Chapter 109 (edited)

Before I knew it, the deliciousness of the pig intestines that Kara had mentioned began to spread.

The main reason is that the concept was so well presented—just like a catchy novel title that makes readers curious enough to dive into its pages. Pig intestines, while already a potentially delicious dish when prepared correctly, weren't something anyone in Metropolis had thought of eating before. Kara's unique take and recipe ignited a spark of curiosity that quickly turned into a wildfire.

Once the first batch of people tried the dish, they couldn't stop raving about it. Word of mouth spread like a chain reaction. Soon, even those who initially ridiculed the idea couldn't resist giving it a shot.

Television stations that had mocked Kara's column just days ago changed their tone entirely. Some of their own hosts admitted on talk shows that pig intestines, when prepared correctly, were a true delicacy. The premise was simple: it had to be handled well. Conveniently, Kara's column laid out an incredibly detailed process—from cleaning the ingredients to a step-by-step recipe, everything needed to replicate the dish was included.

Her meticulousness paid off. Those who followed her recipe discovered an unexpected culinary gem. The popularity of pig intestines skyrocketed, sparking a frenzy across the city.

The initial reaction at the Daily Planet, however, was mixed. Copies of the paper carrying Kara's recipe had undersold that day. Perry White was devastated as almost 88% of the newspapers were returned.

But then, a dramatic twist unfolded.

Whispers of the dish's success began circulating, piquing the curiosity of Metropolis' elite. A particularly surprising endorsement came from Lionel Luthor, patriarch of the influential Luthor family.

Lionel's approval carried weight akin to Bruce Wayne's influence in Gotham. His praise for Kara's recipe—describing pig intestines as "fat but not greasy, rich in flavor, and uniquely satisfying"—gave the dish credibility that no one could have foreseen. He even compared its cost-effectiveness favorably to expensive delicacies like foie gras, which could cost thousands per serving.

Lionel's endorsement turned the city's curiosity into a craze. Lines formed outside newsstands, and copies of the Daily Planet with Kara's recipe were suddenly in massive demand. Perry had to recall unsold issues and print additional batches just to keep up.

In total, four reprints were required to satisfy the relentless demand. Even with this unprecedented success, Perry remained cautious, printing only moderate quantities at a time for fear of oversaturating the market. But the madness didn't stop.

People who had dismissed Kara's column days earlier were now attempting the recipe in their own kitchens. The dish's appeal crossed state lines, with headlines in neighboring cities marveling at Metropolis' sudden obsession.

Within five days, Kara's column transformed from a laughingstock to a culinary phenomenon. Yet, while the city celebrated her victory, Kara herself was locked away in her office, typing furiously on her keyboard with a steaming cup of coffee beside her.

When Perry barged into her office, his face lit up with excitement. "Kara, you did it!" he exclaimed.

Kara didn't even look up. Pushing her glasses up with her finger, she replied dryly, "I'm working. If you don't mind, please leave and close the door behind you."

Perry rolled his eyes but chose not to argue. Instead, he paused at the door and glanced back. "What are you working on? Another food column?"

Kara smirked, adjusting her glasses again, this time with her middle finger. "Not quite. I'm writing about who had dinner with whom last night, how they went to the park afterward, and finally checked into a hotel together. Didn't leave until morning."

Perry's jaw dropped. He hurried over to her desk, peering at her monitor. Sure enough, she wasn't joking—her new piece was a full-fledged gossip column.

"You can't be serious!" Perry groaned. "Your pig intestines recipe is still making waves, and here you are writing about hotel scandals? I need another food column, Kara!"

Kara tilted her head and blinked innocently. "I'm not stopping you from writing it, am I?"

Perry gritted his teeth. "You're unbelievable. Do you really want me to beg you?"

Feigning thoughtfulness, Kara replied, "Well, since you're offering..."

"Fine!" Perry relented. "I'm begging you, okay? Please write another food column!"

Kara finally relented, though not without milking the moment. "Alright, alright. My next feature will be... chicken tails."

Perry groaned again, throwing his hands in the air. "Do you have to make everything so challenging?"

Unbothered, Kara chuckled to herself as she resumed typing.