Chapter 243 - Cheating

After Angela finished reading the question, the entire room went quiet. No one pressed their button. They wanted to curse at the ones making the questions. Is this a culinary competition in east or in the west, why do they keep asking questions not related to Chinese cuisine. 

The production crew didn't expect this situation, so they hadn't put in any rules for where no one knew the answer. The rules only stated if someone's answer is wrong, then they get a point deducted. But with no one being able to answer, they didn't know what to do. They couldn't deduct a point from everyone, as that would be too unfair. 

They hoped that Cheng Kecheng could answer the question.

Feeling everyone stare at him, Cheng Kecheng wanted to find somewhere to hide. He couldn't answer, as he didn't know the answer. If he tried to answer and it's wrong, then it would even be worse. He would look like a dumbass, failing to show off. 

Even the MC's and Judges couldn't help but feel awkward, seeing the production crew talking between themselves. Even though it's only 1 point deducted, the 1 point could mean the difference between going to the next stage or not. Meng Zhong was ready to step in and act like they had read the wrong question.

Wang Ming, who had been quiet for so long, pressed the button. Seeing his button light up, the production jubilated. They had completely forgotten that Wang Ming had told them about Chef Peter. Since this is a question about western cooking, then he should know about it! 

Gazing at him. Everyone wanted to know what Al dente means. A few chefs sighed with a breath of relief. Someone would take the fall for them. It didn't matter if Wang Ming's answer was wrong or right. If he's right, then good for him but if he fails, then he would get deducted a point and lose face. 

"Al dente means to the tooth and is a term used when cooking pasta. The term also means the ideal consistency for pasta, which is cooked until it's firm when bitten, not mushy and can still hold its form."

"That's correct! Very impressive Mr. Wang! I didn't think anyone would get this one, not even you, as this is an Italian term."

"Thank you, I'm just lucky."

A few chefs backstage clapped to Wang Ming's answer. They had never heard about a term like that. Even if they did, they probably wouldn't remember. They felt impressed by Wang Ming's knowledge and memory. They didn't know why Wang Ming didn't answer more questions earlier, but they wouldn't doubt his knowledge anymore. 

All the people who had bet on him all cheered, seeing Wang Ming finally answer a question again. As long as Wang Ming keeps advancing and wins the finals, they would get a lot of money. 

"Next question, is easy. What differs in the famous dish Ma po tofu compared to normal tofu?"

Every chef gunned for the button. This is the easiest question so far. The Ma po tofu dish has more than a 100 year history! Almost every person in China has tried this dish once. But their happiness didn't last long, as Wang Ming pressed the button faster than everyone there again. They had all hoped that Wang Ming would stop pressing the button. 

"Ma po tofu is an incredibly famous dish, the reason for its popularity is that it uses pepper powder which is commonly used in Sichuan cuisine and is also enriched by ground beef and chopped green onion."

"Correct! With this answer right, Wang Ming and Mr. Cheng Kecheng are neck and neck! Both have 27 points, will the dark horse come on top or the favorite? This is so exciting!"

Cheng Kecheng didn't like being compared to Wang Ming, he's a well-established chef they should compare him to Zhang Hou not Wang Ming. He has to win this round to prove to everyone he's the best! Even though losing the other times hit his confidence, it didn't feel too bad as he lost to talented and experienced chefs. What irked him the most is that most of the questions Wang Ming answered he could answer as well, but Wang Ming was just too fast.

"Please explain the cooking method called Hong Shao."

Cheng Kecheng observed Wang Ming all the way. He wanted to see if Wang Ming somehow cheated with the button. He had pressed the button as fast as he could before, even pressing on the button multiple times before they even asked, but yet Wang Ming was the one who got the turn every time.

Staring at Wang Ming's hand, Cheng Kecheng rejoiced. He had caught Wang Ming right in the act. Wang Ming didn't even press on the button but still his button lighted up. He finally understood what happened. Wang Ming and Zhang Hou cheated, they had somehow cheated the button and Wang Ming would get the chance to answer if he knew the answer. He didn't know what the signal was, but he was sure this is how they're cheating.

"Hong Shao, is. Cooking over prolonged heat while the ingredients are completely immersed in a soy sauce base. It's commonly used for eggs."

"Correct! Wang Ming's on 28 points now."

"What makes Chinese cuisine unique?"

Hearing this question everyone on stage wanted to answer, as Chinese cuisine is their pride. If there's one question they should get right, it's this question. But once again it was Wang Ming who had pressed the button before everyone else.

"What makes Chinese cuisine unique is each recipe and every, meat, vegetable, spice holds a meaning. Our cooking methods are always about balance. F.example that's why we eat rice as it's known for prosperity, eggs is sign of fertility. You not only get good food eating Chinese dishes, but they hold a significant meaning each recipe."

"Well said, Mr. Wang!"

Wang Ming then answered the next question in the same fashion and became the first person to get through to the next stage. The production crew played loud applause sounds they had prerecorded. Even Zhang Hou couldn't help but clap his hands. Even though he believed in Wang Ming, he didn't think that Wang Ming would be the first to qualify in front of everyone else.

But at this moment Cheng Kecheng finally struck. "Wait!" He had waited patiently until Wang Ming got through to the next stage, as he wanted to kick him down while he's on his highest. This also to regain his face. "I think Wang Ming is cheating, and the one helping him is none other than Mr. Zhang Hou!"

"What?!" The entire room went into an uproar. Everyone looked at Wang Ming and Zhang Hou. Many felt torn, as they didn't believe that Zhang Hou would cheat. If he wanted to cheat, he could have won the competition ages ago.

Zhang Hou became red with anger and shouted at Cheng Kecheng. "What are you saying?! Mr Cheng, unless you have apparent proof, then be careful of what you're saying. I can sue you for defamation!"

Cheng Kecheng laughed and said. "If you don't want people to find out, then don't do it."

Wang Ming still stood on the stage, looking confused. He had nothing wrong, so he didn't understand how Mr. Cheng had come to such a conclusion. But he had to clear his name. If people truly believe that he's cheating, then no one would eat at his restaurant anymore.

"Mr. Cheng, what proof do you have that Mr. Wang is cheating?" Meng Zhong didn't believe that Zhang Hou and Wang Ming's cheating, he has been friends with Zhang Hou for many years, he had no doubts about his character.

"Mr. Meng, you might have noticed that Wang Ming is faster than everyone here to press the button. I've tried many times to time the button before him, but it hasn't worked a single time. So I got curious, I observed his hand for the last two questions and I noticed he isn't pressing his button, they have somehow rigged the system so even if he doesn't press the button, he still gets to answer."

"How, is that possible?"

"I don't know, but what I know is that he has a sign. When he does the sign, he gets to answer. I saw it the last two times he answered!"

Wang Ming wanted to laugh. His hand had been itching the last two rounds, so he itched his hands before pressing the button and Cheng Kecheng misunderstood it for him doing a sign. Wang Ming had nothing to hide, so he wasn't nervous.

"Well, why don't we just look at the footage? I know I'm pressing the button for every question I answer. Maybe your eyes are too old to see?"

"You! You brat, I caught you red-handed don't even try to cover it up."

"I'm not. We have so many cameras here one of them must have caught me pressing the button."

To help Wang Ming, Meng Zhong chimed in. "Cheating accusations are huge, we take them very serious! To be transparent, let us all watch, including the ones at home, the footage of Wang Ming."