Siheyuan: Tathagata's Palm suppresses the entire courtyard!

The anger in Xu Mingjie's heart gradually subsided, replaced by a strong motivation. He knew that the road ahead would still be full of challenges, but he was no longer afraid of these doubts and criticisms. He would continue to pursue excellence on this culinary road, and no matter how many storms he encountered, he would move forward firmly.

The two chatted for a while, and He Yuzhu said goodbye and left. Xu Mingjie stood in the kitchen, reorganizing his thoughts. At this moment, he was more determined than ever before. He understood that a true chef must not only have superb skills, but also have a peaceful heart. He was ready to meet the next challenge, make every dish well, feel it with his heart, and create it with his heart.

Xu Mingjie stood in front of the stove. Although the temperature in the kitchen was high due to the blazing fire, he felt a chill coming from behind him, as if the chill went straight into his bones, causing him to shiver slightly. This feeling had come up from time to time in the past few days. No matter how hard he tried to concentrate, he would feel that inexplicable chill lingering behind him.

He took a deep breath and tried to focus on the task at hand. But the chill seemed to grow stronger, and even gave him the illusion that he was being watched by some invisible force. Xu Mingjie frowned slightly, wondering what was wrong with him? Was it because of the recent stress that caused this weird feeling? Or was he too nervous and even his body was reacting strangely?

He put aside these distracting thoughts for the time being and continued to process the ingredients. But every time he relaxed for a moment, the chill would follow him like a shadow, making it difficult for him to fully devote himself to his work. Finally, he couldn't help it anymore and looked around. Everything in the kitchen seemed normal, with the familiar environment, familiar utensils, and even colleagues busy at work, but the uneasiness was still lingering.

"What's wrong? You don't look well. Are you too tired recently?" Li Xiaoqiang's voice came from the side, interrupting Xu Mingjie's thoughts. He looked up and saw Li Xiaoqiang looking at him with concern.

Xu Mingjie forced a smile and shook his head: "It's okay, maybe I haven't rested well recently, so I feel a little weird."

Li Xiaoqiang put down the knife in his hand, looked at him carefully, frowned: "Are you really sick? Or is there something on your mind that makes you so anxious?"

Xu Mingjie sighed, and felt that he was a little too tense. He recalled the recent pressures, from the competition to the questioning of his dishes, to the constant self-challenges. All the burdens seemed to overwhelm him in an instant. He knew that he needed to relax, but he didn't know how to let go completely.

"Maybe," Xu Mingjie smiled helplessly, "I always feel a little blocked in my heart recently, and I don't know how to adjust it. With a hint of sarcasm, he said: "Mingjie, we are old friends, just say anything if you have anything to say, don't keep it in your heart. Otherwise, let's go for a drink tonight and relax? Maybe you will feel better this way. He felt a little warmer in his heart, and Li Xiaoqiang's suggestion made him feel relaxed. Perhaps he really needed to walk out of the kitchen, temporarily away from the smoke and heat waves, and give himself a chance to breathe.

"Okay, let's go tonight." Xu Mingjie nodded, and suddenly he felt that the chill in his heart seemed to have faded a little. After all, he knew that he had a friend like Li Xiaoqiang around him, who could always give him help and support when he needed it most.

After a full day of work, Xu Mingjie and Li Xiaoqiang walked out of the restaurant together. It was already dark outside, and the cool breeze of the autumn night blew on Xu Mingjie's face, making him feel comfortable and relaxed. The two of them randomly found a pub, ordered a few beers, and sat down in a corner.

"Mingjie, you know, I've known you for so long, but I've never seen you so haggard." Li Xiaoqiang said as he poured beer, with a hint of concern in his tone.

Xu Mingjie picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and felt a little emotional. "Qiangzi, I really feel a little overwhelmed recently. Maybe I set too high standards for myself, always wanting to do better, but the more I do this, the more pressure I feel. Even when I rest, I feel uneasy."

Li Xiaoqiang nodded, showing his understanding. "You work too hard, Mingjie. I know you always pursue perfection, but sometimes you have to give yourself a chance to breathe. Otherwise, if you continue like this, you will tire yourself out sooner or later." But he felt a little unwilling in his heart. He knew that what Li Xiaoqiang said made sense, but the obsession in his heart was hard to let go easily. He thought of those doubts, and the chilly feeling he felt from time to time in the kitchen, and an inexplicable irritation surged in his heart.

"Qiangzi, do you think I care too much about what others think?" Xu Mingjie suddenly asked, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.

Li Xiaoqiang put down his glass and looked at him seriously: "Mingjie, I don't think you care about other people's opinions, but you set too high standards for yourself. You always want to do your best, but in fact, no one can always be perfect. You have to learn to accept imperfections and learn to let go."

Xu Mingjie smiled bitterly, but he felt touched. He understood what Li Xiaoqiang meant, and knew that he really needed to learn to relax, but the anxiety and uneasiness from deep in his heart could not be put down just by saying so.

"Maybe you're right. I should learn to relax." Xu Mingjie sighed and looked up at the night sky. Outside the window of the pub, the light of the street lamps shone on the ground, and the breeze blew, giving people a sense of peace. This peace made Xu Mingjie feel a little comforted, but the chill hidden in his heart was still looming.

Li Xiaoqiang saw Xu Mingjie's expression and knew that the knot in his heart had not been untied, so he changed the topic and talked about their past interesting things, trying to make Xu Mingjie feel more relaxed. As the two chatted, Xu Mingjie smiled more and more, as if the chill was finally dispelled by the concern of friends and alcohol.

Late at night, the two walked out of the bar, and Xu Mingjie's steps were much more relaxed. He felt the night wind blowing on his face, the chilly feeling was still there, but it didn't seem so biting at this moment. Perhaps, he needed more moments of relaxation like this, instead of putting too much pressure on himself.

After returning home, Xu Mingjie finished washing up and lay on the bed, his mind still echoing with the conversation with Li Xiaoqiang tonight. He knew it, but at least tonight, he felt a long-lost sense of peace.