to sit up but found herself in a warm embrace. So, she gently lifted her head, her gaze falling on Dylan's handsome face, the corners of her mouth turning up unconsciously.
Dylan's eyes were still closed, his brow relaxed, his breathing steady.
This made Megumi Tadokoro unable to resist reaching out, her fingertips gently caressing his brow bone, her movements as gentle as if touching a precious treasure.
Perhaps because the movement was too big, Dylan was awakened by Megumi Tadokoro's touch. His eyelids twitched slightly, then slowly opened.
At first, his vision was still a bit blurry, but he immediately saw her face leaning in, her eyes still holding a gentle smile.
This also improved Dylan's mood considerably. He tightened his arm, pulling her closer into his embrace. "Good morning," he said, his voice a little hoarse and lazy from just waking up, yet exceptionally gentle.
"Morning," Megumi Tadokoro responded softly, snuggling her head deeper into his chest, her face beaming with a contented smile mixed with a trace of sweet weariness.
Yesterday, the two had been busy late into the night. It being her first time, Megumi Tadokoro was very clumsy at first, and her movements were stiff. Fortunately, with Dylan's constant guidance, they eventually reached a point of perfect harmony.
"Let's get cleaned up, have breakfast, and then head straight back to Totsuki. We'll get ready there and then go to Fujian, China, together for the Youth Chef Competition."
"Okay." After hearing Dylan's plan, Megumi Tadokoro nodded in agreement without any hesitation.
Before heading to China, the two needed to return to Totsuki first to meet up with the others, and then they would take a plane to Fujian together.
"Help me with the clasp in the back."
Megumi Tadokoro took a new bra from the closet and was about to put it on herself, but she saw Dylan looking at her with an appreciative gaze, so she blushed slightly and turned her back to him.
Her action and meaning were clear: she wanted him to help her fasten her bra.
"Okay." Seeing this, Dylan strode forward and quickly helped her fasten the bra. As he did, he couldn't resist taking the opportunity to let his fingers wander, making the young woman blush.
After some playful teasing, the two arrived in the main hall and saw Chuan Weihua eating there. When she saw them, she enthusiastically raised her hand in greeting.
"Morning, you two."
"Good morning, Miss Chuan." Megumi Tadokoro couldn't just ignore the polite greeting. She replied courteously, then found an empty seat with Dylan to rest.
Chuan Weihua saw this, popped a meat bun into her mouth, and moved her chair over to them, her gaze sweeping back and forth between them. With a subtle expression, she said to Dylan: "So you two are a couple, huh? I wouldn't have guessed. Turns out you like them young. But even though she's young, certain parts aren't small at all."
Her eyes sizing up Megumi Tadokoro, Chuan Weihua's words were tinged with a bit of teasing.
Because the young woman before her looked a bit childish and was clearly not old, but her figure was exceptionally good, making it hard for anyone to look away.
"Age isn't the key, and figure isn't the key. What's important is whether two hearts are together. You've never had a boyfriend, so it's normal for you to see things superficially."
Hearing Chuan Weihua's teasing, Dylan's brow furrowed slightly. He looked up at her and saw that her eyes were clear, with no ill intent, before speaking.
"How do you know I've never had a boyfriend? I date eight a year, and every one of them is head over heels in love with me. If I weren't so decisive about breaking up, I'd probably still be pestered by them now."
"You? You reek of an inexperienced little girl. Eight a year? I bet you've never even held a man's hand."
Looking the girl before him up and down, Dylan let out a disdainful laugh.
"!! How could I have never even held a man's hand?! Aren't you looking down on me a little too much?!"
Hearing the scornful 'pfft' sound, Chuan Weihua's previously calm demeanor instantly crumbled. She became a bit flustered and then retorted angrily.
"I know you're upset, but calm down first. Judging by your reaction, I'm probably not far off. You really have never held a man's hand!"
"Since you've sat down, let's eat together."
Seeing the staff bring over a small steamer of meat buns, Dylan changed the subject, his full attention on the food.
The pure white skin was somewhat translucent, and you could even faintly see the plump filling inside.
With a gentle pinch, the skin was so thin you could almost feel the elasticity with your fingertips.
"Speaking of which, these meat buns are really well-made. Both the texture and flavor are better than what you'd find at many breakfast stalls."
Chuan Weihua opened her mouth and took a bite. The outer skin broke gently between her lips and teeth, soft but not falling apart, carrying a faint wheaty aroma.
Immediately after, the deliciousness of the filling exploded in her mouth. The meat juices were rich, fresh, and tender, mixed with the fragrance of fresh ginger, with distinct yet perfectly integrated layers of flavor!
"If you like them, eat more. Uncle Wugen made these. He's a very skilled pastry chef. Although he's not a First-Grade Head Chef, his pastry skills are genuinely at a first-grade level. His meat buns are especially amazing.
People used to come stay at the inn just for a taste of these meat buns."
"I can taste it. This must be the result of at least ten years of practice. All the details are handled so well. In terms of just meat buns, he's already faintly reached the Special Grade level."
Dylan also offered a rare compliment. To be able to make meat buns to this standard was already very impressive.
"This small town is really full of hidden talent." Chuan Weihua muttered. Her eyes had truly been opened.
A small town with a population of less than ten thousand, yet it hid so many masters nearly at the Special Grade level. It was truly an incredible thing!