The Abnormal Cook

Wang Chao left the office.

He felt very calm. To him, the so-called closed-door special training held no mystery. He could even clearly state every single item that would be carried out during the training, and the exact significance of each item.

In his previous life, he himself had personally organized three provincial team special trainings and seven national team special trainings as the head coach. All the training items were decided by him.

He didn't need any guidance from a national-level coach; he just needed a place to practice.

If he had to find some meaning in the special training, it would probably be that he could encounter more and stronger opponents and improve his actual combat ability.

That was all.

Jiang Shan returned around eleven o'clock, his face beaming with unconcealable joy. Upon seeing Wang Chao, he seemed a little ashamed. He hesitated, then leaned in and whispered, "Brother Chao..."

"Congratulations," Wang Chao said, smiling and patting his shoulder. "Perform well when the time comes, don't embarrass our team."

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Shan blinked. "I wasn't selected."

Wang Chao was stunned.

"Coach Jiang Long said that although I'm very talented, I'm still young, and my performance in this round robin wasn't good enough. So, whether it's you or me who goes, they need to observe for a while longer," Jiang Shan explained. "I was a bit embarrassed just now because I felt this spot should have been yours, but now it's become a competition between the two of us."

Wang Chao pondered for a moment and understood Jiang Long's thinking.

Jiang Long must have had performance targets. If the selected prospects performed too poorly, he would also be criticized by the provincial team's head coach.

Jiang Shan's actual strength was indeed a bit lacking. As for Wang Chao, although he lost yesterday, the actual combat ability he displayed was quite appealing to Jiang Long. Therefore, even though Wang Chao had been uncooperative, Jiang Long still leaned towards recommending Wang Chao.

However, he couldn't lose face. Especially for a coach like Jiang Long, who valued his own authority, face was more important than anything. That's why he deliberately asked Wang Chao to notify Jiang Shan and then deliberately told Jiang Shan this story. This was to put pressure on Wang Chao.

Young people, when they're fired up, can challenge everything and everyone, fearing nothing. But once the emotions cool down, they'll likely make the right choice. What's the big deal about showing a little humility to participate in the special training? He hoped Wang Chao would proactively admit his mistake and obey him after hearing the news. Then, he would give Wang Chao a lecture, bury the hatchet, and they would shake hands as friends. This way, he would have both face and substance.

But...

He first asked me to notify Jiang Shan, and then deliberately had Jiang Shan tell me this story. What was he trying to achieve? Was he trying to create friction between me and Jiang Shan? Perhaps he had also told Wu Li about the current situation. Two spots for three candidates. Was he trying to emulate the ancient story of "two peaches killing three warriors"?

Wang Chao couldn't help but laugh. This coach from the provincial team was quite interesting... However, his plan was likely doomed to fail.

"Brother Chao, what are you laughing about?" Jiang Shan asked from the side.

"Nothing," Wang Chao patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in the special training. This spot is 100% yours."

That afternoon, Jiang Long waited in his office for Wang Chao to come and admit his mistake. However, he waited until the end of the workday and no one showed up. The next day, Jiang Long waited again, but Wang Chao still didn't come.

So, on the third day, after lunch, Jiang Long called Jiang Shan himself and asked if he had told Wang Chao about the competition.

After that, his expression turned completely grim.

"Player Wang Chao, although he has some talent, his foundation is not solid. He is too stubborn, insists on his incorrect beliefs, refuses to listen to the coach, and is undisciplined. It is better to give up."

"Jiang Shan, although young, has extremely high talent. Both his forehand and backhand loop drives are excellent. He has good ball feel and a flexible playing style with no obvious weaknesses. His twist technique is particularly beautiful. Given time, he will surely achieve great things. Recommend."

"Wu Li, there's no need to say more. He is a national team prospect favored by many of our coaches. Recommend."

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Jiang Long personally wrote the names of Wu Li and Jiang Shan on a piece of white paper, stamped and signed it, first notifying Luo Zhihong, and then submitting it. Thus, the spots were confirmed and could not be changed.

Perhaps to provoke Wang Chao, he had Luo Zhihong announce the news immediately. That evening, in the cafeteria, the matter became a hot topic of conversation among the team members during dinner.

Wang Chao was still eating with Jiang Shan. Jiang Shan was in a great mood after being selected and was enthusiastically telling Wang Chao about his future plans, which mostly involved dreams of defeating Luo Jiu, kicking Bai Feng, and crushing Sun Tianlong. As he was talking, he suddenly said, "Brother Chao, why have you been eating with your left hand recently? Are you doing it on purpose? It looks a bit awkward."

"Awkward?" Wang Chao skillfully tossed peanuts into his mouth with his left hand. "Most people find it awkward to see a lefty, but left-handed people don't feel awkward themselves."

"Stop pretending, as if you're actually left-handed," Jiang Shan couldn't help but laugh. "I heard that in the past, a player couldn't handle balls on his backhand due to poor footwork and thought about using two rackets, but was later disqualified by the referee. Brother Chao, you didn't lose to Wu Li and get so stimulated that you're planning something like this, did you?"

Wang Chao smiled and remained silent.

Jiang Shan suddenly stopped smiling, his expression tense. He nudged Wang Chao with his mouth, signaling him to look behind him.

The Cook is here...

The hidden big shot from the cafeteria placed the tray he was holding onto their table, laden with four dishes.

One plate of white cut chicken, one plate of honey-glazed char siu, one plate of sweet and sour pork with pineapple, and finally, a bowl of steaming hot clear fish ball soup.

Looking at the beautifully presented three dishes and one soup, Wang Chao felt his scalp tingle. "Are you tired of Sichuan cuisine, so you've switched to studying Cantonese?"

The Cook didn't say much. He sat down at the next table, and with a "whoosh," everyone eating at the adjacent table scattered.

"Don't ask so many questions," the Cook said, a rare smile gracing his lips today. "Try some?"

He then looked at Jiang Shan. "You too."

Both of them were trembling. For safety, they each scooped a spoonful of fish soup and carefully sipped it. Their eyes brightened, and they said in unison, "Not bad."

The Cook was quite pleased. "I recently discovered that Sichuan cuisine focuses too much on seasoning and not enough on the ingredients, overshadowing the main flavor. It's not suitable for me. Cantonese cuisine emphasizes bringing out the original taste of the ingredients, which fits my temperament better. That's why I changed my research direction, and my culinary skills have greatly improved. Feel free to come and eat from now on, don't worry."

Wang Chao maintained his cautious attitude. He used his chopsticks to pick up just a tiny bit from each of the three dishes. After tasting them, he had to admit that the Cook had truly undergone a complete transformation this time.

However, whether the food was good or not was clearly not the crux of the issue.

"Did you need something from me today, old man?" Wang Chao asked directly.

The Cook refused to answer directly. Instead, he said, "I saw your match against Wu Li. It was very good."

Wang Chao blinked. "So, what exactly do you need from me, old man?"

The Cook asked, "That new technique is also quite interesting. Have you named it yet?"

Wang Chao could only answer the question first. "That technique is called the whirlwind loop, also known as the reverse twist and loop. What do you actually need from me today..."

"I've also heard about the closed-door training," the Cook said, completely ignoring Wang Chao's question. "Jiang Long isn't a bad person, just a bit extreme in his actions. But, kid, you've been pretty headstrong yourself."

Wang Chao gave up on his previous question. He carefully observed the expression on the Cook's face and probed, "So, are you here to comfort me?"

"Comfort? That's not necessary. You're not that fragile," the Cook shook his head. "But I do feel it's a shame for you. You've just entered the industry, and you probably don't understand how beneficial closed-door training is for athletes. It can lead to transformative changes."

He pointed at Jiang Shan. "This little fellow got off easy."

Wang Chao felt that things were starting to get interesting.

In this base, Luo Zhihong was originally the most influential. But after Jiang Long arrived, holding the recommendation slots, he acted like he had authority, subtly overshadowing Luo Zhihong.

And now, was this true dragon, the Cook, unable to stand it and intending to show off his strength?

After all, the Cook had just said that Sichuan cuisine overshadowed the main flavor. This might not be a subtle hint...

"So, would you like to compensate me?" Wang Chao probed. "After all, I suffered such a huge loss."

This was a joke.

When he had bothered the Cook before, he had no ulterior motives. Now, he certainly didn't need the Cook to give him any compensation.

Moreover, as a former national-level coach, the Cook's wealth of experience and insights, while invaluable to others, held no real appeal for Wang Chao.

But what Wang Chao didn't expect was that the Cook actually answered this time.

"I can," the Cook said seriously. "Kid, how about I introduce you to a teacher?"

With a "clang," a loud noise came from beside them.

It turned out that Jiang Shan, who was eating meat, was startled by the Cook's words. His butt slipped, and he fell directly to the ground.