Chapter 1: With Sweet Words on Their Lips, All the Stars Were Silenced and Blushed!

Mushroom House.

Amid the lively atmosphere, a group of impeccably groomed popular young idols gathered together.

When it came time to order, Li Changfeng, the most prominent guest among them, spoke first: “Teacher Huang, I’d like to have sweet and sour pork!”

“I’ll have the nine-turn large intestine,” said Wu Qian, the second most prominent idol. “I’ve been on the peninsula too long; I haven’t had hometown food in ages.”

The other guests were relatively unknown trainees who naturally didn’t dare make requests in front of their seniors, responding with phrases like “I’m fine with anything” or “Anything works for me.”

Lü Ming, faintly smelling of alcohol and originally dozing off with his eyes half-closed, leaned back in his chair to rest. The babel of voices woke him, and sensing someone nudging him to speak, he had no choice but to follow the topic:

“Could I have a serving of green beans and eggplant, please?”

Everyone around instantly turned to look at him. To mention “green beans” in front of Teacher Huang? Was he courting death?

Even if he had recently been a rising star in the entertainment industry, times had changed. Now his popularity had plummeted to near oblivion—did he still think he was a top star?

Teacher Huang, seated at the head of the table, wore a displeased expression. Despite the cameras broadcasting live all around, he didn’t conceal his seniority as he lectured with a lofty tone:

“Honestly, with all of you here, I don’t feel much because I’m not familiar with you. I have no reason to chat nonsense with strangers. So when you come in and greet me, I’m not particularly enthusiastic, especially since you’ve ordered such a huge spread. It’s exhausting for an old man like me…”

His words changed everyone’s expressions.

Even the online comments exploded instantly:

“Teacher Huang is clearly serving different dishes based on who’s here.”

“This is way too disrespectful to the guests.”

“A bunch of idols who only have looks but no substance—Teacher Huang is already being generous by showing them on screen. What more do they want?”

“Seems like it was Lü Ming mentioning green beans that pissed off Teacher Huang.”

“Don’t they understand emotional intelligence?”

“This is a live broadcast disaster. Teacher Huang has lifelong psychological scars. It’s one thing to joke among equals, but this washed-up top star wants screen time?”

“Green beans and eggplant is just a home-style dish. He didn’t even mention poisonous green beans directly. Why so sensitive?”

“You don’t get it. Since the ‘Poisonous Green Beans Incident,’ that’s Teacher Huang’s sore spot!”

“Poor brother got wrecked by that damned fan!”

“Lü Ming caused this mess; now all the guests suffer. What a troublemaker!”

“If he had any emotional intelligence, he wouldn’t have said those things to Sister Zheng. Just read the chat logs—makes your scalp tingle…”

“Any updates on #ZhengMingBreakup#?”

“Sister Zheng’s studio just leaked a chat screenshot with G. If you haven’t seen it yet, hurry up. Once you do, you’ll understand why the whole internet wants to support Lü Ming!”

…

Wu Qian pointed at Lü Ming, annoyed: “You’re young, able-bodied. If you want to eat something, can’t you make it yourself?”

“Exactly. Teacher Huang is already busy cooking for everyone. Can’t you be considerate and order less? How can he possibly finish all this alone?” Li Changfeng didn’t hold back in his criticism. “Don’t you have any empathy for Teacher Huang?”

The rookie idols quickly chimed in to condemn Lü Ming:

“Apologize to Teacher Huang!”

“Everyone knows you mentioned green beans just to get screen time!”

“Teacher Huang is always kind. How could you make him so angry?”

“Don’t you appreciate what Teacher Huang has done for you?”

“Teacher Huang, I grew up watching your dramas. You just rest—let us cook and call you when it’s ready.”

Though Lü Ming had recently been their idol at the peak, now the internet was full of scandals about him. Faced with such massive popularity, who cared about whether he was still a top star? So many eyes were watching—any chance to grab some heat was a bonus!

Lü Ming smiled.

Li Changfeng: ?

Wu Qian: ?

“What are you laughing at?” they said in unison.

“I’m laughing at how you all are putting on such forced filial piety—smiling with eyes wide, mouths full of ‘filial’ words, an uproarious display of fake devotion!” Lü Ming said with a sigh amid their confused looks. “You’re truly the champions of pretending to be filial!”

“May I ask—are you all even more dutiful to your parents at home than you are now?”

Everyone’s faces froze!

So it was this kind of “filial piety”!

[???]

“Lü Ming has lost it!”

“Even daring to talk back to Fengfeng? Whether Lü Ming is a flop or not, a man whose fame came from a former girlfriend doesn’t have the right to compete with a powerhouse like Fengfeng!”

“He offended all the stars present in one sentence. Ridiculous!”

“Looks like he knows he won’t last long in the entertainment industry, so he’s going crazy, planning to take revenge before he quits.”

“If that’s how you see it, I’ll never get any sleep!”

“Honestly, as a neutral viewer, this isn’t Lü Ming’s fault. The other two top idols are just using him to drag down his popularity. It’s a show about cooking for guests; what’s wrong with him ordering according to the script? If Teacher Huang’s being rude, why blame Lü Ming?”

“Can Lü Ming’s fans please chill!”

“What’s ‘uproarious filial piety’ anyway? His little quip sounds like a tongue twister. I never knew Lü Ming’s attacks were so sharp!”

“Does he have a hidden talent for this?”

“If he’d been this tough earlier, would he have ended up with nothing after chasing Chu Yuxun?”

“@NotChuYuxun, come see your ex!”

…

Idol fans were furious, but onlookers were thrilled. They never expected such a spicy episode on Mushroom House.

Li Changfeng glared: “What! Did! You! Say!”

Damn it, this was a live broadcast across the whole network. How dare a fallen top star go against him publicly!

—

Wu Qian’s handsome face showed anger—perhaps from too long on the peninsula, his hometown dialect sounded a little foreign: “How can you be so shameless!”

“Am I wrong? I ordered this whole table of dishes by myself! Especially with the culinary god Teacher Huang cooking, how many stomachs do you think I have to risk my life like this?”

Teacher Huang, watching from the side, frowned.

What the hell is this washed-up star implying?!

Everyone felt awkward as Lü Ming exposed the truth.

Lü Ming pointed at Wu Qian and shot off: “In cooking, I think you might even be more of an expert than Teacher Huang!”

Wu Qian: “?!”

“How can I compare to Teacher Huang? I don’t know how to cook at all.”

“Look at what you’re saying. I think you’re pretty good at passing the buck. I didn’t even realize what was happening earlier—you instinctively shifted the blame in a second!”

“In my opinion, worldwide, from thirty-year veteran chefs to Michelin talents, none have as much experience as you!”

Wu Qian: “!!!”

Wow!

Damn it, I spent a fortune on the peninsula learning singing and dancing and never faced such a problem.

Faced with Lü Ming’s sarcastic quip, the proud Wu Qian was utterly speechless, unable to retort, shaking with cold fury.

“Lü Ming, this is live! Even if we’re not friends, we’re colleagues under the same roof doing this show. Your words are disrespectful!” Li Changfeng said sternly. “As public figures, I must remind you to control your attitude!”

Lü Ming sneered: “The dog barked. I know he must be hungry, but bro, your bark really caught me off guard…”

Li Changfeng: “?!”

Solid!

Li Changfeng’s fists clenched!

The atmosphere instantly fell into an oppressive silence.

Li Changfeng and Wu Qian were two top idols—one a strong contender to join the “Four Big Young Stars” this year, the other freshly returned from training with the top peninsula boy group XO, a name already thunderous in fan circles with top star status nearly guaranteed.

Everyone stared at Lü Ming in disbelief. How dared a washed-up star speak to two big names like that?

The production crew monitoring backstage data were stunned.

They wanted more dramatic moments for the show, but this was way beyond the line!

Seeing the two popular idols humiliated by Lü Ming, their fans passionately denounced him in the live chat. The director quickly called Teacher He, who was watching from afar, to intervene.

…

“All right, all right, guests are guests. Teacher Huang was just speaking casually. He wouldn’t really refuse to cook for everyone.” Teacher He hurried over, casting meaningful looks at a sullen Teacher Huang.

Reluctantly, Teacher Huang said, “The nine-turn large intestine is a complicated dish. It’s late, I can’t finish it alone. Ming, you come help me.”

Better to help than stay with this bunch who secretly want to drag him down.

He grabbed a bottle of liquor endorsed by the show from the table and followed Teacher Huang into the kitchen.

But to Lü Ming’s surprise, Teacher Huang had no intention of actually cooking. After preparing the ingredients, he made as if to leave.

Lü Ming paused: “Teacher Huang, didn’t you say I’d help you? Where are you going?”

“My back’s been hurting these days. I can’t stand for long. Besides, I’m old and don’t understand young people’s tastes,” Teacher Huang said as if it were obvious. “You’re at a critical point in your career. Young people have to seize opportunities and train themselves!”

“Nowadays, young people are all too restless…”

Teacher Huang immediately took on a serious, lecturing tone.

Lü Ming could tell this old guy just wanted to ditch the work.

He dragged a chair over from the corner. “Teacher Huang, you can sit while cooking!”

Teacher Huang’s face darkened.

Didn’t he understand a simple hint?

Was this really about standing or sitting?

“I’m worried the oil will splash if I sit!”

“That’s okay, Teacher Huang, I’ll shield you!”

“I’m sensitive to the smell of oil smoke and might cough. At my age, if I inhale toxic gases and get sick, can you take responsibility?” Teacher Huang grew impatient.

Lü Ming thought for three seconds and suddenly said, “Didn’t expect this.”

“Expect what?”

“Didn’t expect Teacher Huang to be so delicate. You’re no spring chicken, yet you live like Wang Hao.”

“Who’s Wang Hao?” Teacher Huang asked, puzzled.

“Oh, a classmate from middle school. His parents divorced early; he was selfish and cruel, often bullying others. He did every bad thing imaginable. But when he got a small cut on his finger once, he screamed he was dying!”

“The whole class went with him to the nurse. The doctor said it was lucky it was treated in time, or the wound would have healed…”

“A few days ago, I saw in the class chat that he died young!”

Teacher Huang: “…”

Who the hell wants to hear this gossip?

Wait, is this kid mocking me?

“You mean bad people die young?”

“No, I mean people with cheap lives are always so dramatic!”

“Cheap people are just dramatic!”

Teacher Huang: “?!”

He even wondered if his ears were playing tricks on him.

—

After staring at Lü Ming silently for a moment, Teacher Huang suddenly laughed heartily.

Crazy! This little lamp must have gone mad from the recent scandals and cyberbullying, overwhelmed by pressure, and lost his mind!

“Young man, enjoy your last days in the entertainment industry!” Teacher Huang said coldly, then turned over and went to sleep on the big kang bed in the next room.

Seeing the old man determined to leave the mess to him, Lü Ming naturally refused to cook for the others who wanted to drag him down with bad traffic.

He opened the bottle of liquor from outside and took a gulp.

The sharp, spicy liquor burned down his throat, a fiery sensation in his chest, as if swallowing a red-hot iron block…

[Notification! Detected host drinking ‘Old Village Chief Liquor’ — “Charm” +1!]

Lü Ming said nothing and took another heavy gulp.

[Notification! Detected host drinking ‘Old Village Chief Liquor’ — “Constitution” +1!]

[Notification! Detected host drinking alcohol — “Basic Singing Skill” +10!]

[“Basic Singing Skill” advanced: Lv3!]

[Detected host entering mild intoxication state, triggering ability lottery—]

[Acquired ability: [Make the World Feel Pain]!]

Lü Ming was startled.

This drunkenness-based skill upgrade system was the golden finger he’d gained after transmigrating. Though bizarre, it allowed him rapid progress.

From what he knew, the system ranked basic abilities from LV1 to LV5, leveling up as mastery increased. Level 3 in basic singing skill was comparable to most mentors on music variety shows. Though not as seasoned as veteran singers, it was among the top for new-generation vocalists.

What truly surprised Lü Ming was the triggered lottery upon mild intoxication.

This was the first time since transmigration!

He paused and quickly checked—

[Make the World Feel Pain]: Greatly enhances others’ emotional resonance with you.

Whoa!

This ability’s application was broad…

Overjoyed, Lü Ming took two more gulps. The alcohol’s effects increased; his blinking slowed, and his reactions dulled.

He hadn’t planned to cook for the outsiders, but with the alcohol kicking in, he momentarily forgot his troubles and the scheming around him. Looking at the ingredients on the table, perhaps driven by hunger, Lü Ming fired up the wok and freely enjoyed his private space.

Hearing the exhaust hood running next door, a once concerned Teacher Huang, satisfied with this successful obedience test, turned over and truly fell asleep.

There was no fixed camera in the kitchen. A PD responsible for spot checks came to film at the window.

No one expected that the much-discussed, scandal-ridden top star was seriously cleaning ingredients.

“Lü Ming can really cook?”

“According to leaked chat logs, he often brings meals to Sister Zheng on set, and she never said his cooking was bad. Probably he’s got some skills.”

“Licking so hard only leads to losing everything!”

“So what if he can cook? People with such a pleasing personality are the scariest—they look honest but are extremely controlling, humble before getting what they want, and violent when defied. Lucky Sister Zheng broke up early!”

“Why is he opening the liquor? Drinking during the live broadcast?”

“Probably not. Many culinary traditions use liquor to enhance broths. After simmering, it tastes refreshing. For nine-turn large intestine, it might help reduce greasiness.”

“Could he actually be a cooking prodigy?”

“@OldVillageChief, send money!”

…

The PD glanced at the comments and relaxed, then left the kitchen with the camera to film the idols playing basketball in the courtyard.

Back in the kitchen, Lü Ming washed the large intestine’s surface at the sink, then tossed it carelessly into the pressure cooker, letting the impurities inside simmer with the broth for flavor…

Next, he began stir-frying sweet and sour pork.

Slightly tipsy, Lü Ming grabbed the bottle, took a sip, and stirred seasonings into the ingredients.

His eyes glazed over; the alcohol made him feel euphoric. Seeing two small jars with white granules on the table, he scooped half a pound of salt into the pot, then covered it.

Good thing the PD had left—no one filmed inside.

If anyone saw the pot’s contents, jaws would drop!

The more he drank, the more he felt inspired. While cooking the sweet and sour pork, he started another fire on a different stove to make braised pork with preserved vegetables. Worried he hadn’t added enough salt, he grabbed a full jar of seasoning ready to pour it all in.

The sweet and sour pork sizzled and sprayed salt everywhere!

Lü Ming hurriedly grabbed a spatula to stir, but in his fluster, he accidentally overturned a jar holding at least three pounds of seasoning into the pot!

Shocked, he scrambled to remove the jar.

Looking at the empty jar and the pot full of white granules, he pondered.

Maybe because of the alcohol, the salt inside seemed way more than he remembered.

Perhaps Mushroom House used high-quality salt!

Lost in thought, steam sprayed harder and harder from the pressure cooker.

Ignoring everything, Lü Ming stirred vigorously to blend the flavors!

As the saying goes, elders eat more salt than youngsters eat rice. Though he had fallen out of favor, the young idols outside still had bright futures. Eating more salt couldn’t hurt!

Lü Ming spent two and a half hours in the kitchen.

When he finally brought a large table of dishes out, a ravenous Li Changfeng and Wu Qian eagerly grabbed small stools, ready to show off their feast.

Even a well-rested Teacher Huang was drawn in by the aroma.