Sludge suction system

The next morning, sunlight pierced through the thin mist, gently illuminating the bluestone streets of Xiangmao Capital, creating a shimmering glow. Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi, travel-worn, hurried towards the Yan residence. Xia Zhi held the puppy Xiao Baozi in her arms; the little guy seemed to know his owner was eager to return, unusually quiet, nestled obediently in her embrace.

Upon entering the main hall of the Yan residence, Master Yan had just set down his teacup when he saw the two of them. His eyes widened in surprise: "Xiao Bei, Xia Zhi, what's wrong with you two?" Fang Xiao Bei quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said earnestly, "Master, a few days ago we heard about a culinary competition in Xiangmao Capital. We were eager to participate and thought it would be a good opportunity to hone our skills, so we went on our own. Fortunately, we did not fail in our mission, and the competition is now over. Our parents are waiting for us to return home day and night, and we are extremely anxious. We have come to bid you farewell and wish to go home immediately." Xia Zhi nodded repeatedly beside him: "Yes, Master, we have been thinking about home the whole time we have been away. Now that the competition is over, we don't care about anything else and just want to go back as soon as possible."

Master Yan stood up, a look of understanding on his face, and walked steadily to the two women: "You are brave to venture out and have given your all to the competition. Your filial piety is also rare. I support you going home." After saying that, he took out two purses from his sleeve and handed them to them, "This is a reward for your hard work. If you have any difficulties in the future, come to me anytime."

Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi were both surprised and delighted, accepting the purse with both hands. Fang Xiaobei said emotionally, "We are deeply grateful for your kindness, sir, and we will always remember it." Xia Zhi also gently stroked the little bun and said with a smile, "Thank you, sir. With this reward, we can buy a lot of good things for our family, and the little bun will have delicious snacks to eat too." The little bun seemed to understand and wagged its tail happily.

After bidding farewell to Master Yan, the two hurried out of the Yan residence. The sunlight had now dispelled the thin mist, and the streets were bustling with activity, teeming with pedestrians and vendors. Xia Zhi, carrying the little dumpling, moved with the lightness of a deer, occasionally teasing it and eliciting a soft bark. Fang Xiaobei followed closely behind, a faint smile on her lips, her gaze frequently drifting towards home. Soon, the familiar front door came into view, the wisps of smoke rising from the chimney seeming like a call to return home.

As Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi stepped into the house, before they could even take off their bags, their parents hurriedly came out to greet them.

Fang Xiaobei's eyes reddened, and she hurried forward, kneeling down to tightly grasp her parents' hands. She choked back tears, saying, "Father, Mother, my trip to Xiangmao Capital was very fruitful. A grand culinary competition was held there, attracting renowned chefs from all over. The atmosphere of competition was as fierce as gunpowder." Xia Zhi followed closely behind, holding the little dumpling tightly in her arms. After gracefully bowing, she interjected with a smile, "Uncle, Aunt, when we first entered the competition venue and saw the spectacle, our hearts were pounding, and our palms were sweating with nervousness."

Fang Xiaobei tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with determination, and continued, "But neither my daughter nor Xia Zhi showed the slightest intention to back down. During the preliminary round, my daughter poured her heart and soul into cooking the signature dishes passed down through generations of our Fang family, showcasing the unique flavor of the ancient recipes with exquisite detail, instantly winning over the judges; Xia Zhi, intelligent and quick-witted, relied on the Xia family's exceptional skill in identifying ingredients, carefully selecting from among all the available items to ensure that all the ingredients in our kitchen were of the highest quality, helping my daughter maintain her footing." Xia Zhi blinked, tilted her head playfully, and smiled, "This is a skill passed down through the Xia family, so we naturally give it our all and dare not slack off in the slightest."

"Then, she fought her way through the competition to reach the finals. The finals required preparing an entire unique and creative banquet, and the pressure was immense. My daughter couldn't sleep at night during those days." Fang Xiaobei's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with the light of past struggles. "Fortunately, we never gave up. My daughter focused on cooking, while Xia Zhi was busy throughout the event, controlling the heat with precision and the plating with exquisite elegance, striving for perfection in every detail. When the table of delicacies was presented to the judges, all the adults' eyes lit up. After tasting it, they praised it endlessly and immediately declared my daughter the champion!"

In an instant, the room erupted in cheers, the laughter and praise of the parents echoing throughout. The father strode forward, patting Fang Xiaobei heavily on the shoulders, and said loudly, "Good daughter, you've brought honor to our family and glory to the Fang clan! You must have had a long journey!" The mother pulled Xia Zhi aside, gently stroking the little girl, tears welling in her eyes, and said softly, "From now on, be careful when you're out and about. Your departure worried your father and mother terribly." The news of Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi's triumphant return spread like wildfire throughout the Fang and Xia families. Soon, the ancestral hall was filled with people.

The elders of the Fang clan, dressed in magnificent robes, approached, leaning unsteadily on their canes, their once-cloudy eyes now shining brightly. One of the most senior elders spoke first, his voice booming: "Little Bei, you are truly the pride of our Fang clan! You've studied culinary arts since childhood, and now you've won the crown in the prestigious Xiangmao Capital Culinary Competition, a testament to the Fang clan's century-old culinary heritage. This journey must have been arduous; you've truly earned our respect." The other elders nodded in agreement, praising him profusely.

The younger generation gathered around, their eyes filled with admiration. One cousin jumped up and down, shouting, "Sister Xiaobei, aren't you incredibly impressive when you cook? Weren't the judges completely captivated by your culinary skills? I want to be like you in the future and carry forward the Fang family's culinary traditions!" Fang Xiaobei smiled and patted his head, her heart filled with warmth.

On the Xia family's side, Xia Zhi's parents wept with joy. Her mother held her hand and repeatedly said, "My good daughter, you've been clever since you were little. This time, you and Xiao Bei worked together perfectly, showcasing Xia family's abilities to the fullest. You two have brought honor to our family. From now on, when we go out, everyone will have to look up to Xia family."

The uncles and elders of the clan gathered around. One knowledgeable uncle patted Xia Zhi on the shoulder and said, "Zhi'er, I heard that you used your wisdom and strategy on the field to help Xiao Bei control the overall situation. This composure and calmness is truly worthy of being a daughter of the Xia family. This championship trophy is half thanks to you. In the future, if anything happens to the family, we will definitely have to rely on you young and promising descendants to support us." Xia Zhi curtsied slightly and responded humbly, her heart filled with pride.

The crowd chimed in with their praises, echoing throughout the ancestral hall. Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi stood there, basking in the glory bestowed upon them by their family, secretly resolving to create even greater glories for the clan and live up to this deep affection and expectation.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, illuminating two youthful and spirited faces. The warmth of returning home and the glory of winning the championship filled their hearts at this moment.

On the other hand, Gao He and Ye Keke presented a completely different picture.