novelraw Chapter 331 - 308: Is There Really Anything to Regret? Or Is Something Lacking?
Chapter 331 - 308: Is There Really Anything to Regret? Or Is Something Lacking?
In the kitchen.
"Oh, the parents actually arrived at the classroom half an hour early?"
When Liu Suyu and the others heard this news from the childcare teacher Wang Wenxia, they couldn’t help but look at each other, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.
You know, in past events, parents always rushed in just on time, but today they were uncharacteristically early to the classroom.
This change...
It’s really unprecedented, breaking the usual routine...
Wang Wenxia confirmed this news with a smile, "Yes, the parents are already waiting in the classroom."
Upon hearing this, Huang Jun put down his work, thought for a moment, and said, "Teacher Wang, I just finished up here, why don’t I go to the classroom with you!"
With that, he briefly instructed Qian Guoxiang by his side, then quickly moved to join Wang Wenxia in delivering the prepared lunch to Class 4.
As soon as he stepped through the classroom door...
The ones who were always thinking of him, Qingqing and Weiwei, saw him instantly, their eyes lighting up like light bulbs.
"Daddy~"
"Daddy~"
The two little ones exclaimed in unison, excitedly rushing out of the pretend play area towards Huang Jun.
"Hey!"
Huang Jun immediately placed the egg drop soup bucket on the dining table, smiling as he greeted them, squatting down to embrace them, "Qingqing, Weiwei, did you have fun playing in the pretend area just now? What did you play?"
Qingqing’s little face gently rubbed against his chin, responding in her baby voice, "Daddy, my sister and I were playing house! We pretended to be big chefs, and made lots of delicious dishes."
After hearing this, Weiwei eagerly added, "Uh-huh, Daddy, my sister and I really made many dishes, come and see."
Saying so, she took Huang Jun’s hand, pulling him toward the pretend play area to show him the "cuisine" she and her sister made together.
Qingqing also clutched tightly onto Huang Jun’s other hand, following closely behind.
"Wow, these ’dishes’ are so well ’cooked’!"
Upon seeing the lifelike mock dishes, Huang Jun smiled and praised them, "Qingqing, Weiwei, you did a great job! These dishes are cooked almost like Daddy’s!"
"Hehe~"
Hearing the praise, Qingqing and Weiwei’s little faces lit up with bright smiles, pride shining in their eyes, after which they eagerly started introducing each of the carefully crafted ’dishes’ they made.
They even picked up the mock ’dishes’ and invited Huang Jun to taste them.
In face of their enthusiastic invitation, Huang Jun could only go along, pretending to eat, chewing with delight as if enjoying it, responding to the little ones’ passion and anticipation.
At this moment,
only their family of three was still immersed in the joy of playing house, while the other children and parents in the classroom were all attracted by the enticing aroma as the lunch was brought into the classroom.
Wow!
This smells so good...
The parents, conscious of being in a public place, maintained their composure, only sighing slightly in their hearts, but each of them craned their necks to see what today’s lunch was.
However, as the distance was a bit far, they could only see the stainless steel trays and soup buckets, and what was inside remained a mystery.
But the kids had no such concerns.
Faced with the food, they didn’t cling to their parents anymore, rushing to the dining table without hesitation.
Parents: "..."
Uh...
It’s truly said, "when kids leave you, they don’t even say goodbye"...
For them to be less important in their children’s hearts compared to the food Huang Jun made!?
What a painful realization...
When the kids saw the stewed noodles in the stainless steel trays, they all had cheerful smiles on their faces, shouting excitedly:
"It’s noodles! I love noodles the most!"
"Wow, noodles today!"
"Miss Yang, I’m hungry, I want noodles!"
"I’m hungry too, I want some too!"
"..."
Hearing the children, Wang Wenxia began to serve lunch while saying, "Yes, today we’re having iron pot stewed noodles and egg drop soup for lunch."
Upon hearing that lunch was noodles and egg drop soup, many parents’ expectations slightly diminish.
To them, iron pot stewed noodles were just everyday fare, far from the sumptuous lunch they had imagined, even if made by a renowned chef, it might not bring much surprise.
However, thinking about it, today, with so many parents here, the workload at the kindergarten has doubled.
In such circumstances, for Huang Jun to personally cook and prepare so much food is already quite impressive.
If it weren’t for these parents coming, the kids probably wouldn’t be having simple stewed noodles and egg drop soup for lunch today.
Upon closer sniff...
The aroma from these iron pot stewed noodles was already so rich, it must taste good too...
Thinking this way, everyone stopped dwelling on it.
Just go with the flow!
Seeing the children drooling, Miss Yang Yuxi smiled and said, "Children, please put your toys back in place, wash your hands, and return to your seats. We will have lunch soon."
After some careful guidance during this period, coupled with the tempting lunch in front of them, most of the children quickly sprang into action and began to tidy up their toys. However, there were a few impatient ones who couldn’t wait to wash their hands and eat lunch, so they headed straight for the sink.
Seeing this.
Some quick-reacting parents swiftly stepped forward, gently reminding their children to tidy up their toys first before washing their hands. Other parents chose to directly assist their children, quickly putting the toys back in place.
Under Xie Jianing’s patient guidance, the children formed a neat line in an orderly manner. Everyone carefully washed their hands and then quickly found their seats, sitting upright.
"Children, please place your little hands gently on your laps!" Yang Yuxi gently reminded.
Upon hearing this instruction, the children obediently followed the request, performing excellently.
After all, these were young children, and occasionally one or two of them appeared slightly distracted, moving a bit slower, but overall they were already showing a pretty good sense of order.
Seeing this scene, the parents felt quite relieved.
As expected!
No matter how naughty a child is, in the hands of a teacher, they can become well-behaved.
Afterwards, parents all grabbed small chairs and sat beside their children.
With an apologetic look, Yang Yuxi said, "Dear parents, due to limited manpower, we will prioritize serving meals to the children. Please don’t worry; our Teacher Wang and Qingqing’s dad are quickly serving the meals to everyone, and soon everyone will be able to eat."
"No problem, we’re not in a hurry! Thank you to all the teachers and Qingqing’s dad for your trouble," the parents gratefully said.
"You’re welcome!"
Huang Jun smiled humbly.
Yang Yuxi, along with Xie Jianing, took the meal trays prepared by Huang Jun and the others, and headed towards the children’s tables.
Even though the parents were sitting on small chairs, their height allowed them to clearly see the food on the trays...
The iron pot-braised noodles, against the backdrop of the stainless steel plate, presented a tempting golden hue.
The noodles were distinct and neatly arranged but not sticky, covered in a rich sauce. It seemed as if every noodle strand had absorbed the essence of the broth, making them appear both plump and elastic.
Among the noodles were various vegetables and slices of meat, vibrant in color and enticing in appearance.
At the same time, the egg drop soup in the stainless steel bowl also caught their attention.
The golden egg drops floated lightly on the clear surface of the soup, as ethereal as willow cotton.
The soup was bright, and through the egg drops, a faint reflection could be seen at the bottom of the bowl, reflecting an alluring sheen.
Just looking at the presentation of these dishes made one feel they would be delicious.
"This lunch looks really delicious, with great appearance, aroma, and taste!"
After Liu Qiangtao praised it, other parents also expressed approving looks.
"These look much tastier than the braised meat sold at restaurants outside!"
"The presentation is indeed very nice!"
"..."
Qu Qing noticed the children sitting obediently and not immediately starting to eat. She couldn’t help but softly ask Lin Weiyi, "Pengpeng, why haven’t you started eating yet?"
Lin Yipeng replied in a childish voice, "The teacher said we can eat only when invited!"
Although the children were very tempted, the dining rules that the teachers had repeatedly emphasized since the start of school were firmly remembered in their minds.
Even if some children were almost licking their lips with anticipation, none dared to pick up their chopsticks and start eating without permission.
Seeing how eager the children were, Yang Yuxi introduced today’s lunch with a smile: "Today’s lunch is delicious iron pot-braised noodles and refreshing egg drop soup. Children, you may now start eating."
"Thank you, teacher, children please eat!" the children responded in unison, then eagerly started their meal.
The iron pot-braised noodles and egg drop soup brought to the classroom were of a moderate temperature, and the children unhesitatingly picked up the noodles and placed them in their mouths.
The noodles were chewy, fully absorbing the essence of the various ingredients, making each strand rich with savory broth, leaving a delightful aftertaste.
Hanghang’s dad watched his son eat the noodles in large mouthfuls, his Adam’s apple involuntarily moving up and down.
Obviously, he was tempted by his son’s eating!
Though the children couldn’t use fancy words to describe the deliciousness of the iron pot-braised noodles, their actions and expressions were vivid enough to let the parents present deeply feel the tastiness of this lunch.
Soft swallowing sounds could be heard, and Hanghang turned his head curiously to look at his dad.
Seeing his dad fixated on the iron pot-braised noodles on his own plate, he hesitated for a moment, then asked in a childlike voice, "Dad, would you like to try a bite too?"
The classroom was quite quiet at the moment, and with Hanghang’s crisp child’s voice, most of the parents should have heard it clearly.
For a moment, the surrounding parents all turned their gaze toward Hanghang’s dad.
Faced with the complex gazes of the parents around him, Hanghang’s dad smiled slightly, reached out to gently pat Hanghang’s little head, and said in a loud voice, "Hanghang is so thoughtful; in that case, dad will try a bite."
After speaking, he then realized he was in a kindergarten classroom, and so he quickly offered an apologetic smile to the parents around him.
But they completely ignored his apology!
Instead, there came looks of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Hanghang’s dad no longer cared about their envious, jealous, or resentful looks and took the spoon his son handed over, scooping up a bite of the iron pot-braised noodles to eat.
The noodles were chewy and elastic, each strand fully absorbing the rich broth, smooth to the palate, and providing a lasting aftertaste.
The long-simmered broth had thoroughly penetrated each cell of the noodles, making their flavor even more delicious.
With a bite of the noodles, Hanghang’s dad closed his eyes in indulgence.
For a long while.
Hanghang’s dad closed his eyes in indulgence, then opened them to exclaim loudly, "It’s so delicious! This seemingly ordinary iron pot-braised noodles taste so wonderful!"
"It’s just a bit unfortunate!"
Miaomiao’s dad couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Hanghang’s dad, what is unfortunate? Is there something lacking in these iron pot-braised noodles?"