Are you trying to force me to become a star?

Chapter 48 This high-level game!

Everyone was busy all afternoon: some were picking corn, some were picking vegetables, some were helping out, and some were cooking.

Xu Jinyan, one of the only two young men, spent the whole afternoon picking corn with Peng Yuchang, sweating profusely. He hadn't worked this hard in many years.

If only I could go back and have my grandma's cooking right now, but alas...

By the time Xu Jinyan finished showering and sat down in the pavilion in the courtyard, it was already getting dark. And this was August! You could imagine how late it was.

And that's it, we haven't even started eating yet.

Yang Mi sat there and asked, "Jinyan, are you hungry? You've worked hard today." The girls had gone to pick vegetables halfway through the day and returned relatively early.

Peng Yuchang, sitting to the side: "..."

It was clearly two people who picked the corn, yet he doesn't deserve a name.

Xu Jinyan waved her hand: "I'm not hungry. I usually practice boxing to keep fit, so I feel alright."

If you're tired and hungry right now, you'll have to eat more later, right?

He Jiong asked with interest, "Boxing? Has Jin Yan studied kung fu?" He thought Xu Jin Yan was creating a persona.

Mao Xiaotong then recalled the faint outline revealed when the red wine was spilled on Xu Jinyan's body. Hmm, it did indeed help with physical training!

She laughed and said, "That's right. Back then, Lin Gengxin wanted to learn kung fu from Jinyan, and Jinyan asked Lin Gengxin to go with him to the park to find the old men to practice Tai Chi."

"Ha ha ha ha"

Seeing that his cautious persona hadn't held up, He Jiong changed the subject and asked, "So what do you usually do? I believe many viewers are curious about this question too. Speaking of which, today should be your first time participating in a variety show, right? I can't find any information about you online. Do you spend all your time creating music?"

Before Xu Jinyan could speak, Yang Mi said directly, "Jinyan is actually very busy. I asked him before, and he said he's so busy that he doesn't even have time for the weekend."

Everyone: "..."

Too busy to have a weekend?

Do entertainers even have weekends?

Is he busy or not?

Xu Jinyan glanced at the woman and smiled, "It's not all about making music. I also cook, practice various musical instruments, exercise, and read novels in my spare time."

Yang Mi said, "Listen to him, he's so busy every day, yet he still finds time to read novels."

Everyone laughed; it was indeed quite "busy".

Xu Jinyan: What a great opportunity!

Xu Jinyan nodded: "Yes, I've recently been reading a novel called 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes.' Have you read it?"

Dilraba's eyes lit up, and she immediately exclaimed excitedly, "I've seen it! I've seen it! It's really good!"

Xu Jinyan glanced at her, then turned to Yang Mi with feigned surprise and said, "Wow! Your company's artists even have time to read novels?"

Dilraba's smile froze, and Yang Mi, with a smile on her face, gritted her teeth and looked at Xu Jinyan: "The company has been working non-stop to make the bet, and this bastard is trying to sabotage us."

Mao Xiaotong stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "I've read this novel too, it's really good. I usually catch up on it while I'm on the bus."

Peng Yuchang asked curiously, "What novel? It seems like you've all read it?"

Mao Xiaotong gave him a general explanation of the plot.

Xu Jinyan continued her promotion: "Don't you guys feel that the Mushroom House is like a paradise, like Peach Blossom Island?"

Mao Xiaotong thought for a moment and then smiled with delight: "Really? And there's even a Huang Yaoshi cooking delicious food for us!"

Just then, Huang Yaoshi… no, Teacher Huang, came over with a plate of food and asked, “What are you talking about?”

He Jiong said, "We were just talking about a novel. In the novel, there is a martial arts master named Huang Yaoshi. He lives in a paradise-like place and is also an expert in food. We said that he is just like Teacher Huang."

Teacher Huang was delighted and said, "Really? I'll take a look too. Here, this is the 'mock crab' that Yang Mi ordered. How does it taste? The other dishes will be ready soon."

Upon hearing the name of the dish, Xu Jinyan couldn't help but glance at the woman; she was indeed quite presentable.

In no time, all the dishes were served, and everyone stood up and clinked glasses to express their warm welcome to the guests and their gratitude to Teacher Huang for his hard work in preparing the meal.

Then everyone picked up their chopsticks and tasted the dishes they had ordered.

Xu Jinyan was not in a hurry, and kept a close eye on Yang Mi's movements, observing her every micro-expression.

Yang Mi glanced at him, picked up a piece of food with a smile, chewed it, nodded, and then looked at... Xu Jinyan, smiling, "This is so delicious, Jinyan, you should try it."

Xu Jinyan shook her head: "If you like it, eat more. I'll eat my shredded potatoes." Then she looked at Dilraba and smiled: "Dilraba, you should try some."

Dilraba didn't think that much about it; she felt that Xu Jinyan was helping her create a persona.

Then Xu Jinyan watched as Dilraba took a bite and noticed a moment of blankness on her face. Xu Jinyan quickly lowered her head, trying to recall some sad memories.

Yang Mi, who was sitting next to him, was also watching him intently. Then, she and Xu Jinyan both lowered their heads and exchanged a glance. They could both see each other's lips, which were being desperately suppressed.

Xu Jinyan raised his head again and continued eating his shredded potatoes.

He ate very quickly, otherwise he was afraid there wouldn't be enough time.

Teacher Huang was pleased to see him eat so quickly.

But he just sat there, not eating, fanning himself while laughing, "Jinyan, eat slowly, why don't you try this braised pork knuckle?"

Before he could speak, Reba placed a piece of braised pork knuckle on the plate in front of Xu Jinyan: "Jinyan, try it, this pork knuckle is amazing."

Xu Jinyan stared into Dilraba's eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. He took a deep breath, put the braised pork knuckle into the bowl, took a small bite, and then nodded seriously: "A sip of light intoxication!"

Seeing that Teacher Huang was also waiting for his evaluation, he thought for a moment and said, "This braised pork knuckle reminds me of the dishes my mother used to make; it really gives me a sense of warmth and familiarity."

With a smile on his face, Teacher Huang said while fanning himself, "This braised pork knuckle and pig's trotters were made without adding a drop of water, using two catties of Shaoxing wine."

Xu Jinyan nodded as if she had suddenly realized something, "Teacher Huang's cooking does indeed have... unique aspects."

Yang Mi thought to herself: This guy really speaks so shrewdly, and he even has his own unique insights. That "imitation crab" almost poisoned her.

Then she thought of her own artist, Dilraba, and shook her head. She's still young; she can't hide anything on her face.

Only those who possess the inner turmoil of thunder yet maintain a calm exterior can be appointed as generals; we still have much to learn!

Seeing Xu Jinyan devouring shredded potatoes, Teacher He also took a taste, and then he finally took his place:

Wow!

Wow~ Oh~

Mao Xiaotong asked, "What's wrong?"

"This potato dish is the best potato dish I've ever eaten."

Yang Mi also took a bite and nodded repeatedly, "It's so crispy!"

"Isn't it? Crispy, sour, and spicy all at once."

So everyone started digging into the shredded potatoes, and Teacher Huang reminded them, "You can try this farmhouse stew; Yu Zheng and I made it this afternoon."

Yu Zheng nodded and said, "You guys should try it. I picked the green beans myself, but they were a bit old, so it took me ages to cook them."

The keyword triggered a pause, and Xu Jinyan stared blankly at the pot of stew: There are experts here?

This high-level match was really tough.

This time he did offer a word of advice: "If the green beans aren't fully cooked, let them rest for a while. I cook myself, and once when the green beans weren't fully cooked, they..."

He shook his head, not wanting to say anything more, and left it to everyone to understand.

Huang Lei quickly replied, "The green beans are definitely ripe; Yu Zheng and I both tasted them before."

Xu Jinyan: Oh.

Teacher He is truly Teacher Huang's good friend. He took a bite and felt as if his whole being had been purified. Then he uttered that classic line:

"Who says these beans are old? These beans are fantastic!"

Seeing that Xu Jinyan hadn't touched her chopsticks or made any moves, Yang Mi continued eating shredded potatoes with Xu Jinyan.

She could tell that Xu Jinyan had definitely cooked before, and he was incredibly skilled at it. He hadn't eaten a single bite of the "mock crab" dish, so she figured she could definitely eat with him.

After everyone had eaten for a while, Reba and Mao Xiaotong, who had ordered "yellow wine," both had slightly flushed faces, probably because the moonlight was too enchanting.

Xu Jinyan also remarked with some emotion: "Today was definitely worth the trip; we encountered all these famous dishes."