“Without further ado, let me present to you the ‘Cream of the Crops’!” Huo Meili excitedly announced. Again, the monitors showed random names and numbers until it stopped. Voices and cheering from the crowd were almost overwhelming. Three names and pictures with the golden, silver, and bronze crowns appeared on the screen followed by the names of other examinees.

1st place: Lu Xinyi (SY Holdings) Final Score: 4.90

2nd place: Ye Xieren (Li Corporation) Final Score: 4.86

3rd place: Tang Lilou (Griffin Entertainment) Final Score: 4.83

“This is insane! The first-timer took the crown!”

“The Shen family won this round!”

“The difference between the three is too close! Ye Xieren was beaten by Lu Xinyi by 0.4 points!”

“Fuck it! I should’ve known the Shen family will send someone so capable, I should’ve placed my bets on Lu Xinyi!”

“It’s too late to regret, Brother.” His companion patted his shoulder and laughed. “It was breakeven for me. I bet on both Shen and Li.”-.

“Shit! Shit! Holy **! I won! I know the chances of Lu Xinyi winning this competition was too low, but damn! Miss Lu! From now on, I’m your number one fan! Please keep up the good work!” Another one cried out. The people around him looked pitiful and envious at the large sum he got.

The list went on and revealed the rest of the passers.

4th place: Meng Jiao (Sun Corporation) Final Score: 4.66

5th place: Yan Chen (Liu Technologies) Final Score: 4.63

6th place: Tang Liang (Griffin Entertainment) Final Score: 4.63

Another surprise hit Surya Rathore when his name came at seventh place.

7th place: Surya Rathore (Independent) Final Score: 4.60

“Please tell me I’m not dreaming,” he mumbled to himself, his eyes fixated on the screen at the stage.

Huo Meili smiled to the examinees and waved a hand at Lu Xinyi.

“May I call in the Cream of the Crop for this year’s entrance exam. The woman who refused to lose and persistently fought her way to make it to the top. Lu Xinyi, please come up in the stage and give your fellow students a short speech.”

Lu Xinyi was shocked when Huo Meili called her name. What? Speech? No one told her she needed to talk in front of these people who accused her of cheating! She tried to seek Shen Yi’s help, but her husband only raise a brow at her! He was aware of the speech she had to make!

‘Damn you, Shen Yi! You’ll pay for this later!’ she thought.

She had no other choice but follow Huo Meili’s request. With her hair down, she looked very small and feminine. Her brown locks highlighted the roundness of her bright eyes. Lu Xinyi joined Huo Meili at the stage and accepted the mic offered to her.

She regarded the crowd who tuned down their voices.

“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting that today’s examination would be intense as it is. It has been a long time since I felt the rush of adrenaline in my blood while cooking. Today’s competition was quite enjoyable although wasn’t easy.”

She paused. Her gaze met Sun Feiyan’s.

“But I don’t plan on losing to someone cooking only for himself! I don’t plan to throw a white towel at anyone who dares to challenge me!”

Her eyes then shifted to her former best friend who glared back at her.

“You plan to obstruct my way? Fine! Don’t expect that’ll be easy for you! I’ll crush you one by one with my dishes!”

The audience gasped at her bold declaration. If they thought they heard enough from Lu Xinyi, they were mistaken. Her next words were enough to shake the ground and foundation of Silver Leaf.

“It is because, I, Lu Xinyi of the Shen family, will become the number one before this school year ends! It doesn’t matter how many students I beat; I will prevail, and I will take the crown this year.”

Shen Yi let out a small smile on his lips. His wife had just challenged every student of Silver Leaf to compete with her. Chairman Han, who was back on his seat, laughed like a madman in Lu Xinyi’s remarks.

“Okay, okay. I see that there’s no need for DNA testing to prove that she’s Lu Sibai’s daughter! She’s his child after all!”

Han Zhiling pinched the bridge of her nose. Was this the calm before the storm? This declaration of war from Lu Xinyi would rile up the other students to force them to do their best to beat her! Maybe, this was a good thing. There wasn’t much competition happened for the past five years. Lu Xinyi might be able to change that.

“Lingyu!” Huang Shenghao sniffed beside Tian Lingyu. “Did you hear what your sister said? She wants to dethrone me! I’m scared, Lingyu. I don’t fight cute little girls.”

“Who said she’s the only one wanted your throne?” Tian Lingyu glared back at him.

“What? Don’t tell me you also want to become number one this year?”

When Tian Lingyu didn’t answer his questions, Huang Shenghao’s eyes flickered with excitement. His friend was willing to compete with him for this year. Something he’d been looking for!

After Lu Xinyi’s speech, they were given their official black chef uniform, indicating that they’re finally part of the academy. Aside from the uniform, Lu Xinyi received a plum blossom brooch representing the Shen family during her stay at Silver Leaf Academy. The brooch itself was presented to her by her sponsor, her husband, who was trying his best to suppress the smile on his lips.

“You did well, love. Congratulations,” he whispered to her.

“This is all thanks to you. I couldn’t reach this far if you aren’t there to support me,” she said with teary eyes. “I love you.”

“As I, you. Now, go. Conquer the world. Show them what Lu Xinyi is capable of.”

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END OF VOLUME 3