Looking at Kojiro Shinomiya, who was still bowing in front of him, Liu Ming pondered internally.
Letting him off so easily, wouldn't that be too cheap for him?
"Ahem~" Gin Dojima spoke up.
Liu Ming gave him an annoyed look. He spoke so casually; did his disciple's tears flow for nothing?
"Master, I'm fine now." Tadokoro Megumi held Liu Ming's hand, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, "Although I was startled at first.
But afterward, I was even a little happy inside. Because if I were really expelled, I could go back to helping at Master's restaurant again."
"Besides, Senior Shinomiya has already apologized to you, so let's just drop this matter."
Liu Ming looked at Tadokoro Megumi's pleading face, then at Kojiro Shinomiya, who was still bowing, and finally shrugged helplessly.
"You, you're just too kind. You'll easily be taken advantage of like this." Liu Ming glared at Tadokoro Megumi in dissatisfaction.
"Hehe," Tadokoro Megumi wasn't angry, saying happily, "Isn't Master here?"
Liu Ming gave her a helpless look, then said to Kojiro Shinomiya, "Alright, you can get up. This matter is over. Really, in the end, it's like it's my fault, and everyone's trying to persuade me."
Kojiro Shinomiya bowed again, saying, "Thank you very much for your understanding."
Gin Dojima also showed a happy smile. He clapped his hands and said, "Alright, this matter is concluded. From now on, none of you are allowed to be angry with each other. Shinomiya, you shouldn't be confused anymore, right?"
"It seems nothing can be hidden from you, Mr. Dojima." Kojiro Shinomiya gave a bitter smile.
"Is it because of your overly exceptional talent? Achieving such high accomplishments at a young age made you only look upwards, forgetting the essence of cooking."
Kojiro Shinomiya showed another bitter smile. He looked at Tadokoro Megumi, "Are you mocking me with those words? How can I still be called a genius now?"
"You don't need to deny your talent. The reason you lost today is because you encountered a monster, and after this setback, it seems to have made you even more determined."
When Gin Dojima said this, his gaze was on Liu Ming.
Everyone present also understood what he meant. Just as Tadokoro Megumi said, Kojiro Shinomiya only lost to Liu Ming's recipe.
But this was not to deny Tadokoro Megumi's culinary skills; it was just that compared to her, Liu Ming was the true monster.
"Honestly, what's there to say? Every chef has their own philosophy. If you feel lost, just think carefully about the origin of your cooking. No matter what you do, remember to never forget your original intention," said Liu Ming.
Kojiro Shinomiya's expression stiffened, then he recalled things from his childhood.
Her expectant smiling face, his mother's happy smile, those various moments of emotion constantly appeared in his mind.
When did it start, that he would forget such an important thing?
He secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, bowed to Liu Ming again, and said sincerely, "Thank you very much for your guidance."
Liu Ming glanced at him, then said plainly, "Don't misunderstand. Although I'm not bothered by your actions, I'm not bored enough to guide you. These words were only for Tadokoro Megumi, to prevent her from making the same mistake in the future, so you don't need to thank me."
"Haha, Mr. Liu's words are truly astonishing. The origin of cooking, what an interesting and direct way of putting it." Gin Dojima chuckled as he took over the conversation.
"Shinomiya, I look forward to your growth."
Kojiro Shinomiya nodded without speaking.
"Alright, this Food War ends here. Everyone has been busy all day, so go back to the hotel and get some good rest." Gin Dojima finally concluded the topic.
Yukihira Soma suddenly raised his hand.
Gin Dojima looked at him and asked suspiciously, "I remember your name is Yukihira Soma, right? Do you have anything else?"
Yukihira Soma looked at Liu Ming, tugged at his clothes, and asked, "Mr. Liu, you still haven't explained the reason for the torn clothes just now. I've been thinking about it for a long time and still can't figure out why."
At his mention, Gin Dojima and the others also remembered.
Just now, because of Kojiro Shinomiya's matter, everyone had forgotten such an important thing.
Looking at their fervent gazes, Liu Ming scratched his head helplessly. To be honest, he himself didn't know what was going on.
But looking at their expressions, if he didn't explain, they probably wouldn't let him leave easily.
There was no choice but to make something up.
Subsequently, Liu Ming went on about spiritual theories, biological instincts, the body's endurance limits, and so on.
He completely stumped everyone present.
Then, taking advantage of their stunned state, he quietly left the underground kitchen with Tadokoro Megumi.
Tadokoro Megumi quietly followed beside him.
"Megumi, I must say, you've really impressed me," Liu Ming said with satisfaction.
"Hehe," Tadokoro Megumi scratched the back of her head shyly.
"However, after today's event, your path to the Elite Ten will probably be even harder," Liu Ming said with a hint of regret.
"Hmm?" Tadokoro Megumi didn't understand Liu Ming's meaning.
"Although Gin Dojima suppressed tonight's Food War, there's no such thing as a watertight wall. Capable people will always be able to gather some information."
"You were already a source of apprehension for the current Elite Ten. Now that you've even defeated Kojiro Shinomiya, they will probably be even less willing to have a Food War with you."
"In this way, it will be very difficult for you to obtain a position in the Elite Ten through this method."
Liu Ming wasn't lying; after all, Tadokoro Megumi could now even defeat Kojiro Shinomiya, a graduated top student. Who among the current Elite Ten would be foolish enough to have a Food War with Tadokoro Megumi?
"Uh~" Tadokoro Megumi also understood; the situation might really turn out this way.
Liu Ming reached out and gently ruffled her hair in comfort, "This only means they are not as good as you. While a position in the Elite Ten is somewhat interesting, it doesn't represent everything."
"I still say the same thing: you're only a first-year, so just enjoy your school life."