Gourmet Kindergarten

Meanwhile, at Golden Sun Kindergarten.

Once the "mythical beasts" were taken away, the park, which had been bustling all day, finally quieted down.

Only the classrooms and the kitchen still showed signs of activity.

In the kitchen, Pei Qian was wearing an apron and busily working in an orderly manner.

On the cutting board, two portions of pork tenderloin had already been marinated thoroughly.

One portion is cut into strips, ready for a crispy texture; the other is diced, to be stir-fried with cumin later.

The tofu was cut into thick slices, and the drained Chinese cabbage was placed in a bowl.

The other ingredients for the four dishes were also neatly arranged on the table.

"call--"

Heat the oil over high heat and add plenty of oil to the pan.

While waiting for the oil to heat up, Pei Qian's hand speed was so fast that it left afterimages.

Pick up a strip of pork tenderloin, roll it in starch, and gently rub and twist it with your fingertips—instantly, the strip of meat is covered with a thin layer of starch, and with a shake, each strip is distinct and not sticky at all.

Once the oil reaches the desired temperature, the meat strips are all thrown into the pan.

"Sizzle—!"

A series of crisp, cracking sounds suddenly erupted, the hot oil churned, and white smoke shot straight up.

Pei Qian remained calm and waited for more than ten seconds for the shell to set before using chopsticks to break it apart.

The meat strips swirl in the oil, frying until slightly golden brown before being taken out; then, the marinated diced meat is casually pushed into the oil and taken out when it's about 70% cooked.

But it's not over yet.

If you turn up the heat, the oil temperature will soar even higher!

All the meat strips that were just taken out should be put back in and fried again!

This is the soul of crispy pork tenderloin—double frying forces out excess oil, instantly achieving an extremely crispy crust and a richer, more intense caramelized flavor…

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

At the kitchen doorway, Aunt Zhao clung to the doorframe, her eyes wide with delight: "It smells so good! If I took a bite, my gums would melt!"

Having lived to her age, she has seen plenty of good food and drink.

But she can confidently say – this pot of crispy pork tenderloin is the first time she's ever seen it in her life!

Just the smell is enough to make your soul almost leave you.

The gatekeeper, Grandpa Li, standing nearby, also had an expression that said, "I've never seen anything like this before."

Shock, fascination, and disbelief switched back and forth on the old man's face.

After all, Pei Qian, though young, had a steady demeanor in front of the stove that didn't seem like that of an amateur.

The strainer flew across the surface, the movements were swift and efficient, and the entire process was completed in one go without a single stumble. It looked more professional than those chefs in short videos.

"This skill...it's uncanny!"

Grandpa Li smacked his lips; from the moment he stepped into the kitchen, his mouth never closed.

To be honest, the sweet and sour pork and stewed cabbage and tofu he had for lunch had completely shattered his expectations.

At the time, Aunt Zhao swore that it was made by her own little gardener, but he didn't believe it at all—with Pei Qian's "half-baked" cooking skills, it would be good enough if he could make the dishes not bad, let alone stir-fry them to taste like a god.

But now, having witnessed it with his own eyes, he believed it, and believed it wholeheartedly.

"Aunt Zhao,"

Grandpa Li leaned closer, lowered his voice, and asked curiously, "Do you know how our little kindergarten director's skills have improved so dramatically? Did she secretly consult some master?"

"No." Aunt Zhao didn't even turn her head, her eyes still glued to the oil pan. "The kindergarten director said it himself; he learned it online."

Grandpa Li: "???"

Did you learn it online?

You can learn this much just by using the internet?!

Why is it that when I try to learn to cook online, all I get is "the eyes learn, but the hands fail"?

……

On the other side, in front of the stove.

Pei Qian glanced at the crispy pork tenderloin that was being deep-fried again in the pot.

Golden brown, slightly charred, cooked to perfection.

With a flick of the wrist, the strainer scoops it up, drains the oil, and places it in a bowl.

All in one go.

The golden-brown crispy pork was piled up like a small mountain, and the steam carrying the rich aroma of fried lard rose straight up, filling the kitchen with fragrance.

Pei Qian picked up a piece, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.

"Mmm...it tastes just right!"

"Gurgle—"

"Gurgle—"

Just as Pei Qian was about to move the basin to the side of the countertop, two extremely discordant noises suddenly came from behind him.

I turned around.

Grandpa Li and Aunt Zhao had somehow gotten close, standing on either side of him behind him, their eyes practically glued to the pot of crispy pork tenderloin.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and he swallowed saliva at a frequency comparable to a ticking timer...

Pei Qian: "..."

"Uh, Uncle Li, Aunt Zhao?"

The two remained silent, their eyes never wavering.

Pei Qian suppressed a laugh: "You two...are you craving some? How about I get you some to try?"

"Okay, okay!"

Aunt Zhao nodded vigorously, her chopsticks already pulled from her pocket, her movements fluid and efficient, clearly indicating she had been prepared.

Grandpa Li was stunned for a moment.

Then--

A look of wild joy visibly spread across the wrinkled old face.

It's like a primary school student being asked by the teacher if they want candy; they try to act reserved, but their mouth is much more honest than their body.

"May I?"

"Of course." Pei Qian smiled gently. "You're a great contributor, watching over our kindergarten every day. Just say what you want to eat, don't be shy with me."

"Then give me this whole pot."

Pei Qian: "..."

Aunt Zhao: "..."

"Old Li! Have you no shame? You've taken the whole dish? Do you think we don't exist?"

Pei Qian chuckled, knowing that Grandpa Li was joking, so he took a small bowl, filled it halfway, and handed it to him: "Eat this first, there's more food to come."

Before the words had even finished, the words were spoken.

Two pairs of chopsticks reached out at the same time, each grabbing a piece.

Grandpa Li didn't rush to eat.

He held the meat to his nose, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

The aroma of deep-fried meat, infused with the salty and savory flavor of the marinade, fills the nostrils; there is not a trace of fishiness, only a clean and pure smell.

The old man nodded slightly, as if savoring a piece of wine, before slowly and deliberately putting the meat into his mouth and taking a small bite.

Click.

The crust cracked, and the meat juices seeped out.

Grandpa Li closed his eyes and chewed slowly.

The outer layer is fried thoroughly, crispy but not hard, and it crumbles in layers when you bite into it. It doesn't stick to your teeth or leave a sticky feeling in your mouth.

The tenderloin inside is incredibly tender, falling apart at the slightest touch, with a savory aroma seeping from the meat's texture, growing stronger with each chew.

He took another bite, this time chewing the tender meat inside as well, savoring the crispy exterior and tender interior.

Hmm, not bad, you got the timing right.

"Young director, let me tell you, this is absolutely the most fragrant and crispy pork tenderloin I've ever eaten in my life."

"This would be absolutely delicious as a snack with drinks!"

As he spoke, Grandpa Li couldn't help but squint his eyes in rapture, as if he were already sitting at the table, holding a small glass of wine.

"Mmm-hmm! Old Li is right!" Aunt Zhao's mouth never stopped, chewing and mumbling in agreement, "This is so much better than what you get in restaurants, it's delicious!"

As she spoke, her chopsticks never stopped.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces—

They didn't care about their table manners at all; their mouths were covered in crumbs of pastry, and they didn't look like elders at all.

He looks exactly like a starving ghost reincarnated.

Grandpa Li was still savoring the delicious aftertaste of the first piece, and reluctantly opened his eyes, reaching for his chopsticks—

I rely on!

The bowl is empty.

"Huh? Where's my crispy pork tenderloin?"

He turned his head blankly and saw Aunt Zhao putting the last piece of crispy pork into her mouth.

Eyes facing each other.

The air condensed.

"Zhao, Zhao, Zhao Cuihua! You're being unfair! You—"

Aunt Zhao's hand, holding the chopsticks, hovered in mid-air. She glanced subconsciously at the empty bowl, then smiled sheepishly. "Old Li, do you believe this really was an accident?"

"You don't believe me for a second! Give it back to me..."

"No, I grabbed it first!"

The two almost got into a fight over a few pieces of crispy pork tenderloin, their fighting style resembling a battle over the last fish at the market, their chopsticks clattering loudly.

Just then—

Two voices sounded from outside the door…