Cupid's Kitchen Episode 20 Recap
> Cupid's Kitchen Recap
Elise revealed to her mother that Jiang Qianfan had expressed a desire to reunite with her, which she hadn't agreed to. She felt deeply unsettled by the contract and pleaded with her mother to return it so they could pretend nothing had happened. Madam Quentin questioned if Elise's discomfort was solely due to the contract, stating that while some things were irreversible, the contract wasn't too late to change.
However, she refused to relinquish the financial gains she had secured, deeming Elise's feelings for Jiang Qianfan an "unreliable relationship," and dismissed the conversation, advising Elise to prepare for bed. The next morning, Jiang Qianfan woke Lin Kesong and offered to teach her how to make seafood soup for breakfast. He emphasized the precise steps for adding cooking wine and Carolina Reaper Chili to achieve optimal flavor, contrasting it with her earlier attempt that had been overly spicy.
Lin Kesong confided her anxiety about possibly failing to qualify for the top four again, recalling a past incident involving the notoriously hot chili. Jiang Qianfan then presented her with a four-leaf clover, explaining it symbolized good luck and that "when you are okay, I'll be okay." Lin Kesong cherished this sentiment, acknowledging the immense pressure Jiang Qianfan, the "invincible god of the kitchen" who had never failed, faced. She resolved to perform her best in the upcoming competition.
Before the competition, Jiang Qianfan carefully helped Lin Kesong tie her scarf, reassuring her that all preparations were complete and she was capable of doing well. His words left Lin Kesong feeling calm and confident. The second round, ominously titled "Thrill," began with contestants challenged to incorporate the formidable Carolina Reaper Chili, known for its extreme heat, into their dishes.
The host emphasized that each chef received only one pepper, warning that consuming it would cause a burning sensation in internal organs. During the live broadcast, Blu was seen stir-frying his chili. Lin Kesong, attempting to follow Jiang Qianfan's advice, rinsed her chili in water for one and a half seconds. However, tasting the chili water unexpectedly reminded her of Jiang Qianfan, prompting her to cook the chili directly in her pot.
The host expressed confusion over Lin Kesong’s method, as she appeared to be boiling the chili without adding any of its potent spice to her dish, subtly reminding viewers that the competition was about incorporating spice. Meanwhile, Elise, seizing the opportunity while her mother was at the competition, frantically searched her home for the contract. Watching the live broadcast from a lounge area, Boris joined Jiang Qianfan, correctly anticipating that Lin Xiaoyu would create a spicy foie gras dish.
Boris reminisced about their former mentor, Montgomery, who believed Jiang Qianfan excelled in every culinary aspect except spicy foie gras sauce, always preferring Boris's version, even over his own. Jiang Qianfan agreed, recalling a particularly joyful day when the three of them celebrated with vodka, drinking until they were all drunk the following morning. Jiang Qianfan poured a drink, reminding Boris they couldn't afford to get drunk today.
Boris affirmed, then added that he still intended to "find trouble" for Jiang Qianfan after the competition, before they raised their glasses in a toast to Montgomery. As the competition entered its final minute, customers at Lin Xiaoyu's private kitchen grew increasingly frustrated. Lin Feng and his chefs were completely engrossed in watching the live broadcast on their phones, with one chef even nervously urging Lin Feng to stop shaking.
After the cooking time concluded, the host first interviewed Lin Kesong about her unusual technique. Lin Kesong explained her initial plan was to make Spicy Seafood Rice by boiling the chili, as Jiang Qianfan had taught. However, she accidentally dropped the chili into a pot that was too hot. Realizing the water was now excessively spicy for her dish and that starting over would compromise the chili's flavor, she decided to improvise, using the chili's aroma to enhance her creation.
The host praised her unique approach, expressing hopes for her success in this round. Observing from the sidelines, Boris complimented Lin Kesong’s cleverness to Jiang Qianfan, who, in turn, returned the compliment about Boris's own apprentice. The host then announced the results, noting that only four contestants had successfully incorporated the Carolina Reaper Chili. Lin Xiaoyu was awarded first place for her innovative method of extracting the chili's spiciness with apple cider for her foie gras.
Victor placed second, but his inability to accept the result led him to leave the venue prematurely. Lin Kesong secured fourth place, a result that delighted Lin Feng and his chefs at her private kitchen. Lin Kesong's parents, each trying to conceal their interest from the other, secretly watched her competition. Her mother pretended to go to the restroom, while her father covertly watched on his phone.
Upon learning of her fourth-place finish, they separately called Lin Kesong to congratulate her, each conspiratorially instructing her not to reveal to the other that they had been watching. However, their secret was comically exposed when they met up shortly after, both coincidentally suggesting they go out for spicy food. Song Yiran’s elder brother demanded that he propose to Chu Ting without delay. Song Yiran argued that their relationship had not yet reached that stage.
His brother countered by citing his own marriage, which began without deep feelings that later developed. He insisted that with their parents gone, Song Yiran had to heed his advice on such a significant matter. He clarified that while Chu Ting's acceptance was her choice, Song Yiran’s decision to propose was entirely his, confidently asserting that a sincere proposal would surely be accepted. Feeling helpless, Song Yiran requested time to prepare for the proposal, to which his brother agreed.
Outside the competition venue, Lin Xiaoyu confronted Lin Kesong, accusing her of being "scheming" and claiming that the spicy vapor from Kesong's nearby pot had affected her foie gras, hindering her ability to control its spiciness. Despite her victory, Lin Xiaoyu continued to insult Lin Kesong, disparaging her father and proclaiming, "the daughter takes after the father."
Driven past her breaking point, especially by the insults directed at her father, Lin Kesong slapped Lin Xiaoyu, initiating a physical altercation where Lin Xiaoyu retaliated by grabbing Kesong's hair. Blu quickly intervened to separate them, calling for Jiang Qianfan and Boris, who eventually pulled the two apart. Boris then escorted Lin Xiaoyu away, reminding her of her win and her upcoming media interviews, while Lin Kesong yelled after her.
After Lin Xiaoyu departed, Lin Kesong, still agitated but triumphant, thanked Jiang Qianfan, claiming his four-leaf clover had brought her luck, leading to victories in both the competition and the fight. Jiang Qianfan playfully disagreed about her "win" against Lin Xiaoyu, noting her opponent's greater physical strength. He then asked about the inspiration for her dish, specifically her mention of "aroma" during the interview. Lin Kesong coyly told him to guess, then hinted that her inspiration was connected to him.
Thomas summoned Jiang Qianfan, Boris, Lin Kesong, and Lin Xiaoyu to the competition room. He played a replay of their fight, expressing his dismay at their behavior, questioning if they were there for a culinary competition or a "Sanda tournament." He then announced that both Lin Kesong and Lin Xiaoyu would receive a warning.
When Lin Xiaoyu tried to argue that Kesong had struck first, Thomas cut her off, stating that the reason was irrelevant; the fact that they fought was what mattered. He warned them that any further physical altercations would result in the disqualification of their mentors and their own immediate expulsion from the competition, as per the rules for accumulating two or more warnings. During the replay, Boris noted Xiaoyu’s win on scores, while Jiang Qianfan said Kesong showed more momentum.
Furious at his second-place finish, Victor prematurely left the arena and violently damaged his motorcycle before taking it to a repair shop. K-Sister, the mechanic, observed the severe damage and Victor's unscathed appearance, sarcastically praising his "lightness skill." Victor, however, was rude, demanding she fix it.
When K-Sister refused to serve him, calling him "under-aged" and chastising him for venting frustrations on his vehicle, Victor insulted her, calling her a "menopausal woman" who was "grumpy and unstable," then abandoned the bike, daring her to fix it or not. Upon returning home, Victor declared his intent to go back to England, calling the competition "stupid" and a "joke" because someone had outscored him, despite his "favor" of participating.
His mother, recognizing his difficulty in accepting second place, sternly rebuked him, stating that "only the weak protest." She reminded him that all top culinary figures, including herself, had come through this competition, and her mentorship was intended to bring him glory. She emphasized that the competition tested not just culinary skill but also willpower, urging him not to abandon their hopes. She added that her biggest concern was spoiling him too much, but she believed he would persevere.
Meanwhile, Jiang Qianfan, observing Lin Kesong’s lack of physical strength, attempted to teach her core and upper body exercises, teasing her about her distraction and inability to focus, suggesting it hindered her ability to "win fights." He even brought up Elise, claiming she could lift twice the weight, which clearly displeased Lin Kesong. Concurrently, Lin Feng, anxious for news, discovered the official reprimand for Lin Kesong and Lin Xiaoyu online.
Enraged that his supposedly "excellent" daughters had fought publicly and received a warning, he summoned them both home. At the family meeting, Lin Feng demanded to know who initiated the fight, threatening severe consequences for any repeat behavior. To everyone’s surprise, Lin Kesong confessed that she had struck first. Jiang Qianfan, who had accompanied Kesong, tried to intervene, stating he didn't want to see her wronged and urging her to speak openly.
However, Lin Kesong denied being wronged, insisted it was her fault, and attempted to reconcile with Lin Xiaoyu. Lin Xiaoyu, feigning agreement for her father's benefit, then whispered to Kesong that a true reconciliation was "no way" possible, before assuring Lin Feng that they had made up.
