Food: Taking the twins to kindergarten to be chefs

In this slightly different but full of expectations twelfth lunar month, since there is no traditional New Year's Eve, the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month naturally takes on the role of New Year's Eve, kicking off the new year...

In Lintingyuan Community.

Rows of exquisite red lanterns have been hung high, like twinkling stars in the night sky, making this residential area particularly warm and charming; at the same time, brand new Spring Festival couplets are also on display. Their bright red color sets off the happy smiles on the faces of the residents, adding a strong festive atmosphere and jubilation to this festival.

Huang Jun also brought Qingqing and Weiwei and started to get busy early in the morning, preparing for this special New Year's Eve.

"Dad, where should we hang these lanterns?"

Qingqing blinked her big curious eyes and looked up to ask Huang Jun.

"Just hang them under the eaves of the balcony, one on each side, and hang them symmetrically so that they look beautiful."

Huang Jun answered with a smile, thinking about how to get the children more involved in the New Year's preparations, so he continued: "Qingqing, Weiwei, can you two help Dad hold the stool later? This way Dad can hang the lanterns with peace of mind."

"Okay!"

Weiwei nodded quickly like a chick pecking at rice, and then asked doubtfully, "But Dad, how are we going to help?"

Before Huang Jun could answer, Qingqing at the side couldn't wait to speak up: "I know, I know... Just like when Teacher Xie cleaned the windows last time, we should help hold the table down there, right? Dad?"

"Yup!"

Huang Jun nodded with satisfaction, stretched out his hand and gently hooked Qingqing's small and delicate nose, his eyes full of doting: "My Qingqing is so smart, she understands everything at once..."

After saying that, he did not forget to add, praising Weiwei as well: "My Weiwei is also great. She will definitely be able to help Dad hold the stool steadily later."

"Hehe... Of course, I'm very steady even when holding onto something."

Weiwei proudly raised her long eyebrows and continued to narrate in her childish voice, vividly describing the whole process: "Last time, Teacher Xie praised me specially, saying that when the class was cleaning, I helped to hold the ladder, which was as steady as a small hill and could not be blown away by the wind. Even Teacher Yang nodded repeatedly, praising me for being serious and reliable, which made people feel at ease. Hehe, every time I think of that scene, my heart feels as sweet as if it were filled with honey. I feel like I really have Sun Wukong's magical golden cudgel, which can make the Dragon Palace stable..."

"Weiwei, I think you want to say that you are the 'stabilizing force'?" Huang Jun interrupted with a smile.

Weiwei's eyes lit up immediately: "Yes, yes, that's the flavor of 'Dinghai Shenzhen'! Teacher Yang said the same thing at the time!"

After saying that, Weiwei became even more proud. She deliberately struck an exaggerated stable posture with her legs apart and her hands on her hips, like an unshakable guardian god. She looked both funny and cute, and Huang Jun and Qingqing couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Okay, then let's start hanging lanterns. Weiwei, it's time to show off your 'Dinghai Shenzhen' skills and give Dad a helping hand!"

As Huang Jun spoke, he moved a sturdy stool and placed it steadily at the spot where the lantern needed to be hung. Then he nimbly climbed onto the stool, holding an exquisite lantern.

Seeing this, Weiwei immediately held on to the stool with her steady hands.

Qingqing was not willing to be left behind. She quickly moved to the other side of the stool and also held it firmly with both hands.

With the help of these two capable assistants, Huang Jun was able to hang up lanterns with ease.

After a while...

The two lanterns were hung steadily under the eaves.

Huang Jun connected it to the power supply again.

For a while…

The lanterns seemed to be given life, and began to spin slowly, while emitting colorful light, like a gorgeous rainbow, reflecting on the surrounding walls, the ground, and even on everyone's smiling faces...

Weiwei squinted her eyes because of the dazzling light and shouted excitedly: "Wow, this lantern is so beautiful, with so many colorful lights, twinkling like stars are blinking!"

"Yes, it's so beautiful, just like the colorful lights in the park!" Qingqing also echoed excitedly, her eyes shining.

"At night, these lanterns will be even brighter and more beautiful!"

Huang Jun looked at the two little guys beside him with a big smile on his face, and then happily suggested: "Okay, now let's do something more interesting - post Spring Festival couplets!"

After saying that, he slowly unfolded the Spring Festival couplets he had written himself. The top line read "Spring breeze brings warmth to Tu Su", and the bottom line read "The sun is bright in thousands of doors and windows", and the horizontal scroll read "The house is filled with joy".

Huang Jun carefully compared the position of the Spring Festival couplets and the door frame, and then applied paste on the back of the couplets.

Qingqing and Weiwei assisted enthusiastically. They smoothed out the Spring Festival couplets carefully for fear of wrinkling them.

"Qingqing, Weiwei, take a look, is this posted properly?"

Huang Jun asked with concern.

The two little girls stood on tiptoe, looked at it carefully and meticulously, and then cheered in unison: "It's straight, it's straight, the daddy stuck it on really well!"

With everyone’s concerted efforts…

The Spring Festival couplets were quickly and neatly pasted up, and even the door was decorated with the bright red word "Fu".

"Dad, you made a mistake. The word 'Fu' is pasted upside down..."

Weiwei pointed at the upside-down "Fu" character on the door, frowned slightly, and looked puzzled.

Qingqing also came over and echoed, "Yes, why is this word upside down?"

Huang Jun was slightly startled, then he understood, slowly squatted down, and patiently explained to them: "Qingqing, Weiwei, do you know? This upside-down "Fu" character actually contains a profound cultural meaning. In our long-standing traditional customs, this means "Fu has arrived", symbolizing that in the new year, our family will usher in full happiness and good luck."

After hearing this, Weiwei and Qingqing's eyes sparkled. They quickly exchanged knowing glances with each other, and then cheered in unison: "Oh, so that's what it means! 'Fu' has arrived, 'Fu' has really arrived!"

Huang Jun raised the corners of his mouth, gently stretched out his hand, and gently stroked their delicate hair: "That's right, Qingqing, Weiwei, this is our common vision and wish for a better life in the future. May you carry this 'blessing' with you, grow up healthily, and be bathed in sunshine and laughter every day."

"Well, daddy must always be happy too~"

Qingqing snuggled up to Huang Jun, her eyebrows curved and her smile like the warmest sunshine in spring.

Weiwei was not to be outdone. She nodded vigorously, hugged Huang Jun's neck tightly, and promised in a baby voice: "Yes, our family must be healthy and happy, and we will never be separated!"

"Okay, we will never separate..."

Huang Jun's heart was filled with this pure happiness. He smiled and rubbed the heads of the two little guys again, his tone softer: "Qingqing, Weiwei, after talking so much, what do you want to eat for lunch? Is there anything special you want to eat?"

Qingqing blinked her bright eyes, thought for a moment, raised her head to look at him, and said in a baby voice, "Daddy, I'll do as you say. I'll eat whatever you eat, and I like everything you cook."

Weiwei also smiled playfully and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, I love everything Daddy cooks, because you are our super chef!"

Yo~
Are you so unpicky?

Yo~
Is his image in their hearts so tall? Huang Jun smiled happily, looked at them lovingly, and told them his plan: "In this case, why don't we make dumplings? Dumplings are an indispensable traditional food for the Chinese New Year."

"Good idea! I fully support it!"

Qingqing responded excitedly, raising her little hand high.

Weiwei was not to be outdone and nodded repeatedly: "I agree, let's make dumplings together, it will definitely be fun!"

"Okay, then you guys play by yourselves for a while. Dad will go to the kitchen to knead the dough and prepare the dumpling filling. When the dough is kneaded and the filling is prepared, you guys can come and help Dad make dumplings, okay?"

Huang Jun gave instructions and when he saw the two children nodded obediently, he turned and went into the kitchen to wash his hands first.

Next, it’s time to knead the dough.

The properties of the dough needed to make dumplings are significantly different from those of the dough used to make hand-rolled noodles.

In order to make dumplings with a chewy outer layer and not easy to break, the dough needs to be kneaded a little harder.

During the dough kneading process, in addition to adding an appropriate amount of salt to increase the toughness of the dough, some eggs should also be added. This will not only make the dough more chewy, but also make the dumplings taste better after they are cooked.

If you are looking for higher quality, adding only egg whites and discarding egg yolks when kneading the dough will produce even better results.

According to experience, the ratio of one pound of flour to six egg whites usually achieves the best results.

Although food prepared for one's family should be as simple as possible, Huang Jun, who always pursues perfection, still chose a higher standard method, which is to add only egg whites without egg yolks.

As for the remaining egg yolks, they will naturally not be wasted. They will be used to make delicious scrambled eggs later.

Then he slowly poured cold water into the basin.

When kneading the dough, remember not to use warm water, because the dough kneaded with warm water will be too soft and sticky, which will not only make it difficult to wrap the fillings, but will also easily break during the cooking process.

He began to knead the dough.

at this time……

The doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting his ongoing operation.

"Huh? Who would come here at this time?"

He was confused and muttered to himself, and then a light bulb suddenly flashed in his mind: "Could it be that Brother Liu and his family arrived early?"

It is not surprising to think so, because he specially invited Liu Shiwei and his family of three to have dinner together today. In addition, it is New Year's Eve, and every household is busy with household affairs, and few people go out to visit friends and greetings.

"Dad, the doorbell rang, should we go open the door?"

Qingqing and Weiwei, who were playing with meat buns and pumpkin pie, instinctively ran to the kitchen after hearing the bell, asking curiously as they ran.

Huang Jun turned his head, looked at the children outside the kitchen and said, "You can go open the door, but before you open the door, remember to confirm who is outside the door first."

"Okay, I know~"

Upon hearing this, Qingqing and Weiwei seemed to have pressed the pause button. They paused, smiled at each other, and then hopped towards the door like happy little deer.

They worked together in tacit understanding to move a small stool in front of the door. Weiwei jumped lightly and stood steadily on the stool, standing on tiptoe, as if she had turned into a curious little detective, carefully peeking at the world outside the door through the cat's eye.

Outside the door, Liu Shiwei's family was standing there with smiles on their faces. Liu Shiwei was holding several heavy, beautifully wrapped gift boxes in his hands.

Wen Xueqin beside her was holding Liu Ruihan's little hand and looking at the door eagerly!
"Oh, it's Uncle Liu and his family!"

Weiwei shouted excitedly. Before she finished speaking, she jumped off the stool impatiently and ran towards Huang Jun. Her voice was full of joy: "Dad, Uncle Liu and the others are here. Can we open the door and let them in?"

Hi!
It's really Liu's family...

Huang Jun smiled and nodded, and gently instructed: "Of course you can open the door, remember to greet politely."

"I know~"

When Weiwei heard this, she immediately ran to the door like a happy little bird and was about to open it, but Qingqing who was standing at the door beat her to it.

I saw her little hand turning the door lock hard, and with a "creaky" sound, the door slowly opened.

Qingqing waved and greeted Liu Shiwei's family obediently: "Hello, Uncle Liu! Hello, Aunt Wen! Hello, Hanhan!"

Weiwei followed closely behind and greeted them sweetly: "Uncle Liu, Aunt Wen, and Hanhan, hello! Please come in!"

Liu Shiwei and Wen Xueqian responded with a smile: "Oh, what good kids! Qingqing and Weiwei are becoming more and more sensible. That's great!"

"Qingqing, Weiwei..."

As soon as Liu Ruihan saw the two little friends, he rushed over impatiently.

The three of them hugged each other tightly!

For a while…

Laughter and cheers intertwined.

Huang Jun put the kneaded dough into a bowl, covered it with plastic wrap, and walked out of the kitchen to greet Liu Shiwei and his family warmly: "Brother Liu, sister-in-law, you came at the right time. The dumpling skins have just been kneaded and I am preparing to make dumplings with the fillings. Let's eat dumplings together at noon. I'll also fry a few simple side dishes. How about that?"

"Brother Huang, you are too polite. You really don't have to worry so much. It's fine to have dumplings for lunch. It's not too late for you to show off your cooking skills in the evening."

Liu Shiwei waved his hands quickly and continued with a smile: "Actually, we originally planned to come here in the afternoon, but Hanhan kept clamoring to see Qingqing and Weiwei, so as a father, I had no choice but to bring her to this 'New Year's Eve appointment' in advance..."

"Haha, come to think of it, my Qingqing and Weiwei started talking about Hanhan as soon as they woke up in the morning! It seems that these three little guys really understand each other and have a deep friendship!"

Huang Jun smiled even brighter, and then greeted warmly, "Brother Liu, sister-in-law, please stop standing, come in and sit in the living room."

Liu Shiwei handed the exquisite gift box in his hand to Huang Jun: "Brother Huang, this is the seafood that was airlifted in this morning, as well as some fresh fruits. I brought them here especially for you to try. I hope you will like them."

Huang Jun's face flashed with surprise, and then he responded politely: "Brother Liu, you are too polite. You came just like that, and brought so many precious things with you. I am really flattered!"

Liu Shiwei patted Huang Jun on the shoulder cheerfully and said with a smile: "Do we really need to be so polite with our friendship? Besides, the children also love seafood, so just accept it!"

"Okay, then I'll obey your orders and accept it."

Huang Jun took the gift box with a smile and asked Liu Shiwei and his wife to sit on the sofa in the living room... (End of this chapter)