I Became a Master Chef by Memorizing Classical Poems [Gourmet]

Chi Taoyao has just received her diploma from a top-tier university.

She opens her eyes and finds herself transmigrated into an old-fashioned, melodramatic novel she once read, as a cannon-fodder supporting female character who dances at a bar.

Bad news: She graduated from a top-tier university and ended up dancing at a bar.

Good news: She gets bound to a System.

Bad news: The System can increase the supporting heroine's innocent, delicate aura by reciting classical poetry.

Good news: She can boost it in all sorts of ways, through color, aroma, taste, presentation, mood, and more.

Chi Taoyao thinks it over, quits her bar-dancing job, and decides to set up a food stall near the CEO's workplace.

Chi Taoyao sells sweet soups.

As she makes them, she silently recites:

"Green vines lie across soft sand, resisting frost; year after year, watermelons are eaten everywhere."

"One smile turns a hundred charms to life; all the beauties in the palace grow pale."

After tasting the sweet soup, customers find it melts in their mouths, with a soft, grainy texture and a sweetness that warms the heart.

Chi Taoyao's mango pomelo sago, taro balls with fresh fruit, and berry jelly all become huge hits.

Chi Taoyao sells jianbing.

"Slender hands knead the dough to an even, jade-like hue; fried in green oil, it turns tender and golden."

"Sparse shadows cross clear shallows; a faint fragrance drifts beneath the moon at dusk."

People passing Chi Taoyao's stall catch the aroma of the pancakes from far away and can't help stopping. One bite, and the golden, crispy jianbing is so delicious that they want another.

Chi Taoyao sells glutinous rice balls in fermented rice wine.

"Newly brewed wine, green as ants; a little clay stove glows red."

"Drunk, I forget the sky is reflected in the water; my boat is laden with dreams beneath a river of stars."

After drinking it, customers find the wine fragrant but not at all harsh. It leaves them feeling light and warm all over, as if they'd stolen a leisurely half-day from life.

They cast all worldly concerns from their minds, feeling relaxed all over, as though every blocked meridian had been opened.

Chi Taoyao forgets the original novel's plot, her role as cannon fodder, and everything else.

All she thinks about every day is reciting classical poetry, reciting classical poetry, and reciting classical poetry.

The more she recites, the more delicious the food she makes becomes.

The more reputation points she earns, the more slots she gets for adding classical poetry cards whenever she cooks.

Later, Chi Taoyao turns her little stall into a shop, grows the shop into a chain, and eventually builds a world-famous restaurant brand.

1. The classical poems used are from Fan Chengda's "Watermelon Garden," Su Shi's "Han Ju," Bai Juyi's "Song of Everlasting Regret," Bai Juyi's "A Note to Liu Nineteen," Tang Wenru's "Inscribed at Longyang County's Green Grass Lake," and Lin Bu's "Little Plum Blossoms in the Mountain Garden."

2. A laid-back story about running a business, not a power fantasy. The focus is on food, business, and cozy everyday life.

Theme: Knowledge is productivity