Cupid's Kitchen Episode 4 Recap
> Cupid's Kitchen Recap
Elise watched the live broadcast of the Future Star Western food competition from her mother, Madam Quentin’s, home, praising her brother Victor’s excellent culinary skills. Jiang Qianfan remarked that Victor was an attention-seeker, suggesting his decision to compete in Shanghai instead of London stemmed from a desire to show off his abilities to Chinese chefs, not just dazzle the Western culinary world. Elise believed Victor came to Shanghai because he admired Jiang Qianfan.
Madam Quentin expressed her gratitude to Jiang Qianfan for ceding half of Yuxuan restaurant’s shares to Elise. Jiang Qianfan sincerely replied that Elise deserved them, acknowledging that Yuxuan was established and thrived due to her assistance and skillful management. Madam Quentin then asked Jiang Qianfan to mentor Victor. She explained that while she was one of the competition’s mentors, she had the Quentin Group to operate, and her interests and energy were not in cooking.
Jiang Qianfan admitted that Victor was a rare talent but not the apprentice he desired, deeming him too proud to teach. Madam Quentin countered that Victor needed a callous mentor to further improve his skills, a role she couldn’t fulfill, but Jiang Qianfan stated he also couldn’t. Aware of Jiang Qianfan’s medical condition, Madam Quentin urged him to choose someone from “his own people” at such a crucial time.
Jiang Qianfan firmly rejected Victor, calling him too much of a show-off to be a reliable support. Elise insisted Victor was the most talented, but Jiang Qianfan disagreed. Meanwhile, in the Chinese food division, judges tasted Lin Kesong’s dish. They harshly criticized her frying technique as torture, her seasoning as poisoning, and her plating as horrifying, branding her a "devil in the kitchen." They even gave her a nickname: the "Evil Dragon Princess."
Upon seeing this on the live broadcast, Jiang Qianfan immediately called Thomas, declaring that the "Evil Dragon Princess" was the apprentice he wanted and instructing Thomas to ensure no one else chose her. He then abruptly left Madam Quentin’s residence. After the competition, a swarm of media surrounded Lin Kesong, badgering her with questions about her participation despite lacking culinary skills.
Mortified, Lin Kesong repeatedly stated she hadn’t wanted to compete and couldn't cook, pleading with them to let her go. She reflected on hitting rock bottom, lamenting her embarrassing situation and her life full of drama. Jiang Qianfan, using the address Lin Kesong provided on her competition application, arrived at her uncle’s restaurant. Lin Xiaoyu, initially excited to greet him, quickly realized he was there for Lin Kesong and her enthusiasm faded.
She expressed surprise that he would want Kesong, who had received the lowest score, but Jiang Qianfan dismissed its importance. Noticing Xiaoyu's disappointment, her father led Jiang Qianfan upstairs to find Kesong. As they passed through the kitchen, the cooks recognized Jiang Qianfan and, thrilled by his presence, followed them upstairs. Kesong’s uncle explained Jiang Qianfan’s intention to take her as an apprentice, but Kesong, assuming he was there to mock her, defiantly refused to open her door.
From outside, Jiang Qianfan introduced himself as the head chef of Yuxuan restaurant. Lin Kesong still rejected his offer, fearing accusations of using him to climb the social ladder, and hinted that Elise had made rude remarks. Jiang Qianfan, surmising she meant Elise, apologized on Elise’s behalf. Kesong then suggested he take her younger cousin, Xiaoyu, as she admired him more. Xiaoyu, overhearing this from outside, felt awkward and stomped off.
Jiang Qianfan asked to speak with Kesong alone, and her uncle and the other chefs discreetly left. Standing outside Kesong’s closed door, Jiang Qianfan tried to persuade her. He recalled Song Yiran’s description of food at a Michelin-starred restaurant as "insanely delicious." He then revealed that he was the head chef of Shanghai Yuxuan, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, which introduced new dishes weekly, inviting her to verify it online.
When Kesong checked and found it true but remained silent, Jiang Qianfan deliberately said he would find someone else if she wasn’t interested. Kesong expressed concern for Xiaoyu. Jiang Qianfan reassured her that Lin Xiaoyu had already reached the quarterfinals and had seven other top mentors, making him the "least capable," so Xiaoyu might not even choose him.
He then promised Kesong free meals at his restaurant, comprehensive culinary training, and the opportunity to win the competition and earn everyone’s respect. When Kesong asked if she would become a "powerful woman," he affirmed she would become very powerful. Upon their exit, Jiang Qianfan and Lin Kesong were besieged by media reporters. Xiaoyu told Kesong she wasn't unhappy and that the other mentors were far more impressive than Jiang Qianfan, implying she might not have chosen him anyway.
Kesong felt relieved. In that moment, she reflected on her swift transformation from the ridiculed "Evil Dragon Princess" to a true princess, seemingly "carried away" by the god-like Jiang Qianfan. She wondered if Song Yiran would fall in love with her if he witnessed this scene. On the way, Jiang Qianfan had Kesong sign a contract, praising her as an "unpolished gem" with profound passion for food, rare determination, and unparalleled tasting ability – essential qualities for an outstanding chef.
At the time, Lin Kesong believed him to be a discerning patron of talent, utterly unaware of his hidden agenda. Jiang Qianfan took Lin Kesong to a sprawling villa, explaining it was his friend's house and he was house-sitting.
He informed her that she would undergo three months of intensive, secluded training there, under strict rules: daily workouts at 4 AM, three fixed and punctual meals with only designated foods, no alcohol, no showering after 9 PM, no unauthorized departures, a maximum of one hour of internet use per day, and no personal opinions.
Overwhelmed by the draconian rules, Lin Kesong threatened to quit, but Jiang Qianfan encouraged her, stating that great women are not born but forged through effort. He instructed Nina, his housekeeper, to prepare his study for Kesong. Nina, finding "Ms. Lin" too formal, affectionately called her "Little Bun." Nina then gave Kesong a tour of the house, including the gym, Jiang Qianfan’s room, the kitchen (off-limits without permission), and the terrace where Jiang Qianfan grew herbs.
Kesong’s uncle called, advising her not to inform her parents about the three-month training yet, fearing they might misunderstand and jeopardize her rare opportunity. Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoyu, overhearing her father’s conversation with Kesong, felt a pang of jealousy, thinking Kesong was taking even her father away. Her father, sensing her discontent, comforted her, reminding her that there are no "shoulds" or "ifs" in the world, but her hard work would never be in vain.
He encouraged her to prove her abilities in the competition. Xiaoyu, still resentful that Jiang Qianfan chose Kesong over her despite her superior skills, resolved to work diligently and make him regret his decision. Elise arrived at Jiang Qianfan’s house, reporting that numerous reporters, including those from prestigious industry publications, were besieging Yuxuan’s entrance, demanding to see her. She relayed Madam Quentin’s suggestion that Jiang Qianfan apologize, implying Victor would then go easy on Kesong.
Elise urged him to tell the press that choosing Lin Kesong was a joke and he would seriously select a new apprentice. Jiang Qianfan adamantly declared that even if given another chance, he would still choose Lin Kesong, stressing that his decision was for Yuxuan’s benefit. Elise reminded him that Lin Kesong was the weakest contestant, while he was the "Kitchen God," expected to be number one.
Jiang Qianfan countered that his status would remain unaffected even if they lost, as he was merely a mentor. He asserted their shared goal was to achieve a third Michelin star for Shanghai Yuxuan as quickly as possible. At this inopportune moment, Lin Kesong descended the stairs, complaining about Jiang Qianfan’s pettiness and the house rules. Jiang Qianfan promptly dismissed Elise, who departed in a huff.
That night, unable to sleep, Lin Kesong ventured downstairs and found Jiang Qianfan in the kitchen. She approached curiously but was abruptly ordered out, as entry without his permission was forbidden. Returning upstairs, Lin Kesong brought him two glasses of red wine for a nightcap and requested to borrow a T-shirt. Jiang Qianfan, however, pointed out that her offering of wine violated rule number four and punished her with twenty sit-ups. Later, while showering, the water abruptly stopped.
Jiang Qianfan informed her she had exceeded the 9 PM shower deadline by one minute and told her to resolve it herself. Enraged, Lin Kesong cursed him. As she lay in bed, having dealt with her foamy hair, she noticed the pleasant scent of Jiang Qianfan’s borrowed T-shirt, comparing it to being in someone’s embrace. Startled by her own "perverted thoughts," she concluded he had driven her mad.
She then tried to check on Song Yiran online but discovered her daily one-hour internet limit had already been reached. Earlier, Song Yiran's elder brother had called, advising him to spend more quality time with Chu Ting. Shortly after, Chu Ting video-called him, mentioning she had seen his brother discussing a joint venture with her parents. Finding the conversation uninteresting, Song Yiran made an excuse about being tired and quickly hung up.
The next morning, Lin Kesong was thirty minutes late for her 4 AM wake-up. She was astonished by Jiang Qianfan’s muscular physique, though she mentally disparaged him as having a "devil’s soul." Jiang Qianfan set the treadmill for her to run continuously for 45 minutes at speed nine. Kesong questioned the relevance of exercise to cooking, but Jiang Qianfan explained that one could not achieve excellence without challenging oneself.
After her run, she was given fifteen minutes to wash up before breakfast. Kesong, still in her pajamas, came to the dining table. Jiang Qianfan immediately reprimanded her for her lack of respect and ritual towards food, the chef, and herself, ordering her to change. Nina offered to toast another piece of bread for Kesong, but Jiang Qianfan told her to rest. Lin Kesong returned shortly, fully dressed and made up, confident that she was now an impeccably refined young woman, challenging Jiang Qianfan to find any fault this time.
