章節 147: Yang Clan's Trial's (3)

As Yasushi, Yunxue, and Jingliu were seated in a separate room, enjoying their meals in their own way, Yasushi finally looked up from his plate and directed his attention toward the two girls. He asked, "Can either of you tell me who those two individuals were, the ones who secured the second and third spots on the obstacle course leaderboards earlier today?"

The girls exchanged brief glances but remained focused on their food, continuing to eat. After they had finished their bites, Yunxue spoke up, her tone thoughtful as she said, "Well, one of them is a butler who is undergoing rigorous training under Heinz. You might assume that Heinz, being someone with such a reputation, would have many people seeking his guidance, but that's not the case. His training methods are notoriously demanding, almost harsh to the point of being excessive. It's common for his methods to be seen as bordering on the extreme, but if you manage to get through it, you become something truly exceptional. He's also involved in handling everyday tasks and the more mundane aspects of life."

Jingliu, who had been listening closely, nodded in agreement with Yunxue's explanation. Her expression revealed understanding. "I've only heard bits and pieces about it, as I haven't seen him teach personally. However, from what I gather, he really does put his trainees through incredibly challenging trials. The process sounds like a grueling experience meant to push them to their limits, all to shape them into top-notch maids or butlers. Typically, the training of new hires is handled by the more experienced long-term servants, but Heinz's reputation for pushing his trainees to excel is well-known."

He hadn't anticipated such responses but accepted them nonetheless. "And the other one?" he asked, his interest still engaged.

"She was trained by Anfeng and several other maids," Yunxue explained, her tone light as she continued. "While she didn't stand out as exceptional, it became clear that she's better suited for heavy physical labor. Intelligence isn't her strong suit — she's more of a brawn-over-brains type, with a bit of intelligence mixed in," Yunxue added with a chuckle.

"Their names are Bhaqui and Alicia. You haven't met them yet, but I suspect you'll cross paths with them before our break is over," Jingliu clarified.

Just then, Yinhaie entered the room carrying a tray of tea and coffee. She set it down on the table and said, "Now, now, let's not be too harsh about the staff, even if your observations are accurate." She looked at them with a gentle smile. "They both work hard to live here and support you, so let's keep any negative comments to ourselves."

"We weren't really speaking poorly of them, but fair enough," Yasushi said as he reached for his coffee. "Do you have any idea what to expect for the rest of the trials?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't reveal the details at this moment," Yinhaie said. "However, you should be prepared for them. What everyone is looking forward to is the final trial."

"The one where I face Anfeng?" Yasushi asked, catching Yinhaie off guard.

"You knew about that?" Yinhaie glanced at Jingliu and Yunxue. Yunxue looked away, clearly uncomfortable, prompting a weary sigh from Yinhaie. "Did you inform him, Yunxue?" Yinhaie's gaze remained on the younger girl.

"She did, but please don't punish her," Yasushi interjected, causing Yinhaie to sigh once more.

"I won't, but it did spoil the surprise," Yinhaie conceded. "Yes, you will indeed be facing Anfeng in a small-scale duel. There will be rules to follow, but do not underestimate her. Anfeng is among the top employees of the Yang family, highly skilled, and versatile in her abilities."

Yasushi took a slow sip of his coffee and let out a resigned sigh. "That's alright, though I'm not thrilled about fighting someone again. I was hoping for a peaceful summer break, not all this ongoing drama," he said, exhaling deeply.

"It'll be fine. Just try to enjoy yourself," Yinhaie said. "Though I have to say, Anfeng will likely take it quite seriously."

For the rest of his break, which spanned two hours, Yasushi took the opportunity to relax and find some enjoyment in his time with them. Despite his efforts to unwind and make the most of the moment, he couldn't shake his concern about what would happen during his upcoming bout with Anfeng.

+-+

Once Yasushi's break came to an end, he was guided to a new section of the underground trials. To his slight surprise, he found himself in a kitchen. The space was well-equipped, yet the setting was not entirely unexpected.

Holding a microphone, Anfeng addressed Yasushi. "While cooking isn't something you'll always need to do, it's a valuable life skill. We believe everyone who joins this family should have a fundamental understanding of cooking. From what I've heard, you already possess these skills, so we'd like you to prepare a meal or dish for us to evaluate."

Yasushi turned to Anfeng, his expression one of disbelief. "You couldn't have asked for this before we took the break?"

Anfeng chuckled nervously. "Well, you got hungry, and so did the rest of us…so we decided it was best to take a break first."

Yasushi shook his head, letting out a deep sigh. "Alright, fine. I'll cook something. Do you want me to prepare something specific, or should I just go with whatever comes to mind?" He turned his attention to the table, which was covered with a variety of ingredients.

"No need to follow any specific instructions," Anfeng replied. "Just use whatever ingredients you find appealing and create something from them. There's no time limit, so you can take as long as you need." With that, Anfeng moved to a nearby sofa and took a seat with a few other people, settling in for the wait.

Yasushi examined the assortment of ingredients laid out on the table. After a quick assessment, he decided to prepare two dishes: cupcakes and a Soufflé Omelet. Given his extensive experience with Soufflé Omelets, he chose to start with the cupcakes, as they required more preparation time.

Yasushi grabbed a few eggs and cracked them into a bowl. He separated the yolks from the whites, setting the yolks aside. He began whisking the egg whites, working them until they formed soft peaks. The whites became glossy, holding their shape but still drooping slightly at the tips — a sign they were ready.

He sprinkled a pinch of salt into the yolks and whisked them until smooth. Yasushi then carefully folded the yolks into the beaten egg whites. He was careful not to deflate the whites, using a gentle hand to combine the mixture.

He set a pan over medium heat, adding a bit of butter. As it melted, Yasushi tilted the pan to coat it evenly. Once the butter started bubbling, he poured in the egg mixture, spreading it out evenly. He let it cook undisturbed for a minute or two.

As the bottom set, Yasushi tilted the pan, using a spatula to lift the edges slightly, allowing any uncooked eggs to flow underneath. He continued cooking until the bottom was golden and the top remained soft.

Yasushi folded the omelet in half. It was fluffy and light, with the inside remaining soft and creamy. He slid it onto a plate, the soufflé omelet ready to be enjoyed.

He walked over to the group that had been watching him work, carefully placing the Soufflé Omelet in front of Anfeng first. He handed each of them a spoon, allowing them to take a portion and taste the dish.

Yasushi stood by, watching in silence as they sampled his creation, waiting for any sign of their reactions. After a full minute of quiet tasting, they all paused before nodding in approval.

"This is excellent," Heinz said, clearly impressed. "The texture, the temperature, everything is just right — soft and perfectly balanced. You wouldn't happen to mind teaching our staff how to make this, would you, Yasushi?" he added with a lighthearted chuckle.

Yunxue, nodding in agreement, chimed in, "Yeah, it's way better than what Anfeng tried to make before. That was a complete disaster!"

Anfeng responded with a gentle smack to the top of Yunxue's head, giving her a disapproving glare. "Ahem, well, since I'm the one judging here, I'll say it's very well-made. Like Heinz mentioned, it ticks all the boxes I look for. I'll give it a nine."

"Well, that's good to hear. I'll get started on the cupcakes next. They're going to be chocolate cupcakes — anyone here allergic to chocolate or not a fan of it?" he asked, glancing back at the group before heading to the kitchen.

They all shook their heads, signaling they were fine with chocolate. He took note of their reactions and made his way back to the kitchen area, ready to begin preparing the cupcakes.

After reaching the kitchen, Yasushi set his sights on making chocolate cupcakes. He gathered the ingredients, starting with flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. He sifted the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl, ensuring there were no lumps.

In another bowl, Yasushi whisked together eggs, milk, and vegetable oil until the mixture was smooth. He then slowly added the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing just until everything was combined. Taking care not to overmix, he made sure the batter was smooth and rich.

Next, Yasushi lined a cupcake tray with paper liners and carefully spooned the batter into each cup, filling them about two-thirds full. He preheated the oven to 350°F (175°C), then placed the tray on the middle rack.

As the cupcakes baked, the kitchen filled with the warm aroma of chocolate. Yasushi kept an eye on the oven, and after about 18 minutes, he tested one of the cupcakes by inserting a toothpick into the center. When it came out clean, he knew they were done.

He carefully removed the tray from the oven and let the cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The chocolate cupcakes were ready, soft and moist, waiting to be frosted or enjoyed just as they were.

He noticed there was no frosting available, so he decided to serve the cupcakes as they were. Yasushi carefully picked up each cupcake and placed them onto a tray, arranging them neatly on plates. He then made his way back to where Anfeng's group was seated and set the tray down on the table directly in front of them.

"They're still a bit warm from the oven, but they should be fine to eat now. Just be careful and take your time, okay?" Yasushi said, offering a polite warning as he stepped back and waited for them to sample the treats.

The group heeded his advice and began to taste the chocolate cupcakes, each member taking deliberate bites to ensure they were not too hot. They soon realized that the cupcakes had cooled down more than Yasushi had expected, so the risk of burning their mouths was minimal.

Yasushi waited patiently for them to finish their tasting. Once they had all had a chance to try the cupcakes, he asked, "So, what did you think? How did they turn out?"

Jingliu and Yunxue both nodded in agreement. Yunxue gave Yasushi a thumbs-up, while Jingliu spoke up. "They're good. I'm not great with food descriptions, but they're definitely better than the store-bought ones we had before."

Yasushi chuckled at the comment. "That's not exactly high praise, but I appreciate it nonetheless."

Jingliu laughed softly and apologized for her lack of knowledge in describing food.

Heinz took a bite of the chocolate cupcake, savoring the rich flavor. "Yasushi, these cupcakes are incredible," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "The chocolate is deep and intense but not overwhelming. The texture is perfect — moist and tender with just the right amount of crumb. It melts in the mouth, and the balance of sweetness is spot-on."

Anfeng nodded in agreement, her eyes bright with delight. "I have to say, Yasushi, these are some of the best cupcakes I've ever had," she said, taking another bite. "The texture is wonderfully light, yet they have a satisfying density. I love how the cocoa gives a deep, complex flavor, and the vanilla undertones add a subtle depth. Each bite is a perfect blend of rich chocolate and delicate sweetness."

Heinz continued, "Even without frosting, these cupcakes are superb. They're beautifully baked, with an even rise and no uneven crumbs. The flavor is just delightful."

Anfeng finished her cupcake and smiled. "Yes, Yasushi, you've truly outdone yourself. The attention to detail in these cupcakes is evident in every bite. They're comforting and exactly what a great chocolate cupcake should be."

"Is that so? Thank you. So, what's the verdict, Anfeng?" Yasushi asked, looking expectantly for her score.

Anfeng nodded, a pleased smile on her face. She slapped her knees with enthusiasm and announced, "Another nine! The omelet was fantastic, and the cupcake was great too. You've passed with flying colors! There's just one more trial before the final one, so let's move on to that now!"

Without waiting for anyone else, Anfeng walked out of the room, her laughter echoing behind her. She spoke excitedly about the upcoming trial, her anticipation clear.

Yasushi glanced at the others, let out a resigned sigh, and followed them out of the room. As they moved to catch up with Anfeng, Yasushi couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about what the next-to-last trial would entail.