Switched Life:I Went Viral on a Family Variety Show-Chapter 78: Let’s Get a Chef’s Certificate

Half an hour later, Mr. Shen finally returned.

Who knows how he explained things to his boss at home, but in any case, the dark cloud that had been looming over his face was now completely gone.

Sang Youming was at the grill flipping barbecue skewers when Mr. Shen walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a meaningful tone, "Old Sang, I barely managed to earn forgiveness from my boss at home. Next time, don’t drag me down with you again."

As he spoke, he leaned directly toward Sang Youming’s ear and whispered, "There are too many eyes on us during the show. How about this—we’ll meet up for drinks after the show wraps up."

"Give it a rest!" Sang Youming pushed Mr. Shen away and stuffed a piece of grilled meat into his mouth. "You may not fear the taser, but I do, so don’t get me into trouble."

Mr. Shen looked bewildered. Wasn’t it Sang Youming who suggested drinking yesterday? He’d barely been gone a moment, and now this guy was acting all noble and righteous?

Feeling a probing gaze, Mr. Shen looked up to find Sang Ning holding a skewer of meatballs. She bit aggressively into one, her eyes carrying a hint of menace.

At this moment, Sang Youming’s voice rang out.

"Sweetheart, that Old Shen hasn’t changed a bit! He’s still plotting to meet me for drinks after the show. But don’t worry, I turned him down without hesitation!"

Shen Yi, who was about to grab some charcoal, turned around and said, "Dad, looks like you’re not truly repentant."

Mr. Shen: "..."

[Poor Mr. Shen! He clearly started off as the victim dragged into this by Sang Youming, but now he’s been backstabbed by everyone.]

[That’s it; Mr. Shen just managed to explain things to his boss at home. Now, by the time the show ends, he’s probably going to be grounded for life.]

The guests leisurely grilled barbecue in the courtyard, already anticipating the grand feast Hu Zhi promised to prepare later. Everyone made sure to save some room in their stomachs for the delicious food to come.

After almost an entire afternoon of preparation, Hu Zhi’s twelve dishes were finally ready and laid out on the table. There was a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, with vibrant colors and tempting aromas that made every dish look irresistibly appetizing.

Catching a whiff of the feast, the guests all gathered around the table.

"Whoa!" Song Shiye exclaimed in surprise at the sight of a dish featuring what appeared to be a goose lying dramatically bent on its platter. "Aunt Hu, I’m pretty sure we didn’t buy any geese. Where did you manage to get this beauty?"

"Convincing, isn’t it?" Hu Zhi said, thoroughly pleased with her masterpiece, tilting her chin up in pride. "This is Eight-Treasure Vegetarian Goose. I shaped it myself using glutinous rice flour and other ingredients. Impressive, right?"

"Impressive indeed, absolutely incredible!" Song Shiye was blown away; he never imagined Aunt Hu could be so skilled, crafting a fake goose this realistic.

[Hu Zhi is a genius. I can vouch for this goose—it really was crafted bit by bit by her hands.]

[Can I get a bite? The sauce on this goose looks so rich and steamy. Just looking at it is torture!] frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Hey, what are you all just standing there for? Hurry up and try it!" Hu Zhi started handing out chopsticks, urging everyone to dig in as they stood rooted to the spot in awe.

Grandma Song was the first to make her move. Ever since watching Hu Zhi knead and shape the goose, her curiosity about its taste had only grown stronger.

After taking a bite and chewing a few times, Grandma Song froze. Then, after a couple more chews, she swallowed—the rich flavor of the sauce lingering on her tongue, leaving her savoring the experience.

"Xiao Hu, this is amazing! My entire lifetime of cooking feels wasted!" Grandma Song couldn’t help but give Hu Zhi a big thumbs-up. "Once the show is over, can I visit your house so you can teach me?"

Hu Zhi waved her hand, brimming with pride. "Of course, anytime! You’re always welcome!"

The vegetarian goose Hu Zhi crafted had a wonderfully chewy texture. Sang Ning kept taking bite after bite before casually asking, "Mom, do you have a chef’s certificate?"

"What chef’s certificate? Your mother is a natural talent! I’m not bragging, but even without a certificate, my dishes taste better than the stuff those New Oriental culinary school graduates make!" Hu Zhi said, nodding smugly with every word.

"Hmm..." Sang Ning chewed on her chopsticks, her expression thoughtful. "Once the show’s over, you should sign up for a chef’s certificate exam."

"What?!" Hu Zhi was dumbfounded. "Xiao Ning, that thing involves a written test, doesn’t it? Isn’t cooking well enough? I’m already up there in age and only graduated elementary school. Studying theory feels like trying to read hieroglyphs."

"Don’t worry, learning is a lifelong process. It’s a good chance for you to set an example for Sang Chuan and help him get through the hardships of senior year in high school."

The moment Sang Ning finished speaking, Sang Chuan pumped his fists in the air. "Respect! Absolutely in favor of this!"

In this household, no way was Sang Chuan going to suffer alone!

Hu Zhi felt her head buzzing. "Does it really have to be this way?"

Sang Ning pressed her lips into a firm line and nodded decisively. "Absolutely. Having the certificate will help you find a proper job. Right now, you’re riding around on your tricycle selling starch sausages, getting chased by city management. That’s no way to live."

It’s great! Absolutely great! Riding around wherever you want, pausing in parks to join grandpas and grandmas for a few rounds of mahjong—it doesn’t get any better!

Hu Zhi really wanted to voice her inner thoughts, but she dared not.

After all, blatantly slacking off might get her zapped into line with one of those tasers Sang Ning seemed so fond of mentioning.

"Alright then..." With a deep sigh, Hu Zhi reluctantly agreed.

[Not only does Sang Ning pressure her brother, but now she’s pushing her mom. Next up, it’s probably going to be her dad.]

[Come on, Sang Chuan is a senior in high school; of course he should study hard, and the kid’s smart too. Hu Zhi, despite her mahjong addiction, at least has culinary skills. But what does Sang Youming have? He’s just a boozy old fart. There’s nothing there to even push him on!]

[Exactly. The true dead weight of the Sang Family is definitely Sang Youming. Honestly, what did Hu Zhi even see in him back in the day?]

[Probably his old age and aversion to bathing. (dog head emoji)]

Meanwhile, Li Sulan was cooking up several dishes of her own: tomato scrambled eggs, mapo tofu, saucy eggplant, and cold beef salad.

It was her first time cooking, and it felt like a battle scene—pans clanging, utensils clattering—but with Chu Xi’s guidance, she managed to bring it all together in the end.

Visually, the results weren’t bad, though they didn’t look nearly as mouth-watering as Hu Zhi’s creations.

Li Sulan, wearing rose-tinted glasses for her own work, tasted a bite and found no issues. Then, she asked Chu Xi to sample some as well.

If Chu Xi approved, she’d take the dishes to the table and show up all the sycophants crowding around Hu Zhi, proving she had her own talents. First time cooking? Still nailed it!

Chu Xi picked up a piece of beef, but after the first chew, her face went blank, devoid of any expression.

Li Sulan waved her hand in front of Chu Xi’s face. "Xixi, is it so delicious you’re speechless?"

Several seconds passed before Chu Xi finally reacted, gagging as she spat the beef out onto a napkin.

What kind of monstrosity was that?!