Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Major Competition
Cindy found it difficult to determine the members of the troll army and who were Zoe Silverstone's genuine fans.
However, she could tell that the people who started this commotion were not just ordinary netizens.
It was because these people set the tone that ordinary netizens began to believe their rhetoric as well.
By the time Cindy finished reading these comments, Peggy Lewis had finished eating and put Cindy's and Morgan's bowls and chopsticks into the dishwasher.
Upon returning, Peggy said, "It's obvious these people are trying to discredit you. "What are the so-called 'insiders' telling the truth about? That you're ugly?" You'll find the origin of this content at n0velb!n•
"Please! If you're considered ugly, I'd like to know what kind of standard is pretty! You aren't promoted by any internet celebrity packaging company, have never signed with a company, never had an agent, and you don't even have your own studio. You just record videos, edit them, and upload them yourself. I didn't know anyone was packaging you!"
"Nothing these people say aligns with the truth. It's clear that someone has paid troll army to slander you," Peggy exclaimed indignantly. "Just look at Zoe Silverstone's responses. Even your peers haven't said anything, but she jumps out and bounces around. If it's not her, then who could it be?"
Cindy noticed that Zoe Silverstone had replied to every person who praised her.
More importantly, Zoe Silverstone thanked those who also disparaged Cindy without any hesitation.
This was just what Cindy saw. There might have been more interactions involving Silverstone she missed.
Cindy decided not to read the comments under her video, as they were likely chaotic.
Naturally, her fans defended her.
"What's the matter with these people?" Peggy fumed, "Cindy, we can't let it go. It's obvious that Zoe Silverstone is targeting you."
"Even if you don't go to the scene, CouTube has awarded you the most popular food blogger award for three consecutive years, and Zoe Silverstone has always been ranked second or third," Peggy analyzed.
"I've always known that she's dissatisfied and wants to surpass you. I didn't expect that after holding it for so long, she'd come up with such a mean trick," she continued.
Meanwhile, Morgan suddenly spoke up, "Cindy, let's participate in the competition."
"What competition?" Peggy asked curiously.
Morgan pushed the laptop screen towards them, revealing a promotional page for a major competition.
"It's a competition hosted by the Pingla Group!" Peggy exclaimed in surprise. "It's even broadcasted live on TV and the Internet!"
"Cindy, join!" Peggy urged. "The competitions organized by the Pingla Group are highly regarded. If you stand out in this competition, even without winning the championship, as long as the judges think you have potential, you can genuinely make a name for yourself in the food industry."
Although Cindy, a food blogger, was quite well-known,
Her status was similar to that of an internet celebrity in the entertainment industry— people simply didn't take her seriously.
Despite her excellent cooking skills, Cindy couldn't make a name for herself in the food industry.
People just wouldn't acknowledge her.
"The Pingla Group dominates 80% of Hearth Nation's food industry," said Peggy. "90% of Michelin-starred restaurants in our country belong to the Pingla Group. They also own more than 70% of high-end and mid-range chain restaurants. As for those being acquired, I can't even calculate those."
"Also, there's Pingla Culinary Academy, the only culinary academy in Hearth Nation that ranked top ten in the world. It was ranked seventh in last year's evaluation. Who knows if their ranking will go even higher this year? Graduates from Pingla Culinary Academy either open their own restaurants or are snapped up by high-end restaurants. Every Michelin-starred restaurant around the world has a Pingla Culinary Academy graduate working there."
"If you achieve a good ranking or even win the championship in this competition, you'll be recognized by the entire culinary industry," Peggy continued. "However, students from Pingla Culinary Academy participate in each competition. Although they're students, ordinary chefs really can't compare to those who come out of Pingla Culinary Academy."</p