"Xixi, how’s your practice going?" Great Grandfather walked in with a slight hunch in his back, but his steps were steady. That cane might as well be more of a decoration than a walking aid. "You’re doing well, want to take a break?"

Du Xixi had just finished slicing the piece of tofu on the cutting board. As she lifted the knife away, a few pieces of tofu crumbs stuck to the blade, causing her to frown slightly and say with some disappointment, "I’m afraid it’s still lacking a bit."

Great Grandfather chuckled and shook his head, gently consoling her, "Actually, you’re doing great. Tofu is inherently soft and prone to crumbling, so having a bit of residue is quite normal after cutting."

"But when you finish cutting, the knife is spotless," Du Xixi obstinately pouted, "The Culinary God Competition is in half a month, and yet I’m still stuck at the skill level of Miss Xi Xi, which is really useless."

The Culinary God Competition is the highest-level cooking contest on Blue Star. Not only do chefs from Du Xixi’s country participate, but there are entrants from other countries as well. This event happens once every three years and attracts tens of thousands of participants each time.

Back when Du Xixi was still on Blue Star, she participated in this competition. At that time, she was just in her teens, yet she impressed everyone along the way by showcasing the knowledge she had accumulated over the years to the world.

With hands that didn’t even look like they belonged to a young girl due to their roughness, she created culinary delights that drove the entire world mad.

Thinking of this, Du Xixi lowered her head to glance at her own hands. They were no longer the soft and delicate hands she had during the Star Era. These hands were covered with calluses, accumulated over more than a decade of wielding a knife. Especially between the joints and at the webbing, she found these parts particularly rough to the touch every time.

But...

She didn’t feel that these hands were ugly. Hands that could create extraordinary flavors — they made her truly feel a sense of beauty.

Great Grandfather playfully tapped his granddaughter’s forehead with his finger, yet left no red mark despite the apparent force: "You, I’ve been cooking for tens of years. Competing with me is just stubborn! As for the Culinary God Competition... just do your best. Our Du Family doesn’t need any reputation to prove anything."

Great Grandfather’s words aimed to ease Du Xixi’s worries, but instead, they only made her more determined as she said, "No! I’m not doing it for myself, nor for our Du Family. It’s for... Miss Xi Xi." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Her renowned reputation must not fall from grace in my hands," Du Xixi bit her lip lightly. As the sunlight streamed in, it fell right beside her eyes, yet Great Grandfather felt that the light in her eyes was even brighter than the sunlight.

The old man was silent for a long while, and under Du Xixi’s increasingly resolute gaze, he smiled, "Since you’ve made up your mind, then go for it!"

"However, staying cooped up at home all the time isn’t good for you. Why not go out and relax while you still have some time?" Great Grandfather didn’t continue to persuade Du Xixi, but he advocated balancing work and relaxation. Previously, he often advised her to go out and unwind. Now, seeing this level of dedication from Du Xixi reminiscent of earlier years, he couldn’t help but resume his "duty" again.

Du Xixi opened her mouth wanting to refuse, but Great Grandfather’s demeanor left no room for argument. After several rejections, Great Grandfather, growing impatient, directly threw his cane aside and pushed Du Xixi out, all the while saying, "Why is a young person like you staying cooped up at home just like us old folks? Even your least outgoing Fourth Great Uncle goes out every two or three days to check out the dancing grandmas at the square!"

"Staying with us elderly folks for too long — you take on none of the good habits and all of the bad!" Great Grandfather lectured Du Xixi in a somewhat brusque tone, but she knew he wasn’t truly scolding her; he was expressing his concern in his own way. At this, she couldn’t refuse anymore and complied, heading towards the front gate of the Du Family Courtyard.

Without his cane, Great Grandfather indeed stood steadily and walked all the way, lightly panting, but even in his seventies or eighties, his strong voice seemed more vigorous than Du Xixi’s: "Alright, don’t come back before dark! It’d be best if you have your dinner outside as well; we old folks won’t be keeping any food for you!"

Du Xixi turned around helplessly, calling out playfully to Great Grandfather, "Great Grandfather..."

"I can’t hear you!" Great Grandfather, behaving like an old child, turned back inside. Du Xixi wanted to follow him, but he had anticipated this and shut the door early. This old fellow even remembered to give a piece of advice through a small opening, "Go and have fun! Make sure you enjoy yourself!"