"It seems a bit more even now." After slicing the twentieth bamboo shoot, Mai Ge picked up two slices of bamboo shoots, carefully compared them in front of him for a moment, and nodded in satisfaction.
Looking down at the bowl of bamboo shoot slices already piled up beside him, he couldn't help but sigh, "Becoming a chef isn't this difficult. I already have the perfect knife skills in my mind, but after practicing for so long, I've only reached this level. Those who start from scratch probably need years of practice."
Recalling the comments he'd made to those chefs before, he felt a little embarrassed for the first time. Now those comments had become his standard for completing the task; he was reaping what he sowed.
"System, at this rate, it'll probably take me few weeks just to practice my knife skills. Completing the task in three days is impossible, isn't it?" Mai Ge stopped and asked in his mind.
"In the Chef God Trial Ground, the time ratio is 365:1 compared to the outside world. A year spent in the trial ground is equivalent to only one day in the outside world. Furthermore, the host doesn't need sleep or rest in the Chef God Space, so there's no fatigue. Ingredients are unlimited. We hope the host will have a steadfast heart for becoming a Chef God, complete the mission as soon as possible, and leave the Chef God Trial Ground." The system's voice followed.
"There's such a thing?" Mai Ge was somewhat surprised. Even the time ratio could be adjusted; this Chef God Trial Ground was truly remarkable. However, being confined to this enclosed kitchen, with even the feeling of fatigue gone, and only the constant repetition of cooking, someone with weak willpower would probably go insane very quickly.
"No, I have to go out before Amy wakes up tomorrow morning and make her the perfect Yang Zhou Fried Rice for breakfast." Mai Ge suppressed his anxiety; it was a promise he made to Amy, and he had to keep it. He glanced at the date on the table beside him, then gripped the cleaver and continued slicing the bamboo shoots.
He now had four months of non stop work, which translates to a year in a normal eight hours workday. That was more than enough time to learn how to make Yang Zhou Fried Rice, especially since he already had a perfect recipe in his mind.
Mai Ge had lost track of time. Under his hands, the bamboo shoot slices transformed from chunks into even thin slices, then into even shreds, and finally into tiny grains that same size of rice grains. His skill and dexterity grew with each stroke.
From bamboo shoots to tree mushrooms, then to ham and prawns, Mai Ge's selection of ingredients progressed from easy to difficult. As his proficiency increased, his knife skills improved rapidly. Verifying his accumulated experience, his progress was astounding. Even lively prawns were easily peeled and chopped into rice grains sized.
When the time on the wall reached day 100, Mai Ge deftly scooped the fried rice from the wok into a plate, put the wok down, and turned off the heat. A confident smile appeared on his face. "System, this time it should be okay, right?"
The freshly cooked Yang Zhou Fried Rice, with its distinct grains of rice perfectly coated in a layer of golden egg, along with green peas, white shrimp, gray tree mushrooms, and red ham… the various colors of the ingredients blended together flawlessly on the plate, creating a harmonious and visually appealing dish.
A small handful of tender green scallions was sprinkled on top, adding the perfect finishing touch. The aroma of the combined ingredients wafted through the air, making Mai Ge's throat involuntarily swallow.
The system remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Based on the standards previously set by the host:
1. The rice grains are distinct, each perfectly coating the egg. Achieved!
2. The color is bright, harmonious, and appetizing. Achieved!
3. The texture is delicate, the flavor delicious, the texture perfectly balanced, fragrant, moist, and refreshing. Achieved!
4. The aroma is enticing and easily identifiable. Achieved!
All four standards have been met simultaneously. Congratulations to host for learning authentic Yang Zhou Fried Rice, completing the task, and receiving a +0.5 to physical fitness. You have also unlocked the ability to purchase the ingredients needed for Yang Zhou Fried Rice and the corresponding kitchen utensils."
Mai Ge clenched his fist tightly, a sense of accomplishment welling up within him. Looking at the Yang Zhou Fried Rice in front of him, he felt an urge to cry.
He couldn't remember the last time he felt this way about accomplishing something. Indeed, the feeling of achieving a goal is the most comfortable and exhilarating.
Of course, what excited him most was that he could finally make a delicious and visually appealing Yang Zhou Fried Rice for Amy himself. Just thinking about the little one's adorable face while eating filled him with anticipation.
"System, may I try this Yang Zhou Fried Rice?" Looking at the plate of Yang Zhou Fried Rice, Mai Ge, who hadn't felt hungry since entering the Chef God Trial Ground, suddenly felt a little hungry.
"The host will automatically exit the Chef God Trial Ground in five minutes." the system announced.
"Five minutes, that's enough!" Mai Ge quickly grabbed a spoon from a nearby cupboard, scooped a spoonful of fried rice from the plate, and put it in his mouth. After just a few chews, his eyes lit up.
The fragrant aroma of scallions and eggs wafted up, the texture of the shrimp and ham, cut into rice grain sizes, was surprisingly delicate. The rice, coated in egg, was sweet and delicious after chewing, the flavors of various ingredients melting in his mouth, constantly assaulting his taste buds. Even after swallowing, the aroma lingered in his mouth.
This taste is absolutely amazing!
He discovered for the first time that Yang Zhou Fried Rice could be so delicious!
One spoonful wasn't enough. Mai Ge practically devoured the entire bowl of fried rice, licking the last grain of rice coated in egg back into his lips. Satisfied, he even had the urge to have another bowl; it was just too tempting. "Little Amy will definitely love this Yang Zhou Fried Rice. As for the foodies on Nolan Continent, none of them could resist its flavor." Putting down his spoon, Mai Ge savored the wonderful experience of the Yang Zhou Fried Rice. The dull feeling of doing the same thing for a hundred days suddenly became refreshing and cheerful.
Five minutes passed quickly. Mai Ge only saw a flash of white light in front his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was lying on the large bed. He sat up abruptly, turning his head to look at Amy sleeping peacefully in the pink crib beside him. The dreamlike feeling in his heart slowly subsided.
Then, he looked at his hands with some surprise, clenching his fists. It felt the same as in the Chef God Trial Grounds. His body, which couldn't even clench a fist before, had now greatly improved, and normal activities and cooking were no longer a problem.
"The system is indeed quite reliable." Mai Ge got out of bed, stretched his hands and legs, glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table—it was already five in the morning. Looking down at his dirty clothes, he walked a few steps to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside, there was only a chef uniform and a black Lolita dress. The chef uniform, made of white shirt material, had two rows of delicate black buttons, black casual pants, a black and white striped apron, a pair of white pantyhose, a pair of black flats, and a pair of white shoes—clean and simple.
Mai Ge took his clothes into the bathroom, took a thorough shower, and then cut his wild, long, curly brown hair into a neat short cut. He also trimmed his sideburns with scissors and shaved them clean with a razor, leaving only two faint mustaches on his upper lip.
"This is definitely the right way to start." Mai Ge thought, touching his angular face. Looking at his completely transformed self in the mirror, a slight smile played on his lips. With a little grooming, he had successfully transformed from a disheveled homeless man into a sophisticated, mature gentleman.
Now he resembled his past life by about 80%, the only difference being his physique. His current skinny frame made him look too frail; he needed to eat well and do some muscle building exercises.
After his self-admiration, Mai Ge changed into his chef uniform. After tidying himself up, he actually looked somewhat like a head chef in the mirror.
"Hello, Boss Mai." he said earnestly to his reflection, then couldn't help but laugh, "Or should I call Boss Alex?"