Chapter 53: Culinary Duel
Chapter 53: Culinary Showdown
Early the next morning, the warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the bamboo forest, scattering mottled light across the ground. Dew still hung delicately on the tips of bamboo leaves, sparkling and crystal-clear, reflecting the rays of the sun.
The chirping of birds and the murmuring of the stream heralded the start of a new day, bright and fresh. In the villa’s courtyard, the waterwheel creaked rhythmically, flowers of unknown names bloomed, glistening with dew.
The villa door swung open and Lin Qin, dressed in athletic wear, stepped outside. Greeting the cameramen at the door, he jogged along the cobblestone path at a steady pace.
Meng Chao originally wanted to join Lin Qin for a morning run, but unfortunately, he’d been woken up in the middle of the night by a long phone call from Meng Ke. Heaven knows what Meng Ke needed, but Meng Chao ended up spending over two hours on the balcony talking to him, not climbing back into bed until around three or four in the morning. By the time Meng Chao stirred awake, Lin Qin had already pressed him back into bed, urging him to sleep more.
Lin Qin emerged from the bamboo forest and jogged down the winding mountain road. Along the way, he encountered several local farmers heading uphill to work, casually exchanging greetings with them as though they were old friends.
The farmers knew Lin Qin well by now. They greeted him warmly with honest smiles, and sometimes even brought him fresh produce from their own fields. Lin Qin and Meng Chao had established a good rapport with them.
After bidding farewell to the farmers, Lin Qin ran all the way to the town’s market to purchase groceries. Then, with a leisurely stride, he headed back to the villa halfway up the mountain.
By the time he returned, Meng Chao was already awake, sitting comfortably on the sofa with a book in hand. Hearing movement, Meng Chao looked towards the door and found Lin Qin cheerfully walking in. Lin Qin handed the breakfast he had brought back to Meng Chao. "Hurry up and eat. I didn’t buy anything else." After speaking, he cheekily scrunched his face, a playful expression that said he didn’t feel like bringing breakfast for the others.
Lin Qin was exceptionally kind-hearted and gentle. Over the course of the program’s filming, he had never once lost his temper. Even when misunderstood or accused of being aloof, he silently worked to change others’ perceptions without ever speaking ill of anyone.