Gourmet Kindergarten

"Little Kindergarten Director—"

"Headmaster~"

Teacher Yu led Tangtang into the kitchen with a smile in her eyes.

But before she could finish speaking, she froze instantly upon seeing the scene before her.

Grandpa Li and Aunt Zhao each held a pair of chopsticks, glaring angrily at each other across an empty bowl.

The way they were standing there made it seem like martial arts masters were having a duel at Mount Hua.

Upon closer inspection—

The bowl is empty.

Aunt Zhao had half a piece of crispy pork tenderloin between her teeth.

"Huh? Are they fighting over food?!"

Teacher Yu's eye twitched violently.

Unexpectedly, the two elders, who are usually so amiable, ended up in a full-blown fight over a few pieces of meat.

But then she thought about it again, and realized that she, as a "veteran victim," knew all too well what the kindergarten director's cooking was like.

Not to mention the elders, even she herself had the thought of joining in the food grab.

In front of the stove, Pei Qian leaned against the side, speechless and rubbing his forehead.

Tangtang didn't understand the adults' intricacies; she only saw the two grandparents "fighting."

Her little face scrunched up, and she stamped her feet in frustration, shouting, "Stop fighting! Please stop fighting!"

That shout was full of energy.

The shock made Grandpa Li and Aunt Zhao shudder simultaneously, their two chopsticks dangling in mid-air, and both heads turned to Tangtang.

The next second—

The two of them swiftly put away their chopsticks, straightened their backs, and put on kind smiles.

"No, no, don't be afraid, Tangtang. Grandpa and Grandma Zhao are just playing around."

"That's right, that's right. Grandma Zhao should have a little chopsticks-fighting exercise with this old man, just for fun."

They spoke in unison, their coordination seamless.

Tangtang blinked her big eyes and asked skeptically, "Really?"

"Really, really!" Grandpa Li grinned, his face crinkling into a deep wrinkle. "Does Grandpa look like someone who would lie to a child?"

Aunt Zhao quietly added from the side, "It looks like it."

Grandpa Li: "...Zhao Cuihua, shut up."

"Grandpa and Grandma, please stop arguing," Tangtang earnestly advised.

But as soon as he finished speaking—

Her little nose twitched uncontrollably.

The worries in my heart were instantly kicked away by the tempting aroma of meat.

"Mmm, it smells so good! Headmaster, what are we having for dinner?"

The little guy smacked his lips, staring longingly at the bowl of crispy pork tenderloin on the table, his mouth practically watering.

Pei Qian looked at the little glutton and didn't answer. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Tangtang, are you hungry?"

"Hungry!"

The little guy, who was already tempted by the aroma halfway there, had no other answer; he nodded his head like a rattle drum.

Pei Qian picked up some crispy pork tenderloin, put it in a small bowl, and handed it over.

"Thank you, Headmaster!"

To be honest, the little guy was feeling down because he saw all the other kids had gone home while he had to stay and keep his mom company while she worked overtime.

But now, looking at this bowl of meat in front of me, I feel instantly revitalized, my eyes shining.

Right now, let alone helping my mom work overtime, she'd be willing to work until dawn!

"Mommy, here, you eat too!"

Tangtang picked up a piece and, standing on tiptoe, handed it to Teacher Yu.

"good!"

Teacher Yu smiled and took it, took a bite, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

Yes, as amazing as ever!

Tangtang turned her head and handed a piece to Grandpa Li and Aunt Zhao respectively.

After all, my mother taught me that good things should be shared.

But why—does my heart ache so much?

Grandpa Li and Aunt Zhao blushed.

Two people with a combined age of over a hundred are not as sensible as a baby.

Tangtang ignored them and buried herself in her food.

The crispy pork tenderloin is fragrant but not greasy. The crispy crust wraps around the tender meat, and it makes a "crunch" sound when you take a bite. It's so delicious that she wanted to bury her face in the bowl.

"It's so delicious! Just as delicious as sweet and sour pork!"

The bowl was empty, and the little girl licked her lips, still wanting more.

"There will be more delicious food later, wait for it."

As he spoke, Pei Qian continued working.

Brush a thin layer of oil on a frying pan, arrange the white and tender tofu slices neatly, and fry over medium-low heat.

Once the bottom has developed a golden-brown crust and is sizzling, flip each piece over. Gently press it with a spatula, and it will spring back slightly—that means it's still tender inside.

Pan-fry until golden brown on both sides, sprinkle with salt, drizzle with a little soy sauce and other seasonings, remove and plate, and finally sprinkle with a handful of bright green chopped green onions.

It looks refreshing and helps to cut through any greasiness.

The tofu was just cooked on one side, and the cumin-flavored pork tenderloin followed closely behind.

In a separate pot, heat scallion oil, then stir-fry onion chunks and green and red bell peppers until the spicy aroma is released. Immediately add the fried pork tenderloin chunks.

Toss the meat in the wok over high heat until each piece is coated with glistening oil.

Sprinkle in the prepared barbecue seasoning, add some cilantro, and stir-fry a few times.

The moment the caramelized aroma was released, the smell of the barbecue seasoning, amplified by the heat, instantly filled the entire kitchen, causing Grandpa Li and the others to inhale deeply and swallow their saliva.

Serve on a plate.

Finally, there's stir-fried Chinese cabbage, the simplest dish, but also the one that requires the most skill in controlling the heat.

Heat the wok, coat it with oil, sauté minced garlic, add the cabbage stalks first, stir-fry until slightly softened, then add the leaves.

Stir-fry over high heat a few times, add salt, and remove from heat in less than two minutes.

"Everything's ready!"

"Dinner's ready!"

As soon as Pei Qian finished speaking, pairs of chopsticks were already poised to strike.

Grandpa Li and Aunt Zhao exchanged a glance, a hint of unseen tension flashing between them.

The lesson from earlier is still fresh in our minds—whoever makes the first move exposes their ambition.

Neither of them moved.

Teacher Yu remained still, smiling as she looked at Pei Qian.

"What's going on? What are you all standing there for? Let's eat!"

Pei Qian was also hungry after working for a long time. He picked up a piece of cumin pork tenderloin and popped it into his mouth.

One entrance—

The rich aroma of cumin mingled with the fragrance of meat, savory and slightly spicy, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, so delicious that he couldn't help but squint his eyes.

"Hmm, it tastes good."

The group that had been holding back just moments before couldn't resist any longer when they saw Pei Qian's blissful expression.

"Whoosh—"

Three pairs of chopsticks attack at the same time.

Grandpa Li had a clear goal: he headed straight for the crispy pork tenderloin.

Aunt Zhao was quick-witted and nimble; with a flick of her chopsticks, she snatched the largest and most intact piece of fried tofu.

Teacher Yu, steady and methodical, picked up a piece of cumin-flavored pork tenderloin.

The three groups each took what they needed without interfering with each other.

It was peaceful, at least.

Tangtang, on the other hand, isn't so particular.

She held the white rice, her eyes darting between the four dishes, like a rabbit unsure which bowl of grass to eat first.

finally--

The little hand reached out and picked up a tiny bit of each dish, piling it up on the rice to form a small mountain.

Then he picked up the bowl with both hands, buried his face in it, and took a big gulp.

He was completely unaware that grains of rice were stuck to the tip of his nose, his cheeks bulging out like a little hamster hoarding food.

Teacher Yu couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she took a tissue and wiped her mouth, saying, "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Tangtang mumbled, "Um... I'm afraid Grandpa Li and Grandma Zhao will take it away from me..."

Aunt Zhao: "..."

Grandpa Li: "..."

"This child..." Grandpa Li's face flushed red, "Am I that kind of person?"

Tangtang swallowed the food in her mouth and nodded seriously: "Yes."

Grandpa Li: "..."

Aunt Zhao couldn't help but burst out laughing. She reached out with her chopsticks and, while Grandpa Li was in a daze, snatched another piece of crispy pork tenderloin.

Grandpa Li came to his senses; the meat was already in the bowl.

"Zhao Cuihua! You attacked me again!"

"Who told you to daydream? Is it my fault?"

"you--"