Chapter 6 — From Chef God's Wife to Master Chef Champion

10. After the contest ended, I used the prize money and investment capital to open my own restaurant. The restaurant's name is "Mieu Mieu". Taken from the phrase "The sea of the sea is complete" - a tiny speck of dust in the middle of a big ocean. I hope my food can bring a little warmth and comfort to every ordinary person struggling in the city. The restaurant is not lavishly decorated, just warm lights and rustic wooden tables and chairs. The menu changes every day, completely depending on my mood that day and the "luck" at the market. But
There is one item that will forever be a symbolic item.
— Cauliflower soup “open water and white Thai”.
On opening day, the restaurant was crowded. Chu Ky Ky ran back and forth, laughing until he couldn't close his mouth.
“Boss Kieu, we have made a fortune!”
I smiled and patted her. “You love money.” After seeing off the last table of guests that evening, I collapsed exhausted into the chair. Chu Ky Ky gave me a bottle of beer.
“Congratulations to our champion, congratulations to our hostess Kieu!”
We clinked the bottle and tilted our heads back to drink.
“Oh right,” Chu Ky Ky suddenly remembered something, “there's a guest today, it's very strange.”
"He ordered a portion of white tamarind water. He was alone and quietly ate it all."
“When you're done, leave an envelope and say I'll give it to you.”
My heart fluttered and I received the envelope. Inside was a bank card and a note.
“This is all compensation for the ‘Hanging Garden in the Sky’, the password is your birthday.”
"The past can't be paid anymore. I wish you peace in the future."
Do not sign. But I know it's you. I pushed the card towards Chu Ky Ky.
“Help me use the name of the restaurant and donate all this money to the fire fund.”
Chu Ky Ky was stunned. “This… this is not a small amount of money.”
“I know.” I looked out the window, at the brilliant city night, and smiled.
"Money can be earned again when it's gone. But there are some things that are much more important than money."
For example, peace in the heart, such as leisure and freedom. 11. The private restaurant "Mieu Mieu" has become the most difficult restaurant to book a reservation in the city. Countless diners come by reputation, just to taste a piece of the legendary "soul food". My story was also reported by the media. They call me the "popular kitchen god", the "queen who emerged from the ruins of marriage". I just laughed it off. I am not a god, nor a queen. I'm just a serious cook.
A woman finds herself again. A year later, I attended a culinary exchange in France. By chance, I heard news about Luc Yen. Someone said that he lived in a remote town and opened a small restaurant, only receiving ten customers a day. Not for fame, not for profit, just to find the original mind when cooking. Some people also say that Co Ngu Bang withdrew from the culinary world completely, married a rich businessman, but lived an unhappy life. Those news, to me, are like old stories from last century. Lake surface
My heart no longer has the slightest ripple. At the end of the exchange, the organizers opened a solemn banquet. A handsome and elegant French man, holding champagne, walked towards me. He is the chairman of this exchange, as well as one of the most famous culinary critics in France — Pierre.
“Miss Kieu,” he said in fluent Chinese, “your food reminds me of an old friend.”
"Oh? Is that so?" I'm a little curious.
“Yes, he is also a genius chef from China.”
Pierre's eyes showed both admiration and regret.
"His talent is the most brilliant thing I have ever seen. Unfortunately, he destroyed himself because of a woman."
“I always feel… very regretful.”
He looked at me and suddenly burst into laughter.
“But now, I no longer feel sorry.”
“Because I met you.”
"You and he are two completely different types of chefs. In your dishes there is a wider sky, there is human warmth."
I raised my glass and gently clinked it with him.
“Thank you for your compliment.”
12. After the banquet ended, Pierre insisted on taking me back to the hotel. Paris night is gentle but romantic. We walked along the banks of the Seine River, the night wind gently passing by.
“Miss Kieu,” Pierre suddenly stopped and looked at me seriously, “may I have the honor of inviting you... to join me in opening a new restaurant in Paris?”
His blue eyes shone with a sincere light.
“I think, Eastern warmth and Western romance will definitely collide to create the most beautiful sparks.”
I looked at him and suddenly burst into laughter. I remember three years ago, Luc Yen—the person who used to wear a Pooh Bear apron in the kitchen, was frantically busy. Remembering the me of that day—when I saw his true identity on TV, I was both surprised and devastated. Remembering these years, all the sadness, unwillingness, struggle and transformation. It turns out, the most wonderful thing in life lies in the fact that: You never know, after closing a door, fate will open a window for you. I reached out to Pierre.
“My pleasure, Monsieur Pierre.”
My life has long been no longer just salty instant noodles and black fried eggs. It's the sweetness of champagne and endless possibilities. The past events—confusing, painful, corrosive—finally, at this very moment, ended with an end. As for my story... just entering its most brilliant opening act. Under the starry sky of Paris, I seemed to see—belonging to me—the real “Hanging Garden in the Sky.” RUN OUT OF