Loyalty.
Careful.
Has a certain level of ability.
This was the deepest impression First Executive Anne left on Chu Yang.
And as the assistant and secretary by Nakiri Mana's side, Anne could be said to be quite excellent.
Whether it was intricate schedule arrangements or urgent crisis management, she always handled them with ease, ensuring that all matters proceeded smoothly according to Mana's wishes.
In terms of daily life, Anne was even more capable of observing every subtle change in Nakiri Mana with a delicate and sensitive heart.
When Mana faced pressure and suffered from anorexia, she was always the first to notice and silently provide support and protection from behind.
Even.
It could be said.
She was like a spring breeze turning into rain, allowing Mana to feel a warmth amidst her pain!
…
Chu Yang stretched out an arm in front of Anne, pointing at the tiny bumps and asking, "Anne, do you know what these are?"
"Ah?"
Anne was startled, not understanding what he meant.
"These are bumps that appear when your pores stand up, commonly known as goosebumps, understand?"
Chu Yang said earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Anne realized that Chu Yang was feeling disgusted by her heartfelt words just now.
"Hey!"
"You… what do you mean?"
"Were those words I just said so disgusting to you?"
Anne pouted, puzzled.
"Alright!"
"It's getting late."
"You should hurry back and rest. The executive assessment is tomorrow morning!"
"As a judge, if you're late because you overslept, you'll be madly ridiculed by Executive Decora and Executive Kuraji."
With that, Chu Yang stood up.
He first patted Anne's fragrant shoulder, leaned down and whispered a few words into her ear, then left.
"Assessment?"
Anne was confused when she heard this.
But then, she thought of something and suddenly understood: "Oh! That's right, he… he's about to participate in the promotion assessment for First Executive!"
…
As the world's most authoritative gourmet organization, WGO, its internal hierarchy is strictly divided.
From Fourth Executive to Special Executive, each level of promotion is accompanied by exceptionally rigorous assessment standards.
Currently.
There are only three First Executives:
Anne.
Decora.
Kuraji.
And above them, there is currently only one Special Executive, Nakiri Mana.
This means she represents the highest honor within WGO, as well as the pinnacle of culinary evaluation.
And don't assume that Second Executives will have many members due to their lower rank; in fact, there are only Instval, Charme, Lantabi, and Chu Yang!
The conditions for promotion to First Executive are very difficult.
Applicants must obtain the recognition of the three First Executives through their professional performance, personal charisma, and contributions to WGO.
And.
In tomorrow's assessment.
Every score must be recognized by two or more First Executives to be considered qualified.
…
Early morning.
The distant mountains gradually became clear in the morning light.
Their outlines were etched distinctively by the golden sunlight, as if they were nature's most proud sculptures.
And the leaves of the trees at the foot of the mountain still held glistening dewdrops, sparkling brilliantly under the sun, like pearls embedded in green satin, dazzling!
At this moment, at WGO headquarters.
In a spacious and bright area, four executives had already gathered.
"Ah… ah-ha…"
"I'm so sleepy, I wish this assessment would end soon!"
Executive Kuraji, with white-yellow hair and a very cute and lively appearance, yawned listlessly.
"They should be here soon, right?"
Beside him, Decora, with bronze skin and a somewhat exotic charm, looked up at the clock on the wall and murmured softly.
…
Chu Yang slowly walked into the examination room.
Dappled light fell on his shoulders, coating him with a faint golden glow.
Nakiri Mana, Anne, Kuraji, and Decora, their gazes like sharp hawks, all shot towards Chu Yang.
It was a scrutiny, an expectation, and also an invisible pressure.
Chu Yang quickly felt this gaze from all directions, but he did not shrink back. Instead, he straightened his back, meeting each executive's gaze with firm and calm eyes.
In his eyes.
There was light of unyielding, fearless, and dauntless spirit.
At the same time, there was also an affirmation of his own abilities and respect for this assessment.
Seeing Chu Yang so composed, Nakiri Mana on the field unexpectedly had a thought. Her immense aura and pressure emanated, like an invisible sharp blade, piercing his eyes.
"Hmm?"
Chu Yang frowned.
He knew Nakiri Mana's intention, so he looked up and met her gaze.
Mana, seeing that he was not afraid of her powerful mental energy, could only bite her lower lip, her cheeks slightly flushed, no longer daring to meet Chu Yang's fiery gaze.
…
"Ahem, Chu Yang, are you ready?"
Just as the atmosphere became somewhat heavy, Anne was the first to speak.
"Ready!"
Chu Yang retracted his gaze and turned to Anne, saying calmly.
"Good, then let's begin the assessment."
"First, let's talk about the rules. This examination for your promotion to First Executive consists of three stages."
"If you fail to get the recognition and affirmation of all three of us First Executives in any single stage, then your promotion fails!"
"Now."
"Please cover your eyes with the blackout blindfold."
After speaking, Anne handed the blackout blindfold to Chu Yang, and Chu Yang, without saying much, put it on.
…
In this darkness.
All visual stimuli were stripped away, replaced by perceiving the world through other senses.
Chu Yang knew in his heart why Anne wanted to cover his eyes; it was simply to make him purely perceive and analyze ingredients through taste.
After all, to become a qualified WGO executive, three prerequisites must be met:
First, taste must be normal.
Second, no food allergies.
Third, must be able to control one's appetite.
If any one of these hurdles cannot be overcome, then the executive job cannot be done!
…
As everyone knows.
Humans have 5 types of taste cells, responsible for sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami, none of which can be missing.
Besides the five tastes, many other factors affect the taste of food, and texture is one of them.
The texture referred to here specifically describes the properties of starchy foods in the mouth, described in literary terms as:
Delicate.
Rough.
Viscous.
Or refreshing, and other subjective feelings.
Analyzed from a scientific perspective, it refers to the degree of breakage of starch molecular chains.
The more sensitive an executive's taste is, the more clearly they can analyze what kind of meat is in a dish, what it was marinated with, whether it was fried or roasted?
If you only distinguish between delicious and not delicious, that's barely instinct, at most it suits your palate.
Therefore.
Every WGO executive.
Needs to constantly expand their taste bud boundaries, trying cuisines from all over the world, including different cooking methods and ingredients.
Through extensive experimentation, one can gradually cultivate sensitivity to various flavors and textures!