Gourmet: Twins' Father and Chef of the Kindergarten

The lingering echoes of the birthday celebration slowly faded, as the lights dimmed under the night sky. The laughter and joy gradually ebbed away like the tide into the deep night, leaving behind a peaceful silence.

Yang Deyi and the others were still immersed in the joy of their gathering. Reluctant to end this rare moment, they decided to continue by sitting around the table for another round of mahjong.

Huang Jun glanced at the time, feeling it was getting late and that it was time to take the two little ones home for rest.

So...

He gently called to Qingqing and Weiwei, who were absorbed in the magical world of cartoons, "Qingqing, Weiwei, it’s time for us to go home."

"Okay, Daddy~"

The two little ones, although reluctant to leave the cartoons, obediently nodded and followed Huang Jun to bid goodbye to Yang Yuxi’s family and the other guests.

Shu Meiling was somewhat reluctant, holding Qingqing and Weiwei’s little hands with loving eyes, "Qingqing, Weiwei, remember to have your dad bring you over to grandma’s to play whenever you have time. Grandma’s house is always open for you~"

Qingqing and Weiwei sensibly nodded, "Yes, grandma!"

Yang Yuxi slightly tilted her head, her gentle gaze sweeping over Huang Jun with an indescribable fondness flitting through her eyes.

At that very moment,

Huang Jun also turned his head, their eyes meeting in mid-air. He returned her look with a warm smile, nodding in acknowledgment.

Yang Yuxi’s eyes seemed to light up with stars, sparkling with a subtle glow. Before she could say anything, a blush of shyness had already crept onto her cheeks.

She unconsciously raised a hand, lightly brushing away a strand of hair from her forehead, her voice as soft as a mosquito, "Qingqing’s dad, won’t you stay a little longer?"

Huh?

Nearby, Shu Meiling inadvertently caught the delicate emotional change on her daughter’s face out of the corner of her eye.

Her attention shifted from Qingqing and Weiwei to Huang Jun, before finally settling back onto her daughter’s slightly shy face.

This very moment...

Her heart was gently stirred by a delicate pebble, creating ripples of nuanced and complex emotions.

A subtle and unfathomable intuition quietly burgeoned in her heart, suggesting that her daughter’s feelings for Huang Jun had quietly transcended traditional identities of colleague, teacher, and parent.

Could it be...

That her pure and innocent little cabbage had already begun to blossom with the fragrance of first love, harboring deep feelings for Huang Jun?

Looking at her daughter’s face, entwined with shyness and sweetness, as someone who had been there, Shu Meiling already faintly had an answer in her heart.

Huang Jun was indeed an outstanding man; he was handsome, possessed exceptional culinary skills, was noble in character, and successful in his career.

However, the only flaw was...

He was a divorced father with children.

Although Qingqing and Weiwei were lively and lovable, deeply adored by her, as a mother who dearly loved her daughter, she couldn’t help but harbor some concerns deep inside.

Indeed.

She didn’t want to see her daughter enter the halls of a second marriage and assume the role of a stepmother, facing those potentially complex and subtle family entanglements...

Yet... "A grown woman cannot be kept at home; if you try to, she’ll turn against you," as the old saying goes, it lingered in her mind, stirring a deep sense of conflict and struggle within her!

Forget it, forget it!

When the opportunity arises, she should have a good talk with her daughter about her feelings!

Hopefully, all this is just her own unwarranted worries!

And Huang Jun responded to Yang Yuxi’s question with a smile, "No, it’s getting late, the kids have school tomorrow, and I have to work early too."

"Then I’ll see you off."

Yang Yuxi showed a hint of resignation.

Huang Jun nodded, "Then I’ll trouble you."

Yang Yuxi shook her head, her smile gentle, "It’s no trouble, it’s what I should do."

Just then, Yang Deyi hurriedly walked over with an eager expression, a delicately wrapped gift bag in his hand. Almost running up to Huang Jun, he sincerely offered the gift bag, saying, "Chef Huang, since you’ve decided to leave, I won’t keep you any longer. However, you must accept this red envelope and the two bottles of Moutai inside. It’s just a small token of appreciation for all the hard work you’ve put into preparing this wonderful feast for us tonight."

Huang Jun was slightly taken aback but then showed a grateful smile, though he declined politely, "Uncle Yang, I really appreciate your kindness, but honestly, these valuable gifts, I can’t accept. Being able to attend your birthday party tonight and share this wonderful time with you and many friends is more than enough happiness for me."

However, Yang Deyi persisted, once again pushing the gift bag towards Huang Jun, "Take it, Chef Huang, don’t be so polite with me. It’s just a little token from us, it’ll put our minds at ease if you accept it."

Shu Meiling also chimed in, "Yes, Chef Huang, this small gift is just a way to express our gratitude. Please accept it, otherwise, your Uncle Yang might end up being sleepless tonight."

Yang Yuxi also agreed, "Qingqing’s dad, please take it, it’s a heartfelt gesture from my dad."

Since the offer was hard to refuse, he had no choice but to accept!

Huang Jun smiled and nodded, saying, "Alright, Uncle Yang, then I won’t be overly polite and will accept this kind gesture."

With that, he took the gift bag, immediately feeling the weight of the affection inside.

Seeing Huang Jun finally accepting the gift, Yang Deyi’s face lit up with a smile of relief, "That’s right, Chef Huang. Your culinary skills are so impressive that even my picky old friends couldn’t stop praising. Many of them expressed their desire to invite you to cook in the future, and some even asked for your contact information. However, considering your busy and unique job, I refrained from sharing. But from now on, we should definitely stay in closer touch, and not let time create a gap between us."