novelraw Chapter 322 - 300: Do You Want to Come Up and Sleep with Us?
Chapter 322 - 300: Do You Want to Come Up and Sleep with Us?
As the renovation workers and Liu Shiwei and others gradually left, the kitchen slowly returned to its usual tranquility.
However...
There was still one person who hadn’t left yet.
This person was Liang Yinqiu.
The reason for staying, of course, was to have a few words with Huang Jun.
As for the content of the conversation...
It was nothing more than the "Parent Experience Day" event tomorrow.
Liang Yinqiu had high hopes for Huang Jun, hoping he could lead the kitchen team to fully commit and ensure the smooth running of this event, even saying that she would arrange for the leaders from the park with no important affairs to come and assist.
Considering the large number of parents coming to participate in the event tomorrow, which would require a lot more food preparation than usual, Huang Jun suggested choosing more convenient and easy-to-prepare noodles as the main meal for tomorrow’s lunch.
Alright!
He admits it!
He indeed had his own little plan in mind, wanting to take this opportunity to test the power of the rolling pin, to see what was so different about the rolling pin produced by the system.
Fortunately, this suggestion was accepted and adopted by Liang Yinqiu, not letting his little plan go to waste.
Afterwards, Liang Yinqiu gave a few simple reminders and left the kitchen to get busy in the office...
But with a heart full of longing for his two darling daughters, Huang Jun couldn’t resist, and he headed towards the school building, hurriedly arriving at the door of Class (4).
At this moment.
The nap-time bell had gently rung for a good ten minutes, and the classroom was empty.
Clearly...
The little ones had gone to the dormitory for their nap under the guidance of the teachers.
He tiptoed to the door of the dormitory...
He originally thought he would see his two darling daughters already immersed in sweet dreams, but unexpectedly found the two little ones taking advantage of a moment when the teacher wasn’t looking to sneak in a little mischief!
Weiwei was leisurely lying on a small bed, playing with her fingers.
Meanwhile, Qingqing quietly opened her eyes, then quickly closed them again, pretending to be asleep in an attempt to hide the fact that she hadn’t actually fallen asleep yet.
As for the three teachers...
Wang Wenxia didn’t have to be on duty at noon and was comfortably lying on a small bed, asleep; while Yang Yuxi and Xie Jianing were sitting in two corners of the dormitory, patiently soothing the little ones who were not yet asleep.
Huang Jun’s gaze slowly wandered around the dormitory, eventually settling again on his two darling daughters.
Seeing they showed no sign of sleepiness, he stealthily approached, walked over to their beds, and softly asked, "Qingqing, Weiwei, why aren’t you asleep yet?"
Aha~
It’s Dad~
This familiar voice in their ears made their eyes sparkle like stars, as joy and excitement surged in their hearts, almost making them want to jump up and throw themselves into their dad’s warm embrace...
But in the next second...
Qingqing realized it was nap time and that other children were sleeping quietly, so she sensibly restrained her impulse, just slightly turned her head and gave Huang Jun a sweet smile.
However, the always carefree Weiwei, without so many worries, instantly sat up, excitedly shouting, "Daddy~"
"Shh!"
Huang Jun immediately placed his index finger on his lips, gently reminding her to keep quiet to avoid disturbing the other children.
Unfortunately, it was too late...
Yang Yuxi and Xie Jianing had already heard Weiwei’s shout, looking slightly surprised, then they both turned their heads to her, gently asking, "Weiwei, why aren’t you asleep yet today?"
Oh no!
Oops!
I forgot the teachers were here~
Weiwei’s little face showed a hint of nervousness, pouting her small lips, she politely responded, "Miss Yang, Miss Xie, I can’t fall asleep..."
For a child, occasionally not being able to nap is normal.
Seeing Huang Jun present, Yang Yuxi and the others understood without further questioning and did not immediately go over to coax Weiwei to sleep, only nodding to greet Huang Jun, feeling reassured in their hearts—with Huang Jun here, naturally, there was no worry that no one would coax Weiwei to sleep.
Huang Jun nodded back in return and then reached out to touch Weiwei and Qingqing’s little heads, gently saying, "It’s okay if you can’t sleep; Daddy is here with you, and you can slowly fall asleep."
With that, he pulled over a small stool and sat by their beds.
"Uh-huh!"
Weiwei nodded her little head lightly, but her eyes soon darted around, lighting up as she quietly asked, "Daddy, do you want to lie down with us and nap together?"
She also wanted to nap at home with her dad!
With the same thought, Qingqing couldn’t help but join in as soon as her sister started, echoing, "Yeah, Daddy, let’s nap together!"
Faced with the little ones’ request...
Huang Jun couldn’t help but smile wide.
He looked at their small bed, which was really too small for his tall frame standing over six feet, not able to fit his long legs at all...
He helplessly declined, "Qingqing, Weiwei, you see, Daddy’s body is too big, and your little bed is too small for Daddy. If Daddy lies down, the bed won’t hold."
"Really..."
Qingqing and Weiwei’s eyes dimmed instantly.
"It’s okay! We’ll be able to nap together when we get home tonight." He comforted them, reaching out to stroke their soft hair.
The little ones obediently nodded, "Alright!"
"Qingqing, Weiwei, close your eyes, and quickly go to sleep." He gently coaxed, reaching out to adjust the little quilt, covering their small tummies: "When you wake up, Daddy will make you some delicious afternoon snacks."
"Mm mm~"
The two little ones obediently closed their eyes. Initially lacking any sleepiness, under Daddy’s soothing promise and feeling his presence along with the rhythmic gentle patting, they unknowingly slipped into sweet dreams.
Huang Jun looked at his daughters’ sleeping faces, reached out and touched their little cheeks, then adjusted his posture to nap briefly beside their small bed.
After settling other kids to sleep, Yang Yuxi noticed Huang Jun napping at the bedside, so she quietly walked over, grabbed a soft blanket, and covered Huang Jun, preventing him from getting a chill.
Xie Jianing watched this scene, her eyes gleaming with gossip, lips involuntarily curving into a subtle, meaningful smile.
Hehe~
Something’s up!
Yang Yuxi sensed Xie Jianing’s gaze in her peripheral vision, causing her cheeks to flush slightly. She reached out to adjust the hair over her forehead, trying to cover her moment of shyness.
Then she pretended to calmly return to her seat and started reading.
One must admit.
The dormitory light was soft and dim, perfect for an afternoon nap. If it weren’t for the uncomfortable posture of napping, Huang Jun might have joined the little ones in sleeping through the afternoon nap!
Currently, Huang Jun woke from his brief nap, slowly sitting up, the blanket silently sliding off him and onto the floor.
He looked down.
Hmm?
Where did this blanket come from?
His eyes flashed with a hint of confusion. He then bent over to pick up the blanket, lightly patting the dust while turning his gaze towards Xie Jianing and Yang Yuxi nearby, guessing it was Yang Yuxi who noticed his nap and silently covered him with the blanket.
Don’t ask why it’s not Xie Jianing.
If asked, the answer lies in her thoughts – not as meticulous as Yang Yuxi’s!
A warmth surged in his heart, casting a grateful look towards Yang Yuxi’s back, then towards the little ones sleeping soundly on the small bed.
Their little noses, little mouths, little eyebrows all appeared so cute, along with those chubby cheeks...
No matter how you look, they make one feel delighted...
Feeling that time was passing, he lowered his voice to tell Yang Yuxi and the others, then hurriedly left the dormitory.
Back in the kitchen.
Huang Jun greeted Qian Guoxiang and the others, then began preparations for the afternoon snack.
Today’s snack is sugar-roasted chestnuts.
At this moment.
Aunt Li and Aunt Lin placed the selected, plump, smooth-skinned chestnuts into clean water for washing.
With their actions, water splashed gently, the chestnuts rolled in their hands, with dust and impurities washed away, revealing their original hues.
The cleaned chestnuts were placed in a basket to drain excess water.
Qian Guoxiang picked up a knife, ready to show his skills by opening the chestnuts.
Huang Jun calmly took out a first-rate kitchen knife, its blade gleaming under the workspace light, making Qian Guoxiang’s knife seem lackluster.
It’s truly the case: "without comparison, there’s no harm"...
This phrase equally applies to their current knife skills comparison.
With a twist of his wrist, Huang Jun rapidly cut, faster than the eye could follow.
The blade lightly swirled over the chestnuts, leaving precise and perfect cross-shaped cuts; each slice appeared to meticulously carve an artwork...
Though Qian Guoxiang’s technique was accurate, he couldn’t match Huang Jun’s speed, nearly being "crushed" by Huang Jun’s skill...
Fortunately, Huang Jun’s knife skills were as fluid as flowing clouds, one person equaled three in pace, and soon all chestnuts had unique "marks."
This handling not only ensured no bursting during roasting but also allowed sugar to thoroughly seep into the chestnuts, enhancing flavor complexity.
Subsequently.
Huang Jun placed the cut chestnuts into a pot, adding sufficient cold water, cooking them for 15 minutes.
With the stove heating, water temperature rose, chestnuts rolled with the waves, colors turning tender, wafting a subtle chestnut fragrance.
The 15-minute cooking period swiftly passed...
Huang Jun promptly turned off the heat, swiftly covering the pot to let chestnuts steamy cook in remaining warmth for 10 minutes.
This step was crucial, not only softening chestnuts’ texture, making it easier for kids to chew, but also aiding the chestnuts’ natural sweet release under the heat.
Next, Huang Jun started preparing sugar water.
He mixed brown sugar, honey, corn oil, and water in a 1:1:1:1 ratio in a large basin.
Aunt Li curiously approached, asking: "Chef Huang, why use brown sugar instead of white sugar?"
Aunt Lin also wondered: "Yes, I remember when Chef Wei made them before, he used plain white sugar with water. Why brown sugar? And honey too?"
Huang Jun subtly smiled and explained: "The combination of brown sugar and honey makes chestnuts tenderer and more aromatic, plus brown sugar has higher nutritional value, more suitable for kids."
Qian Guo appreciatively smiled and said: "This brown sugar honey water really is the secret to tasty sugar-roasted chestnuts."
Indeed, when Chef Huang makes a move, it’s a winning hand!
Huang Jun stirred the sugar water with a spoon until the sugar fully dissolved, becoming a thick and glossy sugar syrup.
He poured the cooked chestnuts into the sugar syrup, evenly coating each one with this sweet layer.
Covered them with a big lid, simmering for 5 more minutes, letting the chestnuts’ fragrance and sweetness thoroughly infuse with the sugar syrup.
Huang Jun placed sugar-coated chestnuts onto a baking tray, poured the remaining honey water over them, then put the tray into a preheated oven, closing the oven door.
As time passed, enticing aromas wafted from the oven...