Chapter 721: Chapter 721: Only Two More People

If Shi Jiumei hadn’t brought it upon herself, she wouldn’t have been banned.

Even if she were eliminated, with Shi Jiumei’s popularity, making a comeback would have been a breeze.

Although she can’t participate in the subsequent advancement competitions,

the viewership for the Spring Festival special program has always been very high.

To fit the theme of family reunion and happiness during the Spring Festival, the special program naturally wouldn’t have any tension.

It’s all about everyone being cheerful, with more laughter and joy.

Some games are sure to be part of it as well.

For this, besides inviting An Haiyin to host, Changping also invited Xu Liangye, a famous host in the top ranks domestically.

Xu Liangye is known for his humor, numerous jokes, strong ability to adapt to the spot, and high emotional intelligence.

Anyone interacting with him never feels uncomfortable.

He always feels like a breath of spring.

Variety shows with Xu Liangye have particularly high ratings.

This is why Xu Liangye is consistently the ratings guarantee for these entertainment programs.

Changping hired him at a high price to ensure the program’s viewership during the Spring Festival holiday broadcast.

Changping even bought the prime time slot.

Showing a stance that whether or not it makes money, they have the funds to invest.

The program is light and pleasant; during the New Year, people just want to watch a happy program.

And it’s aired during the prime time slot.

With high viewership, the participants’ fame can also get a boost.

Even though there are comeback participants, there aren’t many.

So each person has ample screen time and speaking opportunity.

Even if Shi Jiumei were eliminated, if she could seize this opportunity, she’d still attract a wave of fans.

The benefits it brings wouldn’t be small.

Unfortunately, there’s no "if."

Shi Jiumei didn’t know Changping would hold such a special program, and when she found out, she regretted it immensely.

Ye Fei smiled and said, "Each of us will prepare a homestyle dish, not difficult, easy to learn, with detailed instructions. After the program airs, the official Weibo of the program team will post the detailed recipe for each dish, so viewers can jot them down and bring them to their tables."

Zhao Gushen nodded, adding, "The main goal of this special program is teaching viewers easy, delicious homestyle dishes. Top 10 culinary contestants usually prepare complex, hard-to-replicate dishes."

"And at home, the conditions don’t suffice, lacking ample ingredients and spices for recreation, creating a disconnect with viewers."

"Restaurants usually don’t disclose their recipes. Some culinary shows aren’t practical, they make seemingly simple dishes, but with lavish oil— not suitable for home-style cooking."

"Hence, this special is themed family-friendly, teaching viewers simple, tasty dishes they can make at home."

"That’s great, really great!" The elderly lady nodded with a smile.

Chi Jingsi was listening and took a piece of lobster meat.

The lobster meat was stir-fried by Ye Fei and placed back into the shell, made into shrimp ball shapes with a tangy-sweet slightly spicy taste.

Noodles were laid underneath the lobster.

Unlike the usual restaurant practice of laying pasta under lobster, Ye Fei didn’t use pasta, nor traditional noodles.

The texture was robust, a mix of rice noodle and sweet potato starch feel, slippery yet chewy, translucent white, not looking like potato noodles, with a distinctive noodle-like taste.

Chi Jingsi, surprised, asked Ye Fei, "What are these noodles made of?"

"This is tensile noodle, usually used for cold noodles, but I love the texture, so I use it for stir-fried dishes, perfect as a base for lobster this time."

Zhao Dinghuan took a serving of noodles, mixed it with some lobster sauce, and slurped it down: smooth and chewy as expected.

"When will the show air? Has it been set?" The elderly gentleman asked while scooping a shrimp tofu steamed egg.

He blew on it to cool the steam off the top.

The shrimp tofu steamed egg looked like ordinary steamed egg custard.

He scooped a spoonful, not spotting any tofu inside.

Curious, he tasted a bite.

Though he’d blown away the surface heat, the center was still hot.

He hissed to relieve the burn, detecting the egg’s aroma mingled with a rich tofu scent.

The steamed egg was silky, melted away, slipping easily down his throat.

Only the shrimp required some chewing.

The shrimp was tender and sweet, with its own subtle sweetness.

The elderly gentleman couldn’t help but ask Ye Fei, "Where’s the tofu in this shrimp tofu steamed egg? I don’t see it, but I can taste its flavor."

Ye Fei explained with a smile, "I used soy milk; adding water to egg makes it smoother. I usually keep water to egg at a 1:1 ratio for pudding-like texture. This time, I replaced water with soy milk, blending egg flavor with tofu aroma."

"You could cut silken tofu into cubes, but then they stay distinct, without merging flavors."

"This is better, certainly better," the elderly gentleman nodded, "All the tofu steamed eggs I’ve had keep egg and tofu flavors separate. It’s tasty, but disjointed. The egg tastes like itself, and the tofu like itself beneath it."

"And their textures differ; juxtaposed, the tofu mars the egg’s texture," he said, "Not now; eating feels like both silky egg and tender tofu."

Talking along, jubilant festive songs played on TV.

It was the start of the Spring Festival Gala.

In recent years, it’s drawn critique annually.

Yet, without earnest watching, the sounds are customary.

Xiao Mo, with a small appetite, finished early, heading to the sofa—half-watching the Gala, half-playing mobile games.

Lifting his gaze for favored comedy skits.

Ye Fei served Xiao Mo some fruit to enjoy.

"There’re just two extra people this year, but it feels livelier," the elderly lady commented.

The home gathered warmth and vibrancy.