Sludge suction system

Just as Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi were carefully preparing ingredients for the competition in the small kitchen, footsteps sounded outside the door. It was Ye Keke who entered.

Ye Keke appeared like a magnificently dressed, self-satisfied peacock, clad in an exquisitely embroidered pink brocade gown. The vibrant yet alluring color accentuated her already fair skin, making it appear as delicate as jade. A fine, luxurious gold ribbon cinched her waist, highlighting her slender figure and swaying gently with each step, causing the skirt to ripple gracefully and showcasing her elegant form. Her steps were light and deliberate, yet carried a hint of deliberate arrogance, as she walked directly towards the busy kitchen where Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi were.

Before even stepping into the kitchen, Ye Keke stopped at the doorway, slightly raising her small, pointed chin. She deliberately raised her voice, her sweet, almost sickeningly soft tone proclaiming, "Oh, Xiao Bei, Zhizhi, look at you two, all disheveled and flustered, still busy doing nothing?" As she spoke, she gently raised her well-maintained, fair, and slender hand, slowly stroking a strand of hair. Her eyes undisguisedly revealed a strong sense of smugness and provocation, like a self-important queen scrutinizing these two insignificant ants before her with disdain.

Upon hearing the jarring sound, Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi froze instantly, their hands busy arranging spices and ingredients. They slowly raised their heads, their gazes simultaneously fixed on Ye Keke standing in the doorway. Fang Xiaobei's brows furrowed involuntarily, a flash of obvious displeasure crossing her eyes. However, her good upbringing composure compelled her to restrain herself, maintaining a facade of politeness and composure: "Keke, what brings you here? Is something the matter?"

Ye Keke's lips curled into a seemingly sweet smile, yet that smile was like a thin layer of frost, exuding a chilling coldness that didn't reach her eyes. She walked slowly into the kitchen with delicate, feignedly elegant steps, her eyes filled with disdain and contempt. As she walked, she extended a finger painted with bright nail polish, lightly tracing the smoky stovetop, as if this simple, weathered stove was the dirtiest object in the world, utterly unworthy to touch her precious fingertips. "Let me see how your preparations are going." She deliberately dragged out her words, her eyes darting around the kitchen as if the cramped space reeked of poverty and embarrassment. "After all, everyone's been eagerly anticipating this competition." Her gaze swept over the kitchen, taking in the spices and ingredients, then the ordinary bottles and jars and fresh fruits and vegetables, a silent sneer playing on her lips. But her words were unforgiving: "However, with these mediocre spices, look at their color, smell their aroma—they're patheticly ordinary. Can they really make dishes that will impress and elicit applause? I think you'd better not waste your time and effort here, lest you embarrass yourselves on the competition stage and become the laughingstock of everyone."

Xia Zhi, known for her straightforward and fiery personality, was instantly enraged by Ye Keke's string of sharp, sarcastic remarks. She took a large step forward, stomping her feet heavily on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Her hands were clasped tightly to her hips, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force, and her cheeks flushed crimson with anger, like ripe tomatoes. She roared, "Ye Keke, don't be so arrogant! Who do you think you are? How well we prepare is none of your business. Get out of here! You're not welcome here!"

Ye Keke, however, was not intimidated by Xia Zhi's anger at all. Instead, she chuckled as if she had heard something utterly ridiculous. The laughter was crisp yet extremely grating, echoing in the cramped kitchen space and sending chills down one's spine. She slowly shifted her gaze from Xia Zhi to Fang Xiaobei, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery and contempt: "Xiaobei, I thought you were so capable. Last time at the market, Brother Gao He told me in detail that your understanding of spices is just superficial, child's play, utterly insignificant. You should just give up on this competition now, lest you lose miserably, which would be extremely embarrassing. In my opinion, you should just admit defeat and stop making futile struggles to avoid humiliating yourself."

Fang Xiaobei's face turned deathly pale instantly, devoid of any color. Her lips trembled violently with anger and resentment, making it difficult for her to utter a complete sentence. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, drawing blood, but she seemed oblivious. She stared intently at Ye Keke, her eyes bloodshot, her voice trembling and shrill with anger, resentment, and unwillingness: "Ye Keke, why did you do this? We used to be such good friends, sharing joy and sorrow. How could you become such a narrow-minded, bitter, and unscrupulous person? Aren't you afraid of retribution?"

A fleeting, almost imperceptible panic crossed Ye Keke's eyes, but she immediately feigned composure, her gaze full of insincerity and affectation. She blinked her large, watery eyes innocently, as if she were the most wronged person in the world: "Xiao Bei, how could you accuse me like this? I was just telling the truth. Besides, you saw it yourself, Brother Gao He is with me now. He praises my talent and abilities highly; we are a match made in heaven. Stop being so self-deluded and clinging to him. Instead, think about how to avoid finishing last in the competition; perhaps that will preserve your pitiful self-esteem."

Having said that, Ye Keke, like a general who had just won a crucial battle and returned in triumph, beamed with the arrogance and pride of victory. She gently smoothed her skirt again, tidied the hair at her temples, and then, with light and somewhat arrogant steps, left the kitchen without looking back.

Fang Xiaobei and Xia Zhi were left standing there, trembling with anger, their hands and feet ice-cold. Their chests heaved violently as they gasped for breath, their hearts filled with anger, incomprehension, and deep hatred for Fang Keke's actions.

"Xiao Bei, that Ye Keke is going too far!" Xia Zhi stomped her foot angrily.

"Alright, Zhizhi, the food competition is in a month. Let's focus on perfecting our dishes and try to win the championship so they can accept their defeat!" Fang Xiaobei said, patting Xia Zhi on the back.

"Xiao Bei, you're too easygoing, that's why Ye Keke bullies you like this. We need to show our strength and shut them up, hmph!" Xia Zhi was so angry that her cheeks were flushed red.

With that, the two of them continued to delve into the study of the dishes.