Chapter 31: Huang Lei Was Stunned: How Did I Get Exposed?!
While rehearsing a skit with Zhao Benshan, Song Dandan saw herself on the celestial screen—vomiting violently—and turned pale with horror.
“I’m already this old, and someone still wants to poison me like this?!”
Zhao Benshan also looked worried.
“Old Song, you’d better think hard about who in the entertainment industry holds a grudge against you!”
“Undercooked kidney beans are highly toxic!”
“This could’ve killed you!”
Song Dandan nodded gravely.
“I’ll remember—raw kidney beans are poisonous.”
“Whoever fed me those must be a real-life ‘Breaking Bad’ villain!”
Several Northeastern celebrities who saw the “sweet and sour pork” dish immediately facepalmed.
Wei Daxun: “Is this even sweet and sour pork?!”
“If this dish showed up in the Northeast, the pig would’ve died for nothing!”
Da Peng: “Now I get why they call him the ‘Breaking Bad Chef.’”
“Every dish is a culinary crime!”
“I wouldn’t dare take a single bite!”
Jia Bing: “Good grief, this isn’t how you cook it!”
“Who made this? They’re ruining good ingredients!”
At Hunan TV, the Happy Family crew was recording a variety show with guest Huang Lei.
When He Jiong saw his celestial screen counterpart drinking rice porridge laced with chili powder and pepper, his expression darkened.
“Who the hell made this for me?!”
“Who’s trying to murder me at breakfast?!”
Xie Na immediately took his side.
“Exactly! Teacher He has the best reputation in the industry—who would prank him like this?!”
Huang Lei, playing detective, stroked his chin knowingly.
“I might have a lead.”
Everyone turned to him curiously.
Smugly, Huang Lei explained:
“First, the celestial screen’s title is ‘Breaking Bad Chef.’”
“That must refer to the person cooking.”
“Based on these three scenes, I think this happened on a variety show!”
He Jiong and the others froze.
Huang Lei’s “analysis” was about as insightful as pointing out that water is wet.
Still, He Jiong played along.
“Wow, Teacher Huang is so sharp!”
“Your deduction skills are truly enlightening!”
Xie Na and the others forced admiring nods, though internally they were rolling their eyes.
Flattered, Huang Lei puffed up even more—until Xie Na noticed something.
“He Jiong, if this really is a variety show, and you’re in it…”
“Could it be one of Hunan TV’s productions?”
He Jiong laughed.
“Impossible! We don’t have any shows where guests come over to eat!”
But Huang Lei’s face suddenly stiffened.
“Actually… I’ve been discussing a new show with Hunan TV.”
“Tentatively called Back to the Countryside—filmed in a rural setting, inviting guests to do farm work and… eat meals I cook.”
“And I planned to have He Jiong host it with me.”
Xie Na blurted out before thinking:
“Wait, then the ‘Breaking Bad Chef’… is YOU?!”
Though Huang Lei had built a reputation as “Chef Huang,” Xie Na had tasted his cooking before.
She knew the title was… generous.
Huang Lei’s smile vanished.
“Me? A ‘Breaking Bad Chef’?”
“Xie Na, is my cooking really that bad?!”
Realizing her mistake, Xie Na panicked and glanced at He Jiong for help.
Quick to mediate, He Jiong said:
“Teacher Huang, she didn’t mean it like that!”
“Even if I’m in those clips, I might just be a guest, not the host!”
“Everyone knows your culinary skills—you’re the legendary ‘Chef Huang’ of showbiz!”
The flattery worked. Huang Lei’s smile returned.
“Of course!”
“My dishes are famously delicious. There’s no way the celestial screen would expose ME!”
The others hurried to agree:
“Absolutely! Teacher Huang’s cooking is divine!”
“The real culprit must be someone else!”
“I’ve tasted it myself—it’s Michelin-star level!”
“Teacher Huang, once the celestial screen reveals who it is, you should teach them a lesson!”
“Honestly, in all of China, only YOU could host such a gourmet show!”
“You’re the true MasterChef!”
Basking in the praise, Huang Lei beamed.
“Naturally!”
“It seems I’m the only one qualified to helm China’s food shows!”
Just then, the celestial screen continued its exposé.
[If not for harsh reality, Huang Lei might truly believe he’s a great cook.]. [Outside acting, he carefully crafted an image as the humble yet skilled ‘Chef Huang.’]. [But reality is cruel.]. [Huang Lei is neither ‘Cooking Master Boy’ nor Stephen Chow—]. [His true identity is China’s ‘Breaking Bad Chef’…].
Huang Lei’s jaw dropped.
“W-What?!”
“How could it be ME?!”
“I’m ‘Chef Huang’! There’s no way I’d make such disgusting food!!!”