Chapter Fifteen: The Cooking Competition

As with any competition, there was naturally a prize to be won.

According to the information provided by Mayor Ella, Windchime Town would hold a small festival five days later—the Midsummer Celebration. This event was jointly organized by Windchime Town and Windchime Ranch, and residents from surrounding towns and villages were welcome to participate if they had time. The most popular activity at the festival was, of course, the cooking contest.

The theme of this contest was snacks. Ranch owners and residents with cooking skills from nearby towns could sign up to compete. The top three winners would be awarded prizes: third place would receive 5 gold coins, second place 10 gold coins, and first place 15 gold coins plus a mysterious bonus prize. Furthermore, reporters from the Breezy Gazette would be present to document and cover the event. After the contest, they would interview the winners, and it was said that the champion would receive extensive publicity.

Naturally, the contest had its rules. Aside from the restriction that the dishes had to be snacks, professional ranchers were required to use only produce from their own farms as the main ingredient. Ordinary residents, on the other hand, would have their ingredients supplied by Windchime Ranch. As one of the event’s hosts, the ranch owner would not participate in the competition.

Besides the cooking contest, the festival featured many other activities, such as a parade of floats, food tasting, and a celebratory dance.

Upon hearing about the prize money, Chi Sui’s heart was already set on the contest. She cared little for the mysterious bonus; the 15 gold coins were hers to claim. With that, the jade-brick-paved monster hut Mr. Shi wanted would finally be within reach!

However, the rule that the main ingredients had to come from one’s own land posed a problem.

Chi Sui bent down to examine the radishes already sprouting leaves, realizing they would mature in four days—just in time. This meant her only viable choice was the white radish.

Shredded white radish could be mixed into a filling for radish dumplings, or chopped finely and combined with scallions and garlic, seasoned, and fried with flour to make fried vegetarian balls. These could pass as snacks, albeit barely.

But as a first-time contestant, wouldn’t these dishes be too simple?

Lost in thought, Chi Sui absentmindedly tore at the radish leaves in her hands.

“Chi Sui, my young friend, is something troubling you? Why not share it with me? Maybe I can help. But if you don’t stop, those leaves will be ruined,” came Mr. Shi’s voice, bringing her back to reality.

Looking down at the shredded radish leaves, Chi Sui let out her first wail of the day. “Ah! My radishes!”

She set the leaves down and, heartbroken, buried them in the field to serve as fertilizer one last time.

Mr. Shi approached and couldn’t help but say, “Chi Sui, I’ve been holding back on this for a long time. I’m not sure if I should say it.”

Chi Sui waved him off with a natural, “Better not.”

“Alright, I’ll say it anyway,” Mr. Shi continued as if ignoring her.

Chi Sui sighed.

“You really don’t tend your field well. When I was weeding last night, I could barely tell which were vegetables and which were weeds.”

The messy field before her left no room for argument. After stammering, Chi Sui pointed to the wooden boxes under the eaves of her little house. “Well, at least my scallions and garlic are doing pretty well.”

Mr. Shi was silent for a moment before changing the subject. “Now then, tell me, what are you thinking about?”

Sitting on the edge of the field, Chi Sui put on a thoughtful expression. “It’s just the competition in a few days. Since Mayor Ella already signed me up, I’m aiming for first place. White radish can actually be made into many kinds of snacks, simple or complex.”

“Isn’t that great?”

“Exactly. I already have a recipe in mind that I want to make, but I’m missing some ingredients. I could make other dishes, but… I just feel a bit reluctant.” Saying this, Chi Sui finally felt relieved.

She had finally pinpointed the source of her earlier anxiety.

“So you’re just worried because you don’t have enough ingredients?” Mr. Shi squatted beside her and asked.

Chi Sui nodded dejectedly. “Even though I’ve gathered some ingredients since arriving here, it’s still too few. There are so many dishes I want to make but can’t.”

“But my young friend, with this little fellow here, you shouldn’t have trouble finding things in the mountains.” Mr. Shi said, reaching out to grab Momo, who was nearby chewing on a grass root.

Momo, puzzled, looked up. “Big bug, why are you grabbing me?”

Chi Sui quickly took Momo from Mr. Shi and cradled him in her arms.

Being called that, Mr. Shi wasn’t offended; he just smiled and ruffled Momo’s head.

“Ouch! Mmm...” Momo cried out as if in pain, about to unleash a string of curses, but Chi Sui covered his mouth.

Embarrassed, she laughed awkwardly. “Mr. Shi, please forgive him. After all… he’s still young and can be taught.”

Mr. Shi shook his head. “I don’t mind. Little one, if you don’t want to experience another rapid descent through the air, then be quiet for a while.”

After hearing this, Chi Sui felt Momo’s body tremble, and his struggling ceased willingly.

Satisfied, Mr. Shi continued, “Little fellow, if I show you a plant in the mountains and describe its taste, can you find it?”

Chi Sui loosened her grip in time.

Freed, Momo placed his hands on his hips and said proudly, “Of course! As long as it’s in these mountains and I’ve seen it before, I can definitely find it.”

“What if you haven’t seen it?”

“As long as it’s in the mountains, give me some time and I can find it too.”

“Good, you’re indeed quite capable.”

“Of course!” Momo lifted his head even higher upon receiving praise.

Chi Sui rested her chin on her hand, watching their lively exchange.

Indeed, Momo was very understanding.

“Did you hear that, my young friend? You don’t have to worry much about ingredients. This little fellow’s skills are meant for exactly this,” Mr. Shi said after getting the answer he wanted from Momo, turning back to Chi Sui.

She nodded but hesitated slightly before replying, “But the mountains are still quite dangerous.”

At this concern, Mr. Shi laughed heartily.

“Don’t worry. With me around, any place in those mountains is accessible.”

In an instant, Chi Sui’s previously anxious heart settled.

Without hesitation, she fetched paper and pen from the house and began sketching.

Soon, the image she wanted appeared on the paper. Momo, who had been waiting nearby, poked his head out from her arms to take a look.

“It’s a type of mushroom, quite fragrant.”

Momo answered quickly, “I know it. It grows in these mountains.”

Before Chi Sui’s smile could reach her lips, she found herself lifted into the air.

At her ear came Mr. Shi’s cheerful voice: “What are we waiting for? Let’s set off right away.”

Chi Sui: !!