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In a secluded spot on the edge of a sparsely populated neighborhood, Renz worked tirelessly to clean a restaurant. Sweat dripped from his brow as he moved through his preparations. Having arrived early with his ingredients, he carefully stored them in the refrigerator before setting about cleaning the long-dusty restaurant.
The God's Tongue judging panel was set to arrive in just thirty minutes.
Outside the restaurant, the street that had been empty only moments ago was now bustling with people. Food enthusiasts, some eager to witness Erina in person, had gathered. The God's Tongue judging panel usually announced the restaurant they'd be evaluating a day ahead, a move that both established the authority of the panel and boosted the restaurant's fame. This was why many restaurant owners welcomed the God's Tongue's critiqueāno matter how good or bad the food, the evaluation often guaranteed some level of recognition.
Renz hadn't expected such a large crowd to form before the evaluation even began. While the crowd didn't intimidate him, he couldn't help but think about how to make the assessment his absolute best.
The clock inside the restaurant ticked slowly. Outside, the once quiet street now grew increasingly lively.
Then, at the entrance, Renz spotted a figure. Her steps were slow, yet graceful and confident, her face bearing a subtle arrogance and disdain. Erina, with her feigned demeanor, arrived at the unassuming restaurant with the poise of royalty. Her commanding presence drew gasps from the crowd outside. Although they had seen Erina's beauty in magazines and TV shows, the live audience was stunned to find her even more captivating in person.
Inside, Renz had arranged three tables together to accommodate the Gods' Tongue judging panel, reserving a separate table for Erina. She sat alone at her designated seat, a gentle smile on her face. Even a simple smile seemed to radiate confidence, and her elegance, status, and identity only amplified her allure. Onlookers outside couldn't help but sigh in admiration. Was this the genius cultivated by a prestigious noble family? The Queen of Cuisineāher very aura was overwhelming. They couldn't imagine what dish could possibly impress the Gods' Tongue.
Behind Erina, three judges in formal suits introduced themselves.
"Roland Chapelle," the first judge, a blond man, introduced himself. He was the head and lecturer of the French Cuisine Department at Totsuki Academy. Logically, the judging panel didn't require such high-caliber chefs, but at Erina's request, it was an "all-star" lineup. Each judge could easily be the head chef at a World Gourmet Organization (WGO) three-star restaurant or serve as a judge on a prestigious cooking show.
This was why the Gods' Tongue evaluation was generating so much attention. The judges were far too formidable. Not only Erina, but these chefs held significant positions in the culinary world. Some onlookers couldn't help but wonder if the small restaurant owner had somehow offended Erina or the Nakiri family to deserve such a formidable judging lineup.
After Roland's introduction, the second judge, Katsutaro Ono, smiled amiably and introduced himself. A renowned master of Japanese cuisine from the Ono family, which was second only to the Nakiri family in prestige, Ono had elevated sushi culture to its pinnacle. The Ono family alone had earned a three-star rating from the WGO for sushi, and Katsutaro was the current head. He had agreed to participate in the judging panel out of respect for Erina, who had spoken highly of Renz's cooking.
The third judge was Yasushi Fukuyama, a researcher of Japanese-Chinese cuisine and a certified master chef. Specializing in Chinese dishes adapted for Japanese palates, Fukuyama had also conducted extensive research into original Chinese cuisine, gaining considerable academic influence in the Japanese culinary world.
With this all-star judging panel, combined with the authority of Gods' Tongue, even restaurant owners who had previously participated in these evaluations might have felt a sense of panic. This was an unprecedented standard. And it was being applied to a perfectly ordinary restaurant?
Renz glanced at the trio. Was Erina trying to cause trouble? Such a grand setupāit felt more like a master chef evaluation. The amusing part was that he knew all three of them from his future. Yasushi Fukuyama's son had been his disciple, who later specialized in Renz's cuisine. His academic performance had been lackluster, and it had taken him ten years just to pass the master chef evaluation. Katsutaro Ono's youngest daughter had married his son, Haruki Nakiri. Roland Chapelle had been his grandson's mentor at Totsuki Academy.
Setting aside these personal connections, all three were genuine master chefs. Gods' Tongue plus three culinary mastersāthis was the legendary all-star lineup.
Could it be that he and Erina had argued the night before, and now she was angry, using this extravagant setup to assert her authority at home? It couldn't be that serious. He could accept itāsubordination from above or below, it was all the same principle.
Renz frantically winked at Erina from the kitchen, making faces while preparing the dishes. Erina caught his gaze and, without expression, gave him a brief look. Renz, go for it! Use your skills to conquer them! This Gods' Tongue judging panel is my booster for your career launch. Don't give me any leeway; showcase your skills to the absolute max!
Erina had specifically arranged for three highly respected culinary masters to be his judges for one reason: she wanted to hear others praise her husband. The greater Renz's fame, the happier Erina would be.
Renz stared at Erina's look, momentarily confused. What did she mean by that? What did his wife want from him? He just didn't understand.
Damn it. Could it be that she was truly angry and planning to crush him under the weight of her expectations, only to lord over him for the rest of their lives?
You can't be like that! What's with constantly bullying your own husband? After this evaluation, Renz swore he'd return the favor!
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