act40side

I hear Yan's always put education first, but because the country's so big, and every city has wildly different circumstances anyway, the farther out you go, the harder it is for students to really achieve.

The Grand Preceptor was trying to tell the True Lung that every student, no matter their background, should have equal opportunity.

The True Lung took the Grand Preceptor's advice, advocated hard for educational reform, tore down any regional restrictions and brought equality to educational resources.

The next year, when Baizao Academy announced its successful applicants, students from remote regions made up more than a half of the thousand-plus that qualified.

In the decades after that, the Tianshis buried in their Bureau's books, the students studying like hell in their academies, all of them thanked the Grand Preceptor for boldly advising...

That, if I'm not mistaken, is what Medley of Whites represents...

Blaze senses the spectators stop chattering.

She's not wrong. Everyone is nervously watching her right this moment.

(How... did Blaze know that?)

(And why would the exam writer leave the name of this dish in there...?)

(You don't just mention <i>her</i>, not in front of everyone...)

Did I, uh, say something wrong...?

Interesting.

The voice descends from a few meters above. Blaze stares up above her, but doesn't see anyone.

A foot lands on a stairstep plank with a dull thud, subdued yet powerful, the kind nobody could miss.

It approaches, closer and closer, until Blaze can finally make out who it is—a stern and solemn man, far older than her, alighting from his long stairwell.

After so many years, I didn't think anyone would remember this.

Nice to meet you, um...

The story you've told is far older than you. Girl, how come you know it?

Well, someone from my family told me it, a long long time ago.

He said he was one of those students in poverty, all the way back then.

To know the spring of your water... I imagine your relative was a grateful and righteous man.

But as for you...

Just what motive brought you here?

I... well, I'm... here to compete, of course...

Seeing as you've made it here, I'll give you one chance.

Final stage. No frills, no fuss. Make me a 'dish'.

Come.

Too early for dinnertime, the restaurant is almost empty save for a couple of diners. There's no waiters, no proprietor, and even the kitchen is quiet.

Excuse me...

You, young man! Help me out!

I was in a hurry this morning and forgot my money. You're a well-to-do boy, anyone can tell! Be a kind man, spot me a little!

Er...

I'm not here to rip you off. Here, take this family jade for now. Once I grab the money later, I'll pay you back.

Not that I mind lending you... but couldn't you just tell the owner instead...? We're total strangers—how would you find me and pay me back?

No, no, no, you see, this jade's not your average thing, it's not fit for just anyone to take. I'm only entrusting it to you because I can tell, you've got a rare air about you.

A-Alright...

Zuo Le rummages for some loose coins in his pocket, and hands them to the diner, whose face immediately broadens with delight.

When do you plan to pay me back...? Where would we meet?

We'll meet if we do and we won't if we don't. And if we don't, you can just go ahead and pawn this jade off.

Relax, relax. You've made a favorable deal today, young sir.

So saying, the diner is gone out the restaurant door in a blink, disappearing into the crowds.

Pawn... it off?

There's my dish. Pretty good job, wouldn't you say?

...Longevity noodles?

Mo Bufu's hands rest on the table, chopsticks in his grasp. For a while, silence, before he finally picks up the spoon and tries a mouthful of soup.

Blaze examines Chef Mo's face closely, but the satisfied look she's hoping for simply does not blossom across the old man's face.

These noodles... this soup base, who taught you this?

It was this tiny little chef. I really put my back into learning it, too...

The owner of 'Savors at Yu's'. Who is he to you?

How come you know...?

I thought so...

...The disgrace of him!

Huh...?

I see he has talent and give him the chance to display his skills. He's not grateful for that, fine. But now, now he even sends an amateur to humiliate me!

What's happening? Blaze finished it up with no trouble... nothing should be wrong with the flavor.

...Does Mo Bufu know the Young Chef somehow?

Wait! Okay, hold on!

I'm sorry! I know you can probably tell I suck at cooking at a glance, but I didn't come so I could wreck your competition!

I just have a question that only you can answer!

I grew up in Victoria, see, and this relative of mine who lived far away in Yan would always send me these tangerine cakes. They were so sweet and tasty...

I've been on the hunt ever since I came to Baizao, but I still haven't found that flavor...

I was thinking, since you're the best chef in all of Baizao, maybe you would know!

A single pastry? You thought it was worth entering this competition to meet me, over a single pastry?

I have tons of other questions still! But this is the only one I can solve on my own. This is the one clue, the one link I have to my family!

You...

...The greatest taboo when making tangerine cakes is to blindly add sugar. That is, to mask the poorness of your craft and ingredients with sweetness.

I don't know of anyone skilled enough to make tangerine cakes that are sweet and yet taste good on their own.

You've asked your question. Now go.

Wait—

A muffled sound from above interrupts the two. Blaze and Mo Bufu look up at the same time, but both of their faces get struck by something wet.

Why is it leaking in here...?

No... this is oil!

And the moment she says it, the lamp suspended from the dome ignites in a blink, becoming a fireball—

Get outta here!