Gourmet: Twins' Father and Chef of the Kindergarten-Chapter 255 - 240: I Just Can’t Do It

"Huh? Cousin, have you really made up your mind?"

Xie Jianing’s eyes showed a hint of surprise upon hearing Qiu Jingwen’s decision. However, sensing the determination in Qiu Jingwen’s tone, she agreed: "Alright! Since you’ve already decided, I’ll ask Miss Yang from our class to see if the kindergarten is still accepting enrollments."

Qiu Jingwen responded with anticipation: "Okay, thank you, Sijun. Once you’ve asked, remember to give me a call back."

"Alright!"

Xie Jianing readily agreed and hung up the phone.

When she turned around, she saw Yang Yuxi and the other teachers still standing at the kindergarten gate, so she immediately went over.

At this moment.

Yang Yuxi saw Huang Jun and Wan Zhenhong walking together and couldn’t help but show a surprised expression: "Qingqing’s dad, Director Wan, good morning... How come you’re..."

"We just bumped into each other in the parking area and came over together!" Huang Jun explained with a smile.

Wan Zhenhong smiled and nodded, then gently pushed Niuniu on the back and said warmly, "Niuniu, say hello to Miss Yang!"

"Hello, Miss Yang!" Niuniu sweetly smiled at Yang Yuxi.

"And Miss Xie as well," reminded Wan Zhenhong.

Niuniu immediately turned to Xie Jianing and sweetly said, "Hello, Miss Xie!"

Xie Jianing smiled and playfully mimicked a duck’s beak with her hand, saying amusingly, "Hello, Niuniu! How about the teacher taking you to the classroom?"

With her little face upturned, Niuniu bravely expressed her thoughts: "Miss Xie, I want to go inside with Uncle Huang, is that okay?"

Xie Jianing: "..."

All my efforts to be nice to you and win your favor, only to find out... in your eyes... I’m less appealing than Chef Huang...

But all things considered, Chef Huang is now the most popular person in the kindergarten. It’s only natural for him to be favored by Niuniu.

"Of course, that’s fine!"

Xie Jianing gave an awkward but polite smile: "Chef Huang, then it’s up to you!"

Before Huang Jun could respond, Niuniu eagerly rushed forward.

Seeing that Huang Jun was holding Qingqing in his left hand and Weiwei in his right, with no extra hand for her, she cleverly grabbed Huang Jun’s coat hem while waving her little hand at Wan Zhenhong and sweetly said, "Daddy, you go to work!"

Wan Zhenhong: "..."

Why does this scenario not play out like he imagined?

Wasn’t it supposed to be a scene of a father and daughter reluctant to part?

Why does it feel more like "forgot dad after having Uncle Huang"?

Suppressing his helplessness, Wan Zhenhong gently looked at Niuniu and said, "Alright, Daddy will go to work. Niuniu, in kindergarten, listen to your teachers and study well, okay?"

"Yes, I will. Goodbye, Daddy!" Niuniu obediently nodded.

Huang Jun smiled and said to everyone, "Director Wan, Miss Xie, Miss Yang, I’ll take them inside first. You all carry on."

"Sure!"

Wan Zhenhong nodded in response, somewhat reluctant as he watched Huang Jun and the children enter the kindergarten gate.

Yang Yuxi was about to say something more to Huang Jun, but just as she was about to speak, a voice interrupted: "Miss Yang..."

She turned her head to see Xu Sijun returning.

She temporarily put her thoughts aside and smiled at Xu Sijun, saying, "Qianqian’s mom, is there something you need?"

Xu Sijun hesitantly began: "Miss Yang, it’s like this. My cousin wants to transfer her daughter to our kindergarten and asked me to find out about the transfer process here."

Yang Yuxi apologized, "Qianqian’s mom, at the moment, our kindergarten has suspended mid-term enrollments, so we can’t accept new transfer students for now."

"But wasn’t that allowed before? I see Director Wan’s daughter transferred here," Xu Sijun said, confused.

Yang Yuxi explained, "Previously, we could transfer mid-term because there were still vacancies. Now, every class is full, so Director Liang decided to suspend mid-term enrollments. This is also to be responsible for the children already enrolled here, ensuring they receive the best education possible."

Xu Sijun felt a bit disappointed: "Oh... I see..."

Yang Yuxi comforted, "Qianqian’s mom, don’t be too upset. Although we can’t transfer now, it doesn’t mean there won’t be opportunities in the future, right? I’ll keep an eye on the situation here, and if any spots or opportunities arise, I’ll notify you immediately, or you could consider checking again next semester. There might be new developments then."

Seeing that Yang Yuxi hadn’t completely shut down the idea, Xu Sijun thought about her cousin’s husband’s family having some connections in the city, suggesting she try and speak to the director herself.

"Alright, Miss Yang, thank you. I’ll be heading back now."

Saying this, she gave Yang Yuxi a slight smile and turned to walk to her car.

Once back in her car.

She dialed Qiu Jingwen’s number again.

The call was quickly connected.

Qiu Jingwen’s voice came through: "Sijun, how did it go? What did they say at the kindergarten?"

Xu Sijun sighed and truthfully told her cousin about the situation: "Cousin, I just asked, but unfortunately, the kindergarten said they can’t accept new transfer students at the moment because all the class slots are full. However, Miss Yang from my class said she would keep an eye on things, and if any spots or opportunities arise, she’d notify us immediately. But I think the chances are slim, maybe you should try pulling some strings..."

"Ah... looks like... I was just a step too late..."

Qiu Jingwen felt a deep sense of loss.

If only she hadn’t hesitated over those twenty thousand dollars at the time, maybe she could have secured a spot on that last bus...

Alright, much better now!

Missed it, huh...

At this moment, she was filled with regret...

...

After successfully dropping off Qingqing and the others at Class 4 and handing them over to Miss Wang Wenxia, Huang Jun didn’t pause for a moment and immediately headed towards the kitchen.

Perhaps because they hadn’t seen each other for more than three days, the moment Huang Jun appeared at the kitchen door...

Aunt Li and Aunt Lin’s eyes instantly lit up with joy, and they quickly approached him, greeting him warmly: "Ah, Chef Huang, you’re finally here! Where did you enjoy yourself during these three days off?"

"Nowhere special, really. The first day, I took the little ones to visit their classmates’ house and joined them for lunch; the second day, I took them to a nearby park to enjoy the fresh air; and on the last day, we just stayed home and watched TV."

On the side, Qian Guoxiang saw him looking so energetic and couldn’t help but praise: "Young people are indeed full of energy. Look at you, coming back from the holidays still so full of life."

Huang Jun replied honestly: "Not really, I’m mainly excited about the upcoming seven-day National Day holiday after a few days of work, and that good mood instantly boosts my energy!"

Indeed.

His words certainly hit the sweet spot, giving everyone a renewed sense of vigor amidst their somewhat sluggish spirits.

Yes!

Just get through these days, and a seven-day holiday awaits. Just thinking about it is exciting!

"Although I know everyone is eagerly anticipating the National Day holiday, we can’t delay the snacks for the kids, so let’s start working right away!"

As he spoke, he prepared to change his clothes in the lounge.

Just then.

The crisp sound of high heels tapping against the floor drew closer, interrupting their actions and causing them to turn their heads in unison...

The approaching person was none other than.

Liang Yinqiu!

Aunt Li and Aunt Lin greeted her with a smile: "Good morning, Director Liang!"

Curious because Liang Yinqiu usually had a reason for her visits, Qian Guoxiang asked: "Director Liang, what brings you here? Is there a new directive?"

"Yes, Director Liang, why are you here? Anything up?" Huang Jun was also quite puzzled.

Liang Yinqiu smiled and nodded at them, her gaze falling on Huang Jun: "Chef Huang, I do have something to discuss with you."

Huang Jun promptly responded: "Director Liang, please go ahead."

Liang Yinqiu pondered for a moment: "This is a long story."

"Then make it short!" Huang Jun joked.

Liang Yinqiu nodded and continued: "Here’s the thing, this morning, teachers from various classes reported to me that during the three and a half days of the Mid-Autumn Festival break, the children kept clamoring at home for the meals cooked by you, Chef Huang. The parents have been driven crazy by their kids’ constant nagging."

"Now these parents are trembling with fear at the prospect of the upcoming seven-day National Day holiday, worried that their kids will keep fussing for the kindergarten meals at home."

"In short, the parents want us to make the meals... well, less tasty for the next few days so that their kids won’t keep hankering after them."

"Huh? No way!"

Aunt Li and Aunt Lin exclaimed almost simultaneously, nearly dropping their jaws onto their shoes.

Cooking is all about making delicious food; how could anyone deliberately make it bad?

This... this totally overturns their understanding!

Qian Guoxiang’s eyes widened like saucers!

Having spent years in the culinary industry, every request he heard was to make the food more delicious, where has he ever heard of making it "less tasty"?

This... this defies logic!

Huang Jun was equally stunned after hearing Director Liang’s words, as an online phrase popped into his mind: "I can’t do it, my lord..."

He smiled wryly and said to Liang Yinqiu, "Director Liang, I’m afraid I can’t manage this task! Making bad food goes against my principles and aspirations as a chef."

"Chef Huang, I understand your dilemma." Liang Yinqiu nodded sympathetically: "Then does anyone have any solutions?"

"That’s easy." Aunt Li volunteered: "Why don’t Aunt Lin and I handle the cooking for the next few days? We guarantee to achieve that less tasty result."

Aunt Lin chimed in: "Yes, we’ll do it and make sure the kids won’t miss the kindergarten food."

Liang Yinqiu shook her head: "No, no, I know your skills. They were fine before, but since Chef Huang has spoiled the kids’ palates, if you cook, it would definitely make them cry from how bad it is..."

Aunt Li: "..." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Aunt Lin: "..."

"How about I do it? At least I am the head chef of a five-star hotel. While not as good as Chef Huang, it won’t be so bad that it makes the kids cry." Qian Guoxiang stepped up.

Liang Yinqiu thought it was a feasible plan, so she nodded: "Alright, then we’ll rely on you, Assistant Chef Qian, to take over the cooking for the next few days!"

"Chef Huang, you don’t need to worry about the cooking these few days, take a break instead!"

Uh...

What does that mean?

Is this implying that Huang Jun’s getting a holiday in advance?