The matter today had gone completely out of their expectations, and imaginations, as their detailed and carefully sketched plan had been totally thwarted by some young Cook.
The person feeling the worst was most probably Gao Ruo who had thought that young Chef Chen was just a little naïve and innocent toy in her hands, that she could use as she wished.
Right now she was pissed off, how could this bastard have played so well, and even taken advantage of her like that, and then spoil everything.
She was angry, she wanted to teach him a lesson that he would never forget, but all of a sudden he had become an existence that she couldn't touch.
Even a genius doctor, like Doctor Huang, was unable to cause him harm without a motive right now, so how would she be able to do something like that.
It was even beyond impossible, but the rage and anger in her heart had to be released one day, as she swore to make him regret to ever play with her feelings.
At that moment it was completely forgotten to her that she had been the one to approach the young Chef and use her body to try and control him.
This is what people call a two-faced bi*tch, if things are going according to her wishes, whims, and desires she is walking on the right and just path.
If the opposite happens, or just her wishes don't become a reality, then it's the fault of whoever is closest to her and her goal. In this case, the scapegoat to her feelings was the poor young Chef.
Eric could feel two chilly looks towards him and be able to directly determine who was responsible for it, but he didn't really care much about it.
After all, the owners of those looks didn't have the strength, or the chance to actually do something to him.
The most dangerous between the two could be considered Gao Tianji but even that guy didn't have the strength to go against him.
As for the Ye family behind them, they had bigger worries to occupy their brains with, like the Li family, and the deal between Cui Xie and the Li family.
That's why he had left Li Yao back at the Cui mansion because he wanted to not only announce but also flaunt around the new deal.
Like that he would also force the Li family to take the stage and not pretend. It was the same as pulling a great expert to his team while fighting against his opponents.
As Eric was thinking like that, Doctor Huang was getting more and more enraged. Seeing Eric's, or to be more exact seeing young Chef Chen's actions and countenance he felt like he was being mocked.
After all, this damn brat didn't seem like he was about to take part in a difficult competition but like he was thinking to write some fantasy book.
Unable to bear it, he couldn't help but say in a solemn voice,
"Brat take this seriously, otherwise you are going to regret ever accepting this challenge!"
Those words brought Eric out of his stupor as he looked at this Doctor Huang with a bit of surprise and then said,
"I am taking this seriously! I don't know what do you expect me to do!?"
Doctor Huang couldn't help but get surprised at the calmness and coolness of the brat in front of him. Even he wasn't that calm and cool, as his heart and mind were in turmoil.
After all, there was his reputation, fame, and 50 million dollars in the game!
The only way he could make sense of this situation was as if he thought that Eric didn't have much to lose at this moment.
He had no fame or reputation to care about, and even the money would be provided from the Li family if he lost and didn't have enough.
No matter what, he had to accept that this damn brat had some skills in alchemy and medicine, so the Li family could afford to waste that much money on him.
On the other hand, his money was taken away by his Master for reasons unknown to him. For that reason he had even agreed to the plan of the Ye family, they had offered good money he needed.
So, if he lost this bet, then he would have to find 50 million dollars to give them to the young brat in front of him.
But clearly, that wouldn't be necessary as he was fully confident in his own skills and abilities. Furthermore, this could be considered as an accomplishment on the task that the Ye family gave him.
"Well, without much further ado, I declare the start of the challenge, you have 2 hours!"
Surprisingly neither of the challengers did start to select and process the herbs as soon as Li Saint's voice rang through the room.
Quite on the contrary both of them were just looking towards each other, as if they were trying to defeat the opponent mentally first, and only after through their skills.
The whole room turned weird in a short time, one young man and one middle-aged man looking each other in the eye as if waiting for the first to blink.
This was madness, while everyone expected a majestic challenge that would put everyone else to shame, those two bastards were just looking at each other.
'How long are they gone stare like that at one another!?'
'What is this sham!?'
'Did they fall in love with each other or something!?'
While the first 5 to 10 minutes were bearable, once those minutes passed the whole room became like a ring of whispers.
Everyone had something to say but none of them dared to talk out loud. In fact, even Madam Li couldn't help but approach her elder, and ask,
"Elder, what is going on, why are they only looking at each other in the eye?"
"They are trying to defeat each other mentally, the first to start will be the one to lose, as it will show his lack of security, and the longer time needed to concoct the medicine.
They both seem hard-willed so this will take quite some time, I think!"
"Grandpa seems to value that young cook a bit too much, no!?"
Hearing those words and feeling the tone of evaluation and praise from the Li Saint, Young Master Gao Jian couldn't help but try to make his presence known.
"Hahah~! You can't talk like that, you brat! Don't forget that he was the person to have saved your life, even I wouldn't be able to do so with the kind of poison you had in your system!"
"Really? You aren't lying to me, are you, grandpa!?"
"Why would I need to lie to you brat! If you want to have a chance at returning to the Li family, I suggest you entice him to your side. You have to give him whatever he asks at first!"
"Thank you, grandpa, I will remember this!"
Saying that he willingly or unwillingly turned his head to the side to have a look at his mother who seemed lost in her own thoughts, as a sly and evil grin appeared at the corner of his mouth.
On the other hand, the staring competition between Eric and Doctor Huang didn't seem like it would come to an end soon.
Quite on the opposite actually, it seemed like neither of them was going to give up on the staring contest, as time was ticking by.
Soon, half an hour passed and the two of them were still staring at each other like they had no intention of concocting and refining pills that day.
The crowd was getting angry, and more active with each passing minute, but unfortunately, none of them was heard or cared about.
1 hour passed, and the two challengers were still staring at each other without blinking.
1 hour and 15 minutes, the staring contest continued in full swing, while the people around started calling them cowards, and swindlers.
1 hour and 30 minutes, the staring contest continued, but there were now sweat drops on Doctor Huang's forehead, clearly showing that he was in his last ropes.
On the other hand, young Chef Chen seemed just like a mischievous brat whose prank had succeeded and had no intention of letting it go.
1 hour and 35 minutes, the sweat on Doctor Huang's forehead was starting to go down his face, as he was unable to bear it any longer.
"Hmph~! Don't think you have won!"
With those words, after 1 hour and 36 minutes, Doctor Huang finally lost the staring competition and started selecting and processing the herbs he needed.
Eric had to admit that whoever was the master of this guy was quite good, as he had managed to find more than 40% of the herbs used in making the potions, but there were mistakes as well.
In fact, there was an herb that had a different reaction from its original substitute. While the first reaction was the same, this herb made the potion painful and aided in the deterioration of the muscles.
Eric could tell that problem at one glance, but he didn't feel obliged to explain that. Furthermore, even if he did, the chances of these people not believing him were extremely high.
Thinking like that, he continued to look at fast working doctor Huang for a few more minutes, as he finally started doing the same.
The difference between the two though was more than visible, making the people around think if there was a meaning to this competition…