The three gourmands from the culinary world suddenly changed their attitude towards Cheng Xiaofan, and even their way of addressing him changed.
Like Han Cheng, they directly called him "Sect Master."
The meaning was clear: in their hearts, Cheng Xiaofan was a typical leader among Chinese chefs in the world today.
Cheng Xiaofan smiled faintly upon hearing this and said, "Three esteemed seniors, I am nothing miraculous. I merely know a little more than others!"
"Furthermore, you are all influential figures in the culinary world. It is rare for you to visit me. Being able to cure illnesses with my culinary skills is my responsibility!"
Cheng Xiaofan believed that these words, if not spoken by a complete sycophant, could not have been uttered.
The three old men beamed with joy and nodded repeatedly.
Tai Shan Du said, "In this day and age, it is truly rare to find someone as young and accomplished as Sect Master Cheng, who is also so low-key!"
Zong Zi Zui immediately chimed in, "Yes, it can be said that Sect Master Cheng is the sole role model in the current culinary world!"
Tian Gou Bi said with a smile, "No wonder our Culinary God Tang is willing to work as a chef for Sect Master Cheng. It turns out he knew all along that he was joining a god-like figure walking among the clouds!"
This surprised Cheng Xiaofan greatly!
These three old men were even better at flattery than he was!
"Come, come, everyone, eat up! It's free food!" Cheng Xiaofan invited.
Before Bai Yiling, Shen Ruobing, Tang Xiuyuan, and the others could even pick up their chopsticks, the entire table of delicacies was devoured by the three gourmands like whales and tigers.
By the end of the meal, not a drop of soup was left on the plates, making them cleaner than if they had been washed with water.
Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, confirming that the three gourmands from the culinary world were indeed as legendary as rumored.
"Young friend Han Cheng, I see that you and your friends haven't started eating yet. I'll go to the kitchen and prepare another table of dishes!" Tang Guoxing said with a smile.
Han Cheng replied with a smile, "Senior Tang, I'll go help you in the kitchen!"
Tang Guoxing said, "You are a distinguished guest here. How could I possibly let you help me!"
Han Cheng said, "Senior Tang, your words overwhelm me. In front of Sect Master Cheng, how could I be considered a distinguished guest!"
Tang Guoxing laughed heartily and said, "Alright, let's go to the kitchen together."
The women, including Bai Yiling, also went to help.
The three old men exchanged glances, feeling a bit embarrassed.
It turned out that they had completely wiped out the entire table of dishes themselves.
"Sect Master Cheng!"
Tai Shan Du stood up, cupped his fists towards Cheng Xiaofan, and bowed, saying, "We three came rather impetuously today, and if we were disrespectful in any way, please forgive us!"
"We shall take our leave now!"
They had originally come here with a hint of challenge.
The three of them felt that Cheng Xiaofan was too young, that he had proclaimed himself the Culinary God in the chef competition, and not only achieved his wish but was also elected as the sect master of the world Chinese culinary community.
In their opinion, if not for the strong support of Liu Tingshu and Miller, Cheng Xiaofan would never have risen so high so quickly.
Thus!
The three of them had aggressively arrived at Zhuxi Village.
The result?
The result was that these three gourmands from the culinary world, if not for their own pride, would have wished to kneel and kowtow to Cheng Xiaofan.
Cheng Xiaofan listened to Tai Shan Du and smiled, "What, aren't you staying for a couple of days?"
Tian Gou Bi quickly put on a smiling face and said, "Answering Sect Master Cheng, we three old fellows already have great-grandchildren. We dare not delay our time too much when we are away. After returning, we still need to take care of our great-grandchildren!"
"If we return late, I fear my wife will punish me by making me kneel on a washboard!"
Cheng Xiaofan burst into laughter upon hearing this. "If that is the case, to prevent you from kneeling on a washboard when you return, I will not keep you."
"However, please wait a moment. I will have someone prepare some food products for you to take back and share with your family!"
"Ah, that would be wonderful!" The three exclaimed excitedly.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately called Bai Goddess from the kitchen and asked her to prepare some specialty food products from Zhuxi Village for the three elders to take back.
Bai Yiling immediately made a call to the village office company.
Not long after, someone arrived with a three-wheeled vehicle carrying several boxes of food.
Seeing this, the three old men acted as if they were afraid someone would snatch the boxes of food. They personally unloaded the goods from the three-wheeled vehicle and loaded them into the trunk of their car.
"Sect Master Cheng, we thank you!" Finally, the three elders bowed deeply to Cheng Xiaofan before getting into their car.
The car carrying the three of them sped away!
Bai Yiling chuckled, "These three old men are truly amusing!"
Cheng Xiaofan narrowed his eyes and nodded, saying, "With a few such elders in every industry, there would be fewer dirty dealings."
"Although they sometimes speak sharply, their hearts are good, and they are righteous. I like such people!"
Tang Guoxing was known as a swift chef in the culinary world.
Coupled with the help of Han Cheng and others, another table of dishes was soon prepared.
"What, Mr. Cheng, have those three old men left?" Tang Guoxing said with a smile, scanning the surroundings and not finding the three gourmands.
Cheng Xiaofan smiled slightly, "Yes, they were in a hurry to get home."
"I wanted to ask them to stay for a couple of days, but from what they said, they were eager to return to take care of their great-grandchildren and enjoy family time, so I didn't press them."
Tang Guoxing chuckled, "Actually, these three elders are not bad. In their youth, they did many good deeds for the world Chinese culinary community."
"They also researched and published many books on traditional Chinese cuisine!"
As they chatted, they officially began to eat.
After a round of drinks, Cheng Xiaofan said to Han Cheng with a smile, "Han Cheng, now that the three elders have left, you can speak your mind. No one will steal your topic anymore!"
Han Cheng smiled and replied, "Answering Sect Master Cheng, I have come here this time not only to thank Sect Master Cheng for giving me the championship in this chef competition, but also because I wish to become your honorary disciple!"
"..." Upon hearing Han Cheng's words, Cheng Xiaofan was stunned for a moment.
He had never heard of honorary consultants, and now there were honorary disciples?
He couldn't help but smile slightly and say, "Han Cheng, your idea is indeed quite novel. Tell me, why do you want to be my honorary disciple?"
Thump!
Han Cheng immediately knelt before Cheng Xiaofan.
"Sect Master Cheng, I am still young. If you hand over the acting sect master position to me, I fear I will not be able to suppress the dissenting voices. Only by becoming your honorary disciple will it be a different matter!" Han Cheng said sincerely.
Tang Guoxing, who was sitting nearby, nodded and agreed with Han Cheng's statement.
He said, "Mr. Cheng, what Han Cheng says is very true. Although he won the championship in this world Chinese chef competition, it does not mean he is qualified to be the acting sect master."
"Once you hand over the sect master proxy position to him, it is inevitable that some people will not be convinced."
"Where there are people, there is a martial world. The world Chinese culinary community is also a martial world, and the water in it is naturally unfathomable!"