As soon as the words fell, everyone surged forward, and the two boxes of delicacies were snatched up in an instant.
Fortunately, Cheng Xiaofan participated in the scramble and managed to get some food, which he then distributed to Melina, Withers, and others.
After all, Withers would soon be one of his own. Seeing them stamping their feet anxiously, wanting to grab but not daring to, he couldn't let them be too disappointed.
Generally, immortals possess a benevolent heart.
As for the evil immortals, that's a different story!
For a time, after tasting the various delicacies, those people all asked Cheng Xiaofan for his contact information. Cheng Xiaofan gave them the contact number of his company's food sales department.
Cheng Xiaofan also proactively gave his own contact information to Han Cheng.
He leaned in and said with a smile, "Brother Han, I can see that the championship in the upcoming chef competition is destined to be yours."
"And you are the only one suited to be the acting sect leader!"
"I'm returning to China today and won't be here to keep you company this afternoon. We'll keep in touch!" Cheng Xiaofan grabbed his hand and shook it firmly, saying.
Han Cheng said, "What, Brother Cheng, you're returning to China today? I still wanted to treat you to a good gathering after the competition!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "Brother Han, I have a lot of things to attend to back home and can't afford to delay any longer!"
Hearing this, Han Cheng said with a look of regret, "If I have time, I'll make a trip back to Huaxia to visit you!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "You're welcome to visit my hometown, Brother Han!"
Han Cheng said sincerely, "Brother Cheng, no, I should call you Sect Leader Cheng. Can you give me some insight into how you made that steamed crucian carp?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled faintly and said, "Brother Han, to tell you the truth, some things can only be understood but not explained. If you truly want to know the secret to making this fish, I can tell you that currently, no one in this world can make fish like I do."
"When I cook this fish, I mainly draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, yin, yang, and the five elements, infusing it into the fish to maximize its nutritional content."
"Because of this, the fish not only tastes exceptionally good and is rich in nutrients, but it can also treat certain ailments of the diners."
"Sect Leader Cheng, I can't believe you can harness the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, yin, yang, and the five elements. You truly are a divine being!" Han Cheng was nothing but impressed with Cheng Xiaofan.
There were truths that couldn't be revealed, so Cheng Xiaofan could only use this excuse to placate Han Cheng.
Besides, he could indeed freely harness the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, yin, yang, and the five elements, so he wasn't speaking entirely without basis.
"Brother Han,"
Cheng Xiaofan said to him again, "you've eaten a piece of fish, which has only temporarily stopped the intense itch of your scar. Now, go get a large bottle and fill it with some of the water from the pot used to steam the crucian carp. Drink a few mouthfuls of it after you take it back, and within three days, not only will the itch be completely eradicated, but the scar itself will also disappear!"
Han Cheng was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader Cheng, thank you!"
He quickly found a bottle and went to collect the water from the steaming pot.
When several other contestants saw Han Cheng filling a large bottle with the water from Cheng Xiaofan's steamed fish, they immediately realized that the water was something special. They quickly found bottles and swarmed forward.
By then, it was noon, and the morning session of the competition had concluded.
The Chinatown chef competition, held once every five years, always took place in the morning, with the judges evaluating the results in the afternoon.
The competition would continue on the second day.
Typically, the event lasted three days, with a maximum of five days.
This time, the competition was truly extraordinary; the first round had already declared Cheng Xiaofan the "Culinary God," without even a single challenger.
Even more remarkable was that after receiving the title of Culinary God, Cheng Xiaofan was immediately hailed as the new leader of the culinary world.
This had never happened before in the Chinese culinary community.
In the past, possessing the title of Culinary God did not necessarily mean one would become the leader of the culinary world.
The culinary world placed great importance on the character of its leader.
Everyone participating in the Chinatown competition had a good sense of judgment. They could immediately see that Cheng Xiaofan's culinary skills were not only far superior to others but that his character was also excellent!
Miller walked over, shook hands with Cheng Xiaofan, and said, "Mr. Cheng, we're having lunch at Liu Yishou Restaurant. Would you join us for a gathering?"
"Yes, Xiaofan, please join us for a gathering!" Liu Tingshu quickly added.
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "Mr. Miller, Old Liu, please don't be so polite. Melina and I will have a simple meal at noon, and I have some matters to attend to in the afternoon."
"Furthermore, I have to return to China today and cannot delay here any longer!"
Miller said, "What, you're not staying a few more days?"
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled, "No, I have a lot of family matters to attend to. I will definitely be visiting often in the future!"
"Dad, my boyfriend says he has urgent matters to attend to back home, so please don't insist!" Melina knew that the divine eagle by Cheng Xiaofan's side was too powerful, and traveling here was very convenient for him.
Miller had no choice but to say, "Alright, then I won't say any more!"
Cheng Xiaofan did not refuse the invitation for lunch from Withers.
As Cheng Xiaofan got into Melina's car, Withers' car took the lead.
This time, Liu Yishou Restaurant had been booked by the organizers of the Chinese Chef Competition, so Withers naturally couldn't bring Cheng Xiaofan there to join the crowd.
"Withers, just find a place to eat, preferably near the old Taifley Casino!" Cheng Xiaofan instructed him via phone.
Withers replied, "Return, Mr. Cheng, there doesn't seem to be any decent hotel there!"
Cheng Xiaofan said, "We're just having a simple meal, why do we need such a fancy hotel?"
"Alright, Mr. Cheng, I understand!" Withers replied.
A short while later, the car stopped in front of a hotel diagonally opposite the casino.
This hotel was indeed much simpler, but the dishes were quite good.
Anyone who could open a hotel in Chinatown would generally have decent culinary skills.
As the dishes were served, Cheng Xiaofan said, "Let's not have white wine at noon. Just bring a few bottles of beer!"
Withers, who was always obedient, immediately waved to the waiter and shouted, "Waiter, bring us two cases of Budweiser beer!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "I asked you to bring a few bottles of beer, and you're having the waiter bring two cases. Can we finish all of it?"
Withers chuckled and said, "We'll drink as much as we can, and we can return the rest if we don't finish it!"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded and said, "Alright, then let's start eating!"
He knew that although this meal was being treated by Withers, if he didn't give the signal, Withers and his few subordinates wouldn't dare to pick up their chopsticks.
As expected, as soon as Cheng Xiaofan spoke, one of Withers' subordinates immediately opened the beer case, took out the beer, and placed a bottle in front of everyone.
Cheng Xiaofan opened a bottle of beer for Melina beside him and another for himself.
"Withers, do you know why I asked you to come here?" Cheng Xiaofan asked Withers after taking a sip of beer.