After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 32

32:

The other guests wore knowing expressions, stifling laughs as Yan Zi continued. Such clingy sweetness only existed in the heat of romance or early marriage. Once life’s petty hassles drained them, even routine intimacy felt burdensome.

Xia Chenxu coughed lightly, signaling Yan Zi to stop, worried Xia Yining might get upset. Oddly, he stole glances at his cousin and saw her smiling?

If it were a straight couple, the husband would feel humiliated. But as two women, a bit of obsession wasn’t so demeaning. Still, Jiang Yan’s shameless pursuit had long been mocked behind her back; Yan Zi’s words now added fresh fodder for gossip.

Last night, Jiang Yan had a stir-fry detail unclear and messaged Ding. She got a 4 a.m. reply but hadn’t practiced. En route, she mentally rehearsed steps, simulating countless times, imagination alone brought food’s joy.

She half-tuned out Yan Zi’s words. They weren’t impact-free, but the past couldn’t change; there’s no point arguing.

Xia Yining needed public proof of their closeness but feared overdoing it would shame Jiang Yan, millions would see the broadcast. They were tied together; Jiang Yan’s embarrassment was hers.

Outside the Xia family, she’d ensure Jiang Yan held her head high.

She had planned: if Yan Zi went further, edit it out. Luckily, it stopped at a controllable point.

The host managed well, shifting topics before tension rose. Soon, the main event began: a cooking showdown.

Each couple sent one rep, the primary home cook, gender irrelevant. The other assisted; no cheating, or forfeit.

Yan Zi was eager, glancing at He Youran, who’d donned an apron, looking like a dutiful wife.

She muttered to Xia Chenxu, “When I stir-fry, watch He Youran.”

“Why?” He eyed their prep—pork ribs, likely braised.

“I can’t let her win!”

Xia Chenxu shook his head helplessly, neutral. He Youran’s prior barbs belittled housewives.

“It’s better to watch you, it’s much safer.”

Yan Zi huffed. “What’s your point?”

“I’m afraid you’ll panic, mess up, cause an accident. That way when I watch you I’ll be able to save you fast.”

She couldn’t argue, fuming. She’d prove her practice wasn’t wasted.

Xia Yining was nearby; cookies needed simple ingredients. Jiang Yan unpacked and arranged them.

Yan Zi watched enviously, sighing. “Ningning’s so lucky because Xiao Jiang’s so thoughtful.”

Xia Chenxu never handled this at home; he joined for exposure, his company presence lagged his brother’s.

He realized Yan Zi led; her entertainment years outshone his variety skills.

“If you can’t do it, don’t push, just switch projects.” He worried about her eagerness.

“You always undermine me.”

The host called start; all fired up. Yan Zi realized she forgot her special sauce—chef-made, crucial today, and sent Xia Chenxu to get it.

He hadn’t gone far when a scream rang out, unmistakably hers. He spun to see flames erupting from her stove, it was very dangerous.

Xia Yining reacted faster, yanking Yan Zi back from the fire. The staff extinguished it quickly; and everyone exhaled.

Xia Chenxu rushed over, grabbing her hand. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Yan Zi, usually camera-conscious, teared up. “Honey, my wrist’s burned.”

She rolled her sleeves to shine, exposing her tender skin.

“Anywhere else?”

Feeling his rare concern, she amplified the pain. “Just there, but it hurts so much.”

Jiang Yan jumped at the scare; only reacting as Xia Yining dashed did she follow, it was too late. Both were safe, but she couldn’t help: “You’re so brave.”

“I didn’t think—I was just the closest, so I had to help.”

Jiang Yan checked her. “You’re not wrong, but that was too dangerous.”

Yan Zi’s injury disqualified her. Production paused for emotions to settle. Jiang Yan noticed Xia Yining’s pallor and her right hand unmoving.

“Are you okay?”

Xia Yining stood to resume, calm. “I’m fine.”

Jiang Yan grabbed her right hand, her fingertip blistered.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Xia Yining tried pulling away, holding firm, sighing. “It’s just a minor injury. I can take care of it when I get home tonight.”

But when Xia Yining tried to continue, the pain was worse than she’d imagined. Jiang Yan couldn’t bear to see her trying so hard, so she waved her hand to signal the production team to pause and restart, and then told the director about Xia Yining’s condition.

The director was really concerned, and after Xia Yining took first aid, he didn’t force her to continue competing. Now, all the Xia family members have withdrawn from the competition, which seems to have lost a lot of highlights. But no one dared to force the two injured to play, as the consequences of offending the Xia family would be serious.

The other guests didn’t show it on their faces, but they were actually secretly happy in their hearts. The focus of this episode will definitely not be the Xia family. They have been suppressed by Xia Chenxu and his wife for two episodes, and they thought they would continue to be runners-up in this episode.

Heaven helped.

So the remaining couples put in their best efforts. The originally hopeless first place seemed to be within reach, and who would remain indifferent?

The main pairs were sidelined, and the production team had to temporarily adjust the script. For a while, the recording was completely stagnant.

Jiang Yan saw Xia Yining’s unease, assuming anger.

“I don’t want your injury to get any worse. Burns can be a minor injury or a major one.” This is a phrase often said by bosses who have been cooking for many years, and Jiang Yan somehow remembered it.

It doesn’t matter if you get burned. What’s important is to deal with it promptly and properly. Jiang Yan didn’t want Xia Yining’s perfect fingers to be left with any marks because of this accident. Even if Xia Yining was angry, she didn’t regret her decision.

“I’m not mad, I’m just ashamed. I’ve been preparing for so long, but I don’t even have the chance to start.”

Seeing her downcast profile, Jiang Yan volunteered. “Let me do it.”

Xia Yining doubted her skills, eating didn’t mean cooking.

“Don’t force yourself, just think of it as bad luck today.”

Yan Zi couldn’t let go. She didn’t know whether it was because of pain or anger.

Xia Chenxu eyed her wrist. “No more, you’re done.”

“Honey, can you go? I can’t let Youran win, I’d die mad.”

“At this point, you’re still competing? She earns it fair, whoever wins is fine.”

Seeing Yan Zi’s aggrieved and unwilling expression, Jiang Yan, remembering her recent bold statements during kitchen practice, felt it would be a shame to completely give up, so she decided to discuss it with the directors.

The result was that Jiang Yan would represent the two Xia family couples in the competition, requiring her to prepare two copies, with no duplication.

Hearing she’d step up, Yan Zi, tears lingering, scooted to Xia Yining, excited. “Ningning, Xiao Jiang was prepared?”

Seeing Jiang Yan already preparing, her movements were so skillful that anyone unfamiliar with her would mistake her for a regular cook.

Only Xia Yining shook her head slightly, “She went up because she had no choice.”

Her tone sounded pessimistic. Yan Zi’s heart, which had just risen, began to sink again. But having someone participate was still a little more hopeful than simply withdrawing.

“Just beat He Youran.” Minimum goal set.

Jiang Yan did Yan Zi’s first, her ingredients, skipping special sauce. She had the crew fetch seasonings, shielding ratios and order.

Yan Zi and Xia Yining watched intently, amused by her serious shielding.

“Ningning, Xiao Jiang looks like a pro, hiding behind ‘secret recipe’ mystique.”

Xia Yining never saw Jiang Yan cook seriously, she never thought she could.

But as Jiang Yan deftly drained chilled noodles into the hot wok, added seasonings steadily, mixed meat, greens, mushrooms—the enticing aroma spread.

The host, being closest to the table, was the first to swallow. This reaction was clearly transmitted through the microphone in his hand, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Jiang Yan was intensely focused, her timing perfectly controlled, and she diligently recalled the details emphasized by Ding, striving to perform to her fullest. She hadn’t practiced much, relying solely on instinct and understanding, and naturally couldn’t reach Ding’s level.

Still, leagues above Yan Zi. Close-up: glossy, springy stir-fry drew cheers.

For Xia Yining’s turn, the host, warmly fawning, grinned. “Subbed brilliantly for Second Sister-in-Law. Now for your wife, what’s up your sleeve?”

Yan Zi savored a sample, confidence soared, teasing Xia Yining.

“Ningning, what do you think Xiao Jiang will bake the cookies in?”

Xia Yining, surprised yet expectant, regretted not practicing together.

Jiang Yan smiled. “My wife planned cookies, so I’ll make pancakes: scallion pancakes.”

The guests, who had been nervous about her performance, couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of scallion pancakes. Scallion pancakes seemed a bit too simple, sprinkle some scallions on the dough, grease it with oil, and fry it.

But as she kneaded, the atmosphere shifted, unexpected rigor and rhythm. Force control masterful; she sensed the dough’s firmness, with her eyes-closed.

Smoother than stir-fry, seamless flow.

The host, beside her, teared up, pleading. “Can I have one?”

He admitted that he was too involved, but this taste was really what his grandmother would bring back when she went to the market to buy vegetables when he was a child. At that time, he only knew to wait for it at home. If he still wanted to eat it, he would beg his grandmother to buy it tomorrow, but he never paid attention to which vegetable market or stall she bought it from.

Later, foods filled life but not that craving. Seeking it, he found an old home razed, market rebuilt—and the only grandmother who might still remember where to find the stall had passed away long ago.

The familiar taste yanked him to the cherished past, reconnecting with his long-lost Grandma.