Mo Lihui had never heard Lu Xinyi's name before. She'd visited the capital city several times this year, and yet Lu Xinyi's name didn't ring a bell to her. Just who's this woman that the Shen Matriarch trusted her to manage Grace Palace?
Could it be Lu Xinyi was a big-shot chef from the capital city?
No, that's impossible. Even his brother, Mo Liwei, had never heard about Lu Xinyi's name before. How come Lu Xinyi was chosen to represent the Grace Palace with the whole Shen family backing her up?
Lu Xinyi raised a brow, but the teasing smile on her lips stayed.
"Ah, don't mind me, Miss Mo. I'm just a nobody that Madam Shen trusted. She could be wrong though, but Miss Mo, are you implying that you're scared that you'll lose today; or is this you thinking lowly of me?"
"Hmp," Mo Lihui didn't bother to conceal her annoyance anymore. What was the point if Lu Xinyi kept pressing the wrong buttons? She crossed her arms on her chest and faced the other way in response to Lu Xinyi.
"Only a fool will look down on an unknown enemy. I refused to believe that the meticulous family like the Shens will send someone without proper credentials to this town." Mo Lihui's mouth didn't really spare anyone. If there was something that the patrons of the Blue Haven knew about her, it was her temper.
"You must be a super chef from the capital city or abroad. You speak like you're above us, oh, honorable one. If you're not, then could it be that the Shen family hadn't really sent you here?"
In her opinion, Lu Xinyi didn't look like a professional chef at all! This no-name woman, who held no reputation or status, just sprouted out from nowhere and claimed that the Shen family sent her to manage Grace Palace.
Mo Lihui refused to believe such claims. She swore whatever happens today, she would reveal Lu Xinyi's deceit!
"The Shen Matriarch has really sent me and my darling here to oversee Grace Palace. What could I possibly do to prove that it's true so Miss Mo's animosity to me diminish?"
The moment Lu Xinyi said those words, some staff from the Blue Haven couldn't stop laughing. They knew about Mo Lihui's obsession with the handsome stranger that turned out to be Lu Xinyi's lover.
Of course, Mo Lihui hated Lu Xinyi down to her bones! Not only Lu Xinyi crushed her dreams to be with Shen Yi, but she had also shamelessly let Mo Lihui lose her face in public—not only once but twice!
"Lu Xinyi!"
Being humiliated by Lu Xinyi again, Mo Lihui's face turned ashen. If she couldn't defeat this woman today, then she would have no face to show Shen Yi and their patrons anymore.
"Lihui, what did I tell you earlier?" A man's voice emerged behind Mo Lihui, making her turn around to face her brother. His deep brown eyes held her in place.
"I'm sorry, brother, but I couldn't just let her make a fool out of me." Mo Lihui complained.
"Weren't you the one started all of these? If only you'd listened to me, none of these will happen." Mo Liwei stoically replied. He might not be as talented as Mo Lihui, but their tandem earned them the title 'The Golden Pair in Cooking'.
Mo Lihui refused to admit defeat. Being the reigning champion gave her a lot of confidence that she could defeat Lu Xinyi easily.
"So what if the Shen family sent her? If there's someone here who needs to prove herself, it should be Lu Xinyi."
Mo Liwei glared at his younger sister. Why couldn't she just leave Lu Xinyi alone and focus on the competition? Who cared who Lu Xinyi really was? If she could cook, then she's certainly allowed to represent Grace Palace without breaking any rules.
"I don't hear anyone complaining about Lu Xinyi more than you and your damned assistant. Your attitude is very disappointing and unladylike. I didn't raise you alone just to show how mannerless you could be! Did I spoil you too much?" He hissed.
With their counter just across Lu Xinyi and Shen Yi's, Mo Liwei faced the couple. "Miss Lu, I heard what happened between you and Luo Yin. I apologize for my sister's harsh words. I hope you wouldn't take it personally."
Now, now, Lu Xinyi mused. This was really interesting. Finally, aside from the Yang siblings, she met another person who used tried head. Such a rarity to see these days.
"Why are you apologizing to her?! Haven't you heard how she tried to make fun of me?" Mo Lihui snapped at her brother. She couldn't understand why Mo Liwei was siding with Lu Xinyi.
With unsuppressed hatred emit from her whole body, she called out Lu Xinyi.
"Lu Xinyi! If you truly have the skills of a chef, then make a bet with me!" Mo Lihui smirked. For her, Lu Xinyi might know how to cook but didn't really have the right to compete with her. With her untarnished record over the years, Lu Xinyi would never get a chance to beat her. She would be crushed easily like a rotten tomato without Mo Lihui exerting an effort.
"Good idea!" The crowd agreed with Mo Lihui's suggestion. A simple competition following the traditional rules was boring; making bets would surely add spice to the event.
Would Lu Xinyi refuse to accept such a challenge by Mo Lihui?
"What do you say, Miss Lu?" With the audience agreeing to her suggestion, Mo Lihui couldn't wait to crush Lu Xinyi with her own hands.
"Sounds interesting." Lu Xinyi cupped her chin. "What does Miss Mo want as a reward if ever she won?"
"I want you to break up with him"—Mo Lihui pointed a finger at Shen Yi—"and you should work without pay at Blue Haven for a year!"