Gan Lan brought out the freshly fried dough sticks, inviting the viewers in her livestream to eat first. She needed to filter the residue out of the soy milk; she loved eating fried dough sticks soaked in it.
Using a piece of cheesecloth, she strained out the soy milk pulp, then poured the milk into a pot. She added a proper amount of sugar, turned the heat to low, and stirred continuously to prevent a false boil from messing up the countertop.
Once it was cooked, Gan Lan ladled it into two bowls, offering one to the viewers.
She then took a fried dough stick, tore it into small pieces, and dropped them into the soy milk, pressing them down. Using her chopsticks, she picked up a piece of the soaked dough and popped it into her mouth.
HSS... So hot! But she couldn’t bear to spit it out. She panted a couple of times, fanned her mouth with her hand, then chewed and swallowed it. Her first bite had burned her so much she couldn’t taste much of anything.
She picked up another small piece, blowing on it gently before eating it. The outside was still slightly crisp, but parts of it had already been softened by the soy milk. The mix of crispy and soft textures, combined with the subtle sweetness, was delicious!
Next, she slipped on a glove, picked up a scallion pancake, and took a bite. In her original world, such an ordinary breakfast was found everywhere, but here, it felt incredibly precious. She missed it dearly.
Sky Blue: [So that’s how you eat it? But even without dipping it in the soy milk, I thought it was already delicious with its crispy outside and soft inside. Soaking it instantly changes the texture. How do you come up with these ideas, Junior? I love it!!]
Life is like a scorching sun: [I’ve really broadened my horizons! It looks like an ordinary breakfast. I’m usually a die-hard carnivore, but eating vegetarian with the host... I never knew vegetarian food could be this good! So satisfying! Why did I only discover you yesterday? It’s too late!!]
...
Having eaten and drunk her fill, Gan Lan packed a portion for Mr. Liang and another for the Dean. She packed a bit more for the Dean, figuring the other teachers were probably gathered at his place too.
Looking at the three remaining breakfast portions, Gan Lan smiled. "There are three portions left, so let’s do a lucky draw!"
System Notification: [The host has initiated a lucky draw for three winners! The winners will receive an exquisite breakfast courtesy of the host!]
Crispy Fried Drumstick: [Three portions? Fighting through odds of over fifteen billion people... How much luck would that take!? I can’t even imagine... But I’m still quietly going to wash my hands for good luck. So excited T^T]
Color of the Sky: [Over fifteen billion! Could I be one of the lucky ones? Please grant me good luck!!]
...
System Notification: [Congratulations to the three lucky winners: ’Elderly Handsome Man,’ ’Beautiful as an Artpiece,’ and ’Fiery Phoenix’! You have won an exquisite breakfast gifted by the host!]
Elderly Handsome Man: [Oh my, I’ve already had breakfast. But the system has great taste. It seems I’m the most handsome guy in the entire livestream. I suppose I’ll reluctantly accept it~]
Fiery Phoenix: [I haven’t even said anything yet! I’m the most handsome. Phoenixes truly are auspicious birds. Ever since I changed my name to this, my luck really has improved a lot~]
Sky Blue: [Someone, drag those two out of here! I’m so mad! You can’t just show off like that! Does changing your name to Phoenix really improve your luck?]
Love Huanhuan the Most: [Does it really improve your luck? Then I’ll abandon Huanhuan and change my name too. Maybe I’ll be the next lucky winner. How sweet~]
Fiery Phoenix: [Is that so? Hehehe~]
I am Phoenix: [I’m changing my luck too~ Next time, it’ll be me.]
After packing up the breakfasts, Gan Lan called over a robot assistant to help send them out. It was just like the hotel staff in her original world; every floor was equipped with two robots.
She checked the time. There were only five minutes left until the voting rankings were announced. Originally, Gan Lan had planned to end the livestream before waiting for the results.
Feiran: [Five minutes left until the rankings are announced. Are you nervous, Junior?]
Love Ugly Shellfish, Love Kale: [Our entire Culinary Department is currently at the assembly square waiting for the rankings. Besides checking on Junior, two other people from our school also participated in the competition. The thrilling moment is almost here.]
Blooming Beauty, Moonlit Grace: [I’m watching too. I’m even more nervous than when I took the entrance exam for Mingzong! Number 7’s votes are rising so fast. In these last three minutes, they’re breathing right down our necks! My heart is about to jump out of my chest. Praying.]
...
Gan Lan still didn’t log off. She wanted to watch the results together with the viewers in her livestream, who seemed even more anxious than she was.
"I was quite nervous a moment ago, but seeing how tense you all are, I suddenly feel incredibly relaxed," Gan Lan chuckled.
Binbin: [Last minute! I’ve already started rubbing my fingers together. Wuwuwu. Even though Junior’s votes are also climbing rapidly, I’m still so nervous.]
Feiran: [Congratulations to my first place ^^]
The moment Yan Yifei sent that message, the viewers in the livestream immediately erupted into cheers.
The barrage was densely packed with the exact phrase, ’Congratulations to my first place ^^’.
Osmanthus Rice Cake: [Image] [Look at the Culinary Department! Everyone is going crazy. Even though it’s just the preliminaries, it’s so exciting! I love you, Junior! And to the other two contestants from Mingzong, we are proud of you!]
Gan Lan saw a large photo on the screen. Over half the people in the Culinary Department were jumping and cheering, their faces adorned with brilliant smiles, looking as if they had gained the whole world. It was a moving sight.
The corners of Gan Lan’s mouth slowly curled up, and then she broke into a radiant grin as well, though her eyes grew a little misty.
A single joy, when shared with so many people, multiplies into countless joys!
"I will keep doing my best! Just wait for the news of my victory! There probably won’t be any livestreams for a while since I need to properly prepare for the upcoming rounds. And thank you to all of you heartwarming people." Gan Lan bowed to her viewers, her voice sincere.
She liked this group of people. She liked these people who filled her with such warmth.
After turning off the livestream, Gan Lan wiped away a tear that was about to fall. She was being overly sentimental. The next time she got this emotional, it had to be at the moment she won the overall championship!
She wanted to share that moment with them.
Her Light Brain had received a special message earlier, but Gan Lan hadn’t looked at it yet. Now, she could finally open it.
Arena 99: [Congratulations to Number 9 for ranking first in the preliminary voting! Please keep up the good work!]
Arena 99: [The next round, Top 1000 to Top 100, will begin tomorrow at 1:00 PM. Time is tight, so please prepare well, shortlisted contestants. Do your best!]
Gan Lan stared at the two messages and smiled.
"DING DONG. You have a package. Please step out to sign for it."
Hearing the doorbell ring, Gan Lan was a little confused. She didn’t remember buying anything...
Despite her doubts, she opened the door and signed for the delivery.
Gan Lan inspected the packaging. It was exceptionally exquisite, but it was just a tiny box. However, it was quite heavy—she could barely lift it.
She carefully opened the specialized packaging, suddenly feeling the thrilling surprise of unwrapping a gift. What could it be?
Inside the box made of special material was actually another box. It was packed so securely.
Gan Lan’s hands paused. She suddenly remembered Yan Yifei saying he was going to send her a Combat Robot. But weren’t Combat Robots supposed to be the same size as Mechas? How could it be this compact? He had to be kidding!
Even as the thought crossed her mind, she immediately brushed it away. After getting to know him for so long, she knew Yan Yifei was an honest person.