Vapor || Meteor Garden

Chapter 20

Author's Note: Meteor Garden, it's plot, cast and characters do not belong to me, only Dao Ming Xia does.

PS. If you like this chapter, please fave and/or review. Positive feedback , suggestions and ideas are always welcome.

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Xia found out that Ah Si signed Shan Cai up for the Chinese Cuisine Cooking Competition that was sponsored by their mom. She knew that Ah Si called Zhuang for her and Xia to come back and help Shan Cai. Xia tried asking her mom if she was allowed to go home with her sister but her mom forbade her from going. If Xia protested, her mother would be suspicious so she said nothing. She was sad but she had to tough it out. Now, she was currently in a video call with Shan Cai and her sister.

"How unfortunate Xia and I are. We have such a stupid brother. He begged me and Xia to come back and help you with your training." Zhuang explained to Shan Cai.

"So, you came back just for me?" Shan Cai asked and looked at the screen where Xia's face was.

"Why aren't you home yet, Xia?" She asked her friend and Xia smiled at her.

"Ah, Shan Cai, I still have a few things to settle here in London regarding the family business. I've decided to take some of my classes here first. Hopefully, I get to come home soon." Xia didn't want to tell her the truth and have Shan Cai feel guilty of the situation.

"Anyway, yes. What do you think? How would you prepare for the competition?" Zhuang asked her.

"I'm not sure where to start. I don't think I'll succeed." Shan Cai admitted.

"Let me tell you. I hate those people who think that they'll lose even before they enter the competition. That kind of people would never succeed no matter what." Zhuang lectured.

"But a great teacher can produce a brilliant student. And luckily, you have two. If someone great like Xia and I take turns teaching you, as long as you're not too bad yourself, you can still win the competition." Zhuang continued.

"Shan Cai, we'll do everything we can to help you." Xia happily said and Shan Cai smiled at them.

"Thank you, Zhuang-jie. Thank you, Xia." She said.

"Okay. Let me hear about your skill level first. What's your specialty?" Zhuang asked.

"I can cook sweet and sour pork." Shan Cai answered.

"What else?" Zhuang prodded.

"Kung Pao chicken, shredded pork with dried bean curd, Napa cabbage with dried shrimp, shrimp with green peas." Shan Cai enumerated. Zhuang then listed a few more food to which Shan Cai nodded at.

"These dishes are basic." Zhuang stated.

"Achi, watch your temper." Xia said with a tired sigh.

"I think a lot of people don't know how to cook them." Shan Cai defended.

"Do you know that you're joining an international-scale Chinese cuisine cooking competition? It's not a competition where you compete with your relatives." Zhuang reiterated.

"Then I'm doomed to fail?" Shan Cai lamented.

"No. Do you know what's the most important factor required to win this competition?" Zhuang asked her and Shan Cai shook her head. Xia decided to answer.

"Feelings!" She happily said and Shan Cai looked at her, a bit confused.

"Do you know how I won the competition before?" Zhuang asked Shan Cai.