Chapter 21 — Mom Divided 8,200,000 Yuan To My Sister, Gave Me 50 Yuan, Unexpectedly Even The Judge Was Mine

Van Lam's color changed. Old man Van did not pay attention. He continued speaking.

"That year my mother took it away."

"Just a few pages of notes."

"The real Hundred Heart Sutra."

"Not a book."

"It's a set of methods for transmitting a profession."

"Eternally commanded only to the chosen."

Old Luong frowned slightly.

"You mean..."

Old man Van looked at me.

"It's in my head."

I stopped. The old man continued.

"My mother left everything in a silver lock."

To Duong's eyes widened.

"Silver lock?"

I unconsciously tightened the lock in my palm. Van Lam immediately stepped forward.

"No way."

"We checked that lock."

"There's nothing inside."

Old man Van smiled faintly.

"Because you guys opened it the wrong way."

Van Lam's face completely changed. First time. I saw panic appear on her face. The old man looked at the silver lock.

"My mother's birthday."

"It's the key."

I was stunned. Hua Minh Vien immediately took out the lock. Behind the lock there is a very small rotation. Before, no one paid attention. To Duong was so nervous that he held his breath. I turned to the date of birth written on my mother's photo. A very small "click" sounded. The silver lock opens in half. Not gold or silver. Not gems. It's an extremely thin roll of paper that has turned yellow over the years. Van Lam took a step forward. His eyes almost glowed.

"Let me see."

I opened the scroll. Above is just a row of handwritten words. The handwriting is identical to the handwriting in my grandfather's notebook. Only those who can keep their conscience are worthy of keeping their taste. It's the signature of two people. Tham Hoai An. The whole hall fell into silence. Van Lam was dumbfounded. She searched for more than twenty years. Fighting for more than twenty years. Something everyone risked their lives to steal. Again, just a sentence. Old Luong laughed. To Duong also laughed. Even Hua Minh Vien breathed a sigh of relief. Only Van Lam stood motionless. It was as if all of my half-life beliefs had just collapsed. I rolled up the paper. Look at her.

"Do you understand now?"

"Something my mother left behind."

"Not the menu."

"It's not even a family property."

"It's a reminder."

"From start to finish."

"Someone wants to rob things."

"None of them are qualified to have it."

I tied my apron. To Duong was impatient.

"Van Lam brought three of Van Yen's chefs."

"I heard they even invited last year's Bach Vi Yen champion."

"If you keep hiding your job, you'll be really screwed."

I looked at the lit kitchen row ahead.

"Grandpa once said."

"The best food."

"Not the most expensive item."

"It's not the most difficult dish."

"It's the dish that makes people remember the most."

To Duong listened but did not understand anything.

"Alright."

"I just hope that I won't be crushed by people later."

This year's Bach Vi Yen has three rounds. First round. Each restaurant must cook dishes that represent their brand. Van Yen chooses the most famous dish. Phoenix Turtle Nest. The ingredients alone filled two tables. Just presented. The crowd roared in surprise. In front of my kitchen there is only a bamboo basket. Inside is dried cabbage. A piece of bacon. Someone laughed.

"Did Tham Ky come here to sell food?"

"Do you even dare to participate in Bach Vi Yen with ingredients like this?"

"The difference is too big."

Tham Nguyet stood next to Van Lam. The corners of his lips curled up.

"If you don't have enough money, say so."

"Can you lend me some ingredients?"

To Duong immediately rolled my eyes.

"Do you still have the face to call someone brother?"

Tham Nguyet choked. His face immediately became unsightly. Right at that moment. The opening bell rang. The chefs started all at once. Van Yen's kitchen is blazing red. The chopping board rang continuously. Just quietly wash the dried cabbage. Cook broth. A judge passed by. Gently shook his head.

"Young lady."

"This is not the old town."

"Simple ingredients are too difficult to win."

I just smiled. No explanation. An hour later. The teams completed it one after another. Van Yen's Phoenix Turtle Nest was brought up first. Vibrant colors. Intense aroma. Even the judges nodded.

"Exactly Van Yen's level."

"Quite excellent."

Tham Nguyet looked towards me. Eyes full of satisfaction. It's Tham Ky's turn. I put the food on the table. An old clay pot. Inside there are only vegetables, tofu and clear broth. The audience immediately stirred.

"What is this?"

"Vegetable soup?"

"Is it wrong?"

Van Lam burst out laughing.

"Tham Niem."

"This is the dish you prepared for Bach Vi Yen?"

I opened the pot lid. Heat rises. The fragrance immediately spread. Not strong. But it made everyone unconsciously raise their heads. Elder Kim sitting in the judges' row paused. Old Luong also raised his head. A silver-haired judge shook his hands.

"This smell..."

"No way..."

I scooped a bowl. Place it in front of him. The old man took a sip. The eyes turned red immediately.

"Hoi Gia soup..."

The whole hall fell silent. Old Kim stood up.

"Canh Hoi Gia?"

To Duong was bewildered.

"What is Canh Hoi Gia?"

Old Kim looked at the bowl of soup. Voice hoarse.

"After the great flood."

"A lot of people lost their homes."

"Shen Huai'an has been cooking this soup for three months."

"Free for old town residents."

"Everyone calls it Canh Hoi Gia."

The silver-haired old man drank and wiped his tears.

"I used to drink."

"It's been more than twenty years."

"I thought I would never taste it again for the rest of my life."

In that moment. The whole hall was silent. No one laughs anymore. No one cares whether ingredients are expensive or cheap anymore. Because of what they taste. Not just food. It's memory. It's a period of time that has passed. It's the taste of a home. Van Lam clenched her hands. His face became unsightly for the first time. She understands. I lost the first round. It's not a loss of skill. But losing something that Van Yen doesn't have. True lineage. An employee rushed into the hall. He leaned close to the organizer's ear and said something. The other person's expression immediately changed.