Food: Taking the twins to kindergarten to be chefs

"Dad, who's calling you?"

Weiwei tilted her pink little face up, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Huang Jun responded subconsciously: "Oh, it's your Uncle Liu who called..."

"Uncle Liu?"

When Weiwei heard this, she immediately became interested and asked with a puzzled look on her face: "Dad, what does Uncle Liu want to talk to you about?"

As she spoke, her eyes suddenly lit up like light bulbs, and she guessed excitedly: "Dad, could it be that Hanhan wanted to play with me and my sister, so she asked Uncle Liu to call us?"

Hearing this, Qingqing also looked at Huang Jun with anticipation.

I hope he can give a positive answer.

"Well... Dad doesn't really know either!"

Huang Jun looked at the two little girls gently, and saw that their eyes couldn't help but flicker with a bit of loss because of his uncertainty, which made him feel a little bit reluctant.

So, he continued with a smile: "However, it is also very likely to be as you think! Let's answer the phone first and hear what Uncle Liu has to say, okay?"

"Okay!"

The two little guys said in unison, with expectant expressions on their faces again.

Huang Jun gently slid the screen of his mobile phone, answered the call, and considerately turned on the speaker function so that Qingqing and Weiwei could also hear the conversation clearly.

next second...

Liu Shiwei's voice came from the other end of the phone with some urgency: "Brother Huang, where are you now? Are you resting at home? I have something I want to talk to you about in person. I wonder if it's convenient for you now? If it's convenient, I'll go to your house to find you now."

"now?"

Huang Jun muttered to himself, this timing is so coincidental that it makes people feel helpless.

When Qingqing and Weiwei saw that the content of the call was not the news about Hanhan that they were expecting, a hint of disappointment flashed in their eyes, but they still pricked up their ears curiously, wanting to hear clearly what Uncle Liu wanted to talk to their father about.

Huang Jun looked at Qingqing and Weiwei beside him with a hint of apology. Seeing the two little ones staring at him with curious eyes, like "spectators", he smiled at them.

Then, he continued on the phone: "Brother Liu, I'm so sorry, I'm not home now. I'm accompanying Qingqing and Weiwei to enjoy parent-child time in Qilong Lake Park in Linxi Town. We just watched the lively dragon boat race and were planning to take a good walk. I don't think we can go back for a while. Is there anything urgent for you?"

Liu Shiwei explained on the other end of the phone: "Oh, it's like this, you still remember the food company we discussed the day before yesterday! I'm making good progress here, I've found a very suitable address, and the company's legal department has also drafted a detailed contract. Why don't we sign the contract first, so that we can move forward with the project as soon as possible."

"So soon..."

Huang Jun couldn't help but be a little surprised when he heard this, and at the same time he secretly admired Liu Shiwei's efficiency.

He smiled and praised: "Brother Liu, you really are an experienced elder brother... You are so decisive when doing things, which makes people admire you!"

"Brother Huang, thank you for the compliment..."

Liu Shiwei was humble in words, but in his heart he was overjoyed by the praise. However, he did not forget the business, and continued to ask with a smile: "So when can you return to the city?"

Huang Jun thought for a moment and replied, "Well, around noon!"

"How about we arrange it this way..."

After a brief thought, Liu Shiwei made a suggestion: "Your sister-in-law and your registered disciple, Chef Ge, are busy preparing the Dragon Boat Festival special food - pancake rolls at home this morning, and plan to eat them at noon. How about you, Qingqing, and Weiwei come to my house for lunch at noon? We can enjoy the food, chat, and sign the contract at the same time. What do you think of this idea?"

Huang Jun said hesitantly, "Will this cause too much trouble for you?"

Hearing this, Liu Shiwei laughed heartily: "We have such a close relationship, there is no need to distinguish between you and me. It has been happily decided. See you at noon!"

Huang Jun saw the expectant expressions on Qingqing and Weiwei's faces, their eyes shining as they stared at him. They were obviously looking forward to going to Liu Shiwei's house, so he stopped being polite and said, "Brother Liu, I'll obey your orders. I'll be there around 11:30."

Liu Shiwei expressed his understanding: "No problem, we'll wait for you!"

"Okay, see you later!"

Huang Jun responded.

As soon as they hung up the phone, Qingqing and Weiwei couldn't wait to jump up and cheered excitedly: "Yeah! We can play with Hanhan~"

For them, what they eat is not important. The real fun is playing with good friends.

So.

They instantly lost interest in continuing to wander around.

"Why don't we go back now? I really want to play with Hanhan!" Weiwei blinked her bright big eyes and looked at him, full of anticipation.

"Okay, okay, Dad gets it, but we have to ask my sister for her opinion."

Huang Jun smiled and said something to comfort her, then turned to look at Qingqing and asked gently, "Qingqing, what do you think?"

Qingqing blinked and thought for a while, then smiled and nodded and replied, "I'm fine with it. Just follow my sister's wishes. I also want to see Hanhan sooner!"

Seeing his two daughters so excited, Huang Jun naturally would not refuse them and said with a smile: "Okay, then let's go back early and prepare to enjoy this wonderful afternoon with Hanhan!"

As he spoke, he took the two little ones' hands and walked towards the intersection.

"Daddy, daddy, look here..."

When passing by a sugar painting stall, Weiwei was immediately attracted and shouted excitedly: "It's sugar painting~"

“It’s really a sugar figure~”

Qingqing's eyes immediately lit up, and she pleaded expectantly, "Daddy, I want to see this!"

Hearing the children's calls, Huang Jun stopped involuntarily.

Qingqing and Weiwei stood in front of the stall, looking up at the sugar figures stuck on the straw targets.

Those sugar figures were carefully cast into various lifelike patterns such as butterflies, rabbits, goats, tigers, dragons and phoenixes, which made them dazzled.

The stall owner, a wizened old man in a neat short-sleeved Mao suit-style shirt, was concentrating on using a sugar spoon to slowly stir the heating maltose in a metal pot.

With a warm smile on his face, he said to Qingqing and Weiwei kindly: "Children, no matter what pattern you turn to, I will draw it for you, and it doesn't charge any fees..."

Next to the sugar pot is an exquisite turntable, which is divided into twelve grids, and each grid is carefully painted with an animal pattern.

There is a thin needle in the middle of the turntable. The old man gently pushes it and the needle starts to spin rapidly.

"My dad can also draw these sugar figures~"

Weiwei bit her right index finger lightly, her eyes fixed on the sugar paintings on the straw target for a moment, then pointed at the sugar figures, her face full of admiration and pride for her father and said, "He draws really well!"

"Mmmmm~"

Qingqing quickly agreed, nodding her head vigorously like a chick pecking at rice, expressing her full agreement.

"Oh? Really?"

When the old man heard this, he couldn't help but look up at Huang Jun who was standing behind them.

He looked at Huang Jun carefully, and judging from his appearance, he was sure that this young man was the father the children were talking about.

But...

He looked up, down, left and right, and no matter which angle he looked at, it was difficult to match him with the identity of a sugar man maker.

After all, Huang Jun looks too young, which is very different from his image as a sugar figurine master with many years of experience.

But as we all know, children don't lie.

and so.

Could their father be a sugar painting beginner?

And the two kids think the sugar figures drawn by their father are very good because they have a strong filter?
Nine times out of ten it is!

After all, how can children understand these art appreciations...

Just as the old man was thinking in his heart... "Of course it is..."

Qingqing nodded vigorously and said softly: "The sugar figures drawn by my dad are super good, almost the same as the ones you draw, grandpa..."

Weiwei looked serious and confident, and added: "I think Daddy draws better than Grandpa!"

real or fake?

Could it be that his paintings are better than those of the sixth generation sugar painting inheritor in his family?

The old man couldn't help but grumble in his heart.

After all, the art of sugar painting is a treasure passed down from generation to generation in their family. He has been immersed in the atmosphere of this art since he was a child, studying hard and practicing diligently just to carry forward this craft.

However, times have changed…

The art of sugar painting is now facing the dilemma of a lack of successors.

In order to prevent this precious skill from being lost, the old man stood up resolutely.

Not only did he actively apply for the protection of intangible cultural heritage, striving to use official power to protect the sugar painting skills, he also personally traveled to major tourist attractions and spared no effort to promote the art of sugar painting.

We set up a stall to make sugar figures for children for free, in order to stimulate more people's interest in sugar painting. We hope that in the future more young people will be willing to join in and pass on this ancient craft.

I didn't expect to encounter such an interesting thing when I came here to set up a stall today.

This time.

His interest was immediately piqued. He hoped to see Huang Jun's sugar painting skills and also wanted to verify whether what the two little guys said was true or not.

He turned to Huang Jun with a smile and asked in a friendly manner: "Sir, are you the father of these two children?"

"Yes!"

Huang Jun smiled and nodded in response.

Just now, he heard his daughters praising the old man's sugar painting skills to him, and even claiming that they were better than the old man's. He actually felt a little embarrassed.

After all, he has a system to rely on, so it’s not worth mentioning that he has a cheat family.

The old man's skills were acquired through years of hard practice.

There's no comparison!

Seeing this, the old man said, "I just heard from your twin daughters that your sugar painting skills are very superb. I wonder if I would be lucky enough to witness it with my own eyes?"

Huang Jun immediately understood what the old gentleman meant. He wanted him to demonstrate his sugar painting skills on the spot!

Before Huang Jun could speak, Weiwei beside him couldn't wait to pull his hand and said coquettishly: "Daddy, just draw one, draw a phoenix for me, okay?"

Qingqing also echoed in a low voice: "Dad, I want a phoenix too!"

Seeing his daughters' expectant eyes, Huang Jun couldn't bear to disappoint them, so he smiled and nodded and agreed: "Okay, Dad will draw a phoenix for both of you."

After that, he turned to the old gentleman and added politely: "Old gentleman, if you don't mind, I will show it to you now."

The old man smiled with satisfaction upon hearing this, and quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no, I certainly don't mind. I'd love to see your skills in person!"

As he spoke, the old man took the initiative to give up his seat and enthusiastically guided Huang Jun to familiarize himself with the various tools on the sugar painting stall. He also thoughtfully prepared fresh malt sugar and a clean metal pot for him.

Huang Jun skillfully pours maltose into the pot and heats it.

When the sugar liquid became golden and translucent and had the right viscosity, he lightly picked up the copper spoon, scooped half a spoonful of maltose, and began to paint freely on the smooth wax chopping board.

Qingqing and Weiwei watched intently from the side, looking forward to it with great joy.

The old man was also watching quietly at the side, his eyes fixed on every subtle movement and exquisite detail of Huang Jun, afraid of missing even a single detail.

have to say.

From boiling sugar to making it, Huang Jun showed extremely high professionalism in every step, which was impeccable.

Huang Jun's skill in drawing sugar figures is brought to full play...

In just less than a minute, a lifelike golden phoenix appeared on the table under his skillful hands.

The phoenix spreads its wings and is about to fly, its posture extremely graceful, as if it will break free of the wax shackles at any moment and soar into the blue sky...

The old man secretly admired the clean, smooth movements. At the same time, he couldn't help but ask himself: Can he make such a lifelike phoenix in just one minute?

The answer is self-evident!

He can't do it!
After all, it would take him at least twice as long to make such a large phoenix.

And this young man was able to complete it in such a short time, which is enough to show that his sugar figurine making skills have reached the level of perfection...

This is really...

The Yangtze River's waves behind push the waves ahead, and the old ones are replaced by the new ones in the world...

At this moment, the old man was convinced that what Qingqing and Weiwei said was true, but he also felt that he was indeed not as skilled as others. At the same time, he felt sincerely gratified and proud that he could witness the rise of such a young talent in his lifetime.

He believed.

This young man will inject new vitality and hope into the inheritance and development of the sugar figurine craft, making this ancient and beautiful craft shine even more brightly.

Huang Jun lightly attached the bamboo stick, scooped up the glittering golden phoenix sugar painting, and handed it to Weiwei with a smile: "Here, it's yours!"

"Thank you, Dad..."

Weiwei happily took the phoenix sugar painting, responded politely, and immediately turned around to show off to the old man: "Grandpa, look, this is the phoenix sugar painting made by my dad!"

"Well, it's really beautiful and very delicately made."

The old man praised Huang Jun and said sincerely, "Young man, you did a great job. The level of detail of this phoenix sugar painting is almost the same as mine. But what I admire more is your speed and superb skills, which are indeed better than mine. You are really a young man to be feared."

Huang Jun smiled modestly and waved his hand quickly: "Old sir, you are too kind. I have only accumulated some experience through continuous learning and practice. Compared with older artists like you, I still have a lot to learn and improve."

The old man's eyes lit up and he asked curiously, "Oh? So you are also a craftsman who has a deep interest in sugar painting. I wonder which master you learned from?"

Huang Jun smiled and shook his head: "Actually I don't have a specific master. I just like to figure it out and try things out on my own when I have nothing to do. I figured it out slowly."

"Thinking and trying on your own? Can you draw so well?"

The old man found it a little unbelievable and wondered in his heart whether Huang Jun was a little Versailles.

Weiwei interrupted and said, "My dad is a chef, but he is also very interested in sugar painting. He just figured it out on his own. No one taught him."

This time.

The old man was sure that everything Huang Jun said was true.

Saying.

Is this what people often call "self-taught"?

But this skill is too exquisite...

The exquisiteness of the work made even a master craftsman with decades of experience feel inferior to him...

Saying.

How did one acquire such hand speed and skills?

The old man looked at Huang Jun's young face, puzzled. He could only attribute it all to Huang Jun's extraordinary talent, as well as his unremitting efforts and persistence, which have made him have such exquisite craftsmanship today.

Such talents are rare and worthy of his full support...

Therefore, an idea came to his mind. (End of this chapter)