Dinner time was quietly approaching.
The open kitchen on the first floor of the villa was gradually becoming lively. One after another, the guests used the vouchers they had earned during the "Ingredient Scramble" to exchange them for real food at the temporary station set up by the production crew.
In a short while, the kitchen counters were covered with all sorts of items.
Lin You had exchanged her points for matsutake mushrooms and was busy taking excited photos of the precious fungi. Qin Zeyu was holding a piece of pork belly that looked quite decent, seemingly debating whether to braise it or grill it.
Gu Xinglang and Su Manni, the show’s "official pairing," had predictably chosen to collaborate. They had obtained some sea shrimp and pasta, intending to make seafood pasta—a dish that was both safe and photogenic. Jiang Yuwei had opted for high-end vegetables and a chicken breast, preparing to make a healthy, low-fat salad. Zhou Yichen had gotten pork ribs; the younger brother seemed to want to show off his strength, as he was currently studying how to stew them.
As for Ning Meng, she cradled the premium Angus beef brisket she had traded 50 points for—a generous portion with a beautiful, rich red color and intricate marbling—and walked straight to the island in the center of the kitchen, which had the best position and the most workspace.
She claimed the prime spot without a hint of hesitation.
There was no helping it; her ingredients were the most valuable, and her goal was the most ambitious—to extend her life! This beef brisket was her lifeline for tonight, and perhaps even for the next few days. She had to treat it with the utmost care.
【【【It’s here, it’s here! The dinner segment!】】】
【【【Wow, Ning Meng really got brisket! Such a huge piece!】】】
【【【Look at that meat quality, tsk tsk, the production crew really splashed out!】】】
【【【Angus brisket for 50 points—definitely the highest treatment.】】】
【【【How is she going to cook it? Braised brisket? That’s going to take forever, right?】】】
The gazes of the others drifted toward the island, whether intentionally or not. After all, that piece of brisket was far too eye-catching. Besides, logically, the person who won the top-tier ingredient should be the one with the best culinary skills, right? Though Ning Meng’s previous performance had absolutely nothing to do with the word "culinary."
Qin Zeyu wandered over with his pork belly, looking a mix of resentful and curious. "Ning Meng, how are you planning to cook that brisket? Such good meat—don't waste it."
Ning Meng had just placed the beef on a clean cutting board. She looked up at him upon hearing this. Her gaze was calm, as if she were looking at… well, a piece of mobile pork belly.
"Toothpick beef," she replied concisely.
Her brain was already racing: *Angus brisket, even distribution of fat, tender texture. Making toothpick beef by deep-frying small pieces will lock in the juices to the maximum extent and bring out the natural fragrance of the beef. Marination is key, and heat control is the focus. The System said that ingredient quality, culinary technique, and the final result will all affect the life-extension duration. This meat has a high base score, and as long as I cook it well, the self-cooking bonus will apply… I can extend my life by several days tonight!*
"Toothpick beef?" Qin Zeyu blinked. "Using brisket for toothpick beef? Isn't that a bit… extravagant?" In his experience, regular beef was usually fine for that.
Ning Meng ignored him, turning to wash her hands and carefully putting on the disposable gloves provided by the kitchen. She picked up a chef’s knife that looked reasonably sharp and weighed it in her hand.
【【【Toothpick beef? I also think using brisket is a bit of a waste…】】】
【【【Maybe that’s the only thing she knows how to make? [Dog head emoji]】】】
【【【Don't look down on her, the person above! Mengmeng is the one who found the highest-scoring ingredient!】】】
【【【Young Master Qin got ignored again, hahahaha!】】】
【【【Why do I feel like Ning Meng looks different when she puts on gloves and picks up a knife?】】】
She did look different.
The Ning Meng who had been lazy and indifferent to her surroundings a moment ago seemed to have transformed. Her gaze was focused, fixed on the brisket as if she were inspecting a work of art.
The blade descended, steady and precise.
First, she trimmed away the excess fascia and fat from the edges—she wouldn't waste those either; she would save them to render beef tallow, which would be perfect for stir-frying later. Then, she divided the brisket into large chunks and proceeded to slice them into uniform cubes about 1.5 centimeters square.
Her movements were incredibly fluid, without a hint of hesitation. With every slice, the thickness was consistent and the size uniform. The cubes of beef piled up on the board, a beautiful mosaic of red and white. That flowing, rhythmic precision formed a sharp contrast to her earlier behavior—either quietly eating in a corner or clumsily searching for clues.
The others in the kitchen were gradually drawn in. Lin You stopped taking pictures of her mushrooms to watch curiously. Gu Xinglang and Su Manni’s hands slowed as they deveined their shrimp. Jiang Yuwei’s chopping slowed, her gaze behind her glasses filled with a hint of scrutiny.
Only Lu Jingchen remained still. He hadn't chosen any ingredients; he was just leaning against the bar not far from the kitchen entrance, holding a glass of water. His gaze seemed to fall casually outside the window, but his peripheral vision never left that busy figure.
Her stance while cutting was standard. Her fingers were curled, knuckles pressed against the blade, with the power coming from her wrist—stable and precise.
She was no novice.
Lu Jingchen’s brows knitted together almost imperceptibly. *Who exactly is this Ning Meng?* The background information only described her as an obscure, bottom-tier entertainer with a bit of wit, definitely not a hidden master chef. Yet, the scene before him made his previous judgment waver.
Ning Meng was completely immersed in her own world.
She placed the diced beef into a large basin. Next came the marination. She took light soy sauce, a splash of rice wine, oyster sauce, a bit of dark soy sauce for color, minced ginger, minced garlic (the 3-point garlic she’d found finally came in handy!), and… she hesitated for a moment before adding a small spoonful of sugar and a dash of black pepper.
Finally, the cornstarch. She stretched out her gloved hand and began to give the beef cubes a "massage." Her movements were gentle and even, ensuring every piece was coated in the marinade. Lastly, she drizzled in a little oil and tossed it all together.
A savory, salty aroma of mixed sauces and spices began to permeate the air. It wasn't overpowering, but it was very appetizing.
【【【That knife work… she’s a pro!】】】
【【【Look at her marinating technique, so skilled!】】】
【【【I’m hungry. Just watching her marinate it makes me hungry…】】】
【【【Is she really just a bottom-tier entertainer? Which bottom-tier has such good knife skills?】】】
【【【Could she have practiced specifically for this show?】】】
【【【That’s a conspiracy theory. That level of proficiency isn't something you can practice in a day or two.】】】
The marination needed time to soak in. Ning Meng checked the time; it would take about twenty minutes. Using this gap, she began to prepare the toothpicks.